Having trouble giving Giz his meds!!

[luna21]

I am so frustrated, we have tried the bunny burito with no success, he actually bites the towel and has even bitten my DH ( his teeth were literally caught in his pants), he bites anything around him. I did still manage to get the meds in him but its getting actually getting harder every time we attempt to give it to him. The vet wants him to get 2 doses a day of Baytril for 14 days, we are day 5 today and im not sure we can go on like this, so i thought we could cut down to one dose a day, but i worry that it wont be enough. We have tried almost everything i could think of, he is a bitter
Anyone have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated ullhair::embarrassed:

 

[aurora369]

When I give meds to rabbits, I always try it out to see if they will take it willingly with out being restrained. If they won't then I have a technique for feeding meds that I have found to be very effective. I'll do my best to describe it.

I place the rabbit on the floor on top of a towel or small blanket. I then kneel behind the rabbit with their bum between my legs. I can bend over them and use both hands to control them and they cannot back up to get away.

I will use one hand to get the head in the right position. I find bunnies will try to tuck their head down into their chest to avoid being fed. With the other hand, I slide the syringe behind the front teeth and squirt the medicine into the cheek pocket. Go slowly and allow them to swallow before squirting more in.

You could wear some gloves and long sleeves if you are having problems with the rabbit biting while being fed his medicine.

I actually find giving injections way less stressful on me and the rabbits then force feeding medicine. If you are having a lot of troubles, this might be something to discuss with your vet. Baytril is available in injectable, and your vet could teach you how to give injections, it is really not that hard.

-Dawn

 

[luna21]

Thanks Dawn what a great idea! I will try that, if that doesn't work I will ask the vet about injections.:thanks::bunnynurse:

 

[Niomi]

Mix a little Grenadine in with the Baytril, and your rabbit should love it. Grenadine is a cherry flavored syrup, used to make mixed drinks. You should be able to find it at the grocery store, or at a liquor store.

 

[luna21]

thanks I will give that a try too

 

[juliew19673]

I was also told mixing the meds with BananaBaby food and water; then they might just slurp it right out of the syringe..

 

[hln917]

I take the tip of the syringe and mash it into a craisin. They usually will open their mouth thinking they are getting a craisin. Hate to deceive them like that but it does work.

 

[luna21]

Good idea !! I'll have to give that one a try tonight, everything else has failed...lol

 

[tonyshuman]

My guys love grenadine too--I got that tip from our bunny guru Haley. I know if they're not feeling well I can put out a big dish of pedialyte or water with a few drops of grenadine in it, and the bowl will be gone in a few hours, usually getting their GI tracts back on track!