Getting Kitty to Take L-Lysine - Pet forum for dogs cats and humans

jadephoenixx · #1 February 19th, 2009, 12:50 PM

Hi…I'm hoping someone can help because I'm at a loss.

My newly adopted kitty (Angel) has URI and an eye infection (conjunctivitis). Among the anti-biotics and eye ointment, the vet gave us L-Lysine in the paste form to give her via syringe. The problem is, she doesn't seem to like it.

I know there's a pill you can crush and put in wet food but the problem is that she doesn't like wet food so that won't work. I'm going to try putting the Lysine in my hand tonight and see if she'll take it that way but I'm not hopeful - maybe she's struggling because we're holding her steady to use the syringe?

Has anyone else had this problem? Any other ideas I can try? I just want Angel to be healthy and from everything I've read about Lysine, it seems to help a lot.

Chris21711 · #2 February 19th, 2009, 01:00 PM

I would try putting the paste on my finger and putting it on the roof of her mouth so that she then will eventually lick it from there. If pills are available, they are so easy to give a kittie.

ancientgirl · #3 February 19th, 2009, 01:23 PM

If you can get the pills buy some pill pockets, or moist treats. The pill pockets are easiest, but moist treats you can sort of mold around the pill. I've done this before and has worked very well. Less stress on them and us.

sugarcatmom · #4 February 19th, 2009, 01:35 PM

My suggestion is to get some lysine capsules and sprinkle the powder in a super-tasty treat such as plain chicken baby food or canned low-sodium salmon or sardines.

onster · #5 February 19th, 2009, 01:45 PM

I was giving my kitty L-Lysine for his cold and on suggestion from here sprinkled the capsules like sugarcatmom said.

Good luck!

Oh by the way, someone here told me you can get the capsules from the pharmacy. Its way cheaper than the vet

jadephoenixx · #6 February 19th, 2009, 02:48 PM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far.

We bought some pill pockets from our vet to help with the anti-biotic pill but she won't take it. To get her to take the pill, I use a tiny bit of the pill pocket to stick the pill to the back of a treat. That's been working so far...hope she doesn't catch on!

If feeding her by hand/finger doesn't work tonight, I'll try the crushed pill sprinkled on the salmon...I think I have the low-sodium cans at home.

It wouldn't be so hard if she'd eat wet or soft foods. Sigh.

ancientgirl · #7 February 19th, 2009, 02:51 PM

Just a thought, make sure you can crush those pills. I've read on some prescriptions that I've taken myself that specifically says the pill should not be crushed.

jadephoenixx · #8 February 19th, 2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancientgirl

Just a thought, make sure you can crush those pills. I've read on some prescriptions that I've taken myself that specifically says the pill should not be crushed.

Good point...I'll have to look into that. Thanks! Angel's been prescribed clavamox.

lolatengo · #9 February 19th, 2009, 03:07 PM

I have a fussy kitty also prone to URIs. I smear the paste on her foot, and she begins to lick it off immediately. After a few doses, I end up having to chase her around the house, so I do it when she's napping. All cats will groom themselves when you put gunk on them.

Dracko · #10 February 19th, 2009, 05:26 PM

I have 5 cats and for each of them I had to use the L-lysine in a capsule and put it in a syringe. You put the syringe in the SIDE of their mouth and squirt. This way you don't have to actually open it like you would if you try to put the syringe at the front.

When you start to squirt it the cat automatically gulps and they don't have a choice but to ingest it. It's not the end of the world if some ends up on them.

I do like the idea of putting the paste on them and forcing them to lick it off, though. Very ingenious!

flipgirl4 · #11 February 20th, 2009, 01:36 AM

What about putting the paste on her food and mixing it in?

If you can get the capsule, you can get a piller from your vet. It's like a syringe but you put the pill in one end and stick the piller in his mouth and push the plunger. It pushes the pill down his throat. I would also suggest giving him some water from a syringe after doing this.

One thing I do to get my cat to take a pill is I hold his head back so his mouth is facing upwards. I squeeze a little between the canines and the eye teeth to force his mouth open and place the pill directly in his mouth, aiming for his throat. Then I massage his throat to help him swallow the pill. It's not as bad as it sounds and not as dramatic as having a pill shot down his throat.

You can also put the capsule in some butter and let them lick off your finger.

Never thought of putting the stuff on their paw...I like that one!!

Dracko · #12 February 20th, 2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipgirl4

What about putting the paste on her food and mixing it in?

I believe the original poster said their cat will not eat wet food.

jadephoenixx · #13 February 20th, 2009, 07:18 PM

So I tried putting the paste in my hand for her to lick and that didn't work. I also put some on her paw and she licked it off but I don't think I can get a full dose in her that way.

Has anyone tried to putting the crushed pill in water? How well does it dissolve?

Ancientgirl - I remembered that Clavamox can be crushed...my vet suggested putting the pills in pill pocket to make it easier but my finnicky Angel doesn't like the pill pockets!

Dracko · #14 February 20th, 2009, 11:05 PM

You would want to buy capsules not tablets then there is no need to crush them just pull them apart. But it does not dissolve. Not sure how you would get your cat to ingest enough of it and accurate know how much.

Just put the paste on the paw a few times a day to get the correct dosage.

flipgirl4 · #15 February 21st, 2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dracko

I believe the original poster said their cat will not eat wet food.

I know that, I meant putting it on the dry food.

Daizy · #16 February 24th, 2009, 04:23 PM

I think someone else suggested this, but if you mix it in a bit of oil (olive?) oil and put it on your kittens coat ~ she would lick it off in the normal part of grooming.

TacoGrl · #17 February 24th, 2009, 05:41 PM

Yogurt works well too...get the powdered version of the meds and mix it with yogurt...feed kitty from spoon when kitty is hungry (before reg meal).

Btw...I use Danone Silhouette mango...