Oral medication fail...

[Skittles1101]

So Julius has pinworms. I went to give him his oral medication today. Of course by myself because everyone I know won't go near him lol. So, one hand on his head, and one hand holding the syringe....aaaand I put the syringe up to his mouth and he unwraps his body off my wrist and wraps himself around his nose. Smart little critters they are because I couldn't get the medication in him with his body wrapped around like that! I ended up bringing him to the animal hospital and having a tech help me...he's such a turd I love him lol. Just thought it was funny, I wish I had an extra hand so I could have taken a picture!

[mpkeelee]

unfortunately i have had experience with RI's and oral meds. what i have found works best for me and oral meds is to take the plastic ink cartridge out of a pen and clean it up. then measure from the base of your snake skull to the end of its neck, where is starts to get thick. press the plastic pen piece into the end of the syringe and make sure its in far enough and its tight enough that it wont come out and it wont leak. i usually fill it with water and plug the end and the push the plunger down to check for leaks. once it is clean and secured you can delived meds much easier. just gently slide the syringe down the snakes throat until the base of the syringe is in their throat and push the plunger down.

this is pretty easy when you hold ur snake just behind its head with thumb and pointer, and use the other three fingers to hold the snakes neck straight, when you gently slide the syringe down ur snake will starighten out with it. but you MUST be careful so you dont damage the inside. they do smallow rats with nails so the are tough but you still need to be carefull.

once the meds have been given, hold your snake with its head higher than its neck so the meda can run down and not out. i have used this method with two snakes many many times and it works very well.

sorry for the long post, just trying to share my experience

oh ya, if he starts to squirm you can hold his back end between your thighs or between your arm and ribs. i find it easier by myself but maybe an extra set of hands will help

[shelliebear]

I always hold one hand behind their head with their body resting on a surface, stick a q-tip in their mouth to open it, put the syringe in, pull the q-tip out, push plunger, let go and run for your life before they bite you for the bad taste

[dragonboy4578]

LOL, I can see myself in the same situation....You just need more hands....

[wilomn]

Clear plastic tubing is your friend. Get a piece long enough to get about 70% of your snake in. Be SURE it is wide enough for his whole body to pass. You want it cramped but you don't want him to get stuck. Put his head in one end, persuade him to crawl through until enough of his body is out for you to get a good hold, apply medication and then let him finish crawling out.

While he's in the tube he'll be immobile and easy to work with.