A medicine dropper can often come in handy when it comes to administering medicine to your sick dog. The medicine dropper is easy to use and by using it, you can be sure the medicine is swallowed by your pet. Liquid medication can be administered with medicine droppers and puppies get this type of medication more often than adult dogs.
Prepare the Medicine
You should get all the things ready before getting your dog prepared. Get some clean towels, cotton balls, the medicine and the medicine dropper.
Fill the medicine dropper with the prescribed amount of medicine. The vet should indicate the suitable dosage. You may also add some extra drops, just in case some medicine will drop near the dog’s mouth.
Ask the vet to prescribe flavored medicine (i.e. liver, fish), as dogs are more likely to swallow the medicine if it has a tasty flavor.
Prepare the Dog
Your dog should be calm when you administer the medicine. Try administering the medicine in the evening, after a bath or after a long exercise session. This will ensure that the dog is more cooperative.
Place your dog on a table or in your lap. You may wrap the dog in a towel or a blanket, so that he is more likely to sit still. If your dog is too agitated, get someone to help you to hold him still.
Get the medicine dropper and open the dog’s muzzle with the remaining hand; place your fingers under the dog’s lower jaw and the thumb on the nose, but make sure the dog can breathe. If your dog has a short muzzle (i.e. breeds such as bulldogs or pugs) you don’t have to place your thumb on his nose.
Be extra cautious when handling the dog’s muzzle, as your dog may bite because he may be confused and doesn’t know what’s going on and what you intend to do.
Administer the Medicine
Tilt the dog’s head upward and administer the medicine with the dropper.
If needed, you can insert the medicine dropper into a corner of the dog’s mouth, between the lips and teeth and then administer the drops. Release the dog’s muzzle and allow the dog to ingest the medication.
Get a towel or cotton balls and erase the medication that may have been dropped near the dog’s muzzle. If you notice that the dog spits out the medicine, repeat the steps and administer the medicine again.
Praise the dog, so that he knows that he’s done a good job sitting still and the next time you will administer medicine he will be more obedient.
If you think you need practice, you may use the dropper filled with water and practice until you are sure you can succeed using medicine instead of water.
Don’t put the liquid medicine to the dog’s food or water, unless the medicine is put in one bite only, as the dog may not eat all the food and the medicine will not be ingested.