Aspiration/wheezing when I give my cat liquid supplements

[NicoleA]

I give my cat liquid supplements via a syringe and once in a while he starts wheezing and coughing - very scary. I don't know if this is serious. I try to inject the syringe in the side of his mouth and give him the liquid slowly - it is a small amount. Does anyone know what might be happening? Thanks.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Probably not serious. How often does it occur? Does his BEAM worsen?

If the wheezing/coughing starts right aft syringing then he may be choking a bit on the liquid.

Since you give the supplements slowly, this should be OK.

 

[NicoleA]

Probably not serious. How often does it occur? Does his BEAM worsen?

If the wheezing/coughing starts right aft syringing then he may be choking a bit on the liquid.

Since you give the supplements slowly, this should be OK.

Thank you! Yes, it begins right after I give him the liquid. His BEAM seems to be the same after, but when he is wheezing and coughing I get so worried - I give him a little water w/ the syringe and it seems to help. It has happened a handful of times since I started giving him liquid supplements from NHV Natural Pets in May.

 

[EdwinA]

Hi Nicole.

My cat got a cough once around the time I was giving him liquid supplements - so I switched to making up little capsules instead, which go down nicely with a coating of butter, no liquid needed. I think it’s best not to risk liquid going down the wrong way!

As long as the coughing has gone off and isn’t persisting, I’m sure he’s fine - but if he tends to inhale a bit, maybe liquid supps aren’t the best for him.

We were actually so worried about the coughing we took him to the vet. The vet said he was fine and there was nothing in his lungs - but if the coughing goes on, you could get it checked to be safe and make sure he hasn’t inhaled into his lungs.

 

[GinnyW]

Sounds as if you got some OK advice...If you want to give liquid, could you squeeze the syringe slowly into the rear lower jaw, out of the way of his aspiration reflex? Or mix it with a bit of milk or cream, something he likes...

 

[NicoleA]

Thank you @EdwinA ! Yes, the cough never lasts thankfully but it makes me nervous when it's happening - that's a good idea re the butter.

 

[NicoleA]

Sounds as if you got some OK advice...If you want to give liquid, could you squeeze the syringe slowly into the rear lower jaw, out of the way of his aspiration reflex? Or mix it with a bit of milk or cream, something he likes...

Thanks @GinnyW - I wonder if it is ok to mix the herbal liquid supplements with cream - I'll have to check but that's a good idea.

 

[JoannC]

Ginny, I have to give my kitty some liquid supplement and learned through trial and error that the plastic syringes are only good for a 2 or 3 use.

Also I filled the syringe with water and noticed that unconsciously I was not using the plunger at a steady rate when giving him the fluids, that is what makes him choke on it. Try to fill your syringe and really notice that the slightest change in pressure on that plunger squirts the liquid in faster and harder, and with usage you have to use a bit more pressure and that is what might your kitty choke. Hope this helps.

 

[NicoleA]

Ginny, I have to give my kitty some liquid supplement and learned through trial and error that the plastic syringes are only good for a 2 or 3 use.

Also I filled the syringe with water and noticed that unconsciously I was not using the plunger at a steady rate when giving him the fluids, that is what makes him choke on it. Try to fill your syringe and really notice that the slightest change in pressure on that plunger squirts the liquid in faster and harder, and with usage you have to use a bit more pressure and that is what might your kitty choke. Hope this helps.

Thank you! @JoannC - I didn't realize the plastic syringes are only good for a few usages. I have been using the same 2 for a while..

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Oral dosing syringes typically last more than 2 uses.

Primarily because they don't have the soft rubber piece that degrades with neutralization/washing between doses.

 

[JoannC]

Dr Jeff where can I buy some because I can only get the ones with the rubber piece in the syringe part. Thank you.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Most local pharmacies carry oral dosing syringes.

 

[NicoleA]

Oral dosing syringes typically last more than 2 uses.

Primarily because they don't have the soft rubber piece that degrades with neutralization/washing between doses.

Ah got it - the ones I have don't have the rubber.