How to feed your bun medicine

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 4 months ago by Wick & Fable.

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- 12/30/2017 at 1:20 AM
  Horlicks
  Participant
  46 posts
  Our baby girl has been diagnosed with an ear infection and we were prescribed an oral antibiotic and topical drops for the ear.
  
  We have just managed to administer the first dose but it was such a nightmare. Horlicks absolutely hates being carried and the both of us were literally running round the entire house to get her in our arms. Not to mention, we got the bunny butt treatment after we put her down on the floor after her meds. She didn’t even want to eat the treat from my hand when I tried to make amends.
  
  Will any of you have tips on how to make this a relatively less stressful experience for her (and for us)? The course of medication is 3 weeks. I really hope by the end of it, our girl doesn’t end up permanently hating us..
- 12/30/2017 at 5:17 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5836 posts
  Here’s my oral administration method:
  http://youtu.be/N12eJ5vdo4w
  
  Sometimes you will get high kicks or the butt, but they will forgive you as long as you’re nice! The treat afterwards is still a good idea. If one works better than the other, that’s something to keep in mind.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 12/30/2017 at 8:13 AM
  Horlicks
  Participant
  46 posts
  Wick – thanks, I’m going to try that out tomorrow and see how it goes. Do you have any tips on successfully picking up a rabbit?
  
  This evening, I tried to pick up my girl to administer the ear drops but it was such a nightmare. She’s lightning fast and generally acts like I’m going to pick her up for rabbit stew. She even growled at me which got me a bit worried that she’d start biting. So I got this brilliant idea, or so I thought, to wait until she lies down and then sneakily and swiftly drop the antibiotic down her ears. It didn’t go very well. Within milliseconds of me administering the ear drops, the bun got up and violently started shaking her head to get rid of it. That left me wondering whether she had successfully shaken off the ear drops but I didn’t dare to try again for fear of over medication.
  
  Very stressed up over this. I feel like I really should be able to pick her up easily seeing how my vets and the groomer can do it so well. But I just can’t seem to do it and I end up stressing poor horlicks as a result.
- 12/30/2017 at 8:34 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5836 posts
  Loosely from personal experience, I advise being confident and firm with your pick up. Wick doesn’t care about pick ups or staying above ground anymore. Your rabbit is going to squirm, but be committed to keep her still. When she feels that security she’ll feel better. Remember it’s not that she’s being picked up that’s freaking her out, it’s that she doesn’t feel stable and she’s not in control of her movements. It’s important that you show and demonstrate confidence and stability, even if she’s scrambling around. It’s especially important she gets the drops, so if it means grabbing at her for 5min, it’s better than not doing the drops for her health. Wick is currently going through topical treatment for his fungal infection. I let him wiff the medicine bottle before I grab him so he gets a heads up. Then, when I go to grab him, he usually tries to run off because he knows what’s coming, but I literally grab him with both hands while he’s running to replace him in front of me. I don’t freak out or let go while his legs are moving around in my hands. I just do it and that sense of stability helps him calm down through the treatment. I think inherently all rabbit owners know to be gentle, so even when you’re firm, I doubt you’ll break bones or bruise you’re pet. Most injuries come from the rabbit being able to flail around from an insecure hold.
  
  If you’re wearing a longer/looser shirt, or if you’re wearing a cardigan or sweater, taking the fabric and wrapping it over her hind section while in your arms may help. She needs to feel stable. For a sweater, just drape it over. For a shirt, I literally take the bottom of my shirt and lift it to cover Wick when I feel he needs more stability, so I’m flashing my belly button to the world, haha.
  
  It’s good to have positive association with pick up and put down. After a pick up put down experience, a small treat or food goody will help build a better association.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
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