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He hates being syringe fed

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Guinea Fan

Guinea Fan

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Do they all struggle? I have looked at the links and those guinea pigs look like they are actually enjoying it. Morph throws his head back, he clamps his teeth, he puts his feet up. I feel so cruel. It is such a struggle I don't think I am giving him enough, but after 15 mins he is worn out with fighting.
 
It's always a bit scary to syringe them. I was sooo nervous the first time I did it but it does become easier.
I can only speak for myself but I hold the piggy firmly with my left hand in an upright position so his/her back is against my body, place my thumb under their chin to tilt it slightly (can give them a little tickle as well at the same time :))) and carefully hook the tip of the syringe over the teeth at a 45 degree angle.
Saying this, one of my boars is placid and let me do this without a struggle but another one who I tried to get probiotics down when he had runny poops, fought back. It scared me that I would hurt him so had to get my OH to hold him whilst I syringed. Every piggy is different :)
 
It's always a bit scary to syringe them. I was sooo nervous the first time I did it but it does become easier.
I can only speak for myself but I hold the piggy firmly with my left hand in an upright position so his/her back is against my body, place my thumb under their chin to tilt it slightly (can give them a little tickle as well at the same time :))) and carefully hook the tip of the syringe over the teeth at a 45 degree angle.
Saying this, one of my boars is placid and let me do this without a struggle but another one who I tried to get probiotics down when he had runny poops, fought back. It scared me that I would hurt him so had to get my OH to hold him whilst I syringed. Every piggy is different :)
http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html
 
Guinea pig slave said:
It's always a bit scary to syringe them. I was sooo nervous the first time I did it but it does become easier.
I can only speak for myself but I hold the piggy firmly with my left hand in an upright position so his/her back is against my body, place my thumb under their chin to tilt it slightly (can give them a little tickle as well at the same time :))) and carefully hook the tip of the syringe over the teeth at a 45 degree angle.
Saying this, one of my boars is placid and let me do this without a struggle but another one who I tried to get probiotics down when he had runny poops, fought back. It scared me that I would hurt him so had to get my OH to hold him whilst I syringed. Every piggy is different :)
http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html
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mallethead double post mallethead
 
It is very stressful & I always feel terrible when I have to syringe food my piggies,, but you just have to remember that it is for them & for their health.
It does get easier as well.
Bruce had to be syringe fed for 7 days & by the 6th day (after days of fighting, head thrusting, & feet flying everywhere) he just sat & suckled the syringe as if it were a bottle.
I think he just thought 'what's the point in fighting,, it's not even that bad'.
Good luck with yours ...just keep persevering!
 
yes it is very hard to get them to understand that what you're giving them is food and for their best.......
that is why i taught my girls a syringe from a very early age (went thru syringe feeding for a few years with a darling boy whee had)
Firstly you need to relax and don't stress.... get Morph's syringe ready and the mix ready......also treats...... then start to syringe feed, be patient as some don't get the idea as well as others......
Wishing you all the best..... even if you have to little very often it will help him :)
 
One of my little sows has to be syringe fed water with uriflow and cystease daily due to bladderstones (so far its worked!). I also have to give heart meds to a dental piggie every day so he has them crushed into a fluid mix as well daily.

When I first got her she HATED being syringe fed and would go absolutely crazy, fighting, screaming, the works. I said at the time that it was fortunate I would rarely ever have to use a syringe with her...how ironic is it that now that I have to give her 15ml of fluid twice a day every day for the rest of her life!

Anyway, what I did with her was to mix the food/water etc with some tomatoe or veg juice...not too much but enough for the flavour and I let her sniff the end of the syringe each time so she knew what it was. Then I just gently eased it into the side of her mouth behind her front teeth and gave her a little bit, increasing each time. Now she actively seeks out the syringe and just drinks from it like a baby...thats 3 years on! I don't even have to hold her head. Its worked for the boy too and he also sees it as his daily treat, I can even do it whilst he's in his pen without holding him!

I do this with all mine though. With all of them I also give them a 'treat' (syringe a little tomatoe or similar juice in their mouths) every so often whether are sick or not, that way they relate the syringe to something nice and not when they are poorly. You can also use juice from cucumbers or anything else which is healthy, I do not use sugary mixes and all the juice is diluted with water.

Seems to work for me and I rarely have issues now, they just need to firstly understand whats going on and secondly relate it to something nice....

I also find having them on a work top which is high up (waist height or higher if possible) easier.

Good luck though, its hard to start with :-)
 
Hi Guinea fan - I too sympathise.

I really, really struggled to syringe feed when I first tried and ended up stressing myself and the pig so much that I ended up in tears. Are you towel wrapping and holding the pig's mouth open? Now I'm not saying this will work for you, but as soon as I stopped doing these things and just offered the syringe to him, he took it into his mouth himself. It may be worth a try? Equally if you haven't tried towel wrapping, then give it a go.

Also, what is it that you are trying to syringe? Food or medication? If it is food, and you are using Critical Care, try switching to Recovery instead - or vice versa... some guineas really don't like CC as it has a strong anacede (pretty sure that isn't the correct spelling) flavour, but some love it. If it is medication, try mixing it with something else to take the taste away (like light cranberry juice) or just rub the tip of the syringe in something strong smelling/tasting that the pig likes (e.g. a grape or red pepper).

Unfortunately, persistence is the key - I have gone from being a complete syringe feeding novice and crying wreck to a fairly competent and experienced one. Keep trying and don't get too disheartened. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Rachel.
 
Offer Treat "Juicey"

Hi! Read your posts about syringe feeding. Am feeding Weasel Critical Care, oatmeal water/gruel with vitamin C, and lettuce juicey (ground up with a hand mixer) 3-4 times per day. I just make three cups with the food to be fed. He kind of puts up with it. Every so often, I let him have his favorite veggie juices and he knows that if he cooperates, he gets the goodies. The trick is to give just a little at a time, wait for burps, and wipe the chin between bites. Hope it gets easier for you!--Cindy
 
I tried standing him on the worktop, wrapping in a towel and yes I ended up in tears, so I gave up. He is now with the lovely Debbie, who is an expert syringe feeder and everyone is happier.

I am meeting her at the vets on Saturday for an update
 
Guinea Fan said:
I tried standing him on the worktop, wrapping in a towel and yes I ended up in tears, so I gave up. He is now with the lovely Debbie, who is an expert syringe feeder and everyone is happier.

I am meeting her at the vets on Saturday for an update
Click to expand...

awwww love sorry to hear you were struggling so much HUGS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Debbie is brilliant x) she was taught by the best Poppet x)

Keep us updated :)
 
He's not the easiest little guy to syringe feed, but I've had such a lot of experience (I have spent the last three years syringe feeding a variety of piggies) that I have got him taking lots.

He's doing really well and is starting to eat for himself. He's happy and lively and I am feeling much more optimistic.
 
he is such a lovely little chap, I was so thrilled when he seemed happy and settled with me. I just hope we can get him sorted and he can come home. Thank you Debbie, I am so grateful to you xx
 
Hi,

how do you hold them when you syringe feed?

I find that my piggie will happily take the syringe feed if I hold him a certain way:)

I sit down on a chair and have him facing away from me, then I gently lift his chin and feed this way worth a shot
 
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