Can't pick up to give medicine

2pigginewbie

2pigginewbie

New Born Pup
Joined
Mar 6, 2021
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
85
Location
New York, NY
I am having such a hard time with my piggies. One of them, Cookie, smacked her eye and the vet gave me eyedrops. The problem is that Cookie hates to even be touched and I can't even pick her up to give her the medicine. I was able to trick her to get into a snuggly thing this morning to administer it, but since then, I keep trying and I can't get a hold of her. I get nervous even when I attempt to. I know they don't like to be picked up, so usually I don't bother trying. Her eye isn't infected, so she won't lose it, but I don't want to ignore doctor's orders. Any advice?
 
Don't worry, you can report your post and ask for it to be moved to another subforum. 🙂

I don't have any experience of this myself but I'm sure someone will be along to help soon, possibly in the morning at it's currently 2.30am in the UK where the majority of members are based. Good luck!
 
I've never had to give my piggy medicine but if I were you I'd try to lure the piggy into it's "piggy bed" with some of it's favorite food and then pick the whole bed up. If that doesn't work, I'd try to corner the piggy and pick it up quickly. It may not be fun for you or the piggy but if it needs the medicine that just what you'd have to do.
Again, don't take what I'm saying too seriously as I've never had to give a piggy medicine.
I understand that some piggies don't like to be picked up but in the future, I think you should spend more time handling your piggy so that it get's used to being touched and in times like these it's easier to administer medicine, groom, health check, etc. During these "holding sessions" it's a good idea to make it a positive experience for your piggy by also feeding it's favorite treats or giving it something that it enjoys. That way it'll be more tolerant of you holding it and learn that it's not so bad.
Good luck and I hope it's eye heals soon. :)
 
This guide may help How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)

Using a box or carrier to herd piggy into and then picking up from there is easiest.

Some people find it easier if piggy is wrapped in a towel. It can also be easier if there are two people. - one to hold piggy and the other to hold the eyelid gently open and apply the drops.

A lot of piggies don’t like being handled - mine don’t so I don’t handle them just for cuddling but do handle them every week for their checks - being given a health check and weight check every week is vitally important. These weekly weight checks are your only guide as to whether a piggy is eating enough and are often the only sign of the start is an illness. Reduced hay intake which you cant tell by eye and consequent weight loss may be the only sign something is wrong and enables you to step in with measure and vet sooner.
 
Good advice above. One of my piggies doesn’t like being picked up at all. He has corneal lipidosis which requires eye drops when it flares up. I pick him up in his hidey and then get him onto my lap where I wrap him in a blanket. Eye drops, then a treat and back in the hidey again! I know it isn’t easy when they wriggle about so much and there are occasions when the eye drops miss completely 😬 If you’ve got someone else who can administer drops whilst you’re holding or vice versa, that can make it easier. Eventually Jellyb and I got used to it and it all became a bit calmer!
 
My experience of giving meds is for rabbits, but I had great success with wrapping them in a towel - a ‘bunny burrito’ I think they call it.

Maybe if you can’t do the whole thing yourself you could get someone to be one pair of hands while you do the rest.

Also for best results with eye drops I always try to pull the wee eyelid up to reveal the top of the eye where the white is and drop from the top down - that way the drop goes on to the eyeball and travels all over the eye (in stead of just on the fur after they pull their head away or close their eye too soon 🙄

All the best! You’ll be more relaxed with practice!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top