? OT- HELP!I need tips/tricks on getting bitter liquid meds into Katie with a sore mouth

I am at my wit's end. It's been a nightmare for the last week. Katie had 8 extractions about 10 days ago. She was okay until Friday. Then quit eating.
They found a large salivary mucocele under her tongue. Preventing her from eating. They also think there is some infection going on.
After 3 vet trips and an ER visit (one of the worst experiences of my life), she went all weekend without eating or drinking. ER vet refused to give her fluids), back to my vet on Monday, she is prescribing clindamycin and painkillers.
She is eating very little now, sometimes not at all. Vet thinks the mucocele will go away in time, she does not think that is infected, but really inflamed, but she saw a little pus around the stitches. She thinks the antibiotics and time is key.

I need to get this clindamycin in her, 2.5 ml twice a day, so it's a lot. I m having horrible time. First couple doses went okay, but now......

To avoid aspiration, I have always given liquid medicine by inserting syringe in corner of mouth, dispensing small amounts between cheek and teeth. That is not working. she is clenching her jaw, refusing to swallow and the sticky mess is just running out of her mouth.

I need help, guys. Her extractions were all lower back ones. Both sides. There are stitches. They are sore. She has this huge lump under her tongue. My last attempt I somehow managed to get her mouth bleeding (should that even happen 10 days after surgery?) I dont feel I can put the syringe back further because of the surgery sites.

How do you suggest I do this? Again, she is fighting me and I dont want to hurt her or have her aspirate any of it. And 2.5 ml is a lot. Help , help help! My poor beautiful girl. On top of it she is a big sticky mess from this medicine, she's uncomfortable, wont let me clean her. *tears*

 

off the wall suggestion, don't know if it would work, can you mix the medication in with a strong tasting oil? I was thinking of the oil that smoked oysters come in, or oil from tuna

alternatively something really sticky which could cling to her tongue -- or use it to dab on top of her front paws -- even if it's yucky, cats don't seem to tolerate sticky stuff on top of paws, they lick it even if (cat version of Mr Yuk)

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but I would be afraid syringing any kind of oil. I just need suggestions on how to squirt it in her mouth I think, where she will swallow it, but not choke.

 

I never solved this problem with giving liquids; pilling my old cat was so much easier. While my cat didn't have any mouth issues, lactulose was a sticky mess and mirtazapine made her foam up bad. I discovered that giving her two smaller doses worked a lot better; she didn't gag and she stopped foaming with the mirtaz.

I truly understand how difficult this is for you. I did not realize how much energy it takes to deal with a very sick cat until my 20 old girl crossed the RB and the weight off my shoulders was noticeable. I hope Katie starts healing and feeling better and eating soon. *hugs* to you; it's clear you love Katie so much.

 

I am actually dealing with this myself right now, just had our non-diabetic go through a dental yesterday, and since he is a chunky monkey he actually gets 4mL of Clindamycin. Ugh.

Are you trying to use that 1mL dropper that they give you in the box, or do you have a larger syringe that can contain the whole 2.5mL? That was the biggest thing for me, to ditch that stupid dropper and instead use a larger syringe with a plunger that helps me squirt it in a little better. But I won't lie, it's still not fun for either of us, so I am following for other suggestions too!

 

No, I am using a syringe. She refuses to swallow it and it just rolls back out of her mouth. I am suppose do this twice a day for 2 weeks. She really needs this to get better.

 

Have you called the vet and asked if you can get it in pill form?

A pill gun might really help and once you get good at using it, you can pill a cat in a couple of seconds.

 

My vet said for Clindamycin to add some artificial sweetener and to keep it in the fridge and only take it out right before use. Clindamycin tastes terrible.

 

Am keeping in fridge. What kind of artificial sweeter is safe?

 

Hmmm, I have only ever gotten Clinda in liquid, so I didn't even know that it was available in tablet form. I'll have to look into that, because I could then add it to the empty gelcaps that I am already using to consolidate his other meds. Thx.

 

I am not sure if there are any artificial sweeteners that are safe for cats. Stevia may be safe but you should research it before giving any.

 

The alcohol artificial sweeteners sorbitol or xylitol are bad for dogs and may be bad for cats.
I have used the pinkand yellow artificial sweeteners.
yellow packet (sucralose), pink packet(saccharin).