Mushu hates his medicine!

[Coco61]

Hello there AP. First let me say that I am sorry about Moshu and I have been following your main thread and he is a beautiful boy. I don't know where you are in London but if you ever need a specialist exotics vet, the best one is CJHall so do check out their website.
Please take any advice from Vectis and Soufflé before me because of their huge experience. My Mocho has needed daily medicine for 8 months now. He has Cushings. Luckily it must not taste bad because he takes it mixed in baby food or porridge and now I can leave it for him to take from a little bowl himself. I took advice from his breeder and Vectis at a show.
Fish cat food I believe is fine but the best is kitten food. You can get a box of different flavoured pouches. In the end my Mocho will only accept the turkey flavour! Even then I only use the jelly surrounding the pieces which he likes. I expect it is strong enough in flavour. At least you have cats who can eat the rest of a pouch. I freeze it in tiny portions to rotate all the flavours of baby food. As Moshu is young he may well eat the pieces mashed up with the baytril mixed in. But, many hamsters won't take baytril this way. Their excellent sense of smell means they reject the food mix. If you can master scruffing him, then you are certain the medicine goes in the side of the mouth, it is over quickly and an indignant hamster can be consoled with a treat. Good luck.

[Vectis Hamstery]

It's what I would use if that was what I had For my pups that I use larger quantities more often I prefer less processed wet foods (call me fussy ) but in a tiny amount and to make sure he gets his meds to help his chest then it's fine.

I still prefer scruffing, but appreciate it's not always the easiest thing to do when you're worried about your ham.

[AmityvilleHams]

Be careful with any foods and make sure they don't have derivatives,digest,biproducts,preservatives known to cause cancer,etc or ingredients that are harmful to cats if they're being shared with cats(cats shouldn't have any corn/maize or wheat,as these are both very unhealthy foods that are known to be problematic for cats and dogs).

Almo Nature and Applaws are definitely potential options from what I recall of ingredients depending on the formula,but I'm not sure of any other ones at the moment

[dreamtree1234]

I am sorry to hear that Mushu doesn't like taking his meds. I hope that the suggestions that everyone has on this thread will be able to help you administer the meds to him easily and as stress-free as possible. Sorry that I don't have any suggestions other than those given. Luckily for me, I have never had to administer meds to hamster Eros. I would definitely try those ideas given because they are from extremely experienced hammy owners. Good luck with Mushu and his meds. I will definitely be praying that all goes well for you both.

[chesca_27]

Sorry to hear Mushu isn't well. Hope he feels better soon.

I can imagine it's difficult getting him to take Baytril as I know both my guinea pigs detest the stuff and they're normally easy with meds (when they're ill).

The Applaws Chicken and Beef wet cat/kitten (I can't remember what it's called) Chicken and Beef is safe for hamsters, so you could buy a pouch of that. It's one of the best on the market, from what I can see (but I know nothing about cats lol).

Have you tried baby food? The Ella's Kitchen vegetable baby foods are mainly safe, but I will link a thread which has a huge range of recommended foods. Just double check to make sure they don't contain any lemon juice. Baby food suggestions.

[AprilPearl]

Thank you everyone for your responses. Since I am not sure of the cat food we currently have, I am going to see if I can buy some applaws and possibly baby food too.

There is some positive news. We got Mushu to take his medicine this morning! I held him and my mum syringe fed it. He tried it keep his little mouth closed but we got it all in and then I gave him some treats to say sorry. However, if I can mask the taste in cat/baby food I would rather do that because I hate having to hold him down.

One question: I've seen on the internet that I should do a full clean of his cage because he has a cold. But, I don't want to stress him out unnecessarily. What do you think?

[cypher]

Well done with the meds, that's good to hear.
I wouldn't do a full cage clean, I don't think it's necessary & he really doesn't need that kind of stress right now.

[AprilPearl]

Thank you. That's what I thought, too.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi, I replied on Mushu's thread about trying baby food and have recommended some for you.
As long they don't have tomato, onion or garlic.
I think you're doing a wonderful job, I know it's been stressful but sometimes we have to do things (using the syringe) on them out of love.

[AprilPearl]

Thanks TL that means a lot. Will check your reply on Mushu’s main thread