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- Dec 11, 2014
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One of my cats has kidney disease and started getting sub-q fluids about a month ago, several times a week. She was pretty good about it, and my husband and I were often able to administer the fluids while she was snoozing in a cat basket or move her a short distance from the couch. However, we recently had to add Cerenia to her schedule because of vomiting. We've only done it twice, but suffice to say she hates being held, period, much less having even a tiny pill put in her mouth. I try to make it a more positive experience by giving her a treat afterward, but lately she's been hiding in the closet, or sitting in a main room but positioning herself under a table or behind the couch so that I'd have to grab her, which of course is NEGATIVE reinforcement, particularly since there's often a struggle if I can't get a good hold of her. If she gets away, I won't go after her unless it looks like I could easily catch her because that would only make things worse. I have to choose between letting her go without the treatment she needs or putting her through what is clearly a stressful experience. Any advice on managing this? I've had cats for years and had to give them all kinds of medicine, whether by mouth, in the ears, etc., but this kitty is a tough customer, although also very sweet.