Annointing with an antibiotic

[terizzer]

Four months ago I had to give my hedgie antibiotics after the removal of a possible tumor. He never took it very easily, he was too smart and avoided any foods containing it =) Now the lump is back and hes back on antibiotics. Surprisingly he takes it just fine now, but then immediatly annoints with it. I'm concerned that he isn't getting any of the medicine in his system, and when I asked the vet about it she looked at me like I was crazy to suggest he was doing such a thing... Do I need to give him extra or is it still going to be effective....?

________
Teresa

[PrettyHate]

Have you tried to mix it in with something like chicken baby food? I did that with one of mine - it seemd to get rid of the taste enough so that he thought he was just getting baby food and not meds.

[terizzer]

I've pretty much tried everything and giving it to him straight out of the syringe is the only way he'll take it now, just that he annoints.... I've tried it in cream, cottage cheese, chicken baby food (which he LOVES, just not with the meds) and a couple other ways.... I'm just worried that he isn't actually getting any in his system....

_____________
-Teresa

[PrettyHate]

Sorry, I dont know what else to suggest. I guess its better that he annoints with it than spitting it back at you like my Bosco did to me :) (and then proceeded to poop/pee on me...two times daily...SO glad that is over!)

Im sure someone else will be able to give you some insight!

[Nancy]

Our Kenya does that too with her meds. Try not to let him annoint. Distract him, tickle his belly, rub the check opposite to the side he'es turning to annoint to, move him around in your hands so he can't get into position. The second you syringe that med start bugging him and hopefully he won't annoint.

You can also have a second syringe handy with food or something else in it and try getting him to take some of it too.

You'll notice I've said "try". Sometimes it is impossible to stop them annointing. Also give him a good stern talking to and tell him he needs his meds. Hey, that's never worked for me but maybe you have a well behaved hedgie. :laugh: Stubborn little brats! :laugh: