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Syringe feeding. Which syringe is best?

Hank288

Hank288

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hello,

I am currently on syringe feeding yet again. this time I am doing a combinations of crushed pellets (with pro-biotics added) and then veg only baby food in the morning before work (struggling to have time to feed pellets in the morning). The baby food is fine with my syringes however I am struggling with the pellets, even with the top cut off.

Can anyone recommend a decent quality syringe that I can use? Just been using ones given to me by the vets at the moment. Would like to buy one which is slightly better and easier to use. Can you please advise.

Thank you.
 
I’ve always struggled with pellets, it depends what type you use as well. Do you mix with hot water? I use these syringes with the tip cut off.

1FC700EE-B9BC-4F67-94EC-E5E4CB6D1C84.webp

It’s a lot easier with critical care or if you can grind up the pellets some how but I usually soak them in hot water from the kettle until they are soft enough to mush in with critical care and wheat powder :)
 
We buy Terumo 1ml syringes from Amazon, thought the tip does get a bit clogged even with the end cut off, I usually make the recovery food a bit more watery. You could try a 2ml or 5ml syringe instead, our bigger piggies are fine with a bigger syringe, they are a bit wider.
 
PigglePuggle said:
We buy Terumo 1ml syringes from Amazon, thought the tip does get a bit clogged even with the end cut off, I usually make the recovery food a bit more watery. You could try a 2ml or 5ml syringe instead, our bigger piggies are fine with a bigger syringe, they are a bit wider.
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I use the same ones.
 
Hank288 said:
Hello,

I am currently on syringe feeding yet again. this time I am doing a combinations of crushed pellets (with pro-biotics added) and then veg only baby food in the morning before work (struggling to have time to feed pellets in the morning). The baby food is fine with my syringes however I am struggling with the pellets, even with the top cut off.

Can anyone recommend a decent quality syringe that I can use? Just been using ones given to me by the vets at the moment. Would like to buy one which is slightly better and easier to use. Can you please advise.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Hi!

On the whole, the 1 ml syringes are best but they often don't last too long when you feed very regularly or the mix becomes too dry.
If necessary, add a little water to allow the fibre to pass better. Larger syringes pass even worse or are much harder to control.
 
I agree the 1ml syringes with the nib cut off work best although they don't last long, bigger ones pass too much out at once even if you're being very careful!

I have found that using a bigger syringe to fill the 1ml one works well...I use the big wide nibbed syringe that comes with Recovery food from the vet, remove the plunger, fill it up with soft soaked pellets, replace plunger, and then it creates a good consistency to pipe straight into the 1ml syringe. Hope that makes sense?
 
Thank you for your replies. I have been using the Terumo 1ml syringes and they have been pretty good but it is hard work and time consuming to get the mush into it. I end up using tons of water so that it goes in.

I have crushed my pellets using a pestle and mortar, so they are quite fine grains. I just find it hard to suck it up with the thin ended syringes.

I have seen while researching today that their is a lady who wides out the thin ended syringes with a soldering iron. Only issue is she lives in Australia! Might try it at home though.
For now I will just feed him pellets in the evening and baby food (which is easy) in the mornings.

Just don't know what's up with my boy Chester, just suddenly refused to eat on Saturday night. He is on Baytril and pain relief as well as probiotics. Vets are very unsure what is going on.
 
It is hard to suck up, I always end up taking the plunger out and filling from that end (sometimes depends on the syringe you have though)

Also, I meant to say I usually presoak for morning feeds (just overnight) to make it easier.

I really hope Chester feels better soon!
 
I use 15ml syringes if I'm doing long sittings. I dont like how cut off 1ml syringes rubber bung can go through if your not careful.

I have got used to the 15ml syringes from day one though and i get them from my vet. But you do have to be extra careful not to asperate the pigs lungs with these ones
 
I have now worked out the syringes and what I was doing wrong. I just wasn’t cutting enough of the end off.

Unfortunately I think it is too late for my Chester pig. He is much worse tonight, does not look good bless him. He had his treatments and some water fine. So tried to feed him but he is now struggling to chew and swallow the feed, but was fine with his medicine. He is now snuggled up in a heat pad ( under the hay) with his best bud Cookie. Think we could be helping him to the bridge tomorrow unless there is a drastic improvement.
Thanks for everyone’s help.
 
