Prayers for Zeke

[aurora369]

He got to sit on the couch with me and have 10 minutes with out his collar on. He got to clean his face a bit. He was digging the fleecy blankets and enjoying some head rubs.

The little brat has decided he doesn't like his antibiotics anymore. The first day he licked them from the end of the syringe with no problems, but know I can barely get him to take them. And his collar doesn't help because he can squish his mouth down into it. I had to give him his meds with out his collar this evening, but I can't do that in the morning because I don't have time.

Sigh, at least he's feeling fiesty...

--Dawn

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Gotta love that little rexy attitude! LOL!

I hope he does better with the medicine for you. I'm really glad he got some time without that collar! I would think it would drive him nuts!

How does his wound look now?

 

[ec]

Can you smush up a little bit of ripe banana and put it in the meds?

Someone on EB recently wrote about soaking a piece of banana in water for along time (not mashed, though) so that the water took on the flavor. her bun, who really needed to be drinking and stay hydrated, could't get enough of the "banana water."

 

[lalena2148]

When Latte was really sick, I mixed his up on a spoon with some organic banana baby food. I syringed the meds right in it, stirred it up and he licked it right off the spoon. Maybe that would help?

Give that man some kisses from all of us here. Poor little dude. :?

 

[aurora369]

Hmm, baby food might work. It would have to be something with a really strong flavour. I don't know why he doesn't like it, it doesn't taste bad to me. It's just a typical sweet antibiotic. He licked it out of the syringe twice on the first day before deciding he didn't like it.

I had to force it into him this morning, which I hate doing because it's so stressful for him. But the bottom line is getting the meds in him so he doesn't get an infection. But, he did get more time out of the collar this morning because I can't really force the syringe in his mouth with it in the way.

His wound is looking much better. The swelling has gone way down. I think he likes the feeling of the cream I have to put on because he sits very still for it. I'll try to take some pictures tonight when I put his ointment on.

--Dawn

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Awww it must make his tummy feel better to have that cream put on. What a sweetie.

He probably knows you are trying to help but thinks you're offering him some yucky treat LOL!

Only a couple of more days and he gets to see about getting that cone off!!!

 

[maherwoman]

I think it might just be him resisting the whole idea of a syringe. I know Fiver sure does...he runs and hides if he sees them, or if I'm holding him, he'll become a "chainsaw with fur" as JimD has described panicked buns. I have to cover up the syringe(s) while bringing him over so he doesn't see them.

What's the situation in which you are giving him his meds? Is he inside his cage? Do you pick him up and put him on a table?

 

[ec]

Nibbles is scared of syringes, but thankfully, what few meds I've had to give her have turned out to be something of a breeze, because she'll lick them up from either my hand or a plate.

It's worth a try, especially if you can get a flavor in there that Zeke likes...

 

[aurora369]

He's not scared of the syringe, because he takes his pain meds from a syringe as well as acidophilus. It's only the antibiotics that he refuses.

I always try to offer it to him first when he's in his cage. The other two, he licks from the end of the syringe eagerly. I'm going to try mixing it with baby food for him as I'm pretty sure it's the taste that's putting him off.

When I have to force feed him, I put him on the floor between my legs and I hover over him with my body. He can't move back or forward. After a few minutes of move the mouth away from the syringe, I can sneak it in and squirt his meds in.

The little booger also managed to get out of his cone some time today. I can home from school to a very happy un-collared Zeke. I gave his wound a brief look over and I didn't see any major damage, so I'm not sure if he played with it too much or not. When Ryan gets home, I'll get him to hold Zeke while I give it a better inspection.

I called the vets and told them I might have to bring him in at the end of the day. I also need more of his cream.

--Dawn

 

[maherwoman]

ZEKE!! Keep that collar on, little stinkbutt!!

Ah, about not being scared of syringes. I'm glad that's not the case...it can sure be a pain, hehe...

But...I think you're onto something in trying to find something to add to the meds to kinda hide the flavor a bit. Maybe it has a nasty aftertaste...and has a good regular flavor...

