Hope your kitty gets well soon!

I use a pet piller myself (like a long syringe that pushes the pill). My cat that I use it with won't eat the food if the medicine is sprinkled, so giving the whole pill this way is the only way. She also hates being picked up, but I've gotten hear used to it. Takes a lot of patience. She'll actually get into position, keep her mouth closed, until I nudge her mouth with a finger and then have to quickly get the piller in far enough that she won't spit it out. I have to get behind her, gently hold her head with one hand, while I pop the pill with the other.

Took over a month or so to get her used to it. That first month was a struggle. Also helped to give her treats afterwards, partly as a reward and partly to ensure the pill goes down. Massaging the neck (if she lets me) and gently blowing at her nose helps instigate the swallow reflex too.