To Take Medicine
Monday, April 6, 2020
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Every dog, after it is about ten weeks old, should be given lessons in taking medicine, and be taught to submit quietly to handling.
Whilst giving medicine, the animal may be held firmly between the knees of the person holding the dog, and the handler will thus have his hands free to open the mouth of the patient whilst another person pushes in the concoction.
To open the mouth to give pills, etc., a hand should clasp each jaw, and, by pressing the lips against the teeth, force them quietly apart; but if liquid only is being given, clasp the muzzle in one hand, and keep the teeth together whilst the tip of the spoon is inserted just inside the lips at the angle of the mouth-and the liquid can then be slowly poured in.
When a pill is given it should be dropped or pushed back as far as possible in the throat, whilst the muzzle of the dog is held tilted upwards; similarly, a powder should be shaken on to the back part of the tongue; and in both cases the mouth should be immediately closed, after the concoction has been inserted, and held firmly until the dog swallows. Of course, an experienced person is able to give medicine to a dog without assistance, but if help is available the administration is easier to do satisfactorily.
But even with assistance it is sometimes difficult to give medicine to a large dog who is determined to resist at all costs—and, in addition, the animal suffers considerable distress and therefore, by accustoming the dog from its puppy-hood to take medicine quietly, you may minimise the difficulty.
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For this purpose you must occasionally pretend to give the puppy medicine by holding the animal and administering a powder or liquid in the usual fashion, but instead of some evil tasting powder or liquid you should substitute a little jam or some milk.
All handling must be done quietly but firmly, and if the person holding the dog talks in a soothing voice, this will often have a calming effect. It is extraordinary how a dog, which is thus accustomed to being handled sympathetically, will submit to quite painful operations without the necessity of being held down at all.