Our rat Romeo and taking his meds

[Rodentsrus]

Hi I have a question..any advice would be greatly appreciated...Our pet rat Romeo has to take meds 2 kinds and he don't like it at all...I have to nearly hold him down to get it in his mouth and then alot of times he keeps it in his mouth till I let him go and spits it out arghh! so any pointers?? thanx.

 

[ChrisK]

Yes! If you can mix them with food, see this thread for ideas :
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4656&hilit=stubborn

Also there's a video lilspaz68 did demonstrating how to syringe feed .. I'll find and repost ..

 

[Aida]

Try hiding it in food(preferably not dairy). I have found bananas effective, as well as bread, or anything that would soak it up. There's tons of threads about this issue- browse through 'em for more ideas. :]

 

[ChrisK]

Here is the link to the video lilspaz did to demonstrate syringe feeding.

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=25437&hilit=meds

Edited to add:
Also, you can check with your vet to see if they can flavor the meds. Or if they have different flavor options.

 

[M0onkist]

I *adore* that video Shelagh made - I watched it half a dozen times a day when Cera had her abscess, lol - and a refresher before each dosing just to be sure I had it right!

 

[victoria]

Hi Jennifer,

I find forcing meds the way Shelagh does in the video linked is the best way to get meds into a really sick rat. It takes a bit of practice, but you get confident and quicker with practice and it gets easier. You can give him a really tasty treat afterward so he is less motivated to try to spit it out.

:hugs: to you two and Romeo.

 

[Rodentsrus]

We did it...Last night my B/f tried a new way of giving his med..He put some on his finger and Romeo just licked it all off. So today he did it that way again..Now theres no strees of either of them..

 

[Godmother]

:joy: So glad you found a stress free way. Some rats will lick meds from a finger when they won't take it any other way--- I always think they're doing it to be polite!

 

[mamarat]

So happy you found a way for your sweetie to take his meds.

 

[Rodentsrus]

Well he got wise to that and now that doesn't work...Now all he gets in some great bread.. Seem to work..He just thinks it a treat..BUT only if he knew..Let's hope he never does.