Close To Tears With My Stubborn Glinda

[Liane]

Glinda is very poorly at the moment and I've been syringe-feeding her. First thing this morning she was really good and took it well, but it didn't last. She is now very stubbornly resisting the syringe in favour of attempting to eat the food I put out for dinner, but she's not even trying properly to eat that (she usually tries to eat food and makes painstakingly slow progress, but now she's just kinda sniffing it).

I tried being firm with her, but she started squeeling. She's so frail the slightest touch must been uncomfortable, if not painful. I want to cry

 

[Doragon]

If she's not eating properly; then you'll really going to have to keep going with the syringe feeding! Think of it as tough love - you're doing what you can for her.

Have you tried gently pushing her head backwards for easier access to her mouth? I had a Guinea who I was syringe feeding for months up to her passing. She was a resistant feeding too and didn't want to eat it! I think you can also try to give it to them in a small bowl for her to eat it (if she can!) but I'm not sure - probably best to wait for the more experienced members to see this first! I think you can also place her on a flat surface (such as a small table) and kneel down to her height, it might make her more comfortable on a stable surface.

But it's important to keep persisting; and just be gentle with her. It does take many hours and a lot of time involved! A lot of patience is involved with the syringe feeding - it used to take me nearly 45 minutes a sitting with Cookie to get as much as she needed into her tummy. I hope that Glinda gets better soon and the best of luck!

 

[Glynis]

Dipping the end of the syringe into something sweet (cranberry juice) means that's the first thing they taste. Try mixing up hand feeding slightly softened pellets and then water or watered down cranberry juice. Then do more syringe feeds of critical care.

Mega vibes for Glinda xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

With piggies like that, I find little and often syringe feeding works best and actually mimics more normal eating too. I'm feeding a little guy at the moment who takes a couple of mls and then doesn't want more so I just give him a couple of mls each time I pass the cage. If you keep a tally, then you will see just how quickly it builds to a good amount, without too much stress to either of you xx

 

[piggieminder]

Sending hugs to you, it's so hard being an animal carer sometimes. Animals can be so frustrating when we are trying to do what's best for them, I just wish we could explain why we are doing what we are doing and reason with them. My pets have had me in tears many times when I felt I couldn't cope with making them do something they didn't want to.