Mushu hates his medicine!

[AprilPearl]

Mushu was snuffling this morning and then again this afternoon, so I took him to the vets. They listened to his chest and have prescribed him 0.15ml of Baytril once per day. Problem is, he won’t take it. Any advice for getting it into him? I am so afraid of him dying, I don’t know what to do.

[cypher]

Just mix it with a tiny bit of porridge or safe baby food that he likes & he should take it no problem, only use a little so you know he gets all the meds.

If you still have the pro c then you could give that to him, not at the same time, a few hours apart at least, to help him cope with the meds.

[souffle]

There is some useful info here that may help you with some ideas.
Vectis Hamstery and Exotics - Giving Medication

[AprilPearl]

Thanks. Tried the porridge and he had maybe half but no more because he detected the taste. The vet suggested Ribena so may attempt that next. I am loathe to use force as he has had enough stress for one day. Don't want him getting wet tail on top of this.

[AprilPearl]

Ribena did not fool him. I tried coating the rest of the medicine-spiked porridge in sunflower seeds. He picked the seeds off and dropped the porridge.

I am leaving it for tonight because the poor little guy must be so scared already. I don’t want to use the scruffing or swaddling methods, but I think I may have to tomorrow. I’d rather that he were alive and hate me than dead and not hate me.

[leedsgurl]

I just hold them close and put the syringe into the corner of their mouth, but making sure they are level or facing down so that they don't choke on it. It's such a tiny amount so it will be fast, and you could give a treat or some other favourite food straight after to take the taste away.

[Vectis Hamstery]

I either syringe and squirt or mix in a strongly flavoured food (very small amount) e.g wet cat food which to my hams is irrestistable. I prefer the scruff method as I know they've had the full dose and it minimises faffing. Preparation is key to scruffing - make sure you have the Baytril drawn up in the syringe before starting, and that it's close to hand.

[AprilPearl]

Hi Vectis. I have two cats so we do have cat food. These are what we have in the house, would they be safe?

Sainsbury's - Please enable cookies or JavaScript

https://m.tesco.com/h5/groceries/r/w...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Vectis Hamstery]

My hams aren't keen on fish - they prefer more meat/poultry flavours. I use Lily's Kitchen now, but have used Sheba food in the past.

You'd only be giving less than 1/4 teaspoon of the cat food with the meds in

[AprilPearl]

Thanks Vectis. So, you think some of the poultry flavoured Sheba (shown in the second link), would be ok? Don’t want to make him sicker than he already is unintentionally, so please forgive me for asking for clarification.