Giving a horse oral anti biotics through a syringe

[MummyEms]

She's not very well and is also on bute which she is eating happily in her feed.
However she's hating the 50mls of liquid anti biotics I have to syringe into her mouth twice a day. Any tips or ideas to help her accept it?

 

[Redders]

I mixed molasses in mine, and got it all on the syringe tip and casing. Headcollar, hold it under the chin, not on the lead rope, to try to hold the head steady, once in push the chin up to help it go down. Good luck

 

[Bionic Boy]

Exactly what Redders says

 

[Gloi]

What about a worming bit.
Failing that, a blindfold.

 

[Honey08]

We always just syringe it quickly as possible in as little water as poss, so it’s not a huge amount.
(that’s the royal we, I let my 6’4 husband do it, it’s much easier when you’re a foot taller!)

 

[Redders]

If you are syringing it might be doxycycline? In which case, it can be a bit irritating to the skin with repeated dosing, so whack some Vaseline as a barrier at corners of the mouth. If it’s TMPS disregard this, and measure the water in the feeding syringe before you mix it - what looks like a little water in the cup is actually A LOT when you draw it up and try to syringe it in a horse who would rather you didn’t!

It’s not always irritating, but it’s very sticky and sticks to the skin like mad, and my mares lips looked a bit irritated/messy after a few days so I used a barrier cream

 

[BronsonNutter]

If its Karidox there is a powdered form of doxycycline now available that seems to be more palatable. Before that came out we'd mix the karidox with yoghurt and molasses which seems to help.

 

[Redders]

If its Karidox there is a powdered form of doxycycline now available that seems to be more palatable. Before that came out we'd mix the karidox with yoghurt and molasses which seems to help.

I was expecting Karidox for mine but Bova make a special molasses flavoured paste for horses now, which is gentler on the mucosa and apparently more palatable, and having had her on karidox before, this paste was much easier. I looked up the powder form to see if I could reduce the volume I needed to give but only available in big bags and like £300 a bag at an online pharmacy, so didn’t bother asking for a prescription

 

[BronsonNutter]

I was expecting Karidox for mine but Bova make a special molasses flavoured paste for horses now, which is gentler on the mucosa and apparently more palatable, and having had her on karidox before, this paste was much easier. I looked up the powder form to see if I could reduce the volume I needed to give but only available in big bags and like £300 a bag at an online pharmacy, so didn’t bother asking for a prescription

The bova paste is good. The powdered one we get is through a compounding company (same kinda thing as bova) so not available on prescription. Not sure anyone needs a sack full of antibiotics

 

[daydreamer]

A friend of mine who works at an equine vets said they use pouches of baby food (some sort of sweet flavour). It was a while ago but I think she said to mix it with the baby food then load the syringe with |pure baby food|mixture|pure. I did this with mine after he was castrated and needed antibiotics. I think I added some icing sugar as the last thing in the syringe too to leave a sweet taste!

 

[Redders]

The bova paste is good. The powdered one we get is through a compounding company (same kinda thing as bova) so not available on prescription. Not sure anyone needs a sack full of antibiotics

That’s what I thought when I saw the size of the bag! But I think it was for pigs, so big sack for treating a herd (?) I guessed! The Bova paste was good, but I might ask for the compounded powder if I need in future - would be easier if I can minimise the volume needed!

 

[MummyEms]

A friend of mine who works at an equine vets said they use pouches of baby food (some sort of sweet flavour). It was a while ago but I think she said to mix it with the baby food then load the syringe with |pure baby food|mixture|pure. I did this with mine after he was castrated and needed antibiotics. I think I added some icing sugar as the last thing in the syringe too to leave a sweet taste!

I'll try mixing in some thing tasty for her today. I do have icing sugar in the cupboard.

 

[MummyEms]

Also I thought I would do a few syringes of just something tasty on its own.
That way the accosiation with the syringe won't be so bad

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Mashed banana in the syringe…put my mare off bananas totally…..

 

[Pinkvboots]

Peppermint extract from the supermarket its so strong only need a few drops and its oily so goes down easy, it's also got no sugar added so won't do them any harm I get anything into my 2 with it.

It's OK using all the other things but they are full of sugar so not very good for them.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Also I thought I would do a few syringes of just something tasty on its own.
That way the accosiation with the syringe won't be so bad

Peppermint extract and water works mine love it its the only way I get prascend into one.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Can you put it in a jam sandwich xx

 

[Hackback]

I use undiluted blackcurrant squash but liking the idea of peppermint essence.

 

[MNMyShiningStars]

All great ideas above. I also have a treat/carrot to give them after the syringe so they are looking forwards to that after the nasty meds x

 

[Errin Paddywack]

We have had to do this recently. The mare objected strongly to having stuff squirted in her mouth but took it happily in a tiny feed along with bute.