This morning's kitten alarm clock was a bit more subtle than yesterday's. I woke up to the sensation of a cold, wet nose pressed up against the corner of my eye, followed by a large amount of licking. His purr is also getting louder - either that, or the fact that he was pressed up against my face purring only made it seem louder.

He's got an incredible little personality. Last night as he was outstretched on the floor, I put out my hand to him. Using only his front paws to drag himself closer to my hand and remaining outstretched ... he brought himself close and reached out to touch my hand.

What a character. He's got to be the coolest little kitten I have ever met.

I think it's wrong for me to bounce between the clean food thread and the junk food thread. It is making me feel very Sybil.

I go to the junk food thread and just cringe. Not that I am holier than thou because I've loved me some junk food in my day, but because I know that to stay alive I cannot partake in the drumstick, whopper and flaming cheeto wonderments.

The craziest I can get is pineapple.

*raises my hand*


Hi....My name is Tuff and I'm a FTM trans...

That is all I have for now.


More news to be announced at an undisclosed time and location.

Does anyone have any good tips for helping children learn to swallow pills?

I have a 12 year old son who could wolf down half a hamburger without chewing, but when it comes to swallowing medicine he gets a hyperactive gag reflex and can't get the pill down.

Since he's on a 3 week course of antibiotics right now, this is a bit of :seeingstars:

The most successful thing so far is putting the pill inside a smallish bite of banana, which he can then kind of mush around in his mouth and swallow...but it's still problematic.

Any advice or tricks would be most appreciated!

Hi Jo,

Sorry to hear you're both having a tough time. When I worked in healthcare and we had to adminstor meds, one trick was with applesauce or pudding ... if the meds are in pill form you might want to invest in a pill crusher.. if not try liquid first then the pudding or applesauce behind it with the pill and some liquid.. the water might add aggravation to his gag reflexes so try something like juice ..good luck sweetie. :rrose:

PS: Lol.. I forgot . Call your pharmacy or doctor and tell them what's happening many meds come in oral form....

if you squeeze your left thumb inside the fingers of your left hand, it help suppress the gag reflex. like clinching your fist with the thumb folded in. give it a shot?

i will do my super bear happy good luck dance for you!!!!!!!!

@

:ohm:

Diva,

Your interviewing for my dream job!!! Good luck hun!! I will be lighting a candle for you as well.

hi Jo :)

Just a bit more advice...because though crushing pills and liquid meds are great, knowing how to swallow actual pills will be helpful all his life.

-Try to help him relax before trying to take the pill (and try to remain calm & relaxed yourself). Anxiety will make his throat close. Make sure he knows that about half of us have the same problem, and it's no big deal.

-go slow. Have him hold the pill on his tongue for a just a second or 2 while he breathes deeply & slowly (this wont work if the pill is uncoated and tastes nasty...trust me!)

-make sure his mouth is moist before putting the pill in it, and encourage him to continue drinking after he has swallowed the pill

-Have him try using a straw to drink down the pill. Also, use something he likes to drink instead of water. Or, sans straw, use a carbonated drink with lots of fizz (distracts from the feel of the pill in his mouth)

-Or, try a water bottle with a tip that you have to squeeze the bottle to get the water to come out (that's the technical jargon for that type of top...hopefully you know what i'm talking about), and have him be forceful with the water

-After he has the pill in his mouth, have him tilt his chin down toward his chest just a bit, which will open his throat

i sure hope between all of us, something helps! Y'all could try practicing without an actual pill, so that he already knows the steps before he's in the middle of panicking.

rhonda

I love robot chicken
 

try practicing all these things with m&m's or skittles. they taste good so even if it doesn't get swallowed right away there won't be any panicking cause of the bad taste. and the coatings on them make them a little slippery so they will go down easier.
i learned to swallow pills using m&m's when i was around your sons age.