A question about antibiotics

[turski]

I do have another thread running about our squirrel where Baytrol gas had no effect on a respiratory issue but I wanted a start thread about the effectiveness of antibiotics in general

We have been given new antibiotics to be administered 1st Amoclan and the 2nd, is Metronidasool/Metronidazole, they are both in liquid format

We find it extremely difficult to administer the antibiotics, and we have sporadic success in trying to soak a small piece of cake, peanut butter or anything else... she is one fussy squirrel

So we are currently taking all food away and leaving titbits of antibiotic soaks food.

My question is, if you leave a small piece of something like peanut butter soaked in a dose of antibiotics liquid and leave it for a few hours, does the antibiotic still hold its potency after a while?

[Spanky]

So we are currently taking all food away and leaving titbits of antibiotic soaks food.

My question is, if you leave a small piece of something like peanut butter soaked in a dose of antibiotics liquid and leave it for a few hours, does the antibiotic still hold its potency after a while?

This is not an ideal way of administering medication, though it is done when we are treating wild squirrels that we cannot administer the medications.

Is there a reason you cannot wrap this squirrel up like a burrito, covering the eyes is helpful, and squirt the meds directly into his mouth?

[turski]

Actually we never thought of that and its a great suggestion

We are very inexperienced at this and we are looking for tips like this

However African Tree Squirrels are very small and they are like live wires and extremely active... Im not sure we could do that with ours as she is incredible wriggler

If we did, what are the dangers of the liquid going down the wrong hole and into the lungs?

ANY advice is gratefully appreciated as we are trying our hardest to make her better.

[island rehabber]

When I have to deal with chipmunks, who are small squirrels here in the northern USA and may be comparable to your African Squirrels, I 'burrito' them and then insert the medicine-filled syringe in the side of the muzzle, towards the BACK. Squirrels have a space between the incisors and the molars, and that's a good place to stick it in, squirt, and run like hell.

[turski]

OK...Im liking your idea... let me try the burrito method and see how we go..

These suggestions are hugely helpful

[Diggie's Friend]

As noted, just behind the incisors in the open space; hold the feeding syringe tip held at a 45 degree angle to prevent accidental aspiration.