Administering Meds To Unco-operative Pig

[Ali P]

Our guinea pig has suspected cystitisis and I am really struggling to get her to take the meds. She is a pretty fiesty pig at the best of times. I watched a few unhelpful u tube videos with lovely compliant pigs that dont back out of your grasp or refuse to open their mouths. Any thoughts?

 

[Beans&Toast]

What medication is she on, is it liquid from a syringe? My Toast is an absolute nightmare to give meds to, she squeals like she's being murdered and wriggles so much, she gets so stressed with it.
She gets bloat every now and then which means meds for a few days and I've found she complies better if I do it in another room than the one her cage is in, my mum holds her quite firm on the table with her hands restraining her front paws so she can't push the syringe away. I give her a bit of parsley (her favourite food) to tempt her, just as she's finished chewing, I act like I'm going to give her another bit but instead give the syringe (that I keep hidden until I give it) She squirms a little bit but it's over very quickly and then she gets her parsley once it's all done

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

Did you read the guide it helped me, I wrap my pigs in a towel so just the head pokes out

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Ali P]

Thank you both. I hadn't found these guides and glad to hear its not just me and my pig who find it so stressful! I like the sound of the parsley trick so will give that a shot too but I think she's too savvy.

 

[Beans&Toast]

Thank you both. I hadn't found these guides and glad to hear its not just me and my pig who find it so stressful! I like the sound of the parsley trick so will give that a shot too but I think she's too savvy.

Yeah it doesn't completely fool Toast either but it definitely helps. I tried wrapping her in a towel too but she wriggled out of it, she's got a serious attitude problem

 

[Wiebke]

Our guinea pig has suspected cystitisis and I am really struggling to get her to take the meds. She is a pretty fiesty pig at the best of times. I watched a few unhelpful you tube videos with lovely compliant pigs that dont back out of your grasp or refuse to open their mouths. Any thoughts?

Is your piggy on baytril? This is absolutely foul tasting. A good way to administer it is to mix it in equal amounts with fibena or fruit juice.

It also helps to assert your dominance before and while you give the meds, as long as you make a big fuss afterwards. My piggies are noticeably better behaved if I do that.
If you have got somebody who can hold your piggy while you concentrate on getting the meds in this helps a lot.
Otherwise, prop your piggy up with its back against your torso, so the back of its head is wedged against your chest. That limits the movement. You control it with one hand. If necessary, lean back slightly, so you piggy doesn't have much purchase with its feet.
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
Administering Medications

 

[Ali P]

Thank you for the tips . She is on doxyclycline and cystitis support , reading other info I am guessing this is like cystease?That med has been tricky as it doesn't smell as bad but there is 0.5ml to get her to take twice a day so its hasnt been very consistantly taken. She is having an xray this week to rule out bladder stones but the operation at our vets is £800 ! Is this usual.?! I think he is a specialist vet as there are pictures of him treating peguins and rhinos in the literature. Sadly I dont think we can do this to really hoping the meds works.The other option is my more bog standard vets who charge about £250. Also would the cytease help even if it was bladder stones?She is still so damn perky even though there is a little blood in her urine still. She is such a lttle fighter.Anyrthing else I can do to help her ?(she is on metacam for pain/infammation).

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

Just ensure she has lots of fresh water to flush her out and hay to keep her teeth trimmed