B
blondecat
Help me someone please! I need to get some oral antibiotics down Jake and I don't really know how to hold him. I tried wrapping him in a fleece and he fought like a tiger! He hasn't had any yet! :'(
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P
piglover
The first thing to do is keep calm! Lay a towel on your lap, stand him on it and wrap it round him quickly and quite tightly (not too tight!) then hold him with his back to you and stroke him and chucky his chin to calm him - have the syringe ready and put it to to the side of his mouth, don't force it in or push the plunger just let him get used to being there then very very gently syringe the medicine into him. It takes patience but like with all animals if you appear calm it helps them, but I agree the first time is nerve wracking!
Hope this helps I'm sure others on here have done it too!
Good luck!!
Hope this helps I'm sure others on here have done it too!
Good luck!!
H
hils78
Have him on knee your with him facing away from you. The position you want to be in is with your for arms running either side of him. Your left hand should be able to control his head. With syringe in your right hand & hand palm up so your thumb is facing away from pig. Use your thumb to press the plunger. The syringe should be going into the side of him mouth and almost at right angles with the pig, but facing slightly in. If he manages to wiggle out of this one, do the same but with a towel over him but trapped with your fore arms. Hope this is makes sense. Be confident because he will mess you around if he thinks he can....men!
Good luck
Good luck
H
hils78
Posted at the same time there! give all the suggestions a try till you find the one that works for you. It a bit like the advice you get whe you have a baby - take it all on board & then do the one that suits you. 
M
maxthepig
I know its a little different but with my rabbits I give it to them on food- my vet suggested this, it really is much less stressful for animals that really object to being syringed.
Good things to try are allowing it to soak into a piece of brown bread, score an apple so it can soak into the cuts or a little mixed into oats. Its a lot less stressful for them- Id usually do this before they have breakfast or dinner so they are more inclined to eat it (I used to put it on bread and let it soak in then, fold it up then cover the bread in a little apple juice- it was eaten very quickly ;D).
Another thing to try is mixing it with apple juice before putting into the syringe- some lap it up. Good luck.
Good things to try are allowing it to soak into a piece of brown bread, score an apple so it can soak into the cuts or a little mixed into oats. Its a lot less stressful for them- Id usually do this before they have breakfast or dinner so they are more inclined to eat it (I used to put it on bread and let it soak in then, fold it up then cover the bread in a little apple juice- it was eaten very quickly ;D).
Another thing to try is mixing it with apple juice before putting into the syringe- some lap it up. Good luck.
Billies Mum
Adult Guinea Pig
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It is very nerve wracking the first time.
The animal must feel safe and calm if you are going to be a success. Hold him is a position that he feels safe in and is familiar with; maybe cradled in your arms or facing away from you.
The syringe is easiest to get in at the side of the mouth and like others have said, be very gentle and try and reassure him that it is nothing to be afraid of. When he is more at ease with having the end in his mouth, gently push the plunger, but not too fast or he might be at risk of choking. It is a very new experience for him and he might not be expecting liquid to come out, so try and imagine how he might be feeling.
I'm sure that you will be a pro in no time at all
The animal must feel safe and calm if you are going to be a success. Hold him is a position that he feels safe in and is familiar with; maybe cradled in your arms or facing away from you.
The syringe is easiest to get in at the side of the mouth and like others have said, be very gentle and try and reassure him that it is nothing to be afraid of. When he is more at ease with having the end in his mouth, gently push the plunger, but not too fast or he might be at risk of choking. It is a very new experience for him and he might not be expecting liquid to come out, so try and imagine how he might be feeling.
I'm sure that you will be a pro in no time at all
B
blondecat
I've done it! I can't believe I've done it! I got a lot of medicine over him and me but he ended upm licking my face again so I don't think he was too traumatised! It wasn't easy and I'll need a bit more practice! The vet has today told me that he is likely to get this skin condition flare up whenever he is stressed or under the weather so I better get used to it. I'm just ordering him some cream to try and keep it at bay. Thank you all for your advice - I can't even remember what worked in the end!
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hils78
Glad he's ok - and you! Has he had any Ivomec yet? Its a wormer as well as a mite killer - a general all rounder to be given every 6 months. If he does have even a small amount of parasite they are a real drain & could make him go down hill quicker than he normally would! Might be worth giving him a dose - I have some here if you can't get hold of any as you're local(ish)!
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