Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As many of you know, I am currently treating my beardie "Racso" for parasites with medication that has to be given orally. It has to be done for three days in a row. The vet did it yesterday, and she had this long metal tube connected to the syringe that went all the way down his throat. All I have is a regular syringe. Today I gave him the medication mixed with babyfood so I wouldn't have to force it, but I don't think he got the full dosage. I think it would be more effective to just give it to him by the syringe. If I open his mouth and squirt it in will he swallow it? Anyone who has done this before and can offer advice I would appreciate it. Thankyou, Kara
-----
*Kara*
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko (Tarzana)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Racso)
0.0.1 Leopard Gecko (Nanito)

Yea, that's what Ihave to do. I have to force his mouth open with the syringe... and shoot the liquid down the back of his throat. He doesn't even have to swallow it for if you gently lift his head up while doing it, the liquid will go down on it's own. Just be careful he doesn't acdidentally bite ya though.. my beardie likes to chew on the syringe so I have to be very quick which would be a good reccomendation for you to. =)
-----
------------

Bearded Dragon x1(Scamp)
Cats x3 (Lelu, Hera, Nite)
Horse x1 (Renegade)

Kiana hated it, and I had to sneak the tip between her lips on the side, then sort of work it between her jaws and then shoot it down her throat.

The good news (hopefully for you too) is that Albon is much more palatable. Kiana liked it and readily lapped it up as it was being dispensed. No forced feeding required!

A word to the wise...if you give her baths, make sure you disinfect the tub with the bleach solution also. I used to bathe Kiana in the bathtub when it was in full sunlight, making sure it was clean (as in scrubbed with Bon Ami), but never taking the time to disinfect it because she'd never been one to move around much in the tub. Well, she actually started diving, swimming, and occasionally dipping her head under for a drink. She ended up with pseudamonis (sic) and I had to give her daily injections for two weeks. No fun...no fun at all.

K thanks for the advice. I'm determined to make this work tomorrow, and hopefully it all goes well. I feel so bad for Racso, I had to completely take apart his cage and put down paper towel ,and bake his basking rocks which are still to hot to put back in his cage. I wish there was some way to explain to him why all of this is happening.
-----
*Kara*
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko (Tarzana)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Racso)
0.0.1 Leopard Gecko (Nanito)

I woke up early this morning, and gave Racso his meds orally. He got the whole dosage, and I feel a lot better about it than when I mixed it with babyfood. I'm pretty happy right now, because this is just the beginning of a long line of treatments, so I'm glad I can do it.
-----
*Kara*
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko (Tarzana)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Racso)
0.0.1 Leopard Gecko (Nanito)

I use a rubber spatula to pry open Oolong's mouth on one side, then shoot the meds (Baytril in his case) to the back of his throat on the other side of his mouth. The spatula works well, because it's pretty easy to wheedle it into his mouth, & it's soft enough that he won't hurt his teeth on it (our "lizard spatula" has many cute little teeth-marks in it :} ).

-----
~Alice

1.0 Bearded Dragon (Oolong)
0.1 ferret (Lil' Guy)
7.4 cats (Angel, Goblin, Hush, Kirin, Sammy, Squee, Toes, Feets, Gypsy, Kana, Raisen)