Last week the vet confirmed that we may start giving Louis Catorze his steroid pills. This was a huge relief to us because the little sod was hell-bent on scratching, and outwitted us every time we tried to stop him.
I had reached the stage where I couldn’t make my morning pot of tea unless he was within sight, because he had found a new scratching apparatus somewhere in the house (and we still don’t know where). And, on one occasion, he vanished into thin air during his exercise yard session, finally reappearing on the roof of That Neighbour’s shed, up-tailed, screaming and proudly sporting yet another a new scratch wound. (This wasn’t the time he was screamed at by the parakeet, but ANOTHER occasion.)
We have also caught him trying to scratch himself on his Yule tree from last year, which now lives in our garden. Yes, THAT tree. The one with the Blood-Letting Needles of Death: https://louiscatorze.com/2019/12/07/le-sapin-de-mort/
Every evening we give Catorze limited, controlled Cône-free time (with the door shut) so that he can wash more comfortably. Even that is fraught with danger because he bides his time, often pretending to be asleep on his daddy’s lap, then scratches when we are engrossed in something suitably suspenseful on TV. A couple of nights ago he chose his moment when the scary Mexican drug lord opened fire with his semi-automatic weapon and, of course, the gunfire completely masked his scratching sound. So, by the time the police shot the drug lord and we realised we had been double-crossed by Catorze, he was already well and truly stuck in and it was too late.
But I am thrilled to report that he has been happily eating the steroid pills (delivered Trojan Horse-style inside a Pill Pocket). If you have ever had to give medication to a less-than-obliging animal, you will understand what an incredibly big deal this is.
However, be warned: age makes Pill Pockets crumbly and powdery, rather like trying to make a sandcastle using dry sand. And, the more you handle and squish them, the more likely it is that you’ll propagate the pilliness and your dastardly Trojan Horse plan will be foiled. When I started using the Pill Pockets for Catorze’s Piriton a few weeks ago, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t able to mould around the pills. Then, when I checked the expiry date, I saw that it said, erm, “November 2017”. Oops.
But we now have a brand new, in-date supply which is much easier to shape around the steroid pills. And the little sod is eating them. Merci à Dieu, HE IS EATING THEM.
Well, it was about time something went right, wasn’t it?

Mollie gets a steroid pill every other day (also for scratching but she is not a destructive as your cat). It’s compounded and smells like vanilla. She takes it willingly (and I’ve never had a cat take any pill willingly, even pill pockets have some limitations). Sure hope this helps.
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Great photo! Love your kitty boy, and best wishes for continued success getting Louis Catorze to eat his pills!
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Thank you! He is being a proper nuisance at the moment. 😫😫😫
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LOL!
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#spoileralert !
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Actually, just as I posted that entry, he refused this morning’s pill. 😫😫😫😫
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I knew it! It would be too lucky Louis doing something without problem …
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Oh I just want to kiss that little snozzle!!!!!
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Rather you than me. 😐
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Terrifying picture! What is a pill pocket? Are they purchasable? Neither of my cats will ever take tablets and they sound useful!🐈🐈
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Oh my, I’ve only just seen this comment! A Pill Pocket is like a meaty putty that you wrap around pills to hide them. Very handy, if your cats eat them. Useless if not. 🤣
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