Chasing the Cat

Our oldest cat is now on two medications, and we have happily been able to avoid pills for both. The antihistamine is the child's strength liquid form from the local drug store and the hyperthyroidism medication comes in a cream that we rub into his upper inside ear twice daily. We and the vet have made sure to reduce the insult level of twice a day drugs as much as possible.

The cat is not appreciative of our efforts. I am the primary giver of medications - my husband is less diligent as long as I am around to handle it. So usually the cat sees me and runs off to hide under the bed or behind a pile of boxes. 

We are confusing him, which I hope that this will eventually help him to relax. He has already discovered that these treatments are much easier than the antihistamine pills he was first on. He makes all the requisite noises but hides less far away after being treated. While he still foams at the mouth from the antihistamine, the foam is clear white. There is no hint of the red cherry flavored liquid still in his mouth. He will eventually realize that there is nothing to get rid of, or that eating some food would be a better fix. (I hope...)

We have had some entertainment during this process. The first was when the vet in Maine gave him his first pill and assured us that the cat was "really easy". And he was - for her or for anyone else in a vet's office. He is like our other cats, intimidated into stillness (aka good behavior) at the doctor's. It is only at home he recovers his usual temperament.

The second was when I picked up the hyperthyroidism medication at the pharmacy, and was advised to not chase the cat around to treat him lest he get "anxious". I giggled - not only is this cat Siamese, he is the most neurotic and non-adaptive Siamese we have ever had. The only way to NOT make him anxious would be to slightly overdose him with the antihistamine before rubbing the hyperthyroidism med into his ear.

I am thinking about doing that.