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Syringing advice

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Rachel WD

Rachel WD

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As of tomorrow I have to start syringing Baytril into my piggies, does anyone have any advice as to the best way of doing this? Could really do with some pointers, this will be one hell of a challenge for me and the boys!

Thank you.
 
I usually make up a little blackcurrant juice and once the baytril dose is in the syringe I suck up a little of the juice - this helps as baytril is really bitter and the pig is more likely to take it more easily. In a 1ml syringe I fill it to about 7ml so that the baytril and juice mix can go down in a couple of squirts.

If your pig will let you pop it in his mouth (up to the 0.2ml level) it will be far enough in his mouth that the meds won't dribble out.

If they won't co-operate then towel wrapping them and using your free hand to hold their head still and pop it in.

HTH

Suzy x
 
Its certainly a skill! Just got over giving one of my piggies Baytril and it was a struggle everyday!
 
Thank you so much. I have been given two types of syringes for each piggie, one very skinny and one a bit fatter. I only need to give them 0.5ml so a bit of juice might work well.

I have cranberry juice in the fridge - is this ok for guineas? I could water it down. But it is pretty sweet, not bitter like cranberry juice is usually.
 
I was terrified syringing meds to our boar when he was poorly but it's fairly easy once you get the hang of it. If you have a placid piggy who will let you do anything, you'll be ok :))
Always try and get the tip of the syringe hooked over their teeth, hold it at at 45 degree angle and syringe slowly. Be careful not to squirt anything directly into their mouths as they may inhale and choke :...
I hold my piggies firmly with my left hand against my chest, cup their upper body in my hand, tilt their head back slightly and do the dirty deed ;)
This is really good:
http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html
Let us know how you get on, it really is quite easy and send hugs to little one x>>
 
Rachel WD said:
Thank you so much. I have been given two types of syringes for each piggie, one very skinny and one a bit fatter. I only need to give them 0.5ml so a bit of juice might work well.

I have cranberry juice in the fridge - is this ok for guineas? I could water it down. But it is pretty sweet, not bitter like cranberry juice is usually.
Click to expand...

Ribena is recommended but Cranberry is fine for piggies - my boar has it diluted daily as he's a 'bladder' piggy and won't touch water now :x
 
Thank you. And thank you for the link, that is really useful.

No doubt hubby will film me making a complete mess of it. rolleyes
 
i didnt know that either. Baytril doesnt taste of anything (personally tasted it lol) but putting it in juice is ok too. Never seen the need to when ive medicated.

Good luck with it all. Hope they both feel better soon.

x
 
Just make sure it's the LIGHT cranberry juice tho :)

once you've finished their meds........ continue using the syringe say once a week or so with a little juice in it.....it will make is so much easier if they ever have to have meds again.
I started my girls off with water in their syringes from an early age to get them used to syringes -c and yup low and behold whee needed to syringe meds, so it' wasn't anything new to them and it wasn't a battle.

GOOD LUCK XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
Glynis said:
once you've finished their meds........ continue using the syringe say once a week or so with a little juice in it.....it will make is so much easier if they ever have to have meds again.
I started my girls off with water in their syringes from an early age to get them used to syringes -c and yup low and behold whee needed to syringe meds, so it' wasn't anything new to them and it wasn't a battle.
Click to expand...

What a brilliant idea! Very clever Glynis, you are definitely a pro.

First syringing attempt went ok. I'm guessing from Benny's reaction that it didn't taste overly nice but it all went down and they had red pepper to get over it.

Thanks for all the advice and well wishes guys, really appreciate it.
 
not a pro love.......... but thanks xx>>>

Hey you did well at least Benny didn't spit it out all over you! ahhhhhh the red pepper bribe well done -c
 
hi

when my piggie need meds i wrap a little piece of romaine lettuce around the tip and when she eats the lettuce i inject it into her mouth
 
How are you finding it? :(|)

We had the same problem just the other day as we have a squirmy piggy - it's interesting hearing the different methods people have to get the meds into theirs...! @)

We're administering it twice a day, 0.4ml each time - it's a 2 person job, one holding the piggie and one syringing into the side of the mouth.

We stopped trying to sweeten the baytril with juice, as it just adds to the overall volume of liquid. The way that works for us is to be as quick as possible, just a couple of quick doses, then a small veg treat to follow up. On a good day we can be all done in 10-15 seconds..! :)
 
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