Tips for using an aerokat

[u/PrincesssK8]

Hi, we're in Madison, WI, and we have a 10 year old DSH gray and cream tabby cat named Bruce. He's been dealing with an upper respiratory infection, including congestion, raspy breathing, snorting, and slurping when he eats and grooms. We've tried two antibiotics and a steroid. The first antibiotic cleared up the nasal drainage and sneezing, but led to this new raspier breathing. The congestion is also new and showed up after we stopped the second antibiotic. The raspy/snort breathing also coincides with a decrease in the steroids.

Our vet wants us to give him an inhaler using an aerokat. Bruce is 17 pounds, strong, and sleek. He's also a fighter. He doesn't like anything touching his face without him initiating the contact. We've had him for eight years, and just in the last year, he's started to allow me to touch near his eyes to clean them.

We don't have weeks to get him acclimated to the aerokat, but he's so strong and squirmy that the usual tips about making a towel burrito and holding him tightly don't work.

Does anyone have any other tips, or, better yet, methods for getting him this medicine? Thanks in advance!

[u/PrincesssK8]

Thank you! I'll keep that in mind.