Giving hamster antibiotics

Miss_Mario

I'm at my wits end, my hamster Chino won't take the antibiotics prescribed. I've dropped it onto dry food he likes, mixed it with a little porridge oats, tried to syringe it into his mouth but still nothing. I don't want to stress him out by constantly trying to give him something he doesn't want; but he needs the antibiotics.

Any tips?

Fosterdog

I always found with the rats they would take it happily on a bit of digestive biscuit or in some chocolate spread or a bit a jam. Not exactly healthy but a strong taste to get the meds into them.

danih

If above doesn't work, drop the antibiotics onto his chest or belly - somewhere he can easily groom it off.

GeckoGirl1985

Mix it with a few drops of neat, low-sugar ribena

krlyr

Baytril, which is what he's likely on, is very bitter - I've accidentally tasted some and it was much like that bitter anti-chew stuff you put on your nails!

I definately agree with trying something really sweet to counteract this, I've used biscuits with my pet rats too, a bit of yoghurt, a teensy bit of cocoa powder to make a sweet paste (chocolate isn't toxic to rats like it is to dogs, but do check you use something safe for hamsters). Not healthy treats but as a one-off for the course of medication, it won't kill them - and the extra calories may help with the recovery!

wierddumpling

When I had to give my roboroski hamster antibiotics for a skin condition I resorted to adding it to her water, just putting less water in her bottle and kept an eye on her to check she was drinking. It's best to check with your vet if you're worried.

krlyr

Personally I'm not a fan of adding to water - it can be difficult to ensure the animal gets the full dosage, plus as it does taste so horrid you risk putting the animal off their water and causing dehydration on top of whatever health condition they're suffering from.

Miss_Mario

Thanks for all the replies
I've managed to find a way to hold him so my partner can syringe into his mouth, seems to be the only way.
He isn't grooming at the moment so putting it somewhere groomable isn't an option. He isn't really eating or drinking either; he's not even interested in his favourite treats.
I'm hoping they'll start working soon so he starts eating and drinking properly again, ie. without me spoon feeding him; but I'm not hugely hopeful

Fosterdog

Why on earth would you ever even consider withholding fresh water from an already sick animal?

There are many ways to get meds into them even if they end up with a lesser dose. Water should never be withheld from any animal unless under the orders of a vet.

Fosterdog

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one, withholding water unless specifically advised to by a vet is a deliberate act of cruelty as far as I'm concerned.

I ran a rat rescue from my home for a few years and had many ill small animals to medicate who were difficult to handle (despite being a rat rescue I also had mice, hamsters, gerbils and degus in) I never once resorted to withholding water. An already sick animal need fluids to help with recovery and water twice a day is not unlimited. Do you only get thirsty twice a day?

It is never the lesser of two evils, the lower dose of meds is the lesser of the two evils on offer in this situation.

meritaten

"non co-operative and non handleable" small animals - sounds like you were handling 'lab rats'. bit different to 'pets'.