what on earth can i do???! Daily meds needed but not happening :(

ripminnie · May 25, 2014

I am sure everyone is sick of me starting threads about how much i'm struggling with everything, i'm sorry. But i really dont know what to do

Daisy is not moving well and needs daily metacam. There is no way in hell that she'll take anything from a syringe. She is a big girl at nearly 6kg, and very strong. Normally she has some in a morning, in some mashed banana. But she needs at least that amount twice a day, but she won't eat it at night. And sometimes, like this morning, she won't have it then either

i just don't want her to be in pain, more so as she isn't eating very well. Just can't cope with all this worry

Apache · May 25, 2014

Does she get any pelleted food? I've drizzled it over the science selective, waited for it to absorb, and then given it.

Hope you find an answer x

midori1999 · May 25, 2014

I don't know if you can even mix it with other liquid, but I've recently seen a video of a bunny lapping a small amount of apple juice mixed with water from a bowl, could you mix it with that? Would she lap it up?

Toffee pops · May 25, 2014

Meds are just a nightmare in my experience if the bun is not reciprocating, havnt got any advice other than what u already know,one person holding the bun the other syringing the meds.
Disquising meds with banana and things they like never worked for me,when i was on my own i had to give 2 mls septrin to my hazel and the only way was holding her like a baby and puting my right leg over her back legs to stop her kicking out and basically forcing it into her,it was horrible and luckily she did forgive everynight and came for cuddles after, i feel for you ive been close to tears before,goodluck x

bunny-boo · May 25, 2014

Squirt it on some herbs x

Sky-O · May 25, 2014

You can try mixing it with baby food (lot's of Ella's kitchen baby food), you can try on herbs or mixed with fruits, or on bit of something like weetabix or rich tea biscuit, or maybe someone to help you find a way to syringe her by yourself? Shame you're not closer, I'm come round and thrash that one out with you.

Equally, ask the vet to teach you how to inject?

RedFraggle · May 25, 2014

Have you tried offering it through the bars/mesh of where she lives in a syringe? This was a massive breakthrough for us two weeks ago. We mixed metacam with a teeny bit of fruit purée and put it in a 1ml syringe with the tip cut off and offered it in the same place we offer treats through the run mesh. Scarlet totally went for it. She's previously been impossible to medicate properly.

Neve · May 25, 2014

midori1999 said:
I don't know if you can even mix it with other liquid, but I've recently seen a video of a bunny lapping a small amount of apple juice mixed with water from a bowl, could you mix it with that? Would she lap it up?

my vet told me to mix it with ribena :thumb:

Shimmer · May 25, 2014

Are you using the dog version? It is more concentrated than cat metacam so you would need a smaller volume, which would help a bit.

If I can't syringe directly into a rabbit's mouth (usually they will suck metacam straight from the syringe with no problems once they get used to it), I either soak it into a small piece of bread (slightly stale soaks it up better) or mix it with some apple or carrot based baby food and leave it on a small saucer (the lid of a baby food jar is ideal) for them to lap up.

ripminnie · May 25, 2014

Thanks guys, I know all the tricks

like I said, she usually has her morning dose in banana on a saucer. It's just that she is off her food, so not really keen on anything at the moment. If it was just for a week or so it wouldn't be too bad, but she needs this every day forever.
Sky-O, I was shown how to inject not long back, when Olly needed trimethoprim. But I was a nervous wreck and cocked it up a few times

he has even been left with lumps where it went wrong

I'm just

useless

I'm never having bunnies ever again, I'm really not enjoying it anymore, I am stressed 99% of the time

Sky-O · May 25, 2014

It's a hard thing to do- to inject, and it used to panic me and make me cry. When I had to inject Lighters, every day, I gradually learned over time. The more I practiced, the better I go. Now, I don't like it, but I've developed a way that works for me and that makes it so much better- I've stuck Autumn with about 30-40 needles over the last 5 days with no problems at all.

Also, the lumps and bumps are likely to not be anything to do with you- bunnies are so delicate, and the medications that go in can be so harsh that they can just get scar tissue from it. I can feel them on Lightning, all over his back. I also know of many others who have similar experiences (I know Gray did with Ginger when she was on a penicillin). So don't blame yourself for something that occurs due to the drug itself.

ripminnie · May 25, 2014

Thanks. I would worry that injecting every day would make her sore :? She would be so covered with injection holes, surely you are bound to hit the same spot a few times

it might be worth a try though, if she will sit still... I will ask the vet. Thanks :wave: I am also stressed because my vets prescribe too low a dose of metacam generally, so I always give what I know they need and what the specialist has told me in the past for other buns. I wish there was a closer bunny vet. Nothing is easy

BerryJane · May 25, 2014

It is such a stress and I have experienced loads too. What I would find frustrating is that one day they would take it in banana and then not the next.

As you say you know all the tricks. The other one that I have found worked quite well - sorry if you have tried it - is dribbling it on their paws and then kind of rubbing it on with the end of the syringe so it doesn't drip off! Berry always licks his paws clean.

You are doing a great job, for even allowing yourself to get do stressed shows how much you care. X x

Gemmapookie · May 25, 2014

ripminnie said:
Thanks guys, I know all the tricks like I said, she usually has her morning dose in banana on a saucer. It's just that she is off her food, so not really keen on anything at the moment. If it was just for a week or so it wouldn't be too bad, but she needs this every day forever.
Sky-O, I was shown how to inject not long back, when Olly needed trimethoprim. But I was a nervous wreck and cocked it up a few times he has even been left with lumps where it went wrong I'm just useless I'm never having bunnies ever again, I'm really not enjoying it anymore, I am stressed 99% of the time

I had to inject my bun Mimi when she had head tilt and I HATED it, messed it up a couple of times then got so stressed about it that I went back to giving the meds orally. Its a really difficult thing to do, especially to an animal that you're emotionally attached to, so don't beat yourself up about that.

I guess its a case of finding something she really loves food wise and trying to hide it in it. Does she like porridge? My Max LOVES a bit of porridge (made with water) so if he needs meds I can hide them in a bit of that and he'll gobble it up.

nessar · May 25, 2014

She must be eating something everyday, so put it on whatever she is eating, whether that be pellets, veggies etc. Try to remain calm whilst giving it to her, act like it is a treat, as she will pick up on it if you are on edge. If need be, separate her from her friend and leave the food with her for a couple of hours. I would also buy some critical care or supreme recovery and give her a couple of spoonfuls in a bowl - I have found that this tempts my bunnies when they're not eating properly and it is also strong-tasting and a thick liquid, so perfect for hiding meds in.

eta - Not sure what is wrong, but if she is really eating so little then I'd be discussing that with the vet. It may be that she could do with a gut stimulant as well. More meds, I know, but better than a slow gut on top of whatever other problem she is having.

donnamt · May 25, 2014

ripminnie said:
Thanks guys, I know all the tricks like I said, she usually has her morning dose in banana on a saucer. It's just that she is off her food, so not really keen on anything at the moment. If it was just for a week or so it wouldn't be too bad, but she needs this every day forever.
Sky-O, I was shown how to inject not long back, when Olly needed trimethoprim. But I was a nervous wreck and cocked it up a few times he has even been left with lumps where it went wrong I'm just useless I'm never having bunnies ever again, I'm really not enjoying it anymore, I am stressed 99% of the time

I know exactly how you feel here, I failed Holly because I couldn't force feed her, they are so hard to love aren't they

sending you loads of virtual hugs, really hope your little angel realises you are only trying to help and makes things abit easier

in my whole life i've had 3 bunnies and i messed up with all of them, so i totally understand why you dont want anymore after this, i am staying bunny free forever after my experiences so you are not the only one who cant take the stress plus everyone else seems to cope just fine which dont help when you are struggling to enjoy having buns, i think Hollys illness may of actually pushed me to some sort of mini breakdown

Jenova · May 25, 2014

I inject Grim every day. His back has got a bit tough in the area I usually inject and it gets harder to do it. I have to move around a bit. But he doesn't seem to mind too much.

Not sure if you've tried the method of syringing meds where you kneel over the rabbit? I could try and make a video to show you how I do it? Grim fight syringes even though he loves the taste of Metacam and it's the ONLY way I can get anything into him.

Vegan_Bunny · May 25, 2014

Shadowfax refused all meds and handling when she was in stasis. I do sympathise with you. Fortunately she is not as large as your bun and I managed to pin her down and 90% of the drugs and syringe feeds into her, but it was very stressful for the both of us and painful for me!

Have you got anybody who could possibly help you? Tbh, bunny burritos have never worked for me, obviously I haven't got the technique down.

Only thing I would maybe try is apple juice or maybe orange juice. It's not ideal but if it gets the meds into her, she may be more willing to eat. x

ripminnie · May 25, 2014

She is eating, she isn't in stasis. She just isn't keen on pellets and is being more fussy than normal. She eats hay and brambles, and some greens later on. There is no one to help me at the times she has her meds, and soon there will be no one to help me ever, as i am moving to my own place, which i can barely afford

Jenova · May 25, 2014

ripminnie said:
She is eating, she isn't in stasis. She just isn't keen on pellets and is being more fussy than normal. She eats hay and brambles, and some greens later on. There is no one to help me at the times she has her meds, and soon there will be no one to help me ever, as i am moving to my own place, which i can barely afford

I've just made a video. I'm editing it now and I'll post it up when I'm done. Hopefully it might help.

what on earth can i do???! Daily meds needed but not happening :(

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