How to force feed (or give liquid) - tips appreciated!

[namrufmot]

I ordered some Reptaid while waiting for Ramses to poop so I can get a fecal check done. I've never had to open his mouth to give him anything so I'm a bit unsure of how to do it. He's a very tame beardie so I don't THINK he'll get aggressive.

Just looking for any tips from you "pros"

 

[Kalyn876]

I will post a pic for you, I have to use my phone so it may take a moment.

 

[Kalyn876]

Hoodoo is 12 yrs old and gets stiff so he gets liquid serrapeptase every morning I find this the easiest and quickest way

I gently pull his lip down (his left is easier than his right) I slip the syringe tip in the little opening and slide it towards the tip of his mouth. He opens up and I gently squirt the liquid into his mouth, towards the right side of his mouth. Avoid squirting it directly toward the back as your bd could aspirate it. I then give hoodoo a min or two to swallow the liquid before giving him a treat.

EDIT** oh an I find if I warm the liquid in the syringe under hot water first, Hoodoo fights a lot less. They really dislike cold things lol

 

[namrufmot]

So you actually grab a little of his beard/lip and gently pull down? Awesome...when the Reptiaid comes in I'll try it!

 

[namrufmot]

Ok so the Reptaid came ina nd I gave it a ago.

I gently pulled down on the side of his lip and I was able to get the tip of the syringe (plastic) into his mouth. It didn't do deep because I felt a "wall" and the syringe didn't want to go in any more. It felt like it might have been his gums? Anyway I squirted the .3ml in and a drop came out the corner of his mouth. The rest "disappeard" inside his lip/mouth.

Was that good enough or do I have to OPEN his mouth far enough to actually see his tongue, etc.

 

[Kalyn876]

Once you get the tip of the syringe in the side, gently slide it toward towards the front of his mouth, he should start chomping trying to get it out lol. Hoodoo's syringes all have bite marks from his chomping

Sounds like you are Off to a great start!

 

[namrufmot]

Thanks! I'll try the slide technique next time....I'm happy after my first attempt since 99% of the liquid stayed in his mouth so he musta swallowed it!

 

[Evergreen]

I'm glad hes taking most of it! I could never get the whole mouth open and was hitting that same "wall" I assume you are. If you just do it slowly it all seems to find a spot into their mouths. Hopefully he'll open up for you though!

 

[Valerie]

I have tried the slipping the syringe up towards the tip of the mouth. I have a stubborn bd and that does not work as well. So I do something a bit different. I use an old credit card or a gift card you can get from Walmart without cash on it.
I do the same as the syringe but because it is thinner she opens up better for me as I slip it in between her teeth. I have the end of the sryinge in my mouth and as she is chopping down on the card I slide the syringe in and squirt towards the side of the mouth.

My last bd was always on meds and I started out doing that too and after a while she would open up by just sliding the syringe to the tip of the mouth.
Oh yeah, I have her wrapped up in a blanket so she cannot escape and less moving around.

 

[namrufmot]

Ok so I'm back at school and gave the Reptaid another go.

I wrapped Ramses up in a blanket, warmed the syringe, slide it in between his lips, tried to slide to towards the top of his mouth, and...NOTHING. He refused to actually open his mouth. Again, I did manage to get almost all of the liquid to stay inside his mouth (probably between his lips and gums). I'm not sure if thats enough or not...

I'm deathly afraid of being too rough on him. I'm don't want to shove the syringe in hard and force him to open up.