Yay, Mark! So good you found a way to get the medicine into Ranger.

I'm also glad to hear you're making improvements on the medicine giving, and just as happy to hear it's showing positive results in Ranger's litterbox!

Mark,

I'm glad to hear you've resolved the medication problem. Poor Ranger. I guess once he gets used to the "routine" it might seem like normal to him.

Hang in there, Mark! I hope Ranger continues to improve.

Maria

An update on Ranger and his meds.

Things continue to do well with the Amitryptiline. It is doing the job with his IC. With the exception of avoiding me after meals, when I usually give him his meds, he is doing well. His appetite has improved, so it looks as if I may have to put him on a diet!.

I was at the pharmacy picking up a refill of his other prescription: Restor-A. I talked with one of the owners about the Amitryptiline prescription. They have tried to work up two different compounds so I could just add the prescription to Ranger’s food. Both compounds have not worked, so I continue to “pill” Ranger, even though the medicine is a liquid.

The only drawback of administering the liquid medicine is that Ranger is now starting to associate me with the “nasty” medicine being squirted into his mouth. I can’t blame him, either. That is why I so desperately want to find a formulation that can be mixed into his food. The pharmacists are going to do some more research and try to come up with a plan “c”.

I will tell you that Ranger could patent his “Daddy, why are you doing this to me look”. It is devastating. His pale blue eyes looking up at me so sadly….. You get the picture.

Really, I should be happy that the IC /FUS/FLUTD is under control. Often, even anitriptyline does not help!

Mark, your pharmacy is really great, to try so hard to come up with something for Ranger.

I am so glad IC /FUS/FLUTD is under control. But it is sad about his “Daddy, why are you doing this to me look”. Maybe in time he will take it all in stride as part of life. That is how Simon finally was about getting his meds, and asthma inhaler daily. He never liked it, of course, but it didn't make him want to avoid us- except at medicine time!

Mark,

I'm so sorry that Ranger is blaming you for the "bad" things. I know how I feel. When Molly or Jeremy knows I'm going to "hurt" them at different times I'm the bad guy. However, I have come to believe that they know you don't want to do this. Ranger knows you care about him, really! He knows you love him. I truly believe that.

I had a wonderful experience one time with Molly. Both Molly and Jeremy had to get a liquid antibiotic. I chose to give it to Molly first because I knew she would hide as soon as I gave it to Jeremy, figuring she was next. She fought me so hard sometimes when I had to medicate her, that sometimes I had to give up - and go back later.

Well, this time I got the first dose ready - 2 syringes on the counter. Molly ran as fast as she could. I finally caught her and tried to hold her down, but she got VERY upset and I could not get it into her. I remember her running down the stairs and then sitting at the bottom of the stairs and just glaring at me. Jeremy came up to me at that moment, so I gave him his medication and he didn't give me a problem at all.

Then the strangest thing happened. I decided to wait a while before going back to Molly. All of a sudden she was circling my legs, looking up at me and meowing. This was immediately following my giving Jeremy his meds. I said "what Molly?" She just kept meowing.

Sooooo.....I did the "unthinkable" and showed her the syringe and said "for Molly? You want some too, just like Jeremy?"

Well, I bent down with the syringe in my hand and she just sat there. So I opened her mouth - she let me - and just squirted the medication into her - she wimpered while I did it, but never budged. Wow! what a shock! I just gave her so many hugs, and treats after that. Of course, she has never done it again. Thankfully she doesn't get much medication.

I don't know if she did this because she felt "bad" or because she thought she might be missing something. It truly was strange. She had watched me give Jeremy his and came right up to me as soon as I finished with him.

A silly question - do you give Ranger some of his favorite treats after the medication? This won't help Molly - but it helps Jeremy. He'll go through anything for a treat!

Good luck - and I'm glad Ranger is doing so much better. Way to go Ranger!

Maria

Maria:

I've tired to give Rager some treats after his medicine, but he will not eat them.

The pharmicist tells me that the medicine has a really nasty taste.

Mark

Ranger update….

Things are going well, as I mentioned earlier this week.

I stopped off at the vet this afternoon to get Gracie weighed. Gracie, being a very pretty BIG puppy (44 lbs) drew all the doctors out of the back room. So, I was able to talk to Dr Kate for a few minutes.

I asked about Evan, and she said that she would like to see him again. It is time to do his blood work again.

I asked what type of follow-up we should do for Ranger. She said that she would do some research to find out what the recommended testing is for him. So, I should know when I take Evan in when I will have to bring him in again.

Gracie has her spay the second Tuesday in April.

Mark

Mark, I sure hope things get to a good, stable point with Ranger and Evan.