HELP!!! How do i get antibiotics into my horse?

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exracer superstar

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Hi,

went to the farm this morning to be greated with a big fat swollen tendon, filled solid to the hock que panic. Took her out into open light to see dried trickles of blood down her help so hibiscrubed and washed it off to find a puncture wound on her hind tendon. Quick phone call to the vets and off we went luckily it had missed everything important and was just infected so she recieved a massive injection of antibiotics to start the treatment off then 2x daily sachets of antibiotics to start this evening for 5 days.

Heres the problem which i had considered we could face as she wont take bute in her feed either but this is a whole other level she literally put her head to her feed smelt the antibiotics and picked the bucket up and flung it i tried to disguise it with tasty treats but shes to clever. Then tried coreing an apple out once again sniffed the apple and walked off. Planning to ring the vets to see if i can have another form of antibiotic ie: injection as i cant get them in her. Is this viable will they allow me to inject her or will they have to come and do it? Or has anyone any other suggestions to try. I want to return the sachets really so im not charged for anymore than the ones ive already seen as though she wont take them in feed.

Sorry for rambling and suggestions welcome

thanks for reading
 
Ask your vet (or a pharmacy) for an irrigation syringe, which has a wide nozzle. Mix your anti-b to a paste with water/apple juice, push the syringe into the mouth and push the plunger, while holding the head up.
 
Poor you and your horse. Our vets (Italy so don't slate me for this as things are different here!) are quite happy to leave injections for capable people to do themselves. Never had this type of antibiotic but for anything that goes in the feed with my fussy mare I've always mixed it or dissovled it in water and put it in a srynge and administered like a wormer.

Best of luck with the recovery.
 
exracer superstar said:
Hi,

went to the farm this morning to be greated with a big fat swollen tendon, filled solid to the hock que panic. Took her out into open light to see dried trickles of blood down her help so hibiscrubed and washed it off to find a puncture wound on her hind tendon. Quick phone call to the vets and off we went luckily it had missed everything important and was just infected so she recieved a massive injection of antibiotics to start the treatment off then 2x daily sachets of antibiotics to start this evening for 5 days.

Heres the problem which i had considered we could face as she wont take bute in her feed either but this is a whole other level she literally put her head to her feed smelt the antibiotics and picked the bucket up and flung it i tried to disguise it with tasty treats but shes to clever. Then tried coreing an apple out once again sniffed the apple and walked off. Planning to ring the vets to see if i can have another form of antibiotic ie: injection as i cant get them in her. Is this viable will they allow me to inject her or will they have to come and do it? Or has anyone any other suggestions to try. I want to return the sachets really so im not charged for anymore than the ones ive already seen as though she wont take them in feed.

Sorry for rambling and suggestions welcome

thanks for reading
Click to expand...

Puncture wounds aren't to be messed with. Has your vet determined that the tendon sheath is intact?

To answer your question . . . yes, vets will let you inject antibiotics once they've shown you first - I had to when Kal had a stubborn bacterial skin infection. However, I've found that dissolving any medication horsey won't take in warm water and syringing into the mouth (without the needle obviously) works well . . . horse hates it, but as long as you give a treat straight away and a good rub and scratch they get over it.

Best of luck and hope your horse recovers soon.

P
 
ohhh ill go to the chemist in the morning get a syringe and some apple juice and give it like i would a wormer. i hadnt even thought of that... sometimes i am reall do dense lol. thank you :)
 
I've recently done daily antibiotic injections into my lad: the vet was quite happy to show me how/where to do it. It sure saved both my pocket and their time...you could phone and ask.
 
Hi polar skye

yes the vet ultrasounded and xrayed the whole leg to ensure everything was fine and he said there was nothing untoward. That was my main worry to be honest. luckily shes insured so i have forwarded the bill straight to them with a claims form. Will have a go at syringing it in her mouth first if that fails i will ask the vet if i can inject.

thanks again :)
 
I make a sticky mess of the ABs and honey or jam or even just brown sugar but something horrendously sweet, a dash of juice or water to dissolve excess powder (there is always so much of it!) mix it up in a bowl and then put it in a sandwich, but if she still won't have it then you could try the same in a syringe!
 
Mix it with black treacle or mollasses & put it on a sandwich. You can use honey, jam, nutella etc & I've read on here people who use marmite.
 
exracer superstar said:
Hi polar skye

yes the vet ultrasounded and xrayed the whole leg to ensure everything was fine and he said there was nothing untoward. That was my main worry to be honest. luckily shes insured so i have forwarded the bill straight to them with a claims form. Will have a go at syringing it in her mouth first if that fails i will ask the vet if i can inject.

thanks again :)
Click to expand...

Oh phew! Best of luck with her and please keep us updated on how she gets on . . . :).

P
 
marvelous i think i will buy supplies for the morning and give each one a bash i will get them down her somehow lol :)

will update in the morning on how it goes

thanks again for your replies :D
 
I had a mare once that wouldn't eat bute/anti b's, I tried syringing it like a wormer,and shed literally spat it out all over me and the wall!! The only thing that worked for her was steaming carrots and putting them in her feed! Weird I know, but I think it was because the smell of carrots was so strong she couldn't smell the bute!

I would try the syringe first but if that doesn't work, get carrot steaming!!
 
If your horse is anything like my pony then you won't be able to diguise the meds whatever you do!! we tried golden syrup sandiches for him (he has a very sweet tooth). he ate part of one but soon realised and wouldn't touch any more!

we actually ended up given up -he was just being treated for a foot abscess that had got nasty. The vet had given him penicillin and we then discovered he was allergic to it (not good = very very poorly pony!). If your vet will allow just ask if you can inject. I did this year ago with my other pony. Much quicker!
 
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