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The Article of the Month
Pilling Your Pet
A tutorial on administering oral medications to your pet.
By: Joanne Freeman
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One of the biggest challenges pet owners often face is administering medication to their dog or cat. Prescriptions can be costly. It is also important to follow dosage instructions closely to that your pet receives the full benefit of the medication. Consequently, we have created the tutorial below to help you learn how to administer medication with confidence.
Administering Tablets:
Dogs
It is generally easier to “pill” dogs than cats. Dogs tend to have better, and more regular, eating habits. They will also often readily accept the pills in their food. If you follow this route, make sure that Fido swallows the entire dose. Consider using canned dog food, peanut butter or cottage cheese. If your dog does end up spitting the pill out or has special dietary restrictions, you will have to place the pill right into the mouth.
Start by making sure you are in a small safe room or area where handling your dog will be easier. Lubricate the pill with a little butter or margarine first as this will help it slide down his throat. Hold the pill between the thumb and forefingers of your dominant hand (for example, if you are right handed, hold the pill in your right hand). Gently grasp your dog’s muzzle from above with your other hand, by placing your thumb on one side and you fingers on the other side right behind the canine teeth. Once you have a firm but gentle grip, point your dog’s head toward the ceiling. His lower jaw will probably drop open. If not, open his mouth by putting the last two fingers of the hand holding the pill between the two lower canine teeth and pushing downward. Quickly place the pill as far back over the tongue as possible. It will most likely be swallowed if you get it far enough back to go over the hump of the tongue at the back of the mouth. Try not to place your hand too far back as it could stimulate a gag reflex. Close your dog’s mouth and return his head to normal position. Gently rub his nose or throat, or blow lightly on his nose. Either of these methods should cause him to swallow. Be sure to give Fido plenty of praise and offer him a treat for being such a good dog.
Cats
Cats can be more challenging to “pill”. If Fluffy eats soft food, or enjoys tuna, salmon or cream cheese as a treat, you may be able to administer medications in her food. But if this fails, you must give her the pill by hand.
Start in a safe place that allows for few opportunities for escape. If you are able to accomplish wrapping your cat in a towel, it will prevent you from getting scratched. Grease the pill with a small amount of butter or margarine for easy sliding. This is especially helpful with capsules. Hold the pill between your thumb and forefinger.
Gently grasp your cat’s head from above with your other hand by placing your thumb on one side of the upper jaw and your fingers on the other side. Tilt Fluffy’s head back over her shoulder so that her nose points to the ceiling. The jaw should drop open slightly. With your pilling hand, use your little finger and ring finger to open Fluffy’s mouth further by gently putting pressure on the lower lip and front teeth. Quickly place the pill as far back over the tongue as possible. Try to place it on the back one third of the tongue to stimulate an automatic swallowing reflex. Close Fluffy’s mouth and keep it closed while you return her head to proper position and blow lightly on her nose to encourage swallowing.
If this method does not work, try placing Fluffy on an elevated table. Hold her by the scruff of the neck and lift the front paws off of the table. Her mouth will drop open. Quickly place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible, as in the previous method.
Finally, if you still are having trouble, you can try a “pet piller” or the new Greenies “Pill Pocket” for dogs. You can also ask your veterinarian about flavoring the medications. Many pharmacies now offer liquids with tuna, chicken, salmon and other flavoring to make them more palatable.
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Photos by: Henry Moore
www.vetmed.wsc.edu |
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Photo by: Henry Moore
www.vetmed.wsc.edu |
Administering Capsules
Capsules can be placed into your pet’s mouth using the same process as you would for pills. If this does not work ask your veterinarian about opening the capsule op and sprinkling onto your pet’s food. This is an important step because some capsules cannot be opened and distributed this way. If you choose this method of administering the dosage, feed a small amount of food in order to insure that the whole dose is consumed.
Another method is to mix the contents of the capsule with water and use a syringe to place the medication into your pet’s mouth. Again, always check with your veterinarian before administering the capsule this way.
Administering Liquids
Liquid medications offer an alternative that may be easier method of getting the necessary medication into your pet. Because liquid medications tend to be messy, it is best to administer them in an area that is easy to clean. Make sure your pet is comfortable. Using an eyedropper or syringe, slowly place the medication into your pet’s mouth. The tip of the dropper can be inserted just behind the canine (fang or eye) tooth where the jaw does not completely close.
You can also place the liquid in the cheek pouch between the lips and the back teeth. Slowly squirt small amounts into the mouth. Pause between amounts to allow your pet to swallow all the liquid.
As always, make sure to consult your veterinarian regarding any issues that you may have with medicating your pet. The trained professionals at your family practice are there to help you when any medical problems or challenges arise.
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Peggy's Corner:
Recipies for your furry friend.
Make sure to talk with your veterinarian if your pet has food allergies or intestinal problems.
PURRFECT LUNA TUNA TREATS:
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
½ can tuna in oil, drained OR ½ cup cooked chicken, chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
1/8 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first four ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add a little water if the dough is too stiff. Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. (Peggy prefers her cookies to be fish shaped.) Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until firm. Cool completely.
POLLYWOG DOG BISCUITS:
2 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup all purpose flour
½ cup powdered dry milk
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons margarine or bacon fat
1 egg, beaten
½ teaspoon brown sugar
¼ c sunflower kernels, finely chopped
¼ cup milk
¼ cup water
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix first four ingredients. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles cornmeal. Beat the egg and sugar together and add to dry mixture. Fold in the sunflower kernels. Add milk and water to make dough stiff. Knead until smooth and pliable. Roll out onto a floured surface to a ½ inch thickness. Use any shape cookie cutter to cut the biscuits. (Peggy recommends one shaped like a mailman.) Bake on a greased cookie for 30 minutes or until lightly toasted. For crisper biscuits, turn oven off and leave in for an extra hour.
Visit the CT Humane Animal Care Library for more Fox Focus tips.
Visit Fox Memorial Clinic for more information on the services they provide.
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