Hi Michelle:

Yes, I give Ranger his meds by myself.

For the most part, he is good about taking medicines. I’ve given him injections, fluids and more pills than I can count (just about every antibiotic available for cats). He has never resisted me physically (well, he did try to run away while we were administering fluids to him).

If the amitriptyline did not taste as bad as it does, I would not have a problem giving it to him. It’s taste is so gosh darn awful that, if I were being forced to take it, I would spit it out, too.

My habit has been to give Ranger his meds right after he eats his wet food in the morning and evening. I first give the four younger kitties (Ranger, Little Bit, Dusty and Pippin) their food; I then make up Evan’s food / medicine mixture. By the time I have served Evan, Ranger usually finishes his food and runs for cover (under beds, behind the couch,, etc – he is tricky in that he comes up with new hiding places every few days). Ranger will wait until I put all of the medicine bottles back into the refrigerator before he comes out again.

I have started to interrupt his wet food meal to give him his meds. But, when I do this, he will run and hide and not finish his food. Granted, he could use to loose a few lbs (he is my “let’s finish all the other cat’s leftovers” kitty), but I don’t want him to associate the nasty taste with his food. As it is, I already have to mix the Restor-A prescription into his wet food!

When I do catch the little guy and managed to get the meds in his mouth, he has learned to not swallow. This salivary glands go into overdrive and soon he is dripping out of his mouth. . Sometimes, I’m lucky and he swallows before the waterfall happens!

I think I’m going to call Dr Foster and Smith and see if an animamelt will work!

Mark