Home Medical Care: drug information

DRUG INFORMATION Drugs are identified by their formal chemical name, their generic name, and their brand (proprietary) name. The generic name is usually simpler and easier to remember than the formal chemical name. For example, acetylsalicylic acid is the formal chemical name for the drug with the generic name, aspirin. If your veterinarian needs to … Read more

Home Medical Care: wounds and bandages

WOUNDS AND BANDAGES Wounds that require repeated cleansing at home are infected traumatic wounds and abscesses. These wounds are left open or partially open when treated to allow pus drainage and cleaning. Other fresh wounds usually need only a simple disinfection and/or cleansing when they are physically contaminated with foreign material such as dirt, plant … Read more

Home Medical Care: restraint

RESTRAINT Unlike well-trained and frequently handled dogs, most cats cannot be commanded to sit, stand, or lie quietly while unpleasant nursing procedures are performed. So to be successful in caring for your cat’s health at home you need to learn the best ways to provide restraint when necessary to avoid injury to yourself and your … Read more

Home Medical Care: ear treatment

EAR TREATMENT When your cat’s ears become inflamed a more thorough cleaning than you give them routinely is often necessary. In most cases inflamed ears should be examined by a veterinarian, and if cleaning is necessary it should be done by a veterinarian who will have the necessary tools for observing the ear canal and … Read more

Home Medical Care: eye medication

EYE MEDICATION Ophthalmic ointments are most easily applied into the conjunctival sac. Use your thumb or forefinger to roll the lower eyelid gently downward and squeeze the ointment into the space exposed. Approaching the eye from the outside corner helps prevent the cat from seeing the tip of the tube and can facilitate instillation of … Read more

Home Medical Care: foods for hand-feeding sick cats

FOODS FOR HAND-FEEDING SICK CATS For calorie content of commercial cat foods. Any of the above foods are suitable for making hand-feeding mixtures for sick cats unless the illness requires a special diet. If a mixture must be fed longer than two or three days strict attention must be paid to nutritional balance. Therefore commercial … Read more

Home Medical Care: force-feeding

FORCE-FEEDING Since lack of appetite (anorexia) accompanies many feline illnesses, coaxing or force-feeding is often necessary to insure that sufficient calories and nutrients are consumed and to maintain the nutritional health necessary to the vital functions and repair of injured or diseased tissues. The effects of one day without food, of course, are not irreversible, … Read more

Home Medical Care: Liquid medication

LIQUID MEDICATION The simplest way to give your cat liquid medication is to squirt it into the back of the mouth using an eyedropper or syringe (hypodermic or infant ear type). For most liquid medicines your veterinarian will provide you with the tool necessary to administer the medication; if not, request the necessary item and … Read more

Home Medical Care: pulse, heart rate

PULSE, HEART RATE For how to take your cat’s pulse and measure the heart rate. HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT A PILL The only way to be sure your cat has really swallowed medication in pill, capsule, or tablet form is to administer it in the following way: Place your cat on a table or … Read more

Home Medical Care: temperature

TEMPERATURE Use a rectal thermometer to take your cat’s temperature. An oral thermometer can be used in a pinch, but the bulb is more likely to break off. Before inserting the thermometer into the rectum, shake the mercury column down below 99° F (37.2°C) and lubricate the tip of the thermometer with any nontoxic, greasy … Read more