Help! Dog won't take tablets

tankgirl1

OP - there are a multitude of flavoured pain killers on the market for dogs, and I know from experience that some dogs will take their preferred brand as a treat, but, spit out anything else. Since its the painkillers that started the problem, have you tried asking your vet if you could try a different brand?

Another vote here for NOT crushing tablets without checking with the vet if it is safe to do so first! Some you can, some you can't.

tankgirl1

One thing I've tried is give a normal bit of cheese, pate, meat, whatever as a treat, repeat so that all suspicion is wiped from his mind, then once hes at the point of scoffing anything you throw at him, give him the preprepared treat with the tablet inside

Also never let him see you putting the tablets in anything - they are crafty !!!!!!s - one of my cats legs it every time she hears a blister pack now, and that's just from having to give her antibiotics years ago :rotfl:

booter

gill5blue wrote: »

Hi
I would like to add a suggestion.
Have 1 tablet(wrapped in ham) and 1 treat(wrapped in ham). Offer the tablet one and let him see the treat one (so it looks like he is having 2 treats).
He should swallow the first one quickly to get the second one.

I do exactly this, 1 tablet wrapped in ham/cheese/cheese spread/chicken/tuna - whatever's to hand, and then another similar shaped/size lump of just the good stuff (no tablet enclosed!). I have to make sure I make up the "packages" without the dog watching - not because I think he watches and therefore knows which one the tablets in :think:, but because I think it builds his anticipation and he's keener to get greedy! I then let the dog into the kitchen, make sure I've got his complete attention (torment him a bit with good stuff) and then I give him the tablet package, then before he's had chance to think what's in it, I've got the 2nd goodie package right under his nose. I then follow up with a 3rd just as a treat! I have to say, it's a bit of a palaver, but it's the only thing that works with this dog!

My old dog got wise to absolutely everything, and eventually I had a word with the vet. He prescribed anti inflammatories for her which were like a round penny sized piece of chalk. I had to pop them on her tongue, hold her mouth shut for 5-10 seconds, and the tablet became like a sticky marshmallow on her tongue - she used to pull such funny faces trying to spit it out, and she never could! (Although sometimes she looked a bit rabid!) She always knew it was coming, but was such a gentle old girl, I could always open her mouth without her being snappy. Sorry though, I can't remember what they were called.

Would it be worth having a word with your vet to see if there's a similar tablet or even a liquid version of the painkillers that you could use?

PaddyPaws

Thanks everyone

The painkillers he's got have been chosen as they can be taken for his arthritis but are also safe to take with his kidney medicationa and kidney problems (a lot of dog painkillers aren't an option in this particular set of circumstances)

Some of his tablets are flavoured and he was taking them just fine, but since the introduction of the painkiller he won't take anything. I think this is because he's sussed he gets something much tastier if he's awkward - lol!

Last night i used a bit of cream cheese to 'seal' the tablet then added some very smelly tinned sardines and he wolfed the lot down. I've used the same method for his painkiller this morning.

My main concern is how much extra cream cheese and sardines he's having due to the number of tablets he takes daily - guess that's something I need to talk to the vet about. (he's on kidney diet due to kidney insufficiency - but I think getting his tablets into him is the highest priority even if it means he's eating some stuff he probably shouldn't)

I wouldn't crush the tablets into food as we did try that in the past and I don't think it masks the the flavour of the tablet (either that or he is suspicous of the gritty texture), although he used to wolf wet food down he is much slower now that he's older so notices stuff like that.

He is quite food motivated, always has been, but has taken to sniffing everything offered before taking it whereas he used to just take anything offered.

hotcookie101

PaddyPaws wrote: »

We tried being firm, and really its the painkillers that have stopped him taking everything, but thinking about it paracetamol taste disgusting anyway (these are paracetamol and codeine). He's now sniffing anything offered very cautiously and even chewing treats instead of just wolfing them down.

thanks again
PP

PaddyPaws wrote: »

Thanks everyone

The painkillers he's got have been chosen as they can be taken for his arthritis but are also safe to take with his kidney medicationa and kidney problems (a lot of dog painkillers aren't an option in this particular set of circumstances)

Some of his tablets are flavoured and he was taking them just fine, but since the introduction of the painkiller he won't take anything. I think this is because he's sussed he gets something much tastier if he's awkward - lol!

Last night i used a bit of cream cheese to 'seal' the tablet then added some very smelly tinned sardines and he wolfed the lot down. I've used the same method for his painkiller this morning.

My main concern is how much extra cream cheese and sardines he's having due to the number of tablets he takes daily - guess that's something I need to talk to the vet about. (he's on kidney diet due to kidney insufficiency - but I think getting his tablets into him is the highest priority even if it means he's eating some stuff he probably shouldn't)

I wouldn't crush the tablets into food as we did try that in the past and I don't think it masks the the flavour of the tablet (either that or he is suspicous of the gritty texture), although he used to wolf wet food down he is much slower now that he's older so notices stuff like that.

He is quite food motivated, always has been, but has taken to sniffing everything offered before taking it whereas he used to just take anything offered.

Are they pardale-v? (I think thats what they are called-I never prescribe them)

If you really can't give them to him, ask your vet if you could maybe swab to giving paracetamol separately, and codeine or tramadol (which I prefer to use in dogs to codeine) Your vet could tell you how much regular para to give (even in liquid-eg calpol) But you must check with them.

Also-I know your dog obviously had kidney issues, but I always discuss with owners of dogs (or cats) with problems the possibility of using NSAIDs anyway, as I find them the most effective pain killer for OA. And I know with my own animals I would rather they were pain-free for a possibly shorter life, than painful for longer.... But again-thats MY decision, and how I work, so have a chat with your vet about your concerns, esp if you can't give him the meds

PaddyPaws

hotcookie101 wrote: »

Are they pardale-v? (I think thats what they are called-I never prescribe them)

If you really can't give them to him, ask your vet if you could maybe swab to giving paracetamol separately, and codeine or tramadol (which I prefer to use in dogs to codeine) Your vet could tell you how much regular para to give (even in liquid-eg calpol) But you must check with them.

Also-I know your dog obviously had kidney issues, but I always discuss with owners of dogs (or cats) with problems the possibility of using NSAIDs anyway, as I find them the most effective pain killer for OA. And I know with my own animals I would rather they were pain-free for a possibly shorter life, than painful for longer.... But again-thats MY decision, and how I work, so have a chat with your vet about your concerns, esp if you can't give him the meds

Thanks HotCookie101. Just went to check the tablet bottle and we've obviously got the label wet as it's illegible.:cool:

I agree with you on the use of NSAIDs, (ie might be a slightly shorter life but will be better quality) - I will discuss with the vet next time we're in. My pup has had a good long life in relatively good health (started with the arthritis about 2 1/2 yrs ago, but the cosequine made an enormous difference within about 2 weeks) until about 10 months ago. Last winter I had a couple of weeks when I didn't think he'd still be with me now, so every day is a bonus and he is still quite bouncy and lively at times (in between his many naps!!) I just want to make sure I'm doing the best for him in his old age

cheers
PP

booter

Just thought I'd give a little more advice I've just had to give the dog his routine wormer, and (because I couldn't be bothered to unwrap a new pack of cheese) wrapped the tablet in a bit of one of those very cheap cheese slices. It worked brilliant - it's so sticky, the dog couldn't spit out the tablet cause the cheese was stuck to the roof of his mouth/the few teeth he's got left, and the tablet was stuck to the cheese :rotfl: