How to get the meds in?!

[cowgirl16]

Hi All,

Our elderly dobie has been diagnosed with a badly inflamed large intestine. She's been prescribed Metronidazole and 3 days of Promax. The Promax isn't a problem as it's given in a syringe like a horse wormer. But the tablets are causing a problem. I've tried all the usual sneaky ways of getting them into her - wrapped in ham, mixed with catfood, mixed with another tasty treat. I'm crushing the tablets too, so she can't spit them out - but no luck. The poor love just isn't interested in eating so I'm in a bit of a loss as to what to do. The only thing I can think of now, is to get a syringe from the chemist, crush the tablets and mix with some gravy, and syringe it into her. Anyone else done this? Or any other good ideas? Can't keep wasting the tablets! Also, as we're pretty sure she's got this problem through eating something disgusting up at the farm, (like they all do!) we're seriously considering muzzling her while she's out with me in the field. I've looked into muzzles, and the basket type looks to be the best. Any opinions?
Thanks.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

why can't you just open her mouth and pop them down? just open bottom jaw with one hand and pop them down the middle with the other. my dog will not take anything in his food but has pills like this no problem-as does the cat.

 

[Annie B.]

I find with mine that just the tiniest amount of butter, literally just enough to make the tablet shiny helps it slide down when you pop it to the back off the throat. It stops it sticking to the the tongue or gums for you to find in dog bed an hour later. Cheddar moulded round the tablet also works, I give a tiny bit of cheese, the tablet wrapped in cheese and another piece promptly after so the dogs concentration is on getting the cheese in it's mouth. Not the healthiest way but for a few days it gets the tablets down and stops you getting tense so the dog knows there is something about to happen. Oh those weird cheese slices that go on burgers work a treat.x

 

[twiggy2]

depending on the dog you can just pop them down as MotherOfChickens says, I find it easier and less stressful to pop it inside a small piece of tinned sardines-just enough to wrap round the tablet.

 

[zigzag]

Just to say our German Shepherd managed to eat through a basket muzzle , how I don't know but you have to watch them

 

[Bellasophia]

Stand astride your dog with dog facing forward..you will have both hands free this way...gently open the mouth and pop pill into the back of her throat..close mouth and stroke under chin and she will swallow.
Then give a treat.
I had to give this med,also called flagyl,to my IBD dog for years...it is very bitter,so they don't like it crumbled into food...it's best to pop it down and then give food.

 

[sunnyone]

My vet recommends Camembert. Seems to work too. Smell is so strong he can't smell the tablet. Mouth opening leads to spitting later!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Mouth opening leads to spitting later!

not if you do it properly-its over in a second as well.

 

[Alec Swan]

Hi All,

…….. we're seriously considering muzzling her while she's out with me in the field. I've looked into muzzles, and the basket type looks to be the best. Any opinions?
Thanks.

I really wouldn't muzzle an elderly dog, even if they're accustomed to them. It sounds as though the poor thing has enough to cope with without the indignity of a muzzle.

Alec.

 

[galaxy]

Roll it in pate. My older boy is excellent at spitting out tablets hidden in anything, but when it comes to pate he can't resist. Lol

 

[cowgirl16]

UPDATE!!.....

Cracked it!! The syringe thing didn't work - massive fail! but - as she was showing a bit of interest in food yesterday, gave her a tablespoon of catfood - scoffed it! So .. mixed a small amount of Tesco Meaty Cuts With Jelly, Salmon Flavour, with 2 crushed tablets ..... gone in 30 seconds! Yee Haa! Shes's always had a bit of a "thing" about cat food. Probably something to do with food envy. Anyway, thanks for all the replies, a few interesting suggestions to keep for future reference. I'll keep her on the small cat food ration till the tablets are gone. Definitely seems to have her appetite back, keeps staring at the food cupboard. Got 2 days of eating to catch up with I guess.
Think I will still be muzzling her though. It'll only be for a short while when I'm poo picking the field. I can't risk this sort of thing happening to her again. Whatever upset her was in that field, I don't let her run free in the yard. Thanks again.

 

[{97702}]

Glad you have cracked it and that she seems to be on the mend - fingers crossed for a quick recovery now

Incidentally I always pop tablets into my 4, saves wondering whether they have actually eaten them or not - there is a real knack to doing it with a pointy nosed greyhound mind you, it is always a relief when it is one of the ones with no teeth