Medications: SMZ-TMP doses traumatizing Sebby

[Yoshi&Sebastian]

After Anubis bit Sebby, the vet prescribed him SMZ-TMP solution at 0.15mL 2x/day and gave me a syringe to dose him with. We've gotten him to accept the medicine (I have to put him in my lap on a towel with my arms on both sides of him and my chin resting lightly on his head before he'll let my girlfriend put the syringe in his mouth) but he seems very, very frustrated and angry about it. I've tried offering him veggies afterward to make it seem pleasant (pumpkin pieces I cleaned a few days ago) and he doesn't want anything to do with it. He complains loudly and chews up the towel underneath him and gets very fidgety. Before we give him the medicine he's fine, and after we put him back in the cage he's fine.

Anybody know any way to get him to calm down after the medicine? Should I keep trying with different veggies? His medicine is only supposed to be given until Friday, so he only has to deal with 8 more doses. I feel so bad for him, imagining if I were in his position and two giant monkeys removed me from my house and shoved grape-scented goo in my mouth.

He's never had any health problems so force-feeding like this (even as a preventative like it is now) is totally new to him. He's 4 years old.

[NicholsS10]

Have you checked out this website: http://www.guinealynx.info/tips.html it'll give you some good advice on giving medications.

[Yoshi&Sebastian]

Originally Posted by NicholsS10

Have you checked out this website: http://www.guinealynx.info/tips.html it'll give you some good advice on giving medications.

I appreciate it, but we can give the medicine to him just fine. It's afterwards he seems so traumatized and angry about it - to the point where he sits in my lap crying out and chewing the towel until I put him back in the cage. I was asking for suggestions to make the experience better for the pig.

[Hawise]

My piggies are exactly the same and I never managed to calm them down. You look like you're very gentle with them, but they still find it stressful. Even I would find it stressful. Everytime I have to give a medicine like this, I put the pig straight back with his mate and leave him alone for a while. It is actually funny to watch: the one who received the medicine chatters away frantically at the other one, probably telling him "Oh my, you'll never believe what the female human did to me!"

My vet also manages to give them their med without holding them. She puts them on the table and just slides the syringue sideway between their jaws. I never managed to do that though.

[Yoshi&Sebastian]

Originally Posted by Hawise

My piggies are exactly the same and I never managed to calm them down. You look like you're very gentle with them, but they still find it stressful. Even I would find it stressful. Everytime I have to give a medicine like this, I put the pig straight back with his mate and leave him alone for a while. It is actually funny to watch: the one who received the medicine chatters away frantically at the other one, probably telling him "Oh my, you'll never believe what the female human did to me!"

My vet also manages to give them their med without holding them. She puts them on the table and just slides the syringue sideway between their jaws. I never managed to do that though.

Hm, I guess I'll just have to deal with the next few doses. Thanks, though.