Most people who have cats when it comes time to medicate them start to tremble. They know that it is going to be a stressful situation both for them and for their pet and, therefore, it is very important to transmit calm to the cat and that the process lasts as little as possible.
In this article on our site we will talk to you about why a cat drools when we give him medicine, we will show you tricks so that the cat suffer less stress and we will see what other circumstances can cause a cat to drool.
Why does my cat drool when I give him syrup?
Giving a cat oral medication is not easy or fun. The first inconvenience we encounter is how to hold a cat correctly while we try to introduce the drug into the animal's mouth and, later, the drug falls inside and we don't get it. eject. All this without taking a claw or bite from our pet.
Many people find that liquid medications are easier to administer than other types, such as pills, capsules, eye drops or injections. But even so, requires patience, precision, and a bit of force to get the cat to sit still and swallow the right amount.
On the other hand, it may seem that our cat is suffering a negative reaction to the medication, since it is common to see the cat with foam in the mouth after giving you a liquid medicine. In principle, this should not be the case, since the drug that your veterinarian has prescribed is fully suitable for cats and has undergone the necessary controls before going on the market. The cat drools when you give it medicine because it tries to expel theunpleasant-tasting contents from its mouth.
How to give syrup to a cat that doesn't want it?
Something that people who have cats worry about is that since the cat drools the syrup, may not be taking the right amountMany drugs are absorbed transmucosally, through the skin inside the mouth, so that the entire time the drug is in the cat's mouth, it is being absorbed. In this way, the amount of medicine that is expelled in the slime is much less than it seems.
Here are some helpful tips to make the process of giving syrup to your cat easier:
- Liquid medications come with a dropper or syringe for administration. You must fill it with the amount that the veterinarian indicated, never again, even if you think that part comes out.
- With one hand you must hold the cat's head and with the other, insert the syringe through one of the corners, between the cheek and the molars, pointing towards the back of the cat's head. If you need help and no one is home to help you, you can wrap the cat in a towel, leaving just the head out.
- You should never tilt the cat's head upwards, as it can inhale the medicine and cause problems in the respiratory system. Once the syringe is correctly placed, press the plunger until it is empty.
- You can then keep the cat's mouth closed for a few seconds, stroking the throat or blowing on the nose to stimulate swallowing.
- At the end it is very important to offer the cat a treat to positive the situation.
Adverse drug reactions in cats
In rare cases, a medication may cause an adverse reaction in your cat. If this happens, it is best to go to the vet immediately.
Signs that your cat is having a drug reaction:
- Swollen face.
- Difficulty breathing (choking, gasping, strange cough, etc.).
- Collapse.
- Partial paralysis of extremities.
- Persistent vomiting. It is normal for the cat to try to vomit and that, once he does, he feels better, because he will have expelled the medicine. The problem appears when vomiting is persistent. Vomiting between 2 and 4 times in less than 8 hours is a reason for a veterinary emergency.
Other reasons a cat drools
Sometimes your cat may drool when you give him medicine as a result of another problem and not the drug itself. If so, it is common to observe the cat drooling in other circumstances that may vary depending on the cause:
- Oral Disease: Tartar buildup can cause your cat to drool. You can try lifting the lip and see if the teeth look like cement, if the gums are swollen or even bleeding. Ask your vet to check the cat for gingivitis, ulcers or tumors
- Swallowing problems: while playing he may have swallowed part of the toy and it got caught on his tongue. You can try taking it off or call your vet for help. Also, you could eat something unpleasant, like a bad-tasting insect.
- Mishanded pipette: if you have put a pipette on it and notice that it begins to salivate excessively, the cat may drool through the pipette, because if we don't pour it in the right place he has been able to reach the liquid with his tongue.
- Heatstroke: Cats with flat faces, such as Persian cats, are more likely to suffer from heatstroke. Although, in general, cats tend to suffer less heat stroke than other species, it is important that the cat has fresh and clean water always available
- Dizziness: Cats don't usually travel by car much, just to change residence or go to the vet. This situation is highly stressful for catsPanting and breathing with an open mouth can cause the cat to drool. In general, any stressful situation can cause this.
