 | |
 | |
Savvy Sitter Suggestions April 09While PSI members often share helpful tips and suggestions for Savvy Sitter Suggestions, they also ask their fellow members for advice. Do you have any sage advice for our members? Send your suggestions and they will appear in an upcoming SCOOP e-Newsletter.
Dear PSI, I need some tips on how to get liquid ear medicine into a cat's ear - - - a cat who won't stay still!
Dear PSI, I recently added a blog to my Web site for pet owners who check the Web while on vacation. I post updates about their pets, pet photos and even video clips. My blog is accessible by going to petcareXtra.com and clicking on 'new blog' in the upper left corner. I post links, pet tips and other information. At Christmas I posted pictures that clients sent me of their pets in holiday attire or engaged in holiday activities. I'd love to hear what other sitters might be doing to help keep clients informed about their pets while they are away.
April 2009 Savvy Sitter Suggestions
"I am always worried about tracking mud into a client's home. If we don't have snow in Pennsylvania, we have plenty of mud! A friend of mine owns his own carpet cleaning business and he regularly purchases plastic shoe covers that fit every type of shoe. He has given me quite a few shoe covers and they wipe off easily and can be reused several times." -Gay Boutwell, Pawsn'affection, Erie, PA
ADMINISTERING PET MEDICATION
"As a retired veterinary technician, I have quite a few tricks for giving pets medicine. Dogs
"Be sure to check with the owner and veterinarian if you have any questions about dosage or a 'trick' to administering medications. Some medications can not be given together and others should not be used with milk products.
"As for cats, I generally pop the pill in by hand or use a 'pill popper', but feel that washing the medication down with water is essential. (I use a syringe with 1/2 to 1 ml of water.) More difficult cats may be tricked with Cat Lax or a Pill Pocket. Some medications may be compounded into a transdermal formula. Using a glove, the medication can then be placed inside the ear. Unfortunately, this does not work for antibiotics."
"I would like to share with you how I administered medication to my three cats. Ali, our ten-year-old cat passed away last year. She had hyperthyroidism, which we treated in August 2007 with radioactivie iodine treatment.
"Ali would not take the required Tapazole in pill form unless it was hidden in a treat. When we moved on to Pill Pockets, she would not take the pills at all. However, radioactive iodine treatment did the trick!
"Our cat Jake is now 10-years-old and was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. So far, he is taking the Tapazole pills in treats, but I am sure it won't last long. I am so happy that I have other options for his treatment." -Kristel Kretchmer, Hilton Head Pet Sitting, Bluffton, SC
GAS SAVINGS
-Cindy Shaw, Healthy & Happy Pets LLC, Shillington, PA
"I know of a really great gas tip: Many gas stations are offering a discount at the gas pump when you pay in CASH. Some gas stations even have ATM machines at their site." Jan Conner, Pet Nanny Inc., Canton, MI
Do you have Savvy Sitter Suggestion that you would like to share with PSI members? Drop us a line and it may be featured in an upcoming SCOOP e-Newsletter.
|
MUD
are generally not a problem because they like food. But if they are nauseous and need a little Pepcid before a meal, it can be difficult. Luckily, Pepcid easily dissolves in water and can be administered with a syringe. 
"Cuddles, was 10-years-old when she passed away in December, 2008. Cuddles had thromboembolic disease, hyperthyroidism and lymphoma. The vet put her on Plavix and baby aspirin for thromboembolic disease, Tapazole for hyperthyroidism and a chemo pill for the lymphoma. She took all her medication very nicely in the beginning with treats and Pill Pockets. But as time went on, Cuddles wouldn't have anything to do with either. Our vet recommended compounding the medicine into a liquid form. We found a local pharmacy and had Cuddle's meds compounded - and it worked great! I think this is an excellent alternative for pet owners.
"You save gas and avoid costly engine repairs down the road by using a better grade of gasoline. That saves A LOT."