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Syringe feeding & tricky syringe deployment!

JoHo

JoHo

New Born Pup
Joined
Apr 16, 2022
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Leamington Spa
Help, please 😞 I was at emergency vets last night as I suspected bloat, & thank goodness I took her. Fast forward, I’m really really struggling to push any of the critical care through the syringe as it’s so thick. I’ve read the info on here which has been useful (thank you) but hardly any & I mean maybe a smidgen has gone into her mouth - since 11pm last night. We’re going to the vets for a checkup later. I’ve seen her try and eat some hay, she wants to, but I’m just so worried. Any advice or experiences you could share, I’d be so grateful x
 
Hi there, sorry to hear about your little one. In the past when I’ve used critical care I water down to a Greek yoghurt consistency. I also cut the end of the syringe off down to the wider bit. Make sure it is smooth and free of any loose bits of plastic first. And then administer it, the larger hole in the end along with a slightly looser mix should make for an easier administration, just make sure to only give a little at a time and angle the syringe toward the side of the mouth. It’s good that they’re eating hay. Good luck and hope all goes well at the vets later.
 
Thank you, the vet gave me 2 different syringe widths (?) I’ve tried both but to no avail so I’ll try cutting the tip to see if that helps. We both looked like we’d been mud wrestling and as she’s white looked very messy. I don’t care about that! Just want some to go in. The other two cleaned her up though - I hate this feeling of being useless. I’ve been massaging her tummy & now fingers crossed. Thanks for your help x
 
Use a 1ml syringe.
You need to put the syringe in the side of her mouth between the cheek and the teeth and then between the gap in the her teeth at the side.

Are you using actual critical care or mushed pellets.
If critical care, make it thinner.
If mushed pellets then you need to cut the tapered end off the syringe.

What is her diagnosis? You say massaging her tummy so I’m guessing she had bloat?

Are you weighing her daily?

Our support linked in below

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
 
I’ve been syringe feeding a piggy recently and I found it really hard as Ella hated it and kept moving her head. Luckily she now just needs topping up.

You’re best to use a 1ml syringe and you cut the end off just below the plunger. My vet gave me 5ml syringes but they were too big. 1ml syringes are much easier to control.

I used mushed nuggets and Emeraid recovery food. I made the consistency to be like Greek yoghurt and it worked well. As above, you put the syringe in the side of the mouth between the cheek and teeth and in between the gap

I found the syringe feeding guide linked above really helpful

Good luck and I hope your girl feels better soon x
 
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