givingmeds

TECHNIQUES FOR DOGS

GIVING YOUR PET MEDICATIONS

When giving your dogs chewable, flavored vitamins or supplements as medication, offer it as a treat freely, before meals to create a daily routine. If your veterinarian has prescribed medication in pill or capsule form, it is easiest and suggested that you hide the pill in a piece of cheese, or canned food. It is not recommended that you use meat (hotdogs, ham, pork, lunchmeat of any kind). If you are lucky enough to have a very workable and trusting canine, then just open his mouth without force, quickly place the pill down his throat while his chin is tilted upward and your canine will immediately swallow, if you don't get it back far enough.. hold his mouth closed,chin tilted upward, massage his throat till he swallows. (once he swallows he will lick his chops and you can be assured he has properly swallow the meds.)

Its not as complicated as you think: Without restraining your canine... have your medication measured and ready in a dropper, while tilting the dogs chin upward, slowly dispense the medication in as far as you can between the teeth and cheek so the medication doesn't dribble and he receives the proper dose of medications. Trying to restrain your dog,and pry his mouth open, isn't the most pleasant thought.. If you follows these simple instructions it will make your daily task of administering meds simply "easy" for both you and your canine.

When attempting to give your cat oral medication in pill/capsule form, start off my placing your cat on a surface such as a table or countertop. Place your thumb and forefinger on each side of its face and gently pull its head back until the jaw falls open(see picture on right)..Place the pill in your cats mouth as far back as possible. Massage your cats throat until he swallows (when he licks his chops you know its successful). If your not comfortable with the above method., You might want to invest in a very inexpensive Pill popper that once placed in the mouth it injects the pill with a small puff of air so you won't have to worry about getting scratched or bitten.

TECHNIQUES FOR CATS

BEES AND BOXERS DON'T MIX.: Always be prepared for emergencies !!!

You can try two different techniques for oral medications. Do what works for you without getting bitten or scratched. The less confining you are with your cat, the more cooperative he will be.. 1. place your thumb and forefingers on either side of the cats face and gently tilt the head back. Insert the dropper full of medication between the cheek and teeth. Having the head tilted upward will let the medications follow gravity and your cat will swallow without spitting it out. Don't try and give oral medication with the mouth open, trying to put it down his throat., you are sure to be wearing most of it.
2. Raise the front of your cat off the counter by grabbing the scruff of his neck. This is not an aggressive grip, this is a very fetal, submissive position for a cat to be in. Once you have hold of the neck, tilt back the head a bit.. this actually give the appearance that your cat is smiling. Now insert the dropper full of medication between the teeth and cheek. As the medication runs down his throat, he will naturally swallow. Its that simple. Note that most oral medications are flavored.