[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Syringing

[Bradley, Stephen G]

Just to throw in my own 2 cents;
 
What we used to find with our cats (bless their fuzzy hearts, when they were
alive) was that they wouldn't open up for anything unless you would dig your
fingers in on either side of their mouths.
 
So, probably because we had that training to start with, what I do is like what
some others have described, but a little different.  I start with the pig on my
lap, facing away from me.  I lift under his front feet with my off-hand (my
left, for me), and pull him up so he's basically back on his haunches and his
front paws are on the edge of my hand - but my fingers are free.
 
Now, if they're being reasonable, you can pop the syringe in their mouths just
with that.  But if not, you can take your thumb and forefinger and reach up and
hold their heads still, which helps... And if that's not enough, even though I
hate to do it, if you've just gotta get it in there, you push in on the cheeks
on either side with those fingers, and the little mouth will open.  Your pig
will not be happy, but the mouth will open.
 
Good luck to all who have to syringe their furry friends; I second the
recommendation of syringing them some water or juice or something from time to
time so it's not a brand new shock to them the first time they get sick.  And as
far as using poos as pro-biotic, well, if you're serving Critical Care, it's no
problem then, you just mash it in.
 
Steve Bradley