Syringe Feeding Rabbits

[Perocore]

I just ordered some Oxbow Critical Care for my dutch doe, River, who’s rapidly lost weight due to what we believe is a dental issue (we’re taking her to the vet on Thursday, couldn’t afford to until now). So I’m trying to get some weight on my 5 year old girly, but she’s not too impressed with the formula, and won’t eat it on her own.

I did give her a little bit of the mix by wrapping her in a towel and sliding the end of the syringe between her molars and front teeth, which seemed to do the trick. What I’m worried about is accidentally choking her, and also getting her to actually swallow the stuff (a large amount ended up on her chest and around her mouth). 

So what is the best method for syringe feeding?

[Stickerbunny]

There is a small gap in the teeth at the back, if you push the syringe a bit past their cheek.If getting them to open their mouth is an issue, pushing things through that gap can help. If you syringe very slowly and take it out and wait for them to swallow before continuing, you aren’t going to choke them. 

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/114239/Default.aspx <– here is an earlier thread where a few forum leaders with experience gave some tips to a user, might be a good read for you

[Tessie]

Like Stickerbunny said, you need to sort of put it into the back of their mouth at the side and gently squeeze it in.

To be honest though, they’ll always hate it and fight you and make a mess, so just be prepared with towels and tissues etc! If she’s not eating anything and it’s essential she get some food in her you could try adding apple sauce or baby food to the cc to make it more appealing.

[ditsyisnotditsy]

What I would do was sit on the floor or bed, with her in between my legs on a towel. I’d kind of cradle her head in my palm ( she’d move her head from side to side to get away) and feed her that way. My rabbit had it everywhere, it would just drip down on her, me and the towel. A complete mess! Just take it slow and you’ll be fine. And just make sure she is comfortable and relaxed. Talk to her during the feeding and every so often stroke her. Good luck! ?

[LongEaredLions]

I kneel on the floor, putting the bunny between my knees. Then, I bend over the bunny, and stick the syringe in the gap behind the front teeth. Squeeze a little bit in, and then remove the syringe so they can swallow. Another method a lot of people use is the “bunny burrito,” which basically involves tightly (not too tight) wrapping the bunny up in a towel then holding them against your chest while you feed them.
If she really hates it and refuses to swallow, you can mix it with a bit of fruit baby food (but not too much as it contains lots of sugar.)
Do keep us updated on what the vet says.

[Kirsty]

Here is a good video I found before I started giving my bunny medicine with a syringe.

 I thought it would be hard but he likes the taste so I was lucky. This video is very helpful and it shows the bunny being wrapped in a towel; the “bunny burrito”.

[Perocore]

Alrighty, today I found that she tolerates it more if I lay on my legs, hold her between my knees, and bend over her to keep her from backing up, then I use one hand to hold her head gently, and use the other to insert the syringe between her front teeth and molars. Then I give her about 3 cc, let her swallow, and continue.

Also, good news is it was the expected issue! Her back molars are overgrown and have developed hooks on them. She also has a minor URI, so the vet gave us antibiotics and probiotics for that, and she has to get that every day, as well as a total of 4 tbs. of Oxbow critical care. Hopefully she’ll be fit enough to be put under safely, so that they can grind her back teeth down.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

[JackRabbit]

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