Giving Medicine

Question
Hello - Two weeks ago, I purchased a five-month old Mini Lop at a pet store.  He had been sneezing so I took him to a vet yesterday and he has an upper respiratory infection.  I have an antibiotic to give him twice a day through a syringe.  My question is, what is the best way to give him the medicine so that he won't get so nervous?  He was just beginning to trust us, and now he is becoming more timid again because he doesn't like when I give him the medicine.  Thanks!

Cathy

Answer
Hi Cathy,

well, one thing that will help is making sure to spend time around him interacting with him when it is not medicine time.  It would help if you do this actually a lot more often than the two times a day you give him medicine.  That way it will be hard for him to build an association like "when they come after me, I always get medicine".

When my guys were sick, I told them what I was doing and why.  Told them it was for them to get better, and that we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't care and love them.  I think on some levels they understand.  

I always spent a few minutes before giving meds to pet them, talk with them, get them comfortable, and then give them the medicine.  Most vets will flavor an oral med (like Baytril, for ex) for rabbits to make it easier to take.  Luckily most of my guys like pina colada flavor.

But you definitely need to increase the amount of time you spend with him NOT giving him meds so that he doesn't learn that "I get meds when they come after me".  

The other thing you can try is (if it is flavored) is when you give him his pellets, before giving him the pellets in his crock, let a syringe-full of medicine soak into the pellets, and let him eat his normal breakfast/dinner and he'll get the med that way.  If you only give him pellets once a day, split his daily amount into two parts and give him the meds in the morning and night that way.

Write back anytime.  Especially when he hits sexual maturity - his behavior is going to change.  Lee