Syringe Feeding/Meds

[CheifoNibSqueak]

Hi All

My boy has been diagnosed with early stage of gut stasis, he's been given recovery plus, metacam and emeprid whoch all need to be done by syringe. My first attempt a fair bit ended up over me and him as despite being a ill piggy he's still very energetic and alert. Does anyone have any tips on how best to get him to take a syringe as added to him not wanting to take it he has very fluffy cheeks so its hard to tell if its actually in his mouth or not

 

[Wheekallweek]

It might be worth wrapping him in a towel or blanket with just his face sticking out - also known as a piggy burrito! This should help to keep him still.
I find it best to put the syringe in the side of the mouth. I also make it a little bit thicker than suggested on the packet so the piggy has to chew it a little bit and it's less likely to spill out of their mouth.

 

[Merab]

I would echo the advice @Wheekallweek has given.
That’s how I have handled medication and syringe feed.
I, too, have ended up with assorted meds and critical care over me.

Hope he recovers quickly

 

[CheifoNibSqueak]

Thanks unfortunately he's near impossible to wrap up, he wont sit still, tries to climb all over me and seems to think its a game of how to escape and then decides to popcorn when hes back in his cage as to say I win. Luckily he took most of the metacam and emeprid, so its just the critical care he wont but hes eaten a couple of leaves of spinach a bit of cucumber, carrot and pepper (not the healthyist but its something)

 

[Ramia]

Will he take critical care in a dish?

 

[CheifoNibSqueak]

Yes but not sure if he'll eat it, Ive put some on its own, some mixed with nuggets and some mixed with hay to try and disguise it as hes eating both of those still

 

[Merab]

Have you tried mixing it with mashed banana ?
The only way I could get critical care into mine was to make sure it was Oxbow aniseed flavour with mashed banana

 

[CheifoNibSqueak]

Luckily he seems to be back to normal climbing up the cage because he's heard the fridge open or the knife on the chopping board but is still having the meds so will see when he's off those but will definitely keep that in mind for next time. Wouldnt mind but the youngest two seemed to love the taste and were biting my fingers to get the left overs I missed

 

[Merab]

Luckily he seems to be back to normal climbing up the cage because he's heard the fridge open or the knife on the chopping board but is still having the meds so will see when he's off those but will definitely keep that in mind for next time. Wouldnt mind but the youngest two seemed to love the taste and were biting my fingers to get the left overs I missed

That’s encouraging to hear.
Hopefully he’ll be fully recovered soon.

Last time I was syringe feeding I ended up having to prepare 2 syringes, 1 for Micah who needed it and a second for Ruth to stop her pulling Micah’s syringe out of his mouth!