Syringe feeding

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uhohxitsnami

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Oct 19, 2019
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Hi all,

I keep having different questions and topics of concern during my bun’s recovery from GI stasis. Any help or tips appreciated. Tomorrow will be the fourth day of administering medicine for my rabbit, which she has 2 antibiotics/anti inflammatory and cisapride and I believe we are finished with her pain killer, but the vet said I could half the dosage and give as needed if I notice any pain with her (which is so hard to tell, ugh).

My boyfriend happened to be in town from Friday until tonight (Monday night) and he helped me with every medicine for sure with the syringe. I held onto her tight and swaddled her in a blanket, and he would syringe her. Now that he is gone, my rabbit is EXTREMELY difficult to syringe feed on my own. I’ve tried about every position on YouTube. One thing I looked up that helped me though was the idea of giving a bit of banana on the syringe for critical care, so at least the first bite tastes good.. but then I realized I could do that for her antibiotic? [emoji2960] what ended up happening was I held out a bit of banana for her to nibble, and when her mouth was open, I shot the syringes in [emoji37] I could tell she was not happy, but it worked for both somehow! Anyway, I feel like this method could be dangerous as I’m worried I’ll shoot the syringe into her lungs. But I really can’t exaggerate how hard it is for me to syringe feed her. Should I discontinue this method? I also hate to give her any sugar! (might try something else like a bit of parsley next time maybe....)

Any help appreciated on our road to recovery [emoji20][emoji3590]
 
Update: gave her her medicine and a bit of critical care (she does eat on her own, I think this may be the last time I have to administer it) but holding some parsley in front and then shooting the syringe in. She seems okay! Also forgot to note there was no coughing or anything of the sort, she barely noticed this time (or so it seemed). I have 2 antibiotics to give her at 3:30, so I’ll see what happens [emoji90]
 
You can mush up a teaspoon of banana and mix the meds in there. That usually works. She may just chow down on the mushed banana (and get the med at the same time). That would be a safer route than risking her aspirating.
 
Tried the banana thing that several people recommended, but I think she is just too burned by the force feeding to even be able to enjoy it at all now. She has a very big dewlap on her, one thing different I tried this morning is squirting the syringe directly onto her dewlap and she licks it off! Do you guys think that’s okay? I know she doesn’t get quite as much, and she also has to lick more fur as well.... I’m at a loss of what to do, I promise I’ve tried every position and I can’t syringe her on my own unless I have another set of hands to hold her.

Any help sincerely appreciated [emoji171]
 

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