Giving Oral Medications to a Rabbit

Dr. Kristin Britton of the NorthStar VETS Avian and Exotics team demonstrates how to administer oral medications to a rabbit.

[@jasonw2696]

You guys have some cooperative bunnys .

[@johnd.f.goodman9474]

My bunny keeps flipping the syringe out of his mouth

[@possumaintdead]

My bunny won’t stand for being held. He’s very sweet, but will not be held! I also think he locks his jaws 😊

[@deidrajohnson2143]

@@possumaintdeadwill he let you hold him when you go out? My bunny knows home and won’t let me hold her there, but if I can coax her into her travel crate, she will let me pick her up and hold her when we go out to the vet or just running errands. It can be tedious but it works. This is how I’m able to give her meds, clip her nails, and experience the sweetness of carrying and cuddling with her at all. She cuddles back and everything but she refuses to do more than give me sweet nudges and let me pet her head at home.

[@unknownfacts5428]

True 😊

[@dbrandon273]

Yeah that’s exactly what I was thinking. Didn’t try to run off or anything.

[@hannahhoover6971]

Just found this video after struggling for months to give my rabbit medication. This was a life save!!! Nothing else worked! Especially for lop eared rabbits and breeds with a shorter face.

[@NorthStarVETS]

Glad the video helped!

[@LuLu98J]

Thank you so much for this video! Accurate and quick to the point. I never gave my rabbits medication, and now I needed to give the younger one anti-inflammatory medication after his neutering. I was really worried I wouldn't be able to, but this video thought me how to and it was quick, easy and with no pain or agony whatsoever! Keep up with the great work! Sending bunny hops of happiness and kisses ❤❤

[@NorthStarVETS]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful.

[@Jakepf]

So my vet told me my bun is really flighty, and she was a PAIN to examine. So she had issues doing that. But she got I done but also the rabbit stressed out a TON. But she decided I would be capable of administering topical and oral antibiotics. Along with cleaning antiseptic and other such things. I am having the hardest time doing this

[@NorthStarVETS]

This is something that can be challenging for some rabbits. Go slow and do your best.

[@linds1718]

If you have a calm bunny that isn’t ripping it out if your hand and tossing it. Send help 😅lol

[@MrChloe-fv7he]

Worked like a charm, thank you!

[@NorthStarVETS]

Great to hear!

[@darkymakenzy]

Came here because my bunny is being stubborn this method did help a little bit but my bunny keeps his mouth shut on the syringe and refuses to swallow the medicine 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@mattco1103]

Exactly. It's IMPOSSIBLE. This video didn't really help much. No matter what I do my rabbit will just run away! I can't even get the syringe near her mouth!

[@darkymakenzy]

@@mattco1103 It is!! But using a smaller syringe did help a little, my bunny accepted it but I still had problems with him not always swallowing the medicine 😅

[@RainbowTearz]

This worked when I tucked the towel over my bunny and then lifted her head to find where to put the syringe - thanks! ❤

[@BikinibottomSeaweed]

And he did a back flip and kicked me again

[@deebeauty9089]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@immasis]

I wish people would post real videos up of rabbits that actually don't co operate. My boy is wild. I have to now attempt this. He just got neutered today. He's not eating and boy do I feel guilty.

[@NorthStarVETS]

Take it slow and remember to be patient. It's a new experience for him.

[@immasis]

@NorthStar VETS yeh of course. He likes to hide his face in my arms when cutting his nails so he did that and took 1ml of critical care only. He's not eating. So I'm so scared he's going to become poorly because he's not letting me give him the syringes. Will have to try with 3 people. 1 holding.....1 holding his head and 1 to put the syringe. But I don't want to stress him out. How long usually after getting neutered do they begin to eat?

[@NorthStarVETS]

That is a complicated question to answer. If a rabbit isn't eating and pooping there is the possibility of him developing GI Stasis. If you haven't already done so, you should contact the veterinarian that performed the surgery.

[@immasis]

@NorthStar VETS well today went a bit better. I managed his meds all day and got 12mls of food in him in 6 hours nothing more than that as he put up a gigantic fight with me this evening and he's gone through enough stress. He's more or less back to normal. Wanting to run around, humping away like always although not as much. He's pooing but it's small at the moment. And has began eating little. I hope hel get there. I just hope I wake up in the morning to normal poops then I know everything surely is fine. Because he has began biting me and scratching me when I try give him meds or critical care. Vet said if his poops go back to normal then stop distressing him. Otherwise I have to continue. My heart breaks for my poor boy. Its like he's so angry at me.

[@NorthStarVETS]

@@immasis Glad you feel things are going better. Just remember you are doing this to help him.

[@thillsvill]

My rabbit was not having any of this! The vet gave me an oral syringe with a long narrow curved tip much easier!

[@NorthStarVETS]

That's another great way of getting it done.

[@Lebqueen2]

It is not necessary to push the syringe that far into mouth to administer oral meds. Otherwise good simple instruction.

[@Martis686]

But this bunny doesn't move !

[@sparta4303]

What are the dosage ?

[@NorthStarVETS]

This video is more to show the process on how it is done. Dosages will depend on the weight of the animal the medications that are used.

[@SusanHCooper]

Seriously? 1. my rabbit would never sit there so quietly 2. Gently take her head while she violently kicks trying to get away 3.Ease the syringe into the corner of her mouth??😂😂..NOT!

[@mattco1103]

Doesn't work. Thumbs down.

[@NorthStarVETS]

Hey Matt, which parts doesn't work for you?