If you're reading this, congratulations on being a caring pet owner. You recognize the need to give your small pet proper healthcare; an important aspect of providing a healthy and happy life. Many people believe that only larger pets such as cats, dogs, horses, etc. need healthcare. As any small animal vet will tell you, that is not only unkind, but negligent.

This How-To provides an introduction to suggested methods of giving your pet LIQUID ORAL MEDICINE, and is not recommended for any other kind.

Show Ads

[edit] Steps

Have your medicine ready. If the medicine is supposed to be refrigerated, is it cold? Did you shake it? Is your syringe clean, and does the pump move freely? Syringes can be cleaned with hot tap water: with the tip of the syringe underwater, work the pump until it glides freely. Once clean, make sure to get as much water out as possible before using it with the medicine. Excess water can lead you to measure incorrectly. Speaking of measurements, make sure you can read the syringe properly. One cc (cubic centimeter) is EQUAL to one ml (millilitre). If the pump has a thick rubber or plastic base, make sure the medicine goes to the measurement line - the pump base goes past it.
See if your pet likes the medicine. With the right amount of medicine in the syringe, poke it through the cage bars, or any convenient opening. Act like it's a treat, and see if Little Squeaky will eat it on their own. It is important to have a steady hand for this, for if you start jerking the syringe around Squeaky will probably leave. Try to squeeze the medicine out in small increments, so it doesn't ooze everywhere before Squeaky eats it. If some medicine is lost, or Squeaky chews on the syringe, don't panic. Just don't go dumping the medicine everywhere, and don't let them destroy the syringe.
If your pet isn't interested, you'll need to get more insistent. Keep your pet calm, and pick them up gently. Little Squeaky probably isn't thrilled about the idea of having a giant plastic tube stuffed in their face, so don't be grabby. You will need to hold Squeaky in one hand, and the syringe in the other. With a steady hand, gently poke the syringe at Squeaky's mouth. If they hold still, great. Give them the medicine in small increments, and they will probably lick it just to get it off their face. If they squirm, you can try to get the syringe directly in their mouth. You will have to be quick, firm, and GENTLE. It is easiest to approach from the side of the mouth, then angle towards the throat. Squeeze all the medicine out in one quick motion. Don't worry if Squeaky spits some out, they probably got enough. DO NOT shove the syringe down Squeaky's throat; you could inject medicine into their lungs, or cause other serious internal damage.
Use a clean washcloth. Sometimes the soft cloth will calm your pet, and make it harder for them to squirm away. Wrap little squeaky gently in the washcloth, and give them the dose quickly.
If Squeaky is really determined not to take their meds, you can try scruffing them. This involves holding them by the loose skin around their neck, and can seriously harm your pet. If done incorrectly, scruffing can cause bruising, damage to the ear canal, hair loss, and suffocation. IF YOU ARE AT ALL UNSURE, DON'T TRY IT. Rather than hurt your beloved pet, call the vet and ask for a different kind of medication. Your vet would rather hear "I can't do this" than "Squeaky's bleeding out the ears." Furthermore, this kind of scruffing only works on animals small enough that they can't just turn around and bite you, which usually means an animal no larger than your palm. They WILL try to bite you, and gloves will not help your dexterity. If you see them getting close to biting you, JUST LET GO. It isn't worth the stress to your pet, or having sharp little teeth in your fingers. And another thing: don't be holding them five feet above the ground. If you should drop them, it would just be that much more traumatic, and they'd probably run and get lost. Hold them a few inches over a table, preferably with some kind of block to keep them from running off the edge. Ok, to scruff: with your thumb and forefinger, aim for behind the neck and just before the shoulders, and not quite halfway around their middle. Pinch, allowing the skin to pull back. Their forelegs will splay sideways and their lips will pull back. If it feels too tight, let go and try again. They should be able to wiggle, but not enough to reach back to bite you. Put the syringe in their mouth, and squeeze the whole dose in at once. It is important to do this as quickly and deftly as possible, to minimize stress. Put them down, and let them run away and sulk in their home. They might hate you for a while.
If none of the aforementioned methods work, STOP. Call your vet, and work something else out. It is better to have a less convenient form of medication than to traumatize and possibly injure your pet.

[edit] Tips

Have some of Squeaky's favourite treat handy, for after the meds. They might be angry with you, and not trust you for a while.
If you think there is any possibility of hurting your pet, or you're uncomfortable, talk to your vet. They will see it as a responsible, intelligent choice.
Don't worry about spills. Your pet is probably getting enough of the medicine. If you bring Little Squeaky in for another checkup, mention that they aren't getting the full dose. The vet might tell you to keep giving them however much they will take for longer, or they might say everything's going fine anyway.
Ask your vet how long the medicine is good for. Some medicines are good indefinitely and are handy to have around, and some expire.
Don't forget to refrigerate! It can improve the taste, and make it easier to give to your pet. Also, some meds will just go bad if they're not kept cold.

[edit] Warnings

NEVER give human medicine to your pet. Just because it works for you, doesn't mean it works for them. They could easily be poisoned by it, or overdose.
Don't give other people's pets medicine to your pet, for the same reasons.
If your pet seems upset, leave them alone. Try again later, or call your vet for advice.
If you injure your pet, or they act funny or have strange discharge (runny nose, eyegunk, drool), call your vet IMMEDIATELY. Your pet could be injured, or have an allergic reaction.
If your pet pukes, call your vet. Most small animals are not physically set up to puke, so if they do, it's a sign that something is very wrong.