Scooby

Question
Hi Dana,

Im sorry to keep bothering you, this is now the 4th or 5th question iv asked you!

I emailed you a few weeks ago about Scooby my friends rabbit that had the bad teeth and was in very poor condition.

He had his operation and recovered nicely except i think its had a knock on effect and he now has an upper respiratory tract infection. i took him to the vet and they prescribed baytril for him to take daily for a week. his first dose was last night and what a sight that was! Scooby is a vry good rabbit with regards to handling him. i can get him to lay on his back on my legs and i tried giving it too hiom this way except he did not like the tast of the medicine! he refused to open him mouth and it ended up everywhere. i then tried puttng it in his food and he would take it that way and putting it in his water is not an option as he doesnt drink that much water anyways.

I think putting it directly in his mouth is the best way except i think i might need a few tios on how to get it to stay in his mouth!!!

thank you gemma

Answer
Dear Gemma,

Definitely don't give it to him when he's on his back!  He could aspirate the medicine and this could make things much worse!

To easily administer this yucky-tasting stuff, get bunny on a secure countertop, standing on a soft surface with traction backing (a bath mat with rubber backing is perfect).  Hold him with your left arm around his bum, and close to your chest, if he struggles, but don't squeeze.  He'll be more cooperative if he's not too forcefully restrained.

With a syringe, carefully squirt a small amount of his dose *just behind the incisors* (or where they used to be), and squirt *sideways* so he doesn't choke or inhale it.  Give him time to swallow.  Then do it again, and repeat until the dose is complete.  It helps to give him a little treat afterwards, to wash the taste away.

Patience and small bits at a time are the key.

Hope that helps.

Dana