My Tonkinese cat Chamois has figured out my new routine to administer her thyroid medicine. I pull a latex glove over my hand and carefully open the syringe of the compounded Methimazole gel and squirt a dose on my gloved index finger. As soon as Chamois hears that latex glove snap into place on my hand, she darts out of the room and hides, and the games begin.

She runs under the desk. As soon as I move the chair and try to get under the desk to rub the gel in her ear, she shoots out from under the desk and runs toward the stairs. I run up after her, just a step behind. She hides under the bed. I’m determined so I crawl under the bed after her. Before I could get to her, she runs out from under the bed and into the closet that I forgot to close. Trying not to get the gel on my clothes that are hanging in the closet, I move them out of the way with my non-gloved hand and reach down and hope I get the gel in Chamois’ ear. I manage to rub it in her ear—a small victory that I will have to repeat that evening.

I’m pleased to say Chamois seems to be benefiting from her thyroid medicine. Her thin frame has filled out some and she’s vomiting less frequently. I’m getting a workout chasing her down to rub the gel into her left ear in the morning and right ear at night, but I still think this is better than pilling her. There’s still the risk that if I get the gel on my skin, it can affect my thyroid, but so far the latex gloves have protected me well.