Ugh. Poor Babe-kitty.

[kyrielle]

This appetite stimulant stuff is no fun. And yet, it's working, so we continue it. The drug in question is ciproheptadine, and the vet has assured me it's our only option that does this for cats, so it's use that or use nothing. And it really does increase her interest in food intake (she even sometimes eats dry food, although you have to rattle it so the sound can draw her in, 'cause the scent surely does not). I don't think she's eating enough even so, but she's eating so much more over the course of a day that it is incredible.

So why is it no fun? Basically, we give it to her once a day, and she hawks, spits, drools, and foams for the next, oh, 10-15 minutes, and then sulks for about 30-45 minutes, head droopy and looking unhappy. I thought she was throwing up the first time, but the vet said probably not, it's just horribly bitter and she's reacting to that. And it does look like that's all it is, now that I've gotten used to it. Once that passes, she is hungry and eats well and seems fine. After she reacted the first time, the vet had us cut the dose in half, which helps a little and doesn't seem to hurt the effect), and I've moved it to be the first of her evening meds (she really doesn't seem to be actually throwing up, but just in case I'd rather I knew she kept all of her other meds down). And I try to put that little squirt of liquid as far back in her mouth as I can, which seems to help somewhat and bears out the bitterness theory. Alas, she feels so icky after that anything to cut the taste is out, even if we could figure out what would cut the taste. The last thing she wants is anything else in her mouth.

We have, however, found the first medication that I avoid giving to the cat by myself. I could, if I had to, and I've given it to her every time so far, but I want Scott to keep an eye on her after she's taken it because I get unhappy doing so. But if he weren't available, I could do it. I just really don't want to. Poor Babe. I feel guilty doing this to her, but considering I think she's eating twice as often or more, and about as much per meal, as before...it's making a huge difference compared to the price. If there were an alternate medicine to try, I'd try it. But there isn't.

Hard to believe something that causes that strong a negative reaction when first fed is actually an appetite stimulant to the recipient. (It sure is not to the observers, I gotta admit.)

Comments

[phoenixscribe.livejournal.com]

Actually, it's what I hear from my patients regarding the topical ocular anesthetic we use - and it happens to everyone. Since it's a drop, not a shot, it's not from the injection itself. And, since I instill drops away from the cornea, it's not from impact. Also hear it from my patients we do inject into (granted, we're talking eyelids here), and it was blatantly obvious when Tim was getting injections in preparation for his stitches (both times). I thought it was universal. That's what I get for thinking, I guess.

Or maybe you're just that wierd! *grin*

[kyrielle]

Almost anything medicinal dropped in the eyes burns, in my experience. I can sure believe an anesthetic would at first.

But for injections in fleshy areas, I've never had the problem. (Mind you, that's not to say they don't hurt, but it's a distinctly "pinchy" hurt during the needle insertion, not the injection itself.)