Syringe Feeding Baby Pig

[Celliott215]

Hello, my new baby piggy was recently diagnosed with URI. I have to syringe feed her the antibiotics, but I just got her less than a week ago so she hasn't grown to trust me yet. She lets me feed her and sometimes pet her (rarely on her back). She runs around seems ok with me for being new. She doesn't like to be held very much and runs often when I try to go near her to just pet her let alone brace her to syringe feed her. She moves her face away from the syringe. Is there any way/tricks I can use to get her to take her medicine? It's very frustrating because I just want her to be healthy.

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

When you say baby, how young do you mean? It can be tricky to syringe an adult, let alone a baby. I have good luck swaddling the pig like a baby in a small towel; it allows you to do what you need to without having to fight with it kicking. @Wiebke, can you help?

 

[Celliott215]

By baby I don't mean a newborn but she is less than a year old. I tried wrapping her and she hated that. She squealed and kicked a lot. It was also difficult even getting her on the towel. I've had to skip 2 days of treatment because I just have no answers

 

[helen105281]

Sit her on a pillow and place your hand over the front of her face so that your fingers are either side of the mouth, this makes her open her mouth slightly and you should be able to get the syringe in. She won't like it but needs must if she is moving her head away. It is important that you keep up with the antibiotics. Is she on probiotic too?

This thread should help and the last photo is an example of the method I am referring to above.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-administering-medications-and-wrapping-piggies.36533/

I would not put her on her back though if she has a URI as she may struggle to breathe.

If you could add your location we may be able to help you more.

 

[Wiebke]

It is very important that you keep the antibiotics going. I assume that your piggy is on baytril? this is a VERY foul tasting medicine. You can either try to mask the taste with a fruit concentrate like ribena or wash it away afterwards with some strong tasting (as it can be easier to get a small amount of medication inside). Baytril can additionally kill the appetite. If possible, give some probiotic about 1-2 hours after the antibiotic to boost the guts.

Giving medicines to uncooperative piggies can be tricky, and it takes practice. The more experienced you you become, the easier it gets. One way you can try is to sit her upright on your lap, facing away from you; in this position her head movements are quite restricted and you still got a couple of fingers to restrict a sideways motion further while you have the other hand free for a syringe. My Pili Pala is the rather less than chuffed demonstration object!

It is often a matter of trial and error until you can work out a method that works for you. Each piggy has its own tricks. Please persist!

 

[LeahsPiggies]

Sit her on a pillow and place your hand over the front of her face so that your fingers are either side of the mouth, this makes her open her mouth slightly and you should be able to get the syringe in. She won't like it but needs must if she is moving her head away. It is important that you keep up with the antibiotics. Is she on probiotic too?

This thread should help and the last photo is an example of the method I am referring to above.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-administering-medications-and-wrapping-piggies.36533/

I would not put her on her back though if she has a URI as she may struggle to breathe.

If you could add your location we may be able to help you more.

This is exactly what I do. Make sure she is sitting still then gently put your hand over her face and pull the cheeks back and she will open her mouth. I find it a very effective way for piggies who won't willingly take medicine. Mine all have no issue with septrin though!

 

[Celliott215]

Thanks to everyone's help, Popcorn took her first full dosage of antibiotics! It was so much easier now that I saw how everyone else was doing it. Thank you all so much. You all helped me and my piggy greatly.