tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/09 12:37Hi there. Spikey has an infection and is to get .05 of antibiotic two times a day (morning and evening). According to Stasi, the antibiotic is a safe one and is effective. This is for an infection--the lab results will be back on Friday but since there was blood in the urine culture/sample, the vet started Spikey on this.
OK, yesterday evening I administered it as the vet tech showed me. Fortunately Spikey was tired and he drank it and then started to chew on the syringe and then the next thing you know, he is annointing himself with spit/medicine. I think some stayed in him and this morning I did not see any evidence of pink in his cage. I did wipe the annointment off because I did not know if this was a good thing to have dried antibiotics on his backside.
Then this morning (which is play time) I had a really really really hard time keeping Spikey still. He kept moving around and playing; I kept trying to do as the vet tech showed me but to no avail. In fact, I wasted a dose. Spikey was not upset by my antics and probably thought it was a new form of play. So, I let Spikey in his play pool and he ran around and played for an hour. Then he was tiring and curling up, so I scooped him up and gave him the second dose, but this time I did not curl him up like the vet tech showed me; I had him standing and I aimed for his mouth. I got most of the dose in. Well, he began to bite on the syringe and looked like he was going to start annointing--so I put him back in the pool (which I think worked as a distraction) and he began to run around again.
Does anybody have any tips or is this pretty typical. Considering it was pretty recent that I was afraid to even handle him, I think I am doing ok. But I want to make sure I get the meds inside of him.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Andrea
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CThogs
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/09 15:15I think you are doing great-it's not always easy to give meds to a hedgehog. It's pretty typical around here that the night dose is much easier than the morning dose. In the AM there are sleepy humans and wide awake hedgehogsAnn Connecticut Hedgehogs
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omelette
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/09 15:17So far it sounds like you are doing great! Just give him his meds after he's tired himself out from playing. If you try and do it right as soon as you take him out, he's too excited and restless to get him to sit still long enough. A quick shot in the mouth is all you need. Just make sure he gets it all down. Then put him back in his play pool before he even tries to get a taste of the syringe to avoid him self annointing.Lisa My Heart Belongs to: Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats Omelette - Hedgehog Basil - Guinea Pig
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I got really good with administrating medication as my last two hedgehogs both suffered from cancer in their older years.
Pick up Spikey and if he is slippery or wiggly use a washrag to hold him so he's on his back and looking at you. Get a good grip so you can hold his head still. Press the syringe gently against the SIDE of his mouth, MOST hedgehogs will open their mouths at this point giving you the chance to squirt the medicine down his throat so he will swallow and not save any to anoint with. It will take you a few times to get the hang of it but it should work. I hope this helps!
~Sara“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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voodewlady
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/09 22:09How common is cancer in hedgehogs? Never really heard of cancer before just WHS.~Erin~ ~Lives in the land of OZ~ Ms. Pickles the hedgehog Mischa the ferret Sydney the dapple dachshund
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HamorHollow
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/09 23:29The cancer rate in hedgehogs is about equal to the cancer rate of any other domesticate pet. It is much more common then WHS and sometimes mistakenly diagnosed as WHS. Depending on the cancer and where it is located, you may have to have a necropsy to determine the cause of death, and WHS can only truly be diagnosed by a necropsy.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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Andrea
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/10 08:05Thank you everybody and Sara I will try that tonight. This morning was another adventure--it took a long time to get him to tire and even longer to get the medicine inside of him. He really is active in the morning; even when I think he has tired himself out, the minute I pick him up and cradle him in his blankie, he thinks it is exploration time again.
This morning he was extra huffy, too, when I tried to pick him up. He settled down and by the end of our play time seemed to be happy to be with me. I dont know, though, I worry that all of my bungling with this syringe isnt somehow making him annoyed at me. I need to not let this set me back (repeat to myself over and over).
I will try the side of the mouth tonight.
Off topic a bit: can anything be done, in terms of prevention, to help hedgies avoid developing cancer? I think I have developed a case of hedgie hypochondria.....I have been reading the illness/disease board's archives and now with this infection with Spikey, I am worried.
Andrea
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Julie Pierce
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/10 21:52I too have to administer medications to one of my girls twice a day and most definitely put the syringe in the corner of the mouth and plunge in the medication. It works great.Julie Pierce Pierce's Pogs http://www.piercespogs.com
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/11 16:09I'm sure it will work for you, my vet taught me how to do it. When my poor Isabel lost her teeth (old age) and I was worried her gums would be infected I used that same trick to swab and clean her gums.
Cancer is cancer. It's one of those things you can do EVERYTHING to prevent and still have it show up. Isabel was five when she got what we think was stomach cancer. My first hedgehog Bartleby died of cancer when he was four. You can do your best to prevent one prevalent kind, fatty liver cancer by keeping your hedgehog fit and trim with a good diet. When you buy a pet (any animal) from a breeder instead of a pet store, you up your chances of getting a longer lived healthy animal.
Honestly the longer your hog lives the higher his/her chances of getting cancer. I look at it this way. It hurts like hell when you lose a pet. But I'd rather experience the pain of loss than never have a hedgehog to pet, spoil and show off. I hope that helps.
~Sara“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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Andrea
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/11 17:44Ok, aiming for the side of the mouth has helped a lot. He still 'struggles' with me via moving all over the place but I have gotten the medicine completely in for the past three doses and he has not done any annointing.
The vet called with the results--she said that the urine culture showed some blood cells, some white blood cells, and some protein and another kind of cells. She did not see specific bacteria but said that sometimes these other cells mask it. So, I am to continue with the 10 days and if this comes back, bring him back to the vet. She also said that I could try to collect a non sterile urine sample via letting him urinate in his play pool and then somehow getting it to her. She said this was not necessary but I could do it if I wanted.
