Giving nervous former feral cat ear meds...help!

[julia123123]

The feral cat that "came" with our property six years ago is now elderly, spoiled, and lives on our porch. Now that it's cold, she's relocated to our heated barn for her comfort. We recently took her to the vet over some patchy fur (she's allergic to fleas) and the vet noted that her ears are totally clogged with wax. She gave us some liquid meds to squirt in her ears and rub every 2 days.

The problem? Claudia, our cat, won't let us. Our barn is set up with rows of floor-to-ceiling shelving (like a warehouse) and when I come in, she goes running. She remembers her recent double trip to the vet (which she didn't like) and the first time I squirted in the ear meds, she took off like a shot. I've been trying to give her extra love and treats, but she'll barely come near me. I can't catch her in the labyrinth of the barn. Any advice on how to give a nervous cat ear meds? She has so much wax that her hearing is affected, and I really want to help her!

 

[Kris107]

Is there anyone else around who could help lure her out? Have you tried tuna or treat tubes - something irresistible? Cats will usually come around again to you - just might take a little time. If you're the one who feeds and spoils, they know that.

 

[julia123123]

Is there anyone else around who could help lure her out? Have you tried tuna or treat tubes - something irresistible? Cats will usually come around again to you - just might take a little time. If you're the one who feeds and spoils, they know that.

My husband could help! She's already getting lots of treats...she's just too smart for us!

 

[Kris107]

Others might have some other ideas... but what about spending some time in the barn? Get a chair and cozy blanket and see if she'll come to you? It could take a little time.

 

[julia123123]

She comes, then retreats. She lets me pet her occasionally. Today I even managed to get her flea meds applied! Victory! I'm going to smother her with attention for the next several days and have my husband help me with the ear meds part, I guess. She's going to hate it but she really needs to be able to hear again!

 

[fionasmom]

Getting the flea meds on was a good first step! Is the medication refrigerated? That can be a little bit of a shock to a cat, but you can't let it sit out and warm up. If it is not one that has to be refrigerated, it might even feel good to have it applied and her ears rubbed.

 

[julia123123]

Getting the flea meds on was a good first step! Is the medication refrigerated? That can be a little bit of a shock to a cat, but you can't let it sit out and warm up. If it is not one that has to be refrigerated, it might even feel good to have it applied and her ears rubbed.

Not refrigerated, and I warm it between my hands before putting it in. She doesn't like the ear rubbing, unfortunately!

 

[Kris107]

Maybe don't squirt? A gentle drop or dribble when she's really relaxed?

 

[FriendofFerals]

I had to do this on a former feral who was forced inside because of an injury. I had to get him to trust me to pet him at all, then sometimes he got in the habit of jumping up to see what I was eating....I was able (over the course of literally 4 months) to lure him close, grab him with a towel, and restrain him with one hand while squirting whatever into one ear. No idea how many drops. This was a 5 second exercise. Next time, it was the other ear. Another challenge is the drops had to be refrigerated so this was like a sneak attack every day. Forget the "5 drops a day for 2 weeks"...this was squirt whenever possible until it was empty 4 months later--but it did clear the infection, which the vet said was likely a decade in the making.

 

[julia123123]

I had to do this on a former feral who was forced inside because of an injury. I had to get him to trust me to pet him at all, then sometimes he got in the habit of jumping up to see what I was eating....I was able (over the course of literally 4 months) to lure him close, grab him with a towel, and restrain him with one hand while squirting whatever into one ear. No idea how many drops. This was a 5 second exercise. Next time, it was the other ear. Another challenge is the drops had to be refrigerated so this was like a sneak attack every day. Forget the "5 drops a day for 2 weeks"...this was squirt whenever possible until it was empty 4 months later--but it did clear the infection, which the vet said was likely a decade in the making.

Yes, that's what I'm going to have to do, starting tomorrow, I think. I'm also going to take Kris107's advice and not squirt, but dribble. Followed by a tuna treat. She won't like it, but hopefully she'll get over it!