While everybody is fretting about the Corona virus I have other things to worry about. You see, both my love bird and my cat are ill. Now, while I am anxious about their well being, it’s also, at times, quite comical. Have you ever tried giving medicines to animals?

Now, the bird. He has to take two different kind of drops and a tablet. First of all, you need to catch him (he’s got bloody wings!!). Once you have him, you need to hold him, not too tight as he weighs 50 grams and it would be rather easy to crush him, while trying not to get bitten (they do have very strong beaks). Finally, having prepared beforehand the syringe with the drops, you need to convince him to actually drink it. Medicines never have a good taste, do they? You can’t actually talk the bird into having it because it will make him better, can you?!!

The tablet is even worse, having gone through the first two points, again, (the Vet says he can’t have them all together, of course), you need to insert the tablet into his beak. My son, who is extremely patient and has a wonderful way with animals, did put it in, again, and again, and again….he spat it out every time! He finally managed giving it to him by grounding it and putting it in a vitamin B12 syrup for humans (we had already given that to our bird in the past).

I’d like to point out this bird has already been ill in the past. He has taken antibiotics and even had aerosol! I thought the vet was joking when she said we needed to give him aerosol, but she wasn’t!! Do you know how to do that? You take a shoe box, put some holes in it, put the bird in and insert the box into a plastic bag, holding the front of it closed over the tube which has the steam coming out of it. I’d have never thought of that, you?

Let’s talk about the cat now. He has to take antibiotics, drops and two different kinds of paste, 2 centimetres each. I have never had centimetres of medicines. Grams, millilitres, any number of tablets, but never measured them in centimetres. Anyhow, you all know how difficult it is to give a tablet to a cat, and how dangerous for that matter! You need help, at least one other person, if not two. The drops go in his water, which he rarely drinks actually, he prefers running water, so, when he is thirsty he calls and gets you to open the water in the bidet. I wonder, where do cats drink from in other countries? The paste, thank god he likes and licks it off my finger.

I forgot to mention the fact I was asked to collect his urine….I never did manage, even though I bought a bag with small plastic balls which you are supposed to put in his litter tray and once he has relived himself, you have this little “baster” to suck the liquid up with… Amazon if you are interested, Prime.              I will soon have to take my cat to his check up with the cardiologist, yes, cardiologist. He has a heart condition too.

So, do you think these animals are being taken care more than humans? It’s a close call. In fact, I tell you, vets are much much more gentle and caring with their patients than any doc I have ever experienced!!

E.

P.S. this morning my son and I have taken the bird to the vet. We now have to give him 1 drop of a liquid medicine for his liver and my eye drops (antibiotic and cortisone) over his skin! Yes, unfortunately the little thing has decided he wants to get rid of all his feathers, so, will also have to find a way to sew him a little dress… Meanwhile our tv playing relaxing music non stop.