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Pets
in cancer treatment often take an assortment of medications and
supplements. This process can become traumatic for the pet and
overwhelming for the caretaker. The more
disagreeable the pet is about being given meds, the more overwhelming
the task becomes for the caretaker. When techniques and simplifications
can be made to the process to make it as painless as possible, everyone
wins!
After
Bullet was diagnosed, we
had appointments with an oncologist
and a
holistic vet. They each contributed to Bullet's regimen an
assortment of medications and/or supplements. In the weeks that
followed, I found myself
dreading trips to
the kitchen. The counters were cluttered with bottles of pills
and capsules, tinctures, extracts and powder-form supplements. They
were to be given TID, BID or OD, On an empty stomach or with food. Oh
my goodness, I thought, I'll never be able to get all of this organized!
In
a short time, however, I got to
know (without reading the bottle instructions
every single time) when and how to give each, and the schedules became
less daunting. How to actually get all of those meds and supps into
Bullet was the next hurdle!
Pills
that don't have to be given on an
empty stomach can be added to a dog's dinner. If the dog isn't eating
reliably (a common side effect of chemotherapy), then other methods
must be discovered. I found that Bullet
was agreeable about taking the pill and powder form meds and
supplements when I mixed them in a bowl with crumbled pound cake. He
also took his "on empty stomach" pills this way, with just enough pound
cake to hide the meds. If Bullet didn't ojbect to
the taste of the powder in a
particular capsule,
I emptied that into the bowl. I split large pills in half or into
quarters (unless instructed not to). Not all dogs like pound cake --
each caretaker has to find their own dog's "pound cake."
If
your dog likes cheese, try hiding the pills
in a ball of cheese, rolling it between your palms. Peanut butter balls
are a little messier to prepare but some dogs love it. If your dog
doesn't take the ball of peanut butter or cheese (with pills hidden
inside), try tossing it so that he can chase it. The excitement may
entice him to eat it.
When
a dog isn't eating and
is ill, most of the supplements can be skipped for a few days if
necessary, until he's
feeling better. (Not including the supplements that you're giving him
to resolve the side effects.) But unless the veterinarian says
otherwise, the medications must be taken, even if (as a last
resort)
manual pililng is necessary. To pill manually, use one hand to hold his
bottom jaw and the other to hold the pills and pull up his upper jaw.
Place the medications on his tongue, as far back
as
possible and rub his neck until he swallows.
Many
medications and supplements
are available in liquid form. Your veterinarian can give or sell you
syringes without the needles. There are various sizes and many are
marked with fluid volume so you can monitor how many ml. or cc. you are
giving. Use the plunger to draw the proper amount of the liquid into
the syringe and then insert it into your dog's cheek, alongside his
teeth. (Again, there is no needle
on the syringe!) Push in the plunger to let some of the fluid flow into
his mouth, wait for him to swallow it and repeat until the syringe is
empty. Your dog's head should be in neutral position, not tilted back
(he could choke on the fluid) or forward (it will drip onto the floor).
This can be done with the dog standing or lying down.
Most
pills can be crushed and caspules can be emptied. Try putting
either of
these into an open syringe, upside down with your finger over the small
end so the medication doesn't fall right out. Replace the plunger and
then hold the syringe upside down, press the plunger all the way in,
and then pull into the body of the syringe either water (filtered) or a
liquid medication or supplement. Shake it up and empty the contents
into his cheek as above.
The
objective is to make the process as
painless as possible for everyone!
by
Laurie Kaplan
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