Different ways to give rats medicine?

[Jodi]

Just thought I would share. . .my rats are on some antibiotic for upper
respiratory problems. I have had a hard time giving them medicine
(especially on the days I have to do it by myself.) One of the vet
techs recommended putting it in strawberry Ensure and it works like a
charm! I fill up a little bowl of Ensure with the medication and they
lick the bowl dry. Not only that, but they fight over who gets to come
out first for it. This information was invaluable to me. I thought
other people could share ways that their rats have taken medicine??

[Rosemary]

"Jodi" <jlg...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in news:1165529826.700832.261560
@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

Depending on the medication, sweetened condensed milk is a winner (my mum
told me that's what she used as rewards when doing experiments to do with
learning, using mice, with the OU - in case anyone's concerned about
that, my mum loves mice and has kept them on and off for years, and she
wouldn't have participated without knowing that these mice were kept well
and intensely enjoyed the experiments (maze-learning) and, even more, the
treats!), but I seem to remember some meds shouldn't be taken with dairy,
though I could be wrong. Honey mixed with cocoa powder works very well,
and I've heard honey also has a mild expectorant effect. At the moment
we're mixing meds into a paste with crumbs of home-made fudge, which goes
down very well.

When we have a rat losing weight, we give them as much "special mixture"
as they'll eat, which comprises sweetened condensed milk, powdered
skimmed milk, and Nesquick milkshake powder. Basically, if I really
really want a reluctant eater to get something down her neck, I try and
think up the sugariest, most artery-furring thing that my dietician would
hate me to eat. Occasionally I have had to resort to the syringe-in-the-
mouth method for meds, and it's indeed surprising just how hard a rat
that hasn't eaten for three days, and lies around looking half-dead, can
struggle. Plus, they may not be able to vomit but they can sure spit. If
it gets to that stage I find injections are more effective, less
stressful (for everyone!) and much much easier.

We've also used chocolate spread, various types of pudding and whatever's
lying around that looks yummy. I think Ensure is probably better than my
methods for a rat that's overweight or at least not underweight. It's a
meal replacement drink, right?

Another thing I've found with my (female) rats is that it's better, if
possible, to give them their medication in the cage, or through the bars
on fingers if it's gooey (don't try it with a biter :-> ), because when
they're outside the cage, my rats seem to want to explore even more than
they want to ingest sickly goo.

Rosemary

[Joanne]

I give all my meds in pablum (baby cereal) but have used Ensure too.
Also, oral Baytril come in 15 different flavours. :)

--
Joanne
Owned by 20 rats.
Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

-------------------------------------------------------
~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning*

[Jackie]

mine usually get meds in strawberry jam or with tuna.
--
Jackie - <:_)~ and the Boys, Ronald, Scratch, Rupert and Wilbur, Toffee,
Bonker and Chewy.

http://community.webshots.com/user/mullins9
"Joanne" <j-...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:elfqot$a3a$3...@news.datemas.de...

[Vanessa]

I steer clear of anything dairy, as many medications cannot be taken
with dairy products. One common antibiotic used with rats that cannot
be is doxy.
I use strawberry Nesquik (sp) diluted with water. Gets them every
time.

[Tracey]

I found the biggest success was mixing the meds in with oatmeal. There was
a clean dish every time!

Tracey