Cat People, I Need Your Help and Advice, Please

[Rackonteur]

I took my elderly friend’s cat to the vet today for her annual checkup and vaccinations. I had been worried about her eyes for awhile and today the vet said she has conjunctivitis. She gave me some eye drops that need to be given twice a day.

Do you have any experience giving a cat eye drops? Any advice? I have only ever put eye drops in my own eyes, and not at all often. My niece-cat knows me well and we get along very well but I am nervous about how to give her the drops. I will be doing it twice a day for the next seven days. Please help!

Do you know of any yummy and healthful low-fat cat treats? She needs to be switched over to some because Temptations have too much fat.

All advice, suggestions, experience appreciated! And jingles and purrs too please!

[JB]

Cat churros, or other brands’ equivalents (I used Temptations Purrrree, cheaper) were a godsend.

Once kitty learned what it was, I would hold it about thigh level so kitty had to stand up (and balance on my leg, so wear clothes), and as she was licky licky, I just dropped a drop on

Prior to learning that, I had to scruff her, tip her head back and drop a drop in

Aim for the tear duct area, it will move itself into the eye with just a little movement. That means you don’t have to actually peel her eye open, which Just Does Not Happen with a lot of cats. Once the drop is in, while scruffed, you can just gently use your fingers to smoosh back the upper eyelid just a hint, and the liquid goes in even better

May the force be with you!

[2DogsFarm]

I’d do the Towel Burrito.
A Churro-like treat before & after should help your cat get over the indignity & offense

[Rackonteur]

Thank y’all.

[Rackonteur]

I was so worried about it that I completely forgot to post my other question:
Do you know of a cat-safe hot(ish) sauce to rub/spray on an oxygen tube to stop kitty chewing it?
Or the name of one of the no-lick ointments you can put on a bandage?

[OzarksRider]

I used Tabasco sauce to stop a cat from chewing electric cords.

[Fiesta01]

@2DogsFarm

I’d do the Towel Burrito.

The only way I’ve ever gotten eye drops in cats, unfortunately.

[MunchingonHay]

@Rackonteur

I took my elderly friend’s cat to the vet today for her annual checkup and vaccinations. I had been worried about her eyes for awhile and today the vet said she has conjunctivitis. She gave me some eye drops that need to be given twice a day.

You are a good friend for helping with the cat.

May the force be with you is right! You may need an extra set of hands, one to burrito the kitty while the other drops in the meds.

[Whoosh]

Bitter Apple has worked well for us with kittens that lick each other inappropriately. I feel like anything that can go on their skin is safe enough for house use. Just wear gloves when you use it or wash your hands very well. It tastes horrible, but usually turns the animal off whatever they were trying to chew very quickly! They should sell Bitter Apple at your local Petsmart/Petco.

For eye drops, the kitty burrito is your best bet. I always bundle kitty up and then sit on the floor cross-legged with kitty in my lap. Place kitty’s back to your chest. If necessary, use a chip clip or clothespin to hold the towel closed around the neck. This position makes it harder for kitty to back up or kick out. As someone mentioned upthread, you shouldn’t need tog et the drops 100% directly in the eye. Aiming for the corner should be fine. They design these meds knowing that getting them in a cat’s eye isn’t a perfect science

As for treats, Churu is loved by all kitties and has basically no additives re: extra sugar or fat. Also worth looking into is ham or turkey baby food (yes, really). Kitty can lick it off of the jar lid. I’ve not found a cat yet that doesn’t go ape for the stuff.

[JB]

@Whoosh

Also worth looking into is ham or turkey baby food (yes, really).

oh, great idea! And you can draw that up in a syringe as well if it helps to direct kitty’s head somewhere (like up, for eye drops)