VCP 411: Medicine Section

STEPWISE PROCEDURE FOR ORAL MEDICATION IN A DOG/CAT

• Medications for oral administration may be in pill, capsule or liquid form.
• Hold the cat's head from the top using your left hand if you are right-handed. The cat's cheek-bones (called zygomatic arches) provide a convenient handle by which to hold the head firmly without causing the cat any discomfort.
• Tilt the head back and the cat will often drop its lower jaw open.
• Hold the pill or capsule in your right hand between your thumb and index finger.
• Place one of the remaining fingers on your right hand on the lower incisors to keep the lower jaw open. Keep your finger over the small incisor teeth NOT over the sharp fangs (canine teeth). 
• Drop the pill or capsule as far back over the tongue as possible, then immediately close the mouth and blow on the cat's nose which will encourage them to swallow.
• If the cat does not open its mouth when you tilt back the head, holding the pill as before between the thumb and index finger and use the middle finger of the same hand holding the pill or capsule, to try open the lower jaw.
• Place your middle finger over the small incisor teeth NOT over the sharp fangs (canine teeth)and pull open the lower jaw.
• Keep the middle finger in place to hold the lower jaw open (3), then either drop the pill or capsule as far back on the tongue as possible, or the index finger (1) and thumb (2) can be used to push the pill over the back of the tongue.
• Work rapidly to avoid getting bit
• Use piller if available