Is dry-pilling of cats really dangerous?
Question: Is dry-pilling of cats really dangerous?
I've heard that dry-pilling of cats can be dangerous because the pills get stuck in their throats. My cat has been coughing a lot since we started giving him pills. Could this be the problem?
Answer:
Coughing or vomiting after having swallowed pills dry could very well be a result of dry pilling, for reasons which will be disclosed below. If you have ever tried to dry-swallow an aspirin, you'll recognize how uncomfortable the experience can be.
Swallowing half a pill can even be worse, because of the sharp corners.
Perhaps the swallowing dry of capsules can be the most dangerous, for cats. The smooth, gelatinous surface tends to cause capsules to lodge in the esophagus. Dr. Melissa Van Vechten, who treated my cat for hyperthyroidism, told me of a cat who had several days' worth of capsules lodged together in its esophagus, almost totally blocking it.
A 2001 study presented in a veterinary journal stated that "After 5 minutes 84% of capsules and 64% of tablets are still sitting in the esophagus." The study also brought out the spectre of esophagitis, which can be caused by the irritation of pills and capsules remaining in the esophagus for long periods of time.
Fortunately, all of these threats can be prevented by several different methods of administering oral medications to cats:
Resources
I've heard that dry-pilling of cats can be dangerous because the pills get stuck in their throats. My cat has been coughing a lot since we started giving him pills. Could this be the problem?
Answer:
Coughing or vomiting after having swallowed pills dry could very well be a result of dry pilling, for reasons which will be disclosed below. If you have ever tried to dry-swallow an aspirin, you'll recognize how uncomfortable the experience can be.
Swallowing half a pill can even be worse, because of the sharp corners.
Perhaps the swallowing dry of capsules can be the most dangerous, for cats. The smooth, gelatinous surface tends to cause capsules to lodge in the esophagus. Dr. Melissa Van Vechten, who treated my cat for hyperthyroidism, told me of a cat who had several days' worth of capsules lodged together in its esophagus, almost totally blocking it.
A 2001 study presented in a veterinary journal stated that "After 5 minutes 84% of capsules and 64% of tablets are still sitting in the esophagus." The study also brought out the spectre of esophagitis, which can be caused by the irritation of pills and capsules remaining in the esophagus for long periods of time.
Fortunately, all of these threats can be prevented by several different methods of administering oral medications to cats:
- Follow Pilling with Liquid
Use a small 1cc syringe filled with either plain water or low-salt broth. Dr.Lisa Pierson recommends approaching the cat from the back or side, rather than front-on. She also advises keeping the cat's head level rather than tipped back, to facilitate swallowing.
- Conceal the Pill in a Pill Pocket
Pill Pockets are cone-shaped, soft treats with a hole down the center. Just pop the pill inside and pinch the top closed, and offer it to your cat.
Compare Prices - Treat After Pilling
Offering a favorite treat will not only encourage future pilling cooperation, but will help get the pill into the stomach quickly so it can go to work. - Canned Food After Pilling
Try giving only a small portion of a regular meal of canned food before the pilling, and withhold the balance for afterward. - Compounded Flavored Meds
Some pharmacies will compound medications into flavored liquid doses, which are both easier to swallow, and a lot tastier than pills. Your veterinarian may work with a compounding pharmacy, a "regular" pharmacy may have flavors for pets, or you can find them readily on the Net. - Transdermal Meds
Some medications can be formulated into a gel or ointment that can be rubbed into your cat's inner ear.
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