I'd try to get hold of a few like this. Unfortunately it doesn't have a name on it.

It's 1ml but doesn't have the rubber bit in it so it lasts alot longer and you don't have to worry about the pig eating the rubber.
 

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Jaycey said:
I'd try to get hold of a few like this. Unfortunately it doesn't have a name on it.

It's 1ml but doesn't have the rubber bit in it so it lasts alot longer and you don't have to worry about the pig eating the rubber.
Click to expand...
I have a purple one like this.

My wife did order a pack of 100 from china of the rubber bunged ones, and they were not very good. Turimo are the best
 
Hank288 said:
I have now worked out the syringes and what I was doing wrong. I just wasn’t cutting enough of the end off.

Unfortunately I think it is too late for my Chester pig. He is much worse tonight, does not look good bless him. He had his treatments and some water fine. So tried to feed him but he is now struggling to chew and swallow the feed, but was fine with his medicine. He is now snuggled up in a heat pad ( under the hay) with his best bud Cookie. Think we could be helping him to the bridge tomorrow unless there is a drastic improvement.
Thanks for everyone’s help.
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Omg just catching up with this. Poor Chester. How is he this morning?
 
Thank you for all of your responses regarding the syringes. I never thought about actually using the ones that are specifically designed for the recovery food. I will look into these for future use. I managed to chop the end off the 1mls one and it was so much better last night. I will purchase some of the recovery food ones.
 
VickiA said:
Omg just catching up with this. Poor Chester. How is he this morning?
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Thank you, Unfortunately Chester really went downhill yesterday before bed. Was not really taking his feed but was taking water. He was so lethargic and obviously struggling but still getting around fine. I decided to say goodbye and put him in with his very best buddy Cookie along with a heatpad to make him more comfortable. They were inseparable so I though it best they we with each other when it was time.

Unfortunately when I went in at 7 this morning Chester had passed away. Not long since as he was still warm. He just looked like he fell asleep and never woke up. just so glad that he isn't suffering and went quite fast.
 
Hank288 said:
Thank you, Unfortunately Chester really went downhill yesterday before bed. Was not really taking his feed but was taking water. He was so lethargic and obviously struggling but still getting around fine. I decided to say goodbye and put him in with his very best buddy Cookie along with a heatpad to make him more comfortable. They were inseparable so I though it best they we with each other when it was time.

Unfortunately when I went in at 7 this morning Chester had passed away. Not long since as he was still warm. He just looked like he fell asleep and never woke up. just so glad that he isn't suffering and went quite fast.
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So sorry to hear this. But he passed surrounded by love and with his best friend. Hope Cookie is ok xx
 
Cookie seemed to be coping well in the 15 mins I spent with him. He was stuffing his little face. I think basically he sat with Chester all night so hadn't eaten bless him. He had been so so good with him throughout all this as most of the time Chester just wanted to snuggle and Cookie obliged and just snuggled with him. Last night he let Chester use his back as a pillow. It has literally been the sweetest relationship to watch.

I will obviously keep a close eye on Cookie.
 
Jaycey said:
I'd try to get hold of a few like this. Unfortunately it doesn't have a name on it.

It's 1ml but doesn't have the rubber bit in it so it lasts alot longer and you don't have to worry about the pig eating the rubber.
Click to expand...

I was lucky to get a job lot of not needed metacam syringes a couple of years ago via a friend. I, too, find them best for tip prepping and feeding.
Worth asking your local vet nurses whether you could have any not needed small syringes coming with metacam bottles for larger pets?
 
Hank288 said:
Thank you, Unfortunately Chester really went downhill yesterday before bed. Was not really taking his feed but was taking water. He was so lethargic and obviously struggling but still getting around fine. I decided to say goodbye and put him in with his very best buddy Cookie along with a heatpad to make him more comfortable. They were inseparable so I though it best they we with each other when it was time.

Unfortunately when I went in at 7 this morning Chester had passed away. Not long since as he was still warm. He just looked like he fell asleep and never woke up. just so glad that he isn't suffering and went quite fast.
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HUGS

I am ever so sorry that Chester has passed away overnight. :(

Here are our tips on what you can do for Cookie and for yourself:
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children
 
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