I can't get him to eat anything today. Yesterday he would eat canned tuna but today not even the tuna is getting his interest. It also occurred to me that I haven't seen him drink any water since he came home from the vet. He may be drinking but I haven't seen it.

I couldn't get him to take his antibiotic today because they told me to mix it with his food. So I'm short one dose now. I'm also short one dose of the oral pain med because he squirmed right when I squirted. So back to the vet today to get replacement doses, get him pilled, hopefully get me trained to stick the pills in his mouth, and maybe get some of the appetite stimulant food. Fortunately they are open both days on the weekends.



Debby

I'm sorry you are having a hard time with the meds One thing that has worked for me in the past was a syringe with a chopped off end so you can stick a pill inside it and then the tip of the syringe is easier to stick in their mouth than your hand...and once it goes in push the top like you would with an oral medication and the pill will usually go back further in their mouth and they are more likely to swallow it. That is how I was taught and it worked pretty well. I hate having to pick up sticky pills that have been spit out to try and redo it over and over.

I'm sorry for Smokey. Poor guy.

You say he's not drinking, but is he peeing? And did the vet give fluids after the dental?

I'm sorry, this scares me so much about having dentals done. If he has any swelling, infection or is dehydrated he won't eat so hopefully a trip to the vet will help. Can they do a liquid on whatever meds are in pill form ?

Good luck, syringe feeding may be needed for a bit.

Hugs to both of you

Appointment made. Maybe syringe feeding with the special appetite stimulating food will be necessary. At least he's a lot easier to handle than Snowy. I had huge problems with her when she had to have dental work a couple of years ago. That's why I was worried about Smokey needing this treatment.

So I'll get the lost doses replaced, get instruction on pilling him, see what to do about syringe feeding him, maybe have some fluids administered, etc. Wish us luck.

The problem with these sophisticated procedures they do these days is you have to have the skills of a vet tech to perform the followup care! How many people can really do this stuff? I wonder what the average owner does, just let their pet get sick and die?

Poor Smokey. You are so right about how they expect us to do all the follow up stuff as if we were vets.
I hope your pilling goes well. I sometime can put a pill in a bit of laxatone and it goes down, sometimes.

poor guy, it has to be hard on him and you. I would call and see if they don,t have it in the liquid ... good luck Pat

Poor Smokey. Give him hugs from us and keep us updated.

We're back from the vet. Smokey received sub-q fluids and an antibiotic injection. No more orals for him, as his doctor felt they could be contributing to the loss of appetite. She examined his mouth (he's been keeping it clamped tight at home) and said he's healing really well. So that's encouraging.

He could need fluids again if he doesn't start drinking by tomorrow, but he's ok for today at least. He does seem to be urinating (and missing the box, good thing I have a waterproof pad in place).

Debby

Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed that you won't need to go back tomorrow. Give him a gentle hug for me.

Sometimes I wonder if it just wouldn't be easier to start with the injectable antibiotics and not * up digestion with the orals.