ADMINISTRATION OF TABLETS
Many drugs in tablet form, licensed for use in dogs, have been specially formulated
with palatability in mind. However if the dog is at all suspicious he is unlikely
to eat the tablet voluntarily irrespective of how pleasant it may taste.
Can I train my dog to take tablets?
Yes, it is good foresight to train a puppy to accept tablets pushed down the
throat. This is a useful technique to practice with a puppy using something
pleasant like a vitamin tablet or a choc drop.
My dog has never had a tablet - how can I get them into him?
Try subterfuge to start! Most dogs readily accept soft centered chocolates
even if they have never had them. Try giving him one or two and then give one
with the tablet pushed into the center. You may be successful. Make it a game
and a lot of the problems will be solved. If necessary push the tablet disguised
in the chocolate down the throat.
You say push the tablets down the throat. How do I do this?
Remember that dogs quickly learn when it is tablet time and will vanish from
sight if given the opportunity. First catch the patient!
If possible try to get someone to help you to hold the dog. Depending on his
size you may find it more comfortable supporting him on your lap if small or
held between your knees if larger. Most people find it easier to approach from
the side or behind when giving tablets.
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Place one hand across the muzzle and insert a forefinger and the thumb
gently into the space behind the canine teeth or fangs Then gently press
the thumb on to the roof of the dog's mouth. Provided you have sufficient
strength and dexterity in your wrist to be able to cope with the dog's
head movement, this strategy usually effectively prevents the shutting
of the jaws on your fingers.
It is most important that the gentle pressure on the hard palate is not
reduced otherwise the mouth will clamp shut.
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With the tablet in the other hand it can then be pushed as far down the throat
as possible and if the jaws are then quickly closed and the throat stroked the
tablet is usually swallowed.
I understand there are certain pill pushers. Can these be used?
There are certain devices on the market to help getting tablets into dogs.
Some of these are reasonably effective but none are, in our experience, 100%.
However it may be worth trying.
Can I disguise the tablets with anything?
Yes, many people find that wrapping the tablet in butter or coating it in some
favorite food or tidbit or using chocolates as already described will often
do the trick. It should be remembered that there are certain tablets that you
may have been directed to give on an empty stomach and care must be exercised
then in the amount of food or tidbits allocated although one or two sweets in
order to get the medication into the dog is preferable to no medication!
I get the tablet into the throat and follow all the instructions but frequently
find it on the floor sometime later.
Even the most experienced of us have had this. If you are not sure that the
tablet has been swallowed dripping a little water into the mouth with the aid
of a syringe usually ensures that it is swallowed. Alternatively try gently
pinching the nose and then stroking the throat.
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