NationStates Jolt Archive

We have four cats with Distemper that we have to take care of. This means injecting fluids through a needle. None of the cats will stay still long enough to get the fluids. Does anyone know how to do this or how to scruff a cat better?

Like most things cats don't like, it's a two person operation.

One person restrains the cat, the other person does what needs to be done.

Shouldn't the cat be getting injected with stuff at the vet's? It doesn't seem to be much of a diy job.

This is hard to explain in text, but kneel on the floor, with your butt on your heels. Hold the cat between your legs, facing the same direction as you. Keep your heels together, and they can't escape.

This will always be a problem. Talk to your local shelter, two maybe but four.

Sorry pal.

Sadly this cat is very strong. We have had three people restrain him while the other one injects him and we still fail. The vet keeps sending the cats home with us and today they sent the supplies. The problem with the one Newtsburg suggested is that this requires injection on the side and those teeth of his pose a large problem.

Possibilities:

Convert them into Bonsai Kittens (http://www.bonsaikitten.com/).

Hire a Darts champion for some long-range injections.

Glue them down throughly so they can't squirm too much.

(more mundane) Have someone the cat trusts hold them firmly while a second person does the injection.

(equally mundane) if in doubt, bring them to a professional.

The Darts idea sounds the most fun. :)

Sadly this cat is very strong. We have had three people restrain him while the other one injects him and we still fail. The vet keeps sending the cats home with us and today they sent the supplies. The problem with the one Newtsburg suggested is that this requires injection on the side and those teeth of his pose a large problem.

Three people?!? What the fuck is it, a Tiger?!? :eek:

I'm the person the cat trusts but I'm only thirteen. I'm the ONLY person the cat trusts. The proffessionals are a fourty minute drive away and these cats have already cost my family 2,000 dollars.

LG, that is one of the most logical and/or on topic post I have seen you make. And still it reaches a level of insanity few of us do. :p

Sadly this cat is very strong. We have had three people restrain him while the other one injects him and we still fail. The vet keeps sending the cats home with us and today they sent the supplies. The problem with the one Newtsburg suggested is that this requires injection on the side and those teeth of his pose a large problem.

Yeah, the side injection would be a problem. Works great for in the scruff injections and pilling them.

Sadly this cat is very strong. We have had three people restrain him while the other one injects him and we still fail. The vet keeps sending the cats home with us and today they sent the supplies. The problem with the one Newtsburg suggested is that this requires injection on the side and those teeth of his pose a large problem.
Cats aren't that strong. Seriously, it may sound mean and the cat will hate you for a while afterwards, but when it's laying down, just push it into the ground at the shoulders and at the bum, not so much to hurt it, but enough that it can't escape. You can have an additonal person hold its head too, if that's a problem...

I'm the person the cat trusts but I'm only thirteen. I'm the ONLY person the cat trusts. The proffessionals are a fourty minute drive away and these cats have already cost my family 2,000 dollars.

You'll have to hold the cat, then and have someone else inject him. Try to keep the cat's eyes on you, not on the other person.

I can't just push him to the ground. He isn't declawed which I should've mentioned in the first place and also, my father is very... short tempered, my mother is in hysterics, I'm too weak for lack of a better word to restrain him and my sister would faint if she watched the needle go in.

Pick it up with one hand by the back of the neck, then stick it using the free hand.

Seriously though, you should have trained it to sit there while it gets injections.

Take one hand, and hold both of its back legs. With the other hand, grab it by the scruff of the neck. Don't worry about the front legs too much, because even though they have claws in the front, if you hold them in this position, they can't "swing" at you. (mind you, don't get TOO close to the front paws, they're still sharp.)

Now just kinda hold them belly down on the ground, preferably on a pillow or something, so you don't hurt them. If you use a big quilt or comforter, it helps, because then you can press down a bit without hurting them.

LG, that is one of the most logical and/or on topic post I have seen you make. And still it reaches a level of insanity few of us do. :p

What can I say? I'm a professional. :cool:

This cat was abused when he was young. Being held always makes him dangerous and sticking things in him doesn't help.

My dad has just come to the conclusion that he wants to let them die. I can't lose another one. I just lost one last week and I have certain depression problems. This is my best friend. I CAN'T let him die!:(

I can't just push him to the ground. He isn't declawed which I should've mentioned in the first place and also, my father is very... short tempered, my mother is in hysterics, I'm too weak for lack of a better word to restrain him and my sister would faint if she watched the needle go in.

...um....

I'm out of useful ideas. I got a few more silly ones, though...

...but cat bondage is not a pretty picture. :p

The darts idea is starting to sound better and better.

My dad has just come to the conclusion that he wants to let them die. I can't lose another one. I just lost one last week and I have certain depression problems. This is my best friend. I CAN'T let him die!:(


:(

I'm sorry.

:(

My dad has just come to the conclusion that he wants to let them die. I can't lose another one. I just lost one last week and I have certain depression problems. This is my best friend. I CAN'T let him die!:(

Then you'll have to hold him still while he gets the shot. Try it when he's relaxed and calm. Like when he's dozing. Stroke him a few times, then restrain him while he gets his shot. It is a 2 person job. There's no way around that.

If you really cannot control the cat, try zipping it up in a thin cloth carryall sport bag with its head sticking out. Inject the cat through the bag when it is immobile.

Naturally, you need an appropriate sized bag for the cat.

I've heard that works.

Not sure how you'd get at the side but, we used to wrap one in a towel just to clip her claws. Some variation on this might work, use a couple of towels, front and back paws (and head if needed.)

Good luck

Yeah no way these cats will be happy together. Gotta let it go and live where it needs too.



Good luck

Simple solution and, frankly, I'm very surprised your vet didn't reccomend it:

Benadryl

1/4th the human dosage.

Harmless to the animal, non-addictive, and kitty will be very drowsy.

It's what we've always used.

What always worked for me was to pick the cat up by the scruff of the neck, which makes them revert to when mommie use to do the same thing. If the cat is too heavy to support in this way, let their hind feet rest on a table top. Then at least they can writhe a bit but not get away very easily.

Alternatively, wrap them tightly in a large towel. That keeps their feet from thrashing.

What always worked for me was to pick the cat up by the scruff of the neck, which makes them revert to when mommie use to do the same thing. If the cat is too heavy to support in this way, let their hind feet rest on a table top. Then at least they can writhe a bit but not get away very easily.

Alternatively, wrap them tightly in a large towel. That keeps their feet from thrashing.
I always supected you were good when it came to handling pussy! :D

To control the cats biting why not put a new chew collar (the ones that look like satalite dishes) on he cat to keep its teeth from reaching you. Then lay the cat on its side with its spine facing you, place your forearm across the cats neck to keep it from rising and getting up while that arm's hand is hold its front feet.

Or drug the cat and give it a shot.