I have two issues that are bothering me right now, other than this whole medication issue. Spikey is a little more huffy with me and I dont know if it is the medicine or what. Maybe it is my anxiety about his health and my skill at being a hedgie nurse so early in my mommyhood. Behavior-wise in terms of eating and energy he seems good. He is pooping good. The other is his water consumption, which I think is tied to this infection. I use a bowl for water and for the week leading up to this infection, he was either spilling all his water by morning or filling it with carefresh because every morning his bowl would be full of carefresh with no water. So, I added a water bottle and left the water bowl (the carefresh in water bowl is still happening). This morning I got up at 4am to check on him and he was awake and was down by his water; carefresh was in his water bowl again so I cleaned it out and added new water. I did see him drink from his bottle and then also from the bowl. I cant help but wonder if he is not drinking enough. I have begun to bring his water bowl out during play time just to have it there (he has only sipped from it a few times--more times he does not). I dont know what is transpiring every evening that his water bowl gets filled with carefresh. I even cleared that end of his cage of the carefresh and put his food and water bowl on papertowels and the carefresh from the rest of the cage ended up down there. I dont want to remove the carefresh because he LOVES to burrow and dig in it.
Sorry for being such a long-winded member of this board. I am just seeking advice and reassurance that things are on track here.
Andrea
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CThogs
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/12 08:38I think I have developed a case of hedgie hypochondria.....I have been reading the illness/disease board's archives and now with this infection with Spikey, I am worried.
Keep in mind that a lot of people only post when they have an issue or problem with their hedgehog. So sometimes you are only hearing about the difficult times and not the good times too.
. Spikey is a little more huffy with me and I dont know if it is the medicine or what. Maybe it is my anxiety about his health and my skill at being a hedgie nurse so early in my mommyhood.
He may be anticipating that you will be giving him meds and is a bit upset. If he has the energy to be a bit feisty that is a good thing
The other is his water consumption, which I think is tied to this infection. I use a bowl for water and for the week leading up to this infection, he was either spilling all his water by morning or filling it with carefresh because every morning his bowl would be full of carefresh with no water.
Use the bottle too to make sure he has water available all the time. You may want to try a different brand of water bottle. I have had some who do not use the spring loaded ones because the water comes out too slow but they will use a different brand of water bottle more readily,
Bedding in the bowl is not uncommon at all. If he has the energy to run around and dump the bowl or get bedding in it, that is another good sign.
Try not to worry too much. I know it is hard, but it sounds like things are going well. You are getting the meds into him sucessfully and he has a lot of energy.Ann Connecticut Hedgehogs
The water bottle I have now seems to flow really well; in fact there usually is a drop of water that is about to fall out and when I touch it water drops end up on my finger pretty easily. I check it daily to make sure it does not develop a clog or dry socket. So I will now continue to have both the bowl and the bottle.
His energy seems great. In the early morning I put him in his play pool for about an hour and he runs all around (and fast, too), pushes his toys around, and now he has been digging/running UNDER the two fleece blankets that I have down. I know he likes to burrow and dig. That is why I dont want to remove the carefresh. We have been having nice quality time together too, in the evening. Last night I had him in my lap in my bedroom on his fleece blanket and he just stretched out really long, feet kicked back behind him, and seemed so peaceful and comfortable. It was really nice. Every once in a while I would talk quietly to him and he seemed happy and content. I also had him on my lap in the afternoon in the blankie and he seemed peaceful.
Anyway, I will continue with the medicine and will continue to love him.
Andrea
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/12 23:15I'm glad the water bottle is working. Don't worry you aren't wearing us out, I am not dependable for fast answers because I am ill and awaiting surgery after a few distasteful tests. My gallbladder or similar such organ has gone and staged a revolt on me and my boyfriend is here helping me out. I am on LOTS of really nice drugs though
Isabel had a bladder infection when she was maybe less than a year old. She was litter box trained and squeaked when she was sitting in her litter box. She also seemed lethargic. My vet palpitated her belly and said her bladder was hard as a little rock and gave me meds to feed her. I never figured out what caused it. Her hedgehouse was very clean, she ate well and had lots of good activity. She hated her medicine but recovered and was just fine.
I know it's stressful to have Spikey get sick when you just got him but if he has a similar infection to what Iz hedgehog had, he will be fine. You are keeping him hydrated, he's eating, playing and pooping well so I think he will be just fine.
~Sara“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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Andrea
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/13 06:32Sara--I am sorry to hear that you are not well and will need surgery. I hope all goes well with that. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
andrea
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My boyfriend's here helping me out and taking care of Harley Hedgehog, who is jealous and poops on him every chance he gets just to show my boyfriend who is the boss.
~Sara“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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omelette
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/16 01:47Sara, I hope you feel better soon!Lisa My Heart Belongs to: Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats Omelette - Hedgehog Basil - Guinea Pig
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nwB123
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Re:tips needed--medication administration - 2008/04/24 21:20you can try using a dropper instead of a syringe. that's what i did before with my hedgy. i give it to her when she curls up so that only her head is visible.i try to force it in her side of the mouth then squirt a bit so she knows its something to eat then she opens her mouth and takes the med. i hope ur hedgy gets wells
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Hedgehog Forums 
I think some stayed in him and this morning I did not see any evidence of pink in his cage. I did wipe the annointment off because I did not know if this was a good thing to have dried antibiotics on his backside. 
I dont want to remove the carefresh because he LOVES to burrow and dig in it.
I love this place.