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Struggling with syringe feeding

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pompypigs

pompypigs

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The title says it all really. I'm trying my best to get something into Billy while he is poorly - here's his earlier thread http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=52818 but it is a nightmare. Even when I wrap him he still spits it out & I'm so scared of doing it wrong & harming him. I've had to stop after 3mls took me 45 minutes & he made a tiny clicking noise (not from his lungs more from his mouth) - please help 8...
He still eats his veg & drinks no problem, he does have a nibble on his hay but not as much as usual & he's hardly touching his nuggets. His poos are ever so slightly smaller too 8...
 
Are you using a 1 ml syringe and softened pellets, it takes a few syringes before they get used to it. wrap him and sit him back [not flat] then just start squirting it in, I could do 30 ml in 10-15 minutes. You need to be a bit ruthless otherwise you won't get enough down him.

Its good he is eating veg will he eat hard stuff like carrots.
 
Ruth said:
Are you using a 1 ml syringe and softened pellets, it takes a few syringes before they get used to it. wrap him and sit him back [not flat] then just start squirting it in, I could do 30 ml in 10-15 minutes. You need to be a bit ruthless otherwise you won't get enough down him.

Its good he is eating veg will he eat hard stuff like carrots.
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Thanks Ruth - yes I'm using a 1ml syringe & oxbow critical care. I'm just so worried about aspiration because of the little clicking noise he made :(
He will eat hard stuff & I know it's good he will eat veg but he's lost so much weight. I've never had to syringe fed a piggy before so it's all a bit new to me xx
 
Sorry to hear you are struggling, I was just the same starting out! I can email you the syringe-feeding factsheet if you like? It's not got step by step directions so to speak, more tips, but might help nonetheless...let me know.
 
I had to syringe feed my little ones Arthur about four weeks ago as well as giving him his baytril and eye drops, it was hard work as he was very skitterish and jumpy. I found the best thing that worked for me was to put him in his cozy cup wrapped in a towl, and just sit stroking him for about five mins, so he felt calm and relaxed, I then put a tiny tiny amount of non sweetened strawberry yogurt on the end of the syringe so it was sweet and he happily opened his mouth for me to feed, and as Ruth says you have to be bold and make sure he takes it. He's now off the sryinge feed and back to his pellets, fresh veggies and hay. I hope he gets better soon, good luck with the feeding, I'm sure he'll be back to his old self in no time, take care little one! :)
 
Laura-CCC4 said:
Sorry to hear you are struggling, I was just the same starting out! I can email you the syringe-feeding factsheet if you like? It's not got step by step directions so to speak, more tips, but might help nonetheless...let me know.
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Yes please Laura, if you don't mind - do you still have my email? xx
 
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling :( I can't offer any advise really but wrapping hi in a towel may help him feel more secure.

I hope Billy feels better soon x
 
Hello,
I have syringe fed more then my fair share of piggies. You say your piggy is eating vegetables? Are you syringe feeding your piggy after hes eaten the veg?

Or....

Is there someone that can see how you are syringe feeding...i.e. a veterinary nurse or maybe there is another member from here.
 
I'm having to syringe medicen to mine at the moment, my trick is i hold him, and my dad puts the syringe into his mouth, no probs, infact, he even sucks on the end of it,,, but i suppose all piggies are different eh?
 
Have you tried offering water by syringe before you start feeding? I have found that helps.

Nowadays I hold Sweetie's mouth open for mashed pellets: I pinch her muzzle between finger and thumb and pull her jaw open with the other hand. Does that make sense?
 
Have you tried offering water by syringe before you start feeding? I have found that helps.

Nowadays I hold Sweetie's mouth open for mashed pellets: I pinch her muzzle between finger and thumb and pull her jaw open with the other hand. Does that make sense?
 
I've found the best way to syringe feed, and I've spent most of the past two years syringe feeding various piggies, is to stand the piggie on my lap, grasp the head from behind with one hand (I use my left) and to hold the syringe in the right hand. Doing it this way means you are in control the whole time, you can get the syringe into the mouth correctly and it is easy to do it on your own.
 
Thanks everyone, I did a lot better with the second feed this afternoon but then struggled again this evening - I think this was more to do with the fact that hubby was getting in the way and telling me that Billy didn't like it pow-pow. I feel like I am getting a bit better at it - just need to try to get Billy to relax more rolleyes
 
It just takes a bit of time to get the hang of it, you will get there! Billy is eating for himself so don't fret about him not having food in him etc., you have time to develop the skill. Keep going, you're doing great. :)
 
One of the best hints is.......you relax first, feel confident, talk softly and then gently pop the syringe into the side of the mouth or if your piggie prefers into the front of the mouth.
Don't worry, you both will learn together, it takes time it may take awhile but while you are doing it try to stay calm, and make it a special time for you both, sit back and relax :)
I found that by relaxing and sitting back that eventually the piggie will almost feed themselves!

I have introduced syringe feeding to my girls via cranberry juice and water, in case i ever need to do a feed..... something i vowed i'd do after experiencing syringe feeding for 2 years with Dukey that i'd teach piggies that syringes were for nice things too, not just meds.

Good luck sweetie HUGE HUGS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and uber healing wheeeeeeeks for Billy xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
 
I have been syringing my boy for about 2 weeks now as he had a severe episode of bloat.

I found towel wrapping him stressed him more and made him fight so I sit with towel on my lap and hold him so he is standing on on his back legs with his back secure against my chest, I then find if I run the syringe across his mouth before going in behind the front teeth that he opens his mouth ready.

It may seem like you are going a long way in but the best time to plunge the syringe is when you can feel his back teeth grinding on the end of it, then you feed little by little. If you start plunging when its not in deep enough it fills the mouth and spills out which is not nice for anyone.

As long as you go slowly a piggy who is able to fight the syringe should be able to take a whole syringe full of food with no problem.

Remember to alternate food and water as it will need washing down.

Good luck and I hope your baby is better soon.
 
How is Billy and his weight doing, Suzanne? I hope you're seeing some improvement with his condition. xx
 
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