Ok, the 2 cents from the veterinary health tech in CA:
We have begun to give routine pain meds for even the most routine surg. We found that the animals recover faster.
The kitty burrito (towel wrap or pillow case-tight with only head out) is the general first step, up on a counter (not on the floor), and a hand on the scruff of the neck firmly but not tightly like a mommy cat carries kittens or hold the burrito against you in the crook of your arm like a football, tilt the head way back squirt meds into the side of the mouth (ok if a bit drizzles out) then follow with a 2nd syringe of water, or clam juice.
Dogs, most will accept hidden
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in yummy stuff, if your dog doesn't hoover it up, try 3 bites of snack (cream cheese, chicken
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, hot dog bites, etc) hide the pill in the 2nd bite and get the dog as excited as possible about the treats. The first gets chewed then the dog is more eager to get the other 2 and won't usually chew them as carefully. The more bitter the pill, the stronger the flavor of food you need to hide it.
Both dogs and cats do well with a narcotic patch called Fentanyl. If they are shaved on the back of the neck for the patch, then it is wrapped with a light bandage, then most animals won't even know it's there. The patch lasts 3-5 days depending on the dose for the pet and level of pain they are in.
We also have one of our docs currently learning accupunture for post operative main management. She is doing a great job with really suprisingly successful results on 2 of our knee surgery dogs from last week.
And to Thomas: I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. My thoughts are with you.
Jenn
I lost one of my cats a few months ago who I've had since I was 6 to cancer. What kind of cancer does your cat have? Is there anything that can be done about it? My baby, Black Star, had it in his throat, where it couldn't be cut out. I hope it can be fixed. It hurts like a !@#$% for this stuff to happen. Please let me know that happens. Once again, so sorry. 