No Problem!

We planned our approach to taking Smoky to the vet. I'd hold him in my arms while Bruce drove - once there, Bruce would come around to my side of the truck and take him into the office. Inside, there was a man waiting with his cat. Smoky had a few words with the cat and the cat seemed to understand and talked back. Funny. When it was our turn, the vet took Smoky's temperature - no reaction to that intrusion. Then the vet pushed and squeezed Smoky's paw, leg, and joints. No reaction. He concluded that Smoky must have sustained a soft tissue injury in the fight and he would prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication to be taken orally. Since we already had Smoky at the Doc's, he got his rabies and distemper shots. In all, it was an easy trip - no scratching or biting.

This morning, I opened a can of tuna, took the medicine and counted out 15 drops into a small bowl. Then I mixed Smoky's favorite food into it and placed it on the floor. About a foot away from the tuna, he stopped, turned and walked away. DARN. There's no way to force a cat to eat, so I took another small bowl, counted out 15 more drops, then took out the little syringe and sucked up the liquid. Smoky was on the bed, so Bruce held him and kept his head still while I popped the syringe into his mouth and pushed out the medicine. Not too tasty, I guess. Over the next four days, he gets six drops a day, then after that two drops. He already seems to be walking better, so I'd say he's on the mend.