And congratulations, Hil! Very exciting news.

Wow, rough Monday. Many hugs to Ginger, Aims, smonster, and Zen, but congrats to Hil for becoming a finalist on the post-doc.

I am having a similarly crappy Monday but am trying to think positive.

{{{smonster}}} That happens to me a LOT and has had me in trouble at work a lot. I sleep badly because of pain, but try explaining that to a boss. I hope your work is understanding and that you can find a solution.

Pix, Aims, Zen and anyone else who needs it, wishing you a much improved Monday from here on in.

Seska, thought you'd like to know: when translating Hung Parliament into Hebrew, the translation to "hung" is also "maybe". So I keep reading "The Maybe Parliament".

Pix, how was your commute this morning?

Gronk. Just slept for over 12 hours, after also sleeping for about that long last night, and still feel like I could easily sleep some more.

Spoke with vet again. The ultrasound looked good overall; there were some things she might have been worried about in an older or smaller cat, but she thinks the slight anomalies she saw were within normal variation for a young, big cat. His pancreas looked good, so while it can't entirely rule out pancreatitis, she doesn't think that's what this is. She thinks it's most likely that this is an infection and inflammation. He's responding to the medicine and has been eating, so he's definitely getting better.

In an hour I go pick him up. I'm a little concerned about bringing him home, because I've never successfully given a cat a pill in my life, and he'll need two pills twice a day for at least five days! I need body armor. But I can't leave him there; I'm almost out of money! Yikes. Wishing I'd bought pet insurance last week when I was thinking about it!

Anybody know any tricks for getting a too-smart and quite strong cat to swallow a pill?

Anybody know any tricks for getting a too-smart and quite strong cat to swallow a pill?

Put it in cheese? or lunch meat?

Pill syringe - smoosh a little wet food in, the pill and more wet food on top. A pill surrounded by yummy food.

Trap the cat in a room where there is nothing to effectively hide under. Grab cat and pin (while kneeling) cat between knees. This stops the cat from moving and the back claws can't get you as easily.

Take the syringe and maneuver it in through the side (at the back, behind the fangs) of the mouth and shoot.

Don't let the cat go until things are swallowed.

Pray for time to speed up so you can stop having to do it.

[Disclaimer: sick and drugged. I think I typed it out right.]

Also I find liquid meds in a needle-less syringe are easier for me to give to cats who hate meds. Because they kinda swallow easier. I'd worry he'll try to spit the pill out.

Also also ask your vet for tips. Sometimes they'll give you specifically helpful tips.

Zenkitty, I'm glad you've got Leo home. Here is a wikihow article that covers some options, including the syringe-y thing you can put the pill in the end of, and also has a video. You can try wrapping the cat in a towel or sheet, first. [link]

Or you can do yourself a favor and get some Pill Pockets [link] should be able to find them at most vet's offices, and at many pet stores. The disadvantage is, that if this trouble is caused by food sensitivities, well, the ingredients of Pill Pockets include several of the things that might cause such trouble - including wheat, and corn (syrup).