FIP Georgia > treatment info > pills

FIP Georgia: giving GS pills

Eligibility for pills 🔗

FIP is an inflammatory disease, and absorption of oral medication may be compromised by inflammation in the digestive tract until that inflammation is under control. For that reason, we recommend starting with a week or two of injections if a cat is not eating normally or has been vomiting. We may also recommend starting with injections if the cat's condition is especially critical (respiratory distress, advanced neuro symptoms, severe anemia), to ensure the GS will start working immediately. Once the kitty’s condition is stabilized, injections and pills are generally equally effective.

Fasting 🔗

GS in pill form is best absorbed on an empty stomach. The specific recommendations vary across brands, but fasting is generally required for one to two hours before giving the pills, and for 30 minutes to an hour afterward. A modest amount of treat given with the pills is fine, but not a full meal.

How to get the pills into your kitty 🔗

Different techniques work for different kitties. The easiest, which works for about half of all kitties, is shown in this video:

Place the pills on a textured surface like a towel, dab a little puréed treat or syringed wet food on top of the pills, and—with luck—watch your kitty gobble them up. About half of all cats seem to swallow pills willingly with this technique; the others lick the Churu off the pills without picking themk up, or swish the pills around in their mouth to get the Churu then spit them back out. In that case, other popular techniques include:

• "pill pocket" treats that pills can be placed inside
• a "pill shooter" device that pops the pill into the back of your kitty's mouth
• the traditional method: tilt your kitty's head back with one hand, place the pill near the back of their tongue with the fingers of your other hand, and stroke their throat until they swallow

One common technique that isn't suitable for GS pills is to crush the pill and add it to a meal. We can't use that method for GS pills because it's too much food—the pills need to be taken while fasting. If mixed into a meal, it's also difficult to ensure that your kitty has consumed the entire pill.

Regardless of which technique you use, give your kitty a bit of puréed treat or wet food afterward, to wash down the pill in case it got stuck in their esophagus.

Here are some more videos demonstrating various pilling techniques:

• How-to give a cat a pill tutorial—Dr. Uri Burstyn, "Helpful Vancouver Vet"
• How to Give a Pill to a Cat or Kitten (5 Different Ways!)—Kitten Lady
• Medicating Tricks and Tips—Ingrid Johnson (Animal Planet)
• How to Give a Cat Medication—Dr. Stacey Wallach

FIP Georgia > treatment info > pills