Forcing Medicine Into a Sick Animal

[Die Fledermaus]

Say you have a sick animal, lethargic and maybe with an infection. He/she needs antibiotics. But the poor critter will not drink, and even will not swallow when drops are put in the mouth.

I read today a post in the American Gerbil Society's board about how an experienced veteran member "forced" medicine into the gerb.

This can result in drowning. It has happened even to me, and it was devastating and horrible.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the issue of getting medication into an animal who refuises to accept even liquid from a syringe in the mouth unless "forced". What about the drowning issue?

This is one of the more important issues I can think of, one that has always puzzled me. I will add to this anything I learn from the AGS board.

[Hamsters82]

When I worked at BFPC (kennel), dogs needed to take their pills. Some worked by just eating the hotdog and others were stubborn and ate around it. I hate force feeding them, so I got Nicole to help me. We both ended up forcefully holding the dog down so she could shove the pill down it's throat. I'm thankful that dog did not bite us!

[Die Fledermaus]

Pills are different from liquids. You cannot drown a dog with a pill - but that is a real concern with small rodents and liquid antibiotics.

What to do. . .

[Hamsters82]

Ask a vet how to do it. They're professionals, they should know what to do, that's what they're being paid for.

[Die Fledermaus]

Most vets have less knowledge of small rodents than I do. They will likely just say "bring it in". I have too many animals and too little money and too little time to do that every instance I think one might need antibiotics. It is a tough situation.

[Hamsters82]

The vet I take my hamsters too is good with rodents. If you want, I can give you their number.

[Die Fledermaus]

For what? A phone call? Free advice, perhaps. I surely am not going to NJ. You can always ask your vet next time you see him/her on this issue and pass along the answer.

[Hamsters82]

Sure I'll ask for you. Let me write it down. I want to call them tomorrow anyway as when I saw Chewie yawn, I saw a tooth that looked curled.

[Die Fledermaus]

Ciurled tooth? Curious.

BTW, Arwen and Galadriel are very tame - and when I switched their habitats (CC and CT2) it worked out better. G was sing the CC wheel as a dumping ground for bedding; A does not. That is an example.

[Hamsters82]

That's great that they're tamed!

Well, when he yawned I saw something that curled near the roof of his mouth. It looked like a tooth to me, so I'm calling the vet tomorrow for a walk-in appointment.

Of course I wouldn't want you to come to NJ, it'll be a long commute for you. And the number would've probalby cost you too, so sorry there for my part. Just trying to help.

[Die Fledermaus]

I know.

Best wishes for Chewie. I have no idea what that is. If anything.

Got this from the AGS website: (what does 'PO' mean?)

>> You could PO dose the medicine or water with a syringe and feeding tube
but *only* if you have been correctly shown how to do it and you feel
comfortable doing it. Otherwise, you could try putting the medicine on
a treat or mixed into some baby food. My gerbils never liked taking
medicine but I've always been able to scruff them and stick the syringe
into their mouths and squirt the medicine in the back of their mouths. <<

[Hamsters82]

Good info. I was thinking about it last night and thought up a syringe, so it's cool that they said it too.

[Die Fledermaus]

But what does "PO" mean??

I guess mixing it into baby food or some such is a viable option.

[Hamsters82]

You got me. I mean I know one word that PO means, but I sincerely doubt that.
Maybe you could ask.

[Die Fledermaus]

Haha. ;D