Syringe problem

[BabyBantam]

Currently issuing antibiotics via a syringe to a bantam. She gets 0.2ml a day, but having problems getting her to take them (this is 3rd day). Last couple of days she's sneezed a lot after I gave them to her & today, she seemed to be 'gaping' for air and unable to breath, so had to shake her upside down gently, she also had big beads of liquid coming out round her eyes..... I HATE doing this.
My husband is holding her slightly tipped back to encourage her to open her beak, but she's clamming up on us (not surprisingly) and we do not have any spare antibiotics to get this wrong.
Any advise on what we're doing so wrong, or if we should be doing this another way? I'm terrified I'm getting it into her windpipe, but she's a little spitfire at the best of times & now got head of a Gorgon and this whole process is stressing us all out

 

[chrismahon]

Have you got your finger in her beak to hold it open? Won't hurt her or you. Administer to back of throat onto the tongue slowly giving her time to move her tongue to shift it. Yes, we are always worried about getting it into their windpipe, but so far no problems.

 

[BabyBantam]

We've been wedging the syringe in her beak, as got to hold her head tight to stop her swinging it about and work syringe with the other hand. She's never been easy to handle & faster than a pigeon sized rocket. Tried wrapping her in a towel too, but she just shot out of it like a little feathery bullet.
If it wasn't so awful, you'd make a box office slap stick comedy out of it 07

 

[Marigold]

Just an idea, but if she's eating could you get it into her by droppering it on to a bit of favourite food, (eg wrap it up in a bit of sardine or damp weetabix or something?) Don't know if this would work, but it gets the wormer into our dog, he prefers Stilton.

 

[cuwiar]

Or, you could try making up a thin mixture of water, egg yolk, probiotic yoghurt - anything that tastes good to a chicken - top up the 1ml syringe to full and then as you hold her squeeze it slowly into the side of her beak. You don't need to activley open her beak, it seems the beak acts as a little vacuum which draws the liquid in, once her beak is full she should automatically swallow.

This worked for one of ours when she was unwell although I have to admit on occcasion she would let her beak fill and then shake her head to get it all out without having to swallow!!

Good luck!

 

[foxy]

Which antibiotic is she being prescribed?

 

[Chuck]

Confused about the amount. Is it 2ml or 0.2ml. 0.2 ml is not a lot and could be put on one or two bits of bread which you could then open the beak and put onto the back of the tongue, then hold the beak. 2ml may be too much for this method. Also you could try one of the very thin insulin syringes which fit into the mouth much easier. Put it in a drop at a time if you can. If it does go down the windpipe, it can set up infection.

 

[Sue]

I think it would be 0.2ml as my full size hen is having 1ml and that includes the antibiotic and some syrup to take away the bitter taste.

 

[chrismahon]

Baytril is dosed at 0.1 mL per kg body weight per day. Baby bantam says she is giving 0.2mL so it must be a double dose, as a bantam won't weigh 2 Kg surely?

 

[foxy]

Baytril is dosed at 0.1 mL per kg body weight per day. Baby bantam says she is giving 0.2mL so it must be a double dose, as a bantam won't weigh 2 Kg surely?

Oral Baytril (2.5%) I believe is 0.4ml per Kg...working on a average bird weight(hybrid) of 1.8kg or roughly 4lbs depending of course on breed. Dosing then equates to 0.7ml b.d. (twice daily)

 

[chrismahon]

I understand now Foxy. There are different strengths. Ours is Oral but 0.1ml per kg as it is 10% mix.

 

[BabyBantam]

Hi,
Was definately giving 0.2ml per day to each bird for 5 days - if it helps anyone. Small birds, but if double dose, then good thing as they may have lost some in the struggle to get it in them!

 

[Anonymous]

If you get an old teaspoon and bend the sides up with a pair of pliers to make a "bottom beak " sort of shape ,it is often easier to use than a syringe,especially if you mix the medicine with something the bird likes . ( I use a savoury human baby -food cereal ,mixed to a very smooth consistency as chooks seem to like savoury -well,mine do ! Yoghurt or redibrek spring to mind as good alternatives ) If you open the beak and slip a finger in to keep it open ,just tip a little of the mixture into the beak and let the bird swallow........if yours is a real little wriggler ,give it a bit of the baby-food to taste and then add the meds ! (maybe a good idea to do a practise with an unmedicated feed on a easily-handled bird to get the hang of it,but this is easier to do than it is to describe)