Administering Medicine at Home If you have been given medication for your pet, it will come in one of the following forms: - 1. Tablets/Capsules 2. Granules 3. Liquid (Orally) 4. Eye/Ear Drops 5. Injection 6. Toothpaste Tablets/Capsules 1. The pet should be restrained as gently as possible. 2. The tablet/capsule can be lubricated with butter or oil for ease of swallowing. 3. Open the animals mouth by placing one hand over the muzzle, while the other hand is used to hold the tablet and also pull down the lower jaw. 4. Place the tablet at the back of the patients mouth. 5. Close the mouth and stroke the neck to ensure swallowing. 6. Check that the patient has swallowed the tablet. Granules 1. May be placed in the fridge to take away any taste. 2. Mix through the animals favourite food. 3. Leave to stand for five or ten minutes before feeding so that the granules can absorb the taste of the food. Liquid (Given Orally) 1. The liquid should be placed in a syringe for ease of administration. 2. The patients head should be tilted back. 3. Place the syringe into the side of the mouth behind the canine teeth in the gap between front and back teeth. 4. Slowly administer the liquid to the back of the throat. 5. Stroke the neck to ensure swallowing. Eye/ Ear Drops 1. Eye drops - are applied by dropping liquid onto the centre of the eyeball with the dropped held close but never touching the eyeball. 2. Ointment is applied by gently squeezing a line of the drug across the surface of the eye. 3. It is often best to approach the patient from the side when using eye ointment and drops. 4. After the medication has been applied the patient should be allowed to blink to disperse the drug evenly over the eye. 5. Ear medication may be applied in the form of drops or ointment. The ear should be cleaned of any discharge from around the edges before application. 6. The patient should be held and the ear flap held firmly. 7. Gently introduce the nozzle of the applicator into the top of the ear canal. 8. Squeeze the applicator gently. 9. Massage around the base of the ear to ensure maximum coverage by the medication. Toothpaste 1. Find a quiet and convenient time when you and your pet are both relaxed. 2. For the first couple of days just hold your pet and stroke the outside of her mouth with your finger. 3. Let her try a little toothpaste. Most pets do seem to like it. 4. First of all use a finger brush and just do one tooth at a time increasing the time spent and the teeth brushes as the days go by. 5. The pets tongue will usually clean the inside of the teeth so you can concentrate on the outside. 6. Progress onto a toothbrush which is better for getting below the gum line where gum disease can start. REMEMBER YOUR PET CAN'T BRUSH THEIR TEETH SO YOU HAVE TO. Top Tips If you are losing your cool and the cat is on top of the freezer for the tenth time and the dog is just spitting the tablet back into your lap try some of our top tips. 1. Get Assistance. One person to hold while the other pops to tablet in is always the easiest. 2. Hide the tablet in cheese slices or a Milky Way. 3. Try a strong smelling food like tuna to disguise the tablet. 4. Cats and small dogs can be wrapped in a towel to hold them still while you give them the tablet. 5. If all that fails phone the surgery and we will see if there is either a) another form of the same medicine or b) another medicine that would suit better. WE ARE HERE TO HELP SO PLEASE CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.