Hugs and good vibes to you both!

Rosie*

 

[aurora369]

Well, the vet never called me back... I guess they aren't that worried. I'll have to call back in the morning just after my first class.

Ryan had a brilliant suggestion. He suggested using some honey and feeding him off a spoon. I only had to use about 1/4 of a teaspoon of honey and I got him to take all of his antibiotics! I know honey is not best long term, but until I can get to the grocery store to get some baby food, it will do.

I'm so happy I didn't have to pin him down again. So much less stressful for him and me, I've been dreading it all day.

--Dawn

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Aw, Dawn, poor Zeke. Good on Ryan for suggesting honey, glad that worked-this time. The honey might mask the smell of the antibiotics, for now. Watch him catch on...:?.

I also wonder if it's the smell of the antibiotics, he might be able to smell them quite a distance away:?. That might be the problem with just those meds. Mix it away from him and bring on the syringe.

Good Luck! (Zeke, be good sweetie)

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Is it safe honey? the kind that doesn't have the chance of bacteria? (commercial brands)

Also, how did his little tummy look when you checked again?

Darned vet! :X

 

[HoneyPot]

Dawn - Misty used to refuse taking her antibiotics too (even though it was sweet) because I think it used to give her an upset tummy. She knew that one medicinein particular made her feel crappy. She used to wolf it down, and then sit in her "i don't feel so well" corner for a bit after. Then she started refusing it. I figure that maybe she didn't feel good after taking it... maybe the same thing is happening for Zeke?

Nad

 

[aurora369]

I think it might be that he's not feeling well after his antibiotics. I always give him greens before medicating him so he has a full tummy, but he could still feel icky. He still eats and looks happy after I give them, but he could just be hiding it. He refused the honey trick this morning, so I had to take his collar off and force him again.

The honey was just regular honey, nothing special. I don't think there was any more chance of bacterial than if I had used juice.

I have a check up tomorrow, so maybe I'll ask them to show me how to do injectables. I think injections would be so much easier with him. He's got a ton of loose skin for tenting. So hopefully they'll let me do it that way as it's also better for his tummy too.

I took another look at his owie this morning, and it's still looking really good. The spot where he pulled a few stitches is not as swollen anymore and there is no bleeding or gapping. I think he only managed a couple of stitches in a place where the wound was not deep.

The vet called me back and said I could take him in today, but I said I'd just take him for his scheduled appointment tomorrow. Ryan has the car till late tonight, and I hate taking him on the bus, plus I only have my really big carrier right now. I'm pretty sure he'll be fine till tomorrow.

--Dawn

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Sounds like he's doing ok!

The honey thing - some honey comes from like apple orchards and things where they have the hive and they will put a piece of the hive in the bottle even.That sort of honeyhas a higher risk, but even processedcan have botulism spores. That's why you should never give honey to a baby.

 

[aurora369]

Didn't know that BoBBunny! I've eaten about half of the container of honey, and it's creamed honey that I believe has been pasturized.

I won't use the honey again, as well, he won't eat it anymore.

Ryan is out late with the car due to his school tonight. But I will ask him to pick up some assorted baby foods for me.

--Dawn

 

[lalena2148]

aurora369 wrote:

Ryan is out late with the car due to his school tonight. But I will ask him to pick up some assorted baby foods for me.

--Dawn

Dawn, just fyi, banana, strawberry banana, banana w/ mixed berries, apples andcherries, and even the applesauce (because it haslittle sugar)baby food seemed to work the best for me. Hope that helps to spice up the medicine for Zeke!

And I just found out that Gerber makes a Papaya baby food. Maybe that would work even better!

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I used to give Clover the applesauce and bananas too! and the bananas and Oatmeal - OMG she loved that! Oatsies and bananas in one thing!!!

*the creamy honey isn't dangerous from what I know* Adults don't get sick from it anyhow....... and I don't know if the bunnies could, but babies' tummies can't handle the spores and they get very sick.

 

[Offspring2099]

Poor little guy, I'm glad that the surgery went well.