Syringing Meds - Help!

[Reggie&Chunk]

Reggie is currently on course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and the vet advised to syringe. Any tips on how to syringe a wriggler? He sits still but always manages to move his head at the last minute. I have read up about it and what i've read is I just need to be firm and keep his head still but I don't want to stress him out. The meds that he doesn't take by syringe I put on his veg and he is eating it ok but obviously doesn't get it all.

 

[RosieMaia]

I suppose you've already checked the guides, but I'm referencing them just in case:
Administering Medications
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Not Eating And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding

I personally would refrain from administering medications via veggies, as I'd like to make sure 100% of the does gets into them, and not spread around the cage when the veggies are dragged around, etc.

For my wiggly pig, I personally find that hugging him upright with his back against my stomach is easiest for him and me:

But I've used a different technique with each piggy, it's a question of how the pig is most willing to take the syringe, so try different positions and possibly have someone help you.

I've seen a few forums and YouTubers recommending putting the pig on its back, I would never do that - I think the pig would be frightened and uncomfortable, not to mention the risk of choking due to this very unnatural position.

 

[piggieminder]

When I had to syringe a wriggler I put him sideways across my lap against my body, left arm over him with elbow resting on my leg which held him firmly with out squashing and freed the left hand to hold head and open mouth. I'm right handed so this left right hand free to use syringe. Once I'd done it a couple of times he got used to it and let me syringe him straight away. Have you read the syringe feeding guide on the forum?Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[piggieminder]

@RosieMaia we posted together! Love your photo, very helpful.

 

[RosieMaia]

The photo isn't mine, I'm afraid It's from

 

[Eriathwen]

I was checking Brambles teeth in this picture, but its basically the same hold (not the best picture, sorry! But you get the idea)..normally my lot are quite amenable with syringes, then Shelly got sick..which was not fun at all. Basically what I had to do to get it into her was pop the palm of my hand over the top of her head, wrap your fingers around the face and open the mouth with thumb and first finger. No need to squeeze or be heavy handed, usually you can hold, lift lips and squirt a little in at a time in a couple of seconds, might take a few tries but generally with reluctant pigs I find doing it this way the easiest. It'll probably help to wrap them in a towel too.

 

[Merab]

My vet advised wrapping in a towel and holding close to the body. That mostly worked although on occasion I got more antibiotics than piggie

 

[Reggie&Chunk]

Thanks everyone, I think I am just going to have to persist and try and get his mouth open as above. As soon as the syringe comes near his mouth, his head goes every which way! I think I might have to try the "arm ove the top and palm on head" technique again and be more assertive! He is like a little toddler trying to knock the spoon out of your hand

 

[Reggie&Chunk]

So managed to get the meds in, I’ll be glad when the course is finished. I was a little firmer with him and managed to get the syringe in his mouth but it broke my heart to man-handle him, I wish I could explain it’s to help him.

 

[outdoorbird]

I have found that another person holding them behind the shoulders has helped get the meds into the little wriggler, wish they knew it is for their own good!

 

[Freela]

I used the same technique as RosieMaia, upright with their back against my belly and one hand supporting them while the other hand puts the syringe in their mouth. I also try to put the syringe kind of to the side of the mouth- between the molars and the front teeth where there is a gap in their dentition. Makes it harder for them to just shut their mouths and harder for them to bite the syringe. Sundae was on long-term antibiotics, so I got pretty good at this over the course of years, so it will get easier!