Adventures with Astrid: Pawprints in the Snow

We're about to exit February, and though it's been 70°F most of this week so far, we wanted to make sure we shared with you one of pup Astrid's snowy walks from a couple weeks ago.

If you look at the creek in the distance of that photo above, you'll see a heron as well as some ducks in the water. Astrid was very intrigued by the feathered friends.

One of my favorite parts of this walk, though, was getting photos of Astrid's adorable pawprints in the snow.

Do you see anything a bit odd about one of those pawprints?

For anyone who might not know or remember, Astrid's back right foot only has three toes. She lost the outer right one to cancer back in 2017. She's been cancer-free since, and now she just has an extra special and extra cute pawprint.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Doodle of the Day

I scribbled up a special doodle for Astrid on her birthday last week. It includes homages to her love of snow as well as her love of ice cream.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we gave a lengthy tip on administering oral medications to your kitty. Today, we're here to give a lengthy tip on the ins and outs of transdermal medications. Transdermal medications are those applied to and absorbed through the skin. A number of medications can be given this way, such as methimazole (for the treatment of hyperthyroidism) and even famotidine (Pepcid), just to name a couple. If you will be administering transdermal medication for your kitty, of course read the directions as prescribed by your veterinarian, and discuss with your veterinarian any concerns that you have.

So, transdermal medication has to be applied to, obviously, the skin. It is best applied to skin that is clean, free from as much as hair as possible, and where your kitty cannot easily lick or reach. This makes the pinna (the flap of the ear) an ideal place for applying transdermal medication.

To actually apply the transdermal medication, ensure that you are wearing gloves. As its name suggests, this type of medication does indeed absorb through the skin, and that includes your own skin as well as that of your kitty. If your kitty is on transdermal thyroid medication, for example, using your bare hand to apply it could lead to unwanted effects on your own endocrine system. So, put on disposable gloves, which are sometimes even provided with the prescription. You can also buy latex finger cots, which are essentially gloves for just one finger. You can then use that one covered finger to apply the medication.

When you and your kitty are ready and your hand is gloved, place the medication on your gloved finger. Transdermal medication is typically provided in pre-filled syringes, from which you can eject intended dosages. Sometimes it is suggested that you squirt the medication onto your index finger, but, ultimately, place it on whichever digit works best for you and for effective administration. I, personally, find it easiest to use my thumb.

Now, when you have the medication on your gloved finger, apply it to the upper to middle part of the pinna of the ear and rub it in. Again, this medication is easily absorbed through the skin, and so excess being left behind is not ideal. So, rub it in as thoroughly as possible, which of course will also ensure that your kitty is receiving his or her full dosage.

Once you have rubbed the medication in, you can dispose of your glove. For optimum safety, you can clean it off first, such as with soap and water, and/or you can remove it with the aid of a paper towel. When you dispose of the glove, of course be sure to do so in a receptacle where it cannot be easily removed by any curious paws or hands. Also be sure that you put the syringes of medication away somewhere safe.

All of that being said, of course try to make the medication administration process as comfortable as possible for both your kitty and yourself. You can try to do apply transdermal medications when your kitty is relaxed, as long as you are prepared and are able to safely do so without getting any of the medication on yourself or anywhere else besides your kitty's ear. You can also, of course, use treats as a reward. Just as with oral medication administration, you can use a partner-in-crime if needed, or a blanket or towel to help keep your kitty still and safe. Sometimes it takes trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your kitty, and there's nothing wrong with that.