Medicine worries!

[guineapigs<3]

My 6 month old sow Sienna is on Baytril 0.7ml a day but she won't take it, I've took the advice of another member to mix it with Ribena but now Sienna won't even look at the syringe and we have tried putting it on pepper etc to see if she'll eat it but no luck and I can't pin her down! What can we do?

 

[sport_billy]

Tough love is needed when you first start to syringe medicines. Its horrible and difficult but both you and pig will get used to it.

0.7 ml seems a big dose and baytril is foul - try some I did and it is completely clear why the pigs fight. Personally I wouldn't bother mixing it as then you just have to syringe in more and I doubt it masks the taste.

So to make syringing easier - It really is easier if you have two people one to hold the pig one to hold the head and syringe. Try wrappin the pig in a towel or we put Treacle on a polished table where she cannot get much hold and is slippy so cannot jerk and fight us as much. One person needs to hold pig tightly, the other needs to use one hand to hold head and pop the syringe into the side of the mouth at the back, press in the plunger about 0.2 ml then rest then go again. If worried about the medicine getting into lungs then you can point the syringe towards the teeth.

I really would contact Laura at the guinea pig helpline as she produces a helpsheet for syringing. When we first had to syringe we were in the same boat and her help was invaluable.

Utimitly though you just have to man up and ignore the whinging pig and syringe it in. Easier said than done though. Good luck and hope it goes well.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I am syringing Baytril daily atm too, it is a bit scary if you haven't done it before :...
I pop piggy on my lap on a fleece, body facing away from me (lots of strokes) then slip my left hand under body supporting front paws and tilt body back so it is resting against me (chin tickles follow) Piggy is almost in upright position and you have control (gently of course
With the index finger of left hand placed under chin (stroking head with thumb) tilt head back slightly, not too far so you can get syringe tip into right side of mouth at 45 degree angle. Aim for the area behind front teeth and molars as this prevents them from choking or going into their lungs (aspiration)
As sport billy says, press plunger very slowly to administer. I do 0.5ml in 2-3 tiny amounts making sure nothing has dribbled out.
Offer juicy treat immediately xoxo
Scroll down to pics of piggy being syringe fed, know it's for feeding purposes but may give you an idea:

http://www.guineapighelpline.com/SyringeFeedingFactsheet.pdf

Persevere as it is important for them to have any meds - have you tried a teaspoon to see if she'll take it herself ?

 

[guineapigs<3]

Thanks very much I shall try tomorrow morning when she is due more and will keep you posted!

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Thanks very much I shall try tomorrow morning when she is due more and will keep you posted!

It gets easier hun - I always give any piggies on ab's their dose in the evening knowing they've eaten throughout the day. Just my way of doing things
Hope Sienna gets well soon x>>

 

[Abi_nurse]

others seem to have covered it here. But just another thing is you could wrap her tightly in a towel to immobilise her to administer the baytril. Sounds mean, but if she needs it then unfortunatly it may have to b done. x

 

[neuroticmum]

I'm syringing 0.7ml Baytril at the moment too, I dont mix it with anything just give it straight.

We wrap bubbles in a towel so just his head pokes out, my OH holds him to his face is towards me and I have the fun of trying to get the syringe behind his front teeth..so far we've been pretty sucessful with this method, only lost a few drops over the 5 days we've been doing it. Bubbles is always rewarded with a generous sprig of corriander once its all done!