Syringing medicine

[Sabine]

I somehow thought this was easy.... We tried to syringe 1.5 ml into Magic this morning. It took two people and I am still not sure if anything went in. Is there any tricks you guys use to give them medicines successfully?

 

[pamnock]

Is it the Baytril that you are giving? Pill form is much easier. I'd ask your vet for pills and a pill popper. Injectable is also an option.

Liquid is a struggle and too easy for the rabbit to aspirate.

Pam

 

[Sabine]

Yes it is Baytril. I didn't know there were other options

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

when I had to give storm all the water and meds I would turn him up side down where I was holding him like a baby. Tight enough that he could not scerm but be careful and go slow cause its harder for them to shallow up side down.



But that worked really well

 

[KookieKing]

I'm struggling a little with the syringe feeding too. I agree with Mrs. PBJ too. The vet assistant also suggested to wrap them up in a towel or blanket a little tight so they can't kick and try that way. Good Luck.

 

[CorkysMom]

I had a much easier time w/ the liquid than pill form, I tried to dissolve the pills and they didn't do so well. The problem is, its flavored like liver, bunnies don't like that!

You could try mixing in a lil apple juice or something. As stated before, the 'bunny burrito' is a good method.

 

[Sabine]

I just gave her the second dose and she drank it like a good rabbit. After all the fuss in the morning.... We had such trouble first time around. Maybe the taste wasn't that bad after all. Hope she'll cooperate tomorrow morning

 

[Flashy]

Make sure you (both of you) feel relaxed, and force yourself to be calm because if you are tense she will react from how you feel. That's the biggest thing I have found makes a difference.

 

[Sabine]

Maybe it helped that I just had a can of cider just before syringing her. she was great this evening but impossible in the morning

 

[JimD]

Is it plain Baytril or mixed in a flavor/suspension form?

 

[Dia]

Before Turbo passed he was on Baytril in the pill form and when i put it in a small piece of banana and stuck it in his mouth, he just swallowed it.

When having to give him a liquid antibiotic or any other meds i would just stick my finger in his mouth so he would be forced to keep his mouth open and then shoot it in.

They never really love taking meds...and some can be fussy...but this was just the method i used.

 

[Sabine]

JimD wrote:

Is it plain Baytril or mixed in a flavor/suspension form?

The vet mixed it with water but I'm not sure if the stuff is flavoured or not. The second time around I syringed it from the side and she loved it

 

[JimD]

Sabine wrote:

JimD wrote:

Is it plain Baytril or mixed in a flavor/suspension form?

The vet mixed it with water but I'm not sure if the stuff is flavoured or not. The second time around I syringed it from the side and she loved it

It must be flavored.
Plain Baytril tastes terrible.....yeah, I tasted it.:yuck
I had to mix it with banana baby food when I gave it to Binkie.

I agree that getting the syringe behind the front teeth on the side, and far enough in, makes it a lot easier.

 

[krsbunny]

Actually, I've never had trouble giving the unflavored (purple, not brown) Baytril (not the liver flavored -- ICK) by just dissolving it in water. (Well, except for the one time that Holly decided she had been taking it long enough and kicked the syringe out of my hand and it landed on top of the furnace vent above her x-pen.) I wouldn't say they are crazy about it, but when it comes to meds here it is pretty well understood that mom is gonna win. As previously mentioned calm is important. Also confidence!

Pam -- I've never used a pill popper. Interesting idea. My only concern (and this is because I've never used one AND because of issues I occasionally have choking on pills myself) -- the Baytril pills I'm used to (22.7 mg) seem "big" to get down my guys (mini lops) whole. Is that what you use? Enquiring minds want to know...

Kathy

 

[pamnock]

Hi Kathy!

Pill poppers are the coolest invention since sliced bread. Very large pills can be split in half and given in 2 "pops".



Pam