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Vet is on board with trying inhaler! I’m so glad. I don’t like arguing with doctors and switching is even more stressful.
Yes, starting slowly can be really important! That said, I did puff Ireland on the first or second day: she was so interested in the AeroKat that she was scenting it so I figured I might as well give it a go. She only had a breath or two but she didn't freak out. We gradually worked her up to more. What took the most time is one of the most unavoidable things: pressing the inhaler itself to release the puff. It took her months to get used to that sound; I often pressed the inhaler behind my back. Now she's fine with it.To get started with training, I showed the AeroKat to Tessa, and let her smell it, then told her “good girl” and gave her a treat. That was it. Next day I did that and then put it on her face (no medicine) for just a couple seconds til she pulled away, told her “good girl” and gave her a treat. I did that for several days until she was comfortable. It’s still easier if someone is here to hold the inhaler while I hold Tessa, but at this point I can do it by myself if nobody’s home.
Thanks! I put some Churu on the mask and he licked it off. He is very food motivated. I figure I'll just keep doing that. Do you push the inhaler when it's on his face? I saw a lady on youtube put her hand up against the mask to block it, spray it, then put it on the cat's face. Does that work? Do you use the small mask or the large one? I got two.Coming in late here but so glad to hear the vet is going for the inhaler, too! Our vet is big on them for prevention even in minor cases, which is what Ireland has. She has been on fluticasone (aka flixotide) since early 2020. She doesn't love it (some cats allegedly do) but she accepts it. And it works. We, too, had to use it more with wildfire smoke, both more flixotide (preventive) and more albuterol (rescue inhaler).
Fingers crossed that Liam takes to the inhaler and AeroKat quickly!
P.S. Just ask if you need ideas for training him to use the inhaler. Every cat is different so you'll need to figure out what he prefers but they usually make themselves understood!
Question: Do you push the inhaler when it's on his face?Thanks! I put some Churu on the mask and he licked it off. He is very food motivated. I figure I'll just keep doing that. Do you push the inhaler when it's on his face? I saw a lady on youtube put her hand up against the mask to block it, spray it, then put it on the cat's face. Does that work? Do you use the small mask or the large one? I got two.
No don’t push the mask, that’ll probably just upset your kitty. You don’t have to block the puff with your hand. Not much medicine will leak out, if any. That being said, don’t puff it on his face. I shake the inhaler, put it in the end of the AeroKat, puff it, then put it on her face. I use the small mask but Tessa is a teeny tiny kitty.Thanks! I put some Churu on the mask and he licked it off. He is very food motivated. I figure I'll just keep doing that. Do you push the inhaler when it's on his face? I saw a lady on youtube put her hand up against the mask to block it, spray it, then put it on the cat's face. Does that work? Do you use the small mask or the large one? I got two.
It's interesting: I thought Susanna72 meant pushing the inhaler to release the medicine! But your interpretation is totally valid, too. In any case, I agree: don't press/push the mask. I like to hold it right at Ireland's nose, supporting it so I don't have to press it into her nose. I basically do all the same as you, though I always leave the inhaler inserted in the AeroKat.No don’t push the mask, that’ll probably just upset your kitty. You don’t have to block the puff with your hand. Not much medicine will leak out, if any. That being said, don’t puff it on his face. I shake the inhaler, put it in the end of the AeroKat, puff it, then put it on her face. I use the small mask but Tessa is a teeny tiny kitty.