I’ve tried Pill Pockets with Albert before with no success, but I haven’t tried various compounds. I had one cat who adored her compounded steroids, and another who wouldn’t touch them, but that’s my only experience.
Albert has been better since I first posted–a little more alert and less upset and hostile. Still a cranky old man, though.
First, I’m very sorry for your loss, jsgoddess, and also for the situation with Albert. That must be terribly stressful on top of what you’ve been through.
I’m going to fourth or fifth the recommendation of Feliway as a good possible option. It’s worked wonders on my stressed-out cat back when she was a kitten – literally overnight, in her case, but of course YCMMV. You can get it in a spray or in a plug-in. (I preferred the plug-in, since this way it was consistently helping her even when I wasn’t there.)
Also, Prozac/Fluoextine for pets is called “Reconcile,” and is available in liquid form as well as chewable flavored pills. Either one might be more successful than trying the pill pockets ploy (which I know some cats can see right through, heh!).
So, a month and a half later, how’s he doing?
We decided to put Albert to sleep at the end of June. We consulted with another vet who thought it was probably the right decision, and we thought it was probably the right decision, but it was heartbreaking nonetheless.
I didn’t want to bump the thread just to bring bad news.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words and advice. I wish I believed in an afterlife so I could think Albert and Steve found each other again.
I have had to make the call so many times now for my pets and it doesn’t get any easier.
I had to do this for my thirteen year old cat. He was my cat and he did not adjust well when I got pregnant and then when baby arrived. He started peeing on her clothes and sitting in the basement howling.
It was sad and very hard, but I knew he was miserable.
Sorry, jsgoddess. That must have been difficult for you to do. You made the right choice - suffering is suffering, whether mental or physical.
Right there with you - have had to make The Call many times over the years, and it never gets any easier. But, I don’t think it’s supposed to…it hurts because of the depth of our love and fondness for these furballs that commandeer our hearts and lives…they give us all the goods via unconditional love through the years up front, and then we have to step up and do right by them when the bill comes due…hang in there…they will always be with you in your heart and memories…