Dear Kerry: The cypro I got for Purrla from another rescuer was prescribed by a vet, but you might check with some of the online pharamacies like InternetVets.com or The Pet Shed (one Nina suggested to me, so she could give you the e-address), etc. as sometimes it is possible to get Rx items w/o a prescription, or, if you've consulted with a vet about Levi already, they may be willing to approve your order.
Considering that Levi is a feral and handling him an issue, I will warn you that the cypro is really gnarly...Purrla gagged and frothed at the mouth and I had to syringe water down afterwards in a hurry. If I had not had her wrapped in a towel like a mummy I could not have gotten it down her. It is an antihistamine and it did ease her nasal congestion and she was prompted to begin eating on her own again. But she just had a URI and was not anemic. Pica is, most often, a sign of anemia and anemia does cause loss of appetite Sometimes you can find something really smelly (like tuna and/or tuna juice, anchovy paste, herring or mackerel, and some rescuers who do a lot of trapping swear that KFC works like a charm at enticing wary feral into the trap) that will coax an anemic cat to eat on its own. Have you tried making a liver shake for him? Sometimes giving PetTinic or HiVite drops which have iron and Bvites can help, but that usually involves being given by syringe. I can tell you that Levi will NOT take the cypro unless you syringe it down him, and if you have to do that, you might as well mix some baby food (I use 2 tsp. baby meat to 1 tsp. strained veggies like carrots or squash) and Nutrical and add some PetTinic or Hi Vite drops and give that to him by syringe. Sometimes BVite injections can stimulate appetite, but again, you would have to handle him to do that. I really don't envy your dilemma. I've treated many sick kittys but, thankfully, none of my ferals have been in need of such medical care. It is a real problem because the more you have to handle him to get meds and/or food down him the less likely he will be to trust you and become socialized. IN a life threatening situation, you really don't have much choice. You might try talking to him and tell him you are trying to help him and without your help me may not get well. If you can't get through to him on your own, an animal communicator may be able to assist you in that regard. Be forewarned, however, that he may be a very independent soul and may tell you he doesn't really care about getting better if it means he has to submit to meds and being force-fed...he may just tell you "Que sera, sera." And then you have to decide whether or not to force the issue. Sending out all the positive energy I can muster for you and Levi. Sally in San Jose
