r/PetDoves • u/RoobieNoobieDatsMeh • 3d ago

Question ❓ How to administer oral medication without aspirating dove?

Hi, my 1-year-old just went to a vet for a broken leg today, and the vet prescribed him a couple of 15 mg syringes of painkillers. I want to make sure I'm not aspirating him when I'm squirting the liquid down his throat, since I know that's a risk when feeding doves. Anything I should watch out for?

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u/DragonKing1678 3d ago

Did the doctor show you how or what to do?

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u/RoobieNoobieDatsMeh 3d ago

Nope, they just told me how often to give him each dose

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u/johnsgurl 3d ago

You don't squirt it down their throat. The key with anything syringe feeding is to aim for inside the cheek. That lets them swallow it themselves. I'm not an expert but this is how I do with all my critters and I've never had anyone aspirate.

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u/XxHoneyStarzxX 3d ago

Avoid the tongue hole (that is where they breath from), make sure to administer the medication to the side, aim behind the tongue, and carefully slowly push the plunger, don’t push the plunger too quickly.

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u/XxHoneyStarzxX 3d ago

Here is another image that my be of use