Sedating cats (was: Re: Leah - I'm here - kinda long)

[Guest guest]

Cal's had Ativan in the hospital and outpatient settings and bounced

back from it - it just seems to take him about twice as long as

expected for someone his age with his liver/kidney function. No

lasting harm. I wouldn't worry too much - bouncing back from acute

delirium can really take some time.

Epidural anesthesia might be a really good option - it's generally

easier on people than general, and is usually accomplished with

" caine-type " anesthetics, which *seem* to be well-tolerated. A small

dose of Versed could easily be used to reduce anxiety and improve

patient comfort. Heck, I wouldn't mind a little myself today....

As for sedating cats; I had the unenviable position of needing to

help a friend get a cat from WA to CA, and he wasn't the best

traveler. The vet recommended liquid Benadryl, but didn't happen to

mention how to get the cat to take the stuff. After several abortive

attempts at squirting it in his mouth, I noticed he was licking the

spots that had got on his fur. That's when I had the bright idea to

just apply it directly to the fur and let him lick it off. Harder to

get the dose right, but surprisingly effective at getting the cat into

the carrier and onto the plane.