From:
"joclynatuo"
Date: 2009-05-21 02:27:24 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Help with syringe feeding/giving meds
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
whenever possible, i mix the meds (especially the really nasty-tasting kinds) with some of the gravy (or soup, if that's what you use). the plus with doing it this way is that it goes down easier and, since they usually should have food in the stomach when given meds, it's getting two birds one shot, so to speak.
if i know the ferret will eat the usual serving with the meds mixed in to it, i warm up the usual amount and then add the meds, mix in and then add a bit of ferretone or a sprinkle of nupro to the top of it and serve it.
if i'm not sure or they've previously not eaten the whole serving when the meds are in it, then i'll cut the portion down - use just a teaspoonful or two and warm, mix and serve. once they've eaten the whole portion with the meds, i'll fix the balance of the serving and give it.
if they're new here and haven't had my gravy, i don't mix the meds in because i don't want them to associate incorrectly. so, i've had to deal with giving meds straight and i don't have any help, so i can relate to your dilemma!
amoxicyllin (pink stuff you keep cold) usually goes over VERY well, so that one is easy to give from the syringe - i just let it dribble out and they lick it up. since it's cold, it's also not really a candidate for mixing with warmed food...thank goodness they like it :)
i've also managed prednisolone by itself...with some 'tone as a chaser. after the first few days of fussing about it, she actually would sit calmly and lick up the pred because she knew she'd get that tone. once i got her to eat the gravy (she was new here and had been resisting it) i mixed the pred with it.
i almost always have my 'gravy' on hand in the freezer. for the times i don't and can't make another batch, i'll use the canned a/d, canned evo 95% meat, before grain canned 100% meat or jar baby food (meat only types).
unless the cans are freshly opened, i always lightly warm the food in the microwave - the stuff just tastes better warm AND it has a better aroma when heated and that spurs them on to eat it.
for meds that must be given on empty stomach (like carafate), i make two syringes - one with the meds and one with water. a little of the meds and rinse with a little water and so on until all the meds are in...then i let them drink a bit of water from the bowl to really wash away the taste.
as suki noted, you want to be careful that you aren't squirting too much out and that you're not shooting it right down their throat. they don't have the reflex action we do that closes off the lungs, so it can be very easy for meds to go in when they're swallowing unexpectedly.
i found that, if i aim the syringe at the spot towards the rear teeth (there's a little opening there even if they have their jaw clenched) and try to get the meds under the tongue, then they manage fairly well. going for under the tongue avoids the tastebuds and the bitterness doesn't register until they're already in the swallowing process (and then it's too late to spit it out).
always place the syringe perpendicular to their jaw - anywhere from straight 90 degrees or a bit less with the tip aimed towards the front of the mouth.
squirming can be dealt with by scruffing and then tucking the backend between your arm/elbow and side of your body. if you've got one that can still get loose from that, then, using a towel wrapped around both front and back legs and then either scruffed/tucked as above or scruffed and then place their body between your thighs should work.
i find talking to them in a low and calm voice during the process is helpful. i apologize for giving them the 'nasty' and i explain it's just something we HAVE to do. i praise them when they take the meds and reassure them that there's only a little bit more left.
i also talk to them beforehand - as i'm talking; explaining; apologizing, i hold them right up to my face and look them in the eye and i gently rub their cheeks, under their jaw and the top of their head with my finger for a minute or two...this calms them down a good bit and the first run of the meds gets in them pretty easily (yeah, a bit sneaky but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!)
above all, remain calm no matter how much your little one is fussing! they'll pick up on your frustation and annoyance and will only act worse.
good luck!!
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