[Gpdd] HEALTH - Patches not eating

[svtaylor1 at excite.com]

Debra,

     Have you tried syringe feeding Patches? If not, try this: Get a syringe that has no needle. Mash up some food with enough water or juice to make it pass easily through the syringe and find a way to hold piggy still. Insert the tip of the syringe into the side of his mouth and dispense a small amount of food. Once he gets the idea, he may not have to be restrained and will eat willingly from the syringe. Wait for him to chew and swallow before giving the next bite and don't overfeed. Let him tell you when he is full. Frequent smaller meals are better than one big meal. 

     If Patches aggressively resists syringe feeding even after you get some of his favorite food in his mouth, his mouth may be sore. I got Charo through this by dipping a toothpick in Anbesol and placing it briefly in her mouth. I've never heard that this is safe or recommended but I was desperate and it worked for me (She recovered and lived for five months after that). 

 — Susan and Cally in New Mexico USA, remembering Charo

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