Akeath
Gray-bearded Member
My Beardie Hope is sick. After a vet visit, a full blood panel, a fecal smear, and a fecal float we've found his electrolytes are low and he has parasites. There are two medicines I have to administer by force feeding, the first is an electrolyte solution that I just need to give him today and the second is metronidazole that he needs for three days and then once a week until he has a clean fecal check. The vet says the parasite levels aren't too bad, but she treats every time she sees these particular parasites, and that he should be okay after a week or two of treatment.
I bought a needle-less syringe to try the electrolyte solution and discovered this is going to be a lot harder than I thought. He won't open his mouth. I'm not sure how to get him too, and I think maybe the tip is too big because I can't slide it in...
How do I get him to open his mouth? He doesn't mind the taste of the electrolyte solution and will lick it off, but he's not drinking anywhere near the amount the vet said he needs to get in there, and he's not opening his mouth wide enough for me to fit the syringe tip in.
Will any needle-less syringe do, or is there a size or brand that is easier to use with Bearded Dragons? Where would I get it?
Once his mouth is open, is there any special way to proceed? I'm completely confused here. And the electrolyte solution needs to be used up by this evening, so I need to figure this out before it spoils. I'm really worried about accidentally hurting him or making him choke in this procedure, and I'm also worried about messing up and him not getting enough medication to treat his problems.
Oh, and one more thing: should I use a probiotic with metronidazole?
I bought a needle-less syringe to try the electrolyte solution and discovered this is going to be a lot harder than I thought. He won't open his mouth. I'm not sure how to get him too, and I think maybe the tip is too big because I can't slide it in...
How do I get him to open his mouth? He doesn't mind the taste of the electrolyte solution and will lick it off, but he's not drinking anywhere near the amount the vet said he needs to get in there, and he's not opening his mouth wide enough for me to fit the syringe tip in.
Will any needle-less syringe do, or is there a size or brand that is easier to use with Bearded Dragons? Where would I get it?
Once his mouth is open, is there any special way to proceed? I'm completely confused here. And the electrolyte solution needs to be used up by this evening, so I need to figure this out before it spoils. I'm really worried about accidentally hurting him or making him choke in this procedure, and I'm also worried about messing up and him not getting enough medication to treat his problems.
Oh, and one more thing: should I use a probiotic with metronidazole?