How to give medicine?

[BarkleyLoves]

My eclectus is supposed to be taking metacam twice a day. I'm having trouble giving it to him with the syringe. He finally came out of hiding in his cage last night and I've tried mixing it with applesauce and plain yogurt on a spoon, be he's not interested in that. He's still a little upset with us after the first vet visit and so we're trying our best. I want him to be able to take meds from a syringe in case he ever needs them for something more serious. Any tips on how I can get him to take his medicine?

Would just holding him and petting him then trying to give the medicine work? He's starting to want snuggles again.

I just can't seem to get the medicine in him. I put it in his food but he didn't eat it all and has become suspicious of me putting food in his dish.

The medicine is metacam and it's not supposed to taste bad according to our vet.

 

[Peeker]

I like using a syringe because I can tell they get it all..but if that is a struggle you can try other things. Mine do well with a small piece of toasted nutty bread and I squirt the meds on that. You might try a little just to see if that will work before using a full dose.

 

[BarkleyLoves]

Thanks. We tried the syringe with me holding him, but he just freaked out and tried to take off. Finally got him calmed now. Will try putting it in some birdy bread since he likes it.

 

[sodakat]

Something absorbant like a small cube of bread as Peeker suggested is what I do. Also, when it comes to giving medicine all "rules" go out the window on what they cannot have, IMO. If they will eat a 1/2" square of poundcake with the medicine soaked in, I would do that.

 

[MonicaMc]

Can also try honey, baby food, organic fruit juices (black cherry juice, grape, strawberry, etc), steamed sweet potato/carrot, organic nut butter (almond), mashed banana, oatmeal, cream of wheat, etc.

Anything your bird likes that you can mix the meds with and your bird will eat.

 

[BillsBirds]

I was going to suggest oatmeal. Works almost all the time.

 

[BarkleyLoves]

Thanks. I'm beginning to think he's getting suspicious. Now he eats around where I put the medicine. maybe smaller pieces? Someone suggested I just towel him. But I'm afraid to do that because he tends to get very upset. (We are at the suggestion of the vet going to work on playing peek-a-boo with the towel when he's better).

 

[Kiwibird]

Kiwi has only had to take medication once since we've had him (when we first got him), but I also had to "trick" him into taking it. I actually know of very few people who can actually administer the full prescribed amount of oral medications with a syringe. I used (the organic version) of "fruit loops" carefully soaked with the antibiotics. Kiwi really thought he hit the jackpot getting 2 "sweet" treats every day while he was on his antibiotics, and was none the wiser to why he got such special treats. Even if it's not a "healthy" treat you would normally feed your bird, if they have to take medication, it's worth it to give them something they REALLY like for such a short period of time to ensure they get the medicine they need. In the long run, its better for them to have a week or two of "junk food" laced with the medicine and fully recover than to only get small doses because they spit it out or fight it and let the illness drag on. Anything your bird likes that can be "soaked" will work.