I usually use the massage-the-throat-gently trick -- never tried the puff of air! As for bleeding, I am sooooooo lucky. The emergency clinic CLIPPED HER NAILS for me. Wow. I almost never do this because she hates it so much. (I clip the other two cats' nails with no trouble.)

Yeah, Petromalt is a gel. What I have right now is the vet-version called Laxatone -- same stuff though. Smells like molasses, goops like Vaseline.

I've tried hairball foods and oddly they made two of my cats puke MORE. Ugh! I didn't try the one from Iams, though. I have to wonder whether their current food is exacerbating the problem. They're on "weight control for older / indoor cats" food. I bet it doesn't have enough fat.

*thanks*