I've never done it before, and Pepper has an ear infection but is NOT a good vet cat

I've been hissed at and bitten twice just getting the bandages off her legs from her blood test

(but also HEY I didn't have to start a 12-hour war cutting them off like last time, so. progress?

That is progress!

so what sometimes works is if I trap them on the ground between my knees/thighs so their back escape is blocked and then I just wrestle with the front to the best of my ability. but honestly i too long for cat hacks because mine is a fucking darling at the vet and then if I try it at home she's suddenly a clawed tornado worm

and I feel ridiculous saying "I can't do this on my own she won't cooperate" while she sits on the vet table like a fucking angel and might as well do every single procedure on herself by herself

lol awwww Olive was like that

Olive would let anyone do anything to her like a little princess

we used to joke that she was auditioning for a new home bc she was sick of us

omg

have actually had to give ear drops to henry so here was the process

he's a big strong dude and generally chill and gentle but his ears were the source of pain so he was NOT INTO IT

but i got our biggest towel and wrapped him in it like a burrito (make sure you are good about the wrap at the shoulders because cats are liquid)

put him in my lap and used the arm holding him to also deal with the ear itself - pulling it back gently etc
dominant hand did the ear drops (already open) and additional holding bc these drops required like holding their head still/ear closed for a bit so they didn't just shake it out

oh I didn't even think about the shake

then i got sulked at for like an hour but forgiven when food

i will say though they learn what the towel means like immediately

oh yeah pepper is familiar with the towel

when she wouldn't let me pull off a bandage last time I tried to do the towel thing and she was like "NO TOWELS /hides"

there is big planning involved now where the towel is already in a room he can't hide in and then i get him in there

(he hasn't had an ear infection for some time tho)

she's been trying to opt out of being healthy since long before I came into ther picture, probably

also if she likes treats having a treat after for being a good kitty
henry was terrifically uninterested in any such thing

I asked my mom, she had a cat that needed them a LOT. She noted the towel trick but also said sometimes she got lucky and the cat woudl settle in her lap. From there she'd just be super chill, petting with one hand while dropper with the other. She stressed always following up with treats and affection as soon as possible after to try and build up the

'it isn't that bad'. AS for the shaking she said that if you have the cat securely, massage below the ear while gently rotating the tip to help the medicine travel down.

Granted the cat she had that needed this quickly learned to just take it because she had a chronic condition and came to realize that the treatment did coincide with reduced pain. So yeah, over time it got easier for her.

Godspeed and good luck.

In general, try to catch them sleeping. Rub the head and the ears and quick quick one ear. If you need two you may have more trouble |D but sleeping helps A LOT! Otherwise it’s wrestling. I’ve never found anything else for a cat that just WONT with meds

thanks for your help everyone!!

made my first attempt. At the stage where I have to do an ear flush before the drops

there were dramatics

I tried to give her a treat after and she refused to come near me so I upped the ante and opened a can of chicken

and she was still like "NO I DON'T TRUST U"

I need to let the flush sit for half an hour before I do medicine so LOL here goes

she's going to be suspicious af for the rest of the night and I won't be able to get the jump on her as easily

twice a day for ten days........ sob

Stay strong!

If you can get her by the scruff that does help some |D

i try treat first or wet food first if she's really into the food/likes it, make sure the meds are not visible when you do this, let her nom it up then while she eating slip in there w/ the meds while she is distracted by it. and more treats after to make it a more positive experience