Critical Care Feeding

[Minnie&Zoey]

Hello,
My guniea pig was diagnosed with bloat today and needs to get her medicine through syringe as well as critical care. A month ago she had pneumonia and had to take medication through syringe then as well. She is incredibly difficult about taking the medicine by syringe and I was hoping somebody had some tips. I have tried wrapping her in a blanket/towel, I have tried every method I can think of but she fights me when I have ahold of her to try to give her the syringe, making it almost impossible to give her what she needs. Does anybody have any tips about what I can do to get her to take medicine and critical care with a syringe better? If she doesn't get better my only other option us going to be to have her cross the rainbow bridge and I really don't want to do that, so if anybody can help that would amazing.

 

[Pantalaimon]

Sorry to hear you’re having to deal with this.
I am really not an expert, but many of them are not around at this time in the evening as this is a UK based forum. (I’m also in the uk but just have a poor sleep pattern)

Are you doing the technique where your dominant hand holds the syringe and your other hand goes over the head with thumb and middle finger going either side of the mouth, bending the head upwards firmly (so that the nose is pointing up)?
You may also find it helps to do this with her wrapped in a towel and placed on the floor between your knees. It is a technique used for encouraging lambs to take a bottle so that both hands are free for restraining the head and holding/inserting the bottle.

Perhaps try with two people if you can. One to firmly restrain and the other to syringe feed.

When she is struggling it may be tempting to put more in her mouth at a time to get it over with quicker, but don’t do this.

If she is not eating by herself because of the bloat then the most important thing is to get the critical care and medication into her, even if it means quite firm and unpleasant (but never painful or on her back) handling.

You will most likely get a response from someone with much more experience than me in the morning. I’m sorry I can’t help more.

 

[Minnie&Zoey]

I am doing the first thing you mentioned but she basically scunrches back and pulls away or pushes her front paws up and tries to smack the syringe away. With two people does work best, but I work odd hours and will often be the only one awake when it is time to give her the medication. I will try on the floor to see if I can keep her from moving backwards and away from me. Thank you, I do really appreciate the advive.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear she is unwell.
When medicating mine I tend to do it with them on the floor between my legs. I have them facing away from me. It stops them from being able to back out and I still have both hands available to holding their head and using the syringe.

Make sure you are weighing her daily so you can monitor that you are getting enough syringe feed into her. I hope she is ok

Our guide is below
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures