Cats are wonderful pets. Soft, cuddly and with that delicious purr, they make excellent companions and fun roommates. Their inherent sense of fun gives them a sense of humor few dogs can match, and their willingness to just sit and be stroked can soothe the most stressed of nerves. But cats can suffer from common allergies, just as we do, and they may require medication for it. If your cat has been prescribed injections by a veterinary professional, this article can give you some tips on how to give your cat their allergy injections with a minimum of fuss.
Things You'll Need
- Syringe and needles
- Medication prescribed by your vet
- Soft, large towels
- Cat treat
Instructions
Giving Your Cat an Allergy Injection
Begin by preparing your shot and having it handy, along with your other supplies. You may or may not need your towel, depending on how your cat reacts to the whole experience. If it panics when you first scruff it, you may need to swaddle it tightly in the towels to prevent it from hurting you with its claws. But lay everything out ahead of time, whether you will need it or not.
Practice "scruffing" your cat. This can actually be a nonviolent act. Pick your cat up lovingly and place him on the counter, then gently gather the loose skin between his ears and his shoulder blades. This skin is where the mother cat picks up her kittens, and this is where you can immobilize your cat by imitating nature. Once you have gathered the loose skin, you grip it firmly, pulling up smoothly until the cat reacts by curling up and allowing you to lift him. When you are able to successfully scruff your cat and pick him up this way, then gently lay him back down and have him act normal, you are ready for the next step.
Reward your cat for allowing you to handle him by scruffing him. Give him his favorite treat, and let him go. When you are ready to give the injection, call to him and open a can of something he loves. When he comes, give him one spoonful and allow him to eat this while you pet and stroke him.
Scruff the cat with one hand, usually your left so you can use your right hand to handle the needle, but do not pick him up. Instead, the "tented" loose skin is where you will inject your medication. Quietly and quickly place the needle in the loose skin above the cat's shoulders where the skin is wrinkled and loose.
Push firmly. You will be surprised at how hard you will need to push to make the needle press through the skin. But do not just shove it in, apply pressure lightly and continue quickly until you feel the needle pop through the skin. Pull back on the syringe lightly to make sure you do NOT get any blood in the syringe. If you do, pull the needle out and try another spot. If you do not get blood in the syringe, but only air, inject the medicine in one smooth push, and pull out the needle. Immediately praise and reward your cat with more of its favorite treats. Be sure and pet him and rub the area of injection, as this will smooth out any irritation you may have caused.