How to syringe feed train older pigs?

[Hbecooper]

Since taking my older boar to the vet they think he maybe older than his 4yrs, he is slowing down a bit and suggested it maybe good for him to take something for his joints and wouldnt hurt for the others to get an additional daily supplement of vit c. I have syringe fed before but only critical care having to hold them.. I've seen many videos of those feeding them willingly so my question is for ease as i have a new 11wk old and 8month olds is how do I train them all including my older boy to happily take any medicine i may need to syringe feed them? Is it possible, i dont want to stress him out 'forcing' him to take something, not sure they would take tablets either as still cautious to take from my hands (getting there with this though). They were all rescues and know my boy was mistreated and the 2 girls although well looked after feeding wise didnt have much human contact due to owners ill health. I'm hoping minnie our baby will be much easier to get into good habits with now though x.. any advice would be fab x

 

[Betsy]

Have you looked at the syringe feeding tips. I found them very useful when I had to syringe feed Christian after his life saving op.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[VickiA]

Mine all LOVE probiotic. So I mix some up and offer it to them in a syringe. They can’t get enough of it. To get them used to the syringe is a good idea, so if it contains something they like, that’s no bad thing. For a first introduction I don’t handle the piggy - just offer the syringe while they are in the cage. It really helps.
However, although my 5 are all well used to the syringe I still have one who is an absolute pain to syringe feeed when poorly.

 

[Hbecooper]

Mine all LOVE probiotic. So I mix some up and offer it to them in a syringe. They can’t get enough of it. To get them used to the syringe is a good idea, so if it contains something they like, that’s no bad thing. For a first introduction I don’t handle the piggy - just offer the syringe while they are in the cage. It really helps.
However, although my 5 are all well used to the syringe I still have one who is an absolute pain to syringe feeed when poorly.

What probiotic do you use? I do have a tub of pro-c vit c but its the powder which i wont put in water and didnt like on food. I used to give it to the boys when i first got them (sadly 1 has passed).
I can just persist in offering it out to them though that sounds a good idea, wondering what i can give them so idea of what you use would be great thanks

 

[Hbecooper]

Have you looked at the syringe feeding tips. I found them very useful when I had to syringe feed Christian after his life saving op.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Yes i have had to feed like in the tips but it really stresses them to do that, they really dont like to be held in the face at all the girls. Bruce the older wouldnt mind it as much but just would be great to be able to for general daily medicines/supplements to be able to give to them willingly so come up to the cage to take. Id only really like to feed holding if it was critical care x

 

[Betsy]

I just give a pinch of Pro C in a small amount of water and just syringe it up and then give it to the piggies. Betsy loves it and is reaching for the syringe for more.

 

[VickiA]

I just give a pinch of Pro C in a small amount of water and just syringe it up and then give it to the piggies. Betsy loves it and is reaching for the syringe for more.

That’s exactly the same as I do.

 

[Julie M]

I used Oxbow joint support hay tablets for my elderly boar Mango who has now sadly passed away. He really liked them and ate them like a treat. They really seemed to help his sore joints as he stopped hobbling about. If you are in the UK and would like to try them I could post you the remainder of the open bag to try. (He just passed on 1st August) He had 1 a day. That way you can try them if you like before you buy them to save a waste of money if your piggie doesn’t eat them.

 

[Hbecooper]

I used Oxbow joint support hay tablets for my elderly boar Mango who has now sadly passed away. He really liked them and ate them like a treat. They really seemed to help his sore joints as he stopped hobbling about. If you are in the UK and would like to try them I could post you the remainder of the open bag to try. (He just passed on 1st August) He had 1 a day. That way you can try them if you like before you buy them to save a waste of money if your piggie doesn’t eat them.

Hi julie so sorry to hear he passed x that is so kind of you as i was just looking at those on amazon as the skinnypigs1 on youtube recommends those x if its no problem to post them that would be fabulous to try as i do wonder if he would try them lol. Ill happily pay postage via paypal? Glad they really helped your pig xX

 

[Hbecooper]

I just give a pinch of Pro C in a small amount of water and just syringe it up and then give it to the piggies. Betsy loves it and is reaching for the syringe for more.

How much do you use? As i have proc the yellow.one, wondering whether i need the professional? Thanka

 

[Katiedid]

I do what Betsy does I get them used to syringes with stuff they like. Pro c is a good one and I feed my old sow critical care so that is a bowl of that often in the cage - so I offer it on spoons and in syringes. If they have to fight over it them it’s all the more interesting (by fight I mean nudge each other out the way)

 

[Julie M]

Hi julie so sorry to hear he passed x that is so kind of you as i was just looking at those on amazon as the skinnypigs1 on youtube recommends those x if its no problem to post them that would be fabulous to try as i do wonder if he would try them lol. Ill happily pay postage via paypal? Glad they really helped your pig xX

No problems. They kind of smell like curry. Lol think it’s the turmeric in them. There’s a good few left in packet.