How To Give Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors to a Cat
Suppressing Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors can be used to treat aggression in cats.If it is safe for your cat to take an SSRI, ask your vet.If you can crush a tablet, ask the vet if you should give your cat medication with food.If you want to administer an SSRI in pill form, crush it into your cat's food, place it in a treat, or use a pill dispensers.If you can't give your cat pills, ask the vet to prescribe a liquid or transdermal gel.Combine SSRI treatment with behavior modification and training to get the best results.
Step 1: It's a good idea to rule out potential medical issues.
An underlying medical condition can result in aggression, urine spraying, and compulsive behaviors being treated with SSRI.Hyperthyroidism, central nervous system issues, and painful conditions like arthritis or dental disease could be caused by aggression.There are a number of diseases that could be indicated by urine spraying.Before giving your cat an SSRI, the vet should give you a physical examination and blood screenings to rule out any underlying issues.
Step 2: Before giving your cat an SSRI, you should have them tested.
Before giving your cat an SSRI, you should make sure the organs are in good health.The vet will test your cat for disease.If your cat takes an SSRI long-term or will take one for the rest of its life, you should have it screened at least once a year.
Step 3: Have your vet look at your cat's medication.
If your cat is taking medication, make sure your vet reviews it.If taken with certain medications, it can be dangerous.If your cat is already taking drugs from the MAOI family, you should not give them an SSRI.
Step 4: Discuss the costs with the vet.
The cost of medication depends on brand, strength, and form.Talk to the vet about ways to reduce treatment cost.If the vet recommends a more expensive brand, ask if there is a less costly generic option.If you can't give pills because they are more expensive, ask the vet for a pill machine.They might be able to recommend a liquid or gel form that is more affordable.
Step 5: Take medication with behavior modification.
An SSRI is not a substitute for training.If you are dealing with a cat that is fearful or aggressive, combine medication with desensitization training to get the best results.If your cat is afraid of people and acts aggressively around them, try having someone stand in the next room in your house.Positive verbal reinforcement, as well as treats, can be used to re associate other people with good things.Over the course of several training sessions, have the other person stand closer to the cat until they can give it a treat.If you need help modifying your cat's behavior, ask its vet to recommend a certified animal trainer or behaviorist in your area.
Step 6: The urine marking can be treated with medication and pheromones.
SSRI can be used to treat indoor urine marking.The best way to treat this problem is with feline pheromones.The Feliway collar can be sprayed around your house.There is a strong urge for your cat to mark areas where it can detect pheromones.If you catch your cat marking, be sure to stop it immediately and clean up the mess with a pet odor neutralizer.
Step 7: The vet will tell you if the SSRI should be taken with or without food.
You can give your cat food to make administering it easier.If your cat's vet recommends administering medication with or without food, you should ask.
Step 8: Take the tablets and mix them with food.
You can mix the tablet with your cat's favorite food or treat by crushing it.If you want to disguise the medicine's flavor, go for canned fish.Before crushing the tablets, ask the vet if it's okay to split them and mix them with food, or if they need to be eaten whole.
Step 9: A tablet can be put in a Pill Pocket.
A pill pocket is a special treat that you insert into a medication.If your vet advises against giving your cat crushed pills, they are available at your nearby pet store.It is possible to form your cat's wet food into a small meatballs with the pill at its center.Give your cat a medicine-free treat before giving it the one with the tablets.This will allow you to know if your cat likes eating this form of food or if it breaks it apart.If it breaks the meatballs apart, you might need to try another method, since your cat will likely notice the tablets and just eat the food around it.
Step 10: The cat has a pill in its mouth.
If your cat won't take a pill with its food or if the vet tells you to give the pill without food, give it a tablets by hand.The cat needs to tilt its head back with one hand.To open your cat's mouth from its chin, use your fourth finger to hold the tablet between your thumb and index finger.As you hold your cat's mouth open, keep your fourth finger between its canine teeth.Put the pill on the back of the tongue, close the cat's mouth, and massage its neck to encourage it to swallow.The cat will have a chance to swallow the water if it is slowly injected into the cat's mouth.This prevents the pill from getting stuck.
Step 11: Try putting a pill in the dispensers.
If you can't manually insert the pill into your cat's mouth, there are pill dispensers.Put the pill on the back of your cat's tongue with the help of the dispenser.Press the dispener to release the pill, close your cat's mouth, and massage its neck to encourage it to swallow.You can follow up by syringing your cat's mouth.
Step 12: Give your cat medication and reward it.
If you give the cat medication, calm it down by giving it a reward or reassuring it.Give the cat a favorite treat if you've given it a pill by hand.Give it lots of calm, positive praise and gently pet it.Give your cat time to calm down.
Step 13: If you have trouble with tablets, talk to the vet.
The pill is considered the safest and most efficient method, so it is the first choice of dosage forms.SSRI can be found in liquid and transdermal gels.If you can't give an SSRI in pill form, ask the vet to prescribe another form.
Step 14: There is liquid medication between the teeth.
You can use a liquid form of the drug.If you want to get the medication into your cat's mouth, you need to put the dispensers between its cheek and teeth.Blow its nose or massage its neck to get it to swallow the medicine.It is more likely that a liquid medication enters a cat's windpipe than a pill.Don't hold your cat's head back when administering liquid medication to prevent accidental inhalation, and be sure to drip between its cheek and teeth
Step 15: Apply a transdermal gel to your cat.
If you have trouble with other dosage forms, a transdermal gel might be the only safe and feasible option.To measure out the correct amount, rotate the nozzle.Depending on the instructions from the vet, apply the medication in your cat's ear or on its skin.To apply a transdermal gel to a cat's skin, use your hand.The application site might cause a rash on your cat.If you touch the area after stroking your cat, you may absorb some of the medication.
Step 16: The best SSRI and dosage can be determined with the help of the vet.
It can take several weeks for an SSRI to take effect, so you will need to keep an eye on your cat.You will not see an improvement until after the first two weeks.You might need to bring the cat back to the vet after four to six weeks if you want to switch medication.It takes no more than two tries to find an effective medicine.75 percent of the time, a vet's first or second choice of prescribed medication is effective.
Step 17: If there are any side effects, report them to the vet.
If you notice any side effects after starting your cat on an SSRI regimen, call the vet and schedule an appointment.Decreased appetite, lethargy, and stomach upset can be caused by SSRI.There are more serious side effects, such as seizure, hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to a drug.
Step 18: If you stop giving your cat an SSRI, you need to consult the vet.
SSRI treatment can be hazardous to your cat's health due to its effects on neurotransmitter levels.You should discuss cessation with the vet after four weeks of treatment.If you work with the vet to gradually lower the dosages, you can wean your cat off of the drug.On a short-term basis, SSRI are often prescribed.In many cases, the dosage is gradually decreased and eliminated.