Friday 3 July 2009

How to worm a cat

The cat has to have a few tablets or some paste, and it is your job to administer these somehow, persuade her to take it, and there's the problem.
They say there are cats with whom this is no problem at all, but I have yet to meet one of them.
Normal procedure is usually: The vet gives the cat the first tablet. Opens her mouth, in goes the tablet, a little massage of the neck, that's it.

You get her home, and here your problems start, even with the simple job of opening her mouth. Somehow you manage to manoeuvre the tablet in. Shut the mouth, massage neck - that's it... You think. Only moments later the sticky, melting tablet is lying on the floor.
All right, try the method " Pill in a ball of liverpatè "
Bang on: she takes it without problems. But then what's that? The pill is back, together with a bit of liverpatè. You hardly dare to touch it, but don't be tempted to take a fresh one, that's what Moggy is waiting for. Soon there will be none left, and she has won.
Now then, break the pill up, and mix it in with some fresh food. That would be fine if there was not the old food from the day before, which all of a sudden seems to have become most attractive to Moggy.
In fact she is now eying you up with this look that says: "Why do you do this to me?"
Your conscience is urging you: 'Is this really necessary? She never has had worms. This is animal abuse, the way I am going on about it must be sheer torture for the poor thing.'
Don't give in to these thoughts!!

Be stern, away goes the old food, only offer the food with the hidden pill.
Let her starve.
And then Moggy pulls all the tricks of the trade. Accusing looks, the 'silent meow' (an extremely effective method), softly sneaking around your legs, or just sit in front of this food for hours.
Rarely have you seen your Sweety suffering so badly, than in these moments where her food has become unpalatable due to this tablet.
There is only one solution: back to the vet. Mouth open, neck massaged.
It's easy - there's nothing to it.
Nisil