Administering Oral Medications
Many rabbits need medical treatments throughout their lifetime. Some are temporary treatments, while others may be long-term to help manage chronic conditions. For many medications, they are drawn up into a syringe and given to rabbits by mouth. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get used to oral medications, just in case you need the skill in your future.
Supplies:
Medication
Oral syringe
Towel or blanket (optional)
Giving Medications
Pull up the medication into the syringe. Many oral medications are compounded into a liquid form for easy administration in a syringe.
If your rabbit is taking more than one medication, have them all pulled up before attempting to give them to your rabbit.
Offer the medication to your rabbit first. Many rabbits will take the medication like a treat if given the option. If your rabbit has a favorite fruit like banana, try smearing banana on the tip of the syringe to entice your rabbit.
Adoptable Pippa at SDHRS needs twice a day anti-inflammatory medication to help manage her arthritis. She loves the taste of her medication and eagerly licks it from the syringe.
If that option does not work, see if you can get your rabbit to sit still to administer the medications.
If your rabbit struggles to stay still, you may need a towel or small blanket. Have a towel or small blanket ready to wrap them in a burrito.
Once your rabbit is secure, place one hand on their head so they cannot wiggle away
Insert the syringe into the side of their mouth
They may open their mouth like they are trying to chew it. This is normal for rabbits.
Depress the plunger to squirt contents into their mouth. Many rabbits can easily swallow 0.5 mL or less in one go.
For larger amounts (0.6 mL and up), medication may need to be given gradually by slowly depressing the plunger or to administer in spurts where you pause to let your rabbit swallow, then administer the remaining amount.
Once administered, help your rabbit develop positive associations with medicine time by speaking gently, petting them (if they enjoy pets) and offering a treat after they are done.
Alternative Methods
Not all rabbits are cooperative with syringes and may take their medications best when mixed with a food or a treats. Some treatments like probiotics may come in powder form. Here are other tricks if using a syringe is not possible. Keep in mind this may not work for rabbits who are sensitive to smell and taste and may waste the food and medication if they choose not to eat it.
If your rabbit always finishes their pellets, add the medication over a small amount of pellets. Make sure your rabbit finishes eating before offering the rest of their daily pellet serving.
If your rabbit is treat motivated, add the medication over their favorite treat such as a small slice of banana. This may only work for small amounts of medication.
Cleaning Syringes
Rinse the syringes in the sink after use to wash out any residual medication. Ensure the syringe is fully dried before using it again. If your rabbit requires many different oral medications, a baby bottle drying rack works well for setting up multiple syringes to dry upside down. Some syringes may break or become chewed up over time, so it can help to purchase syringes in bulk to have on hand just in case.
Not All Rabbit Medications Are Easy
Some rabbits enjoy their medications more than others- each individual is different. If trying all of the above still doesn’t work, remember you can always reach out to your local rabbit-savvy vet to ask for a demonstration and other recommendations for administering oral medication.
