BeardeddragonDino
Hatchling Member
My bearded dragon is supposed to take a dose of liquid medicine every 48 hours, and I'm having trouble getting her mouth open to squirt it in. Any suggestions?
Giving a Bearded Dragon Medicine
- Thread starter BeardeddragonDino
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- Devlyn
If you have someone who can help there is also a tricking method
Wrap Beardie in towel, have helper person gently cup hands over towel and main body so your dragon cannot back away or go side to side
Offer a bug and when your dragon opens mouth use a feeding syringe (plastic only, no needle) to put in mouth. Your dragon will probably bite down, the plastic won't hurt her teeth. You may need to hold head slightly to keep her still enough so you can depress the plunger so medicine goes into mouth. Then make sure your beardie gets the bug so they thoroughly swallow - this is hard to pull off because you have to be somewhat fast. I've done this and hold her head while depressing the plunger over a few quick seconds
Edit for typo*
Wrap Beardie in towel, have helper person gently cup hands over towel and main body so your dragon cannot back away or go side to side
Offer a bug and when your dragon opens mouth use a feeding syringe (plastic only, no needle) to put in mouth. Your dragon will probably bite down, the plastic won't hurt her teeth. You may need to hold head slightly to keep her still enough so you can depress the plunger so medicine goes into mouth. Then make sure your beardie gets the bug so they thoroughly swallow - this is hard to pull off because you have to be somewhat fast. I've done this and hold her head while depressing the plunger over a few quick seconds
Edit for typo*
Hi there,
I wouldn't use the above guide. That is for using a crop needle, which you actually work past the throat and into the stomach to force meds/food.
Do you have a plastic syringe to give the medicine with? What medicine are you using?
If it's liquid enough, sometimes you can just inject it directly into a bug.
If it's a thicker medicine, you can gently pry their mouth open and use the plastic syringe to gently squirt it into their mouths. Don't aim straight back otherwise you risk aspiration.
EDIT: Dorg's advice is great
-Brandon
I wouldn't use the above guide. That is for using a crop needle, which you actually work past the throat and into the stomach to force meds/food.
Do you have a plastic syringe to give the medicine with? What medicine are you using?
If it's liquid enough, sometimes you can just inject it directly into a bug.
If it's a thicker medicine, you can gently pry their mouth open and use the plastic syringe to gently squirt it into their mouths. Don't aim straight back otherwise you risk aspiration.
EDIT: Dorg's advice is great
-Brandon
BeardeddragonDino
Hatchling Member
She's taking metronidazole. I wasn't able to get her mouth open, but after about 45 minutes of trying I just gave her a roach and squirted it in while she was chewing. She's quite stubborn...claudiusx":1gdld7ve said:Hi there,
I wouldn't use the above guide. That is for using a crop needle, which you actually work past the throat and into the stomach to force meds/food.
Do you have a plastic syringe to give the medicine with? What medicine are you using?
If it's liquid enough, sometimes you can just inject it directly into a bug.
If it's a thicker medicine, you can gently pry their mouth open and use the plastic syringe to gently squirt it into their mouths. Don't aim straight back otherwise you risk aspiration.
EDIT: Dorg's advice is great
-Brandon
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