[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Help with Guinnea Pig not eating or drinking

[ME]

I do train my pigs to take a syringe and eat from a spoon in their  
first few months.  I just offer it to them with canned pumpkin.  At  
first, just the old veterans attack the syringe or spoon when I put  
it in their enclosure, but the newcomers eventually become curious  
enough to try it themselves.  Since it's not medicine they need to  
take, they can try it whenever they feel comfortable.  I also  
introduce them to various other procedures ... sitting on a scale,  
being handled in different ways (especially in ways a vet may during  
an exam), toenail clipping (not actually clipping, just holding paws  
and pretending to clip), etc.

Pigs do know the difference between canned pumpkin and meds,  
though ... so the strange smell sets them off initially ... but they  
definitely take it better if they've been introduced.  However, I  
have had times when I've had to give meds before they've seen a  
syringe ... and a patient firm hand is essential ... actually, it's  
essential any time.  If you're calm and sure of yourself, they fall  
in line.