oral meds

[tsalpacas]

Does anyone have a trick to give oral meds to an alpaca that "avoids" at all cost. I have two girls that stand real still, but move their heads back as far as they can go (almost to their backs) when I am trying to get the applicator in their mouth. I can't even hardly get it in their mouth let alone get it in them properly and once it’s in I have to hurry and get it in and I don't like to do that in case they aspirate it.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[rose@almapark.com]

Hi Mary -

- If you are doing oral meds with a helper - the bracelet hold is perfect for this. One person can hold them in the bracelet and balance them while the other person admins the meds. When the try to tilt the head back, the person holding can push forward with the hand behind the head as if to steer but without clamping the fingers. A halter may also be helpful.

- If you are doing it yourself - the only thing I can suggest is something I hate to do reach past the mid-line. Standing on the animal's left side with your right arm and the meds in your right hand (because I am right handed) - pass your right arm across the mid-line of the neck and place your left hand under their chin to support it while your inner elbow of your right arm cradles their head. With your right hand slide the meds into the cheek (you do not necessarily have to open the mouth) and push back to depress the meds into the space between the cheek and teeth. Get it as far back as possible so they don't spit it out. If it is real liquidy - you may have to tilt the head back slightly with your left hand to make sure it does not drip out. It seems kind of awkward at first - but gets easier with practice and is sometimes necessary if you are alone and something needs to be given immediately.

As I said - I really hate to do this method, so I try to always have help when I am giving meds to animals who "avoid" it. If you are going to use this method - you may have better luck if you can practice on an animal who is a little bit more agreeable to the meds and you can always practice your technique with some water or (my favorite) red gatorade.

Let me know if you need clarification.

Rose

[Marty McGee Bennett]

good suggestions thanks! Also keep in mind that less is more. The harder you try to stop the movement of the head the more movement you get. Lighten up and think about trying to balance the head inside a small box instead of trying to control it or hold it still.

[Julie Taylor-Browne]

This is my tried and trusted method with many, many llamas and alpacas.
1. Use a proper drenching syringe and long stainless steel nozzle.
2. Put their halters on and use the halter on the cheek piece to keep their heads balanced.
3. Put the nozzle in from the side closest to you - not the other side with your hand across the midline.

If you can't get the halter on - use the halter helper to ratchet their heads into position.

This way you have full control and you don't need to hurry. I trained one of my difficult ones like this and now I don't need halter, halter helper or bracelet them they are so ok about the drencher. The big difference I have found is doing it from the side closest to you and not the opposite side, they are much happier this way.

Best wishes,

JTB

[Williams]

Amazing !!
This is why I try to make certain that any of my clients/students join the guild to receive all these tips/tried methods.
Marsha

[tsalpacas]

Thank you everyone for your advise. I will be using albon which I think is liquidy (I have never used it so I am not sure, it hasn't come in yet) I hope all goes well and I get it all in with your techniques.

thanks again,
Mary

[rose@almapark.com]

Mary - yep Albon is like water. Let us know if you need more help!

Rose

[julie follansbee]

Do alpacas like red Gatorade?? I'll have to try that because I really need practice administering oral meds.

[Marty McGee Bennett]

I would suggest practicing when you really have to give something or limit the practice with the gatorade to animals that are easy. Be warned that practicing on easy animals might make them difficult and practicing on difficult ones will surely make them even more so.

[rose@almapark.com]

Julie - I only use the red original gatorade. Do not use the one with artificial sweeteners. I have tried other flavors and only the red seems to be palatable. It has saved several animals on my farm.

I agree with Marty about the practice. Be careful about making easy animals difficult.

Rose