how to get worm tablet into kitten with ridiculously over-developed sense of smell?

[Ponders]

the vet said casually oh, just put it in their food

kitten 1 ate hers

kitten 2 ate as far as the tablet & then stopped & wouldn't even look at it. I took it away, ground the tablet up, sloshed the food about & put it down again - still nothing

that was a week or so ago - kitten 1, which was smaller, is now gaining weight like mad & is bigger than kitten 2, who has hardly grown at all, so I believe she must have worms (yes?)

today I gave kitten 2 some cheese - she liked that, so I hid the tablet in another bit of cheese - no good

did the same with some ham - ditto

I don't seem to be able to get her mouth open to put it down her throat

I have bought some spot-on wormer but it's not for kittens under 1kg, & she still is - nearly 11 weeks old & only 850g - should I use it anyway, or could it harm her???

[HeyMicky]

Kitten in towel, only head poking out. Butter on tablet, prise open side of mouth, push tablet down throat. 10 seconds, done

[MrGeresHamster]

As per Heymickey but wet the kittens nose slightly, they can't help but lick it as soon as they can (cunningly a motion that swallows the tablet).

[cozietoesie]

Tight towel - and have a helper or two standing by.

Best of luck - You may need it.

[CuttedUpPear]

When you put the kitten in the towel, swaddle it as you would a baby. And hold tight. They have superfeline powers of escapology.

[cozietoesie]

Oh - and don't use the spot-on if she's under the recommended weight. It's a powerful chemical.

[SecretSquirrels]

Advice here.
Or you can use a spot on wormer which you apply to the back of the head.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Advocate spot on wormer. It'll do fleas too.

Mine took milbemax like a dream until I boasted about him taking tablets on here. Fucker can read and log a laptop on.

[cozietoesie]

Well at least he's not posting yet!

(?)

[notapizzaeater]

I find a pillowcase better to hold the little buggers in !!!

I use the butter trick - my kitten had to have. 3 weeks of anti b tablets, the vet told me that cats don't have cholesterol like we do so butter everyday was fine ....

[Fluffycloudland77]

Yes thats true.

He could be ratting me out on my lazy day today.

[bonzo77]

How have you tried to open her mouth? Mine I tuck under my left arm pit then hold her head with the same hand. Then I poke my first finger of that hand between her jaws right at the front between the long fangs. Then I shove the pill down as far down her throat as I can with my right hand. Then quickly hold her mouth shut with my right hand and rub her throat with the left. Sounds like a palaver but it's fine, rarely been scratched.

[issey6cats]

almoist the same as bonzo here i sit the cat or kitten on my lap facing away from me, lift thier head up open gob poke tablet in as far as possible, shut thier mouth and hold till they swallow most cats or kits give in before i do i am known as the wormer queen at the rescue lol

[Ponders]

nice to see this is a frequent problem! thanks for all the advice - fluffy, your cat sounds dangerous!!!

It is Milbemax; I'm a bit concerned because the vet gave me 2 tablets, for each kit to have ½ tab at 2-weekly intervals, & now both of kit 2's ½s have gone but she's had none.

If I do manage to get the remaining ½ down her, kit 1 will be missing out on her 2nd dose - but she's nearly 1kg now so she can have the spot on stuff (Droncil?). They're not seeing the vet again for another 2 weeks, but I could pop in & ask for a couple more I suppose.

I will try the towel/pillowcase trick (have several helpers to hand) with buttered pill & wetted nose.

bonzo, I had her under my arm & tried to open her mouth with finger & thumb either side of her jaw but a) I'm a bit cack-handed & b) she's such a delicate little thing I'm scared I'll hurt her. Having her wrapped & held by someone else so I have 2 hands free should be better.

cozietoesie, I'm a bit worried about the dose of the spot on thing too - each one is for up to 2.5kg, so should I try to put a bit less than half on each kit (once they are big enough)?

[crazynanna]

Vet did my kitten when she was small (novice pfk owner). She shoved it in her mouth (assisitant swaddling her) and squirted a sryinge of water immediately in.

It went down

We use the advocate now

[Ponders]

I did ask the vet if she'd do it but she said no need, it wouldn't be a problem

HA!

(actually, to be fair, she also didn't want to do it the same day they had first vaccination)

[Ponders]

the kit I'm talking about just materialised on my keyboard shelf - made me jump - eeek! I think she is a magic cat

I will def get Advocate once I've used up the separate flea & worm spot ons I just bought, it sounds ideal

[mad4]

call your vet practice, make a nurse appointment, the nurse will do it (should be free) and your kitten will get to practice going in the carrier and travelling, all good socalisation.

the nurse wont judge or mind one bit! we LOVE kittens

[Ponders]

if I manage to fail again (place your bets now ) I'll do that - thanks, mad!

[Catsmamma]

swaddle cat and turn upside down, most cats will protest at which point you drop the tablet in!
otherwise get a firm grip of their teeny chin and again drop the pill right down....the whole upside down thing really helps it go straight in.

i have a strict no nonsense approach but my second cat would only swallow a tablet if taken completely by surprise from being asleep so that was fun....creeping up on a sleeping cat!

[BadgersRetreat]

yy to syringe of water - we do that. Only takes a couple of drops. As soon as they lick their nose you know the pill has gone down.


we use the flea and worm stuff in one on the back of the neck

she's wise to it now and when DH knelt down to get hold of her she shot backwards through his legs and under his bum

was vair funny!

[Bossybritches22]

Can I hijack the thread to ask about these combined flea/worm drops.

Can you buy them online? I got some worm ones from my vet but they were £17 for 2 doses & I have 2 kitties. Can't afford that every time!

Thanks -sorry OP!

[Fluffycloudland77]

You can ask your vet for a private prescription for advocate, ours charged £8, and I ordered it through quidco for cashback.

Mine were £25ish for the advocate for 6 doses, I only have once cat though.

[Bossybritches22]

Hmmm I think I'll start another thread rather than hijack this one!

Thanks Fluffy

[Ponders]

oh don't worry, bossyb, I'm interested too!

(have still not tried the wrapping trick. I am chicken )

I noticed that \link{http://www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-meds-prescription-only-advocate-for-cats-c-21_702/advocate-for-small-cats-p-770\vetuk.co.uk} have a 3-pack for under £13

so I will ask vet about prescription charge next time we go