Do you have a 'ruff' time giving your dog a pill?

     Some dogs will gulp down anything you hold out in your hand that they think is even remotely something to eat.  Others have to sniff it, maybe lick it, and then if they're lucky, they can turn and walk away to their hidey place.
     Most of us have to give our dogs medicine in the form of a pill sometimes.  In the summer months, most veterinarians will recommend a heart worm preventative pill be taken once a month.  Heart worms go through several stages of development, and are spread by mosquitoes that bite an infected animal, then bite your precious pet, thereby spreading the worms where they grow inside your dog.  Here in Texas, it is best to simply plan keeping your dog on heart worm preventative all year.  All we need is a warm spell in December with a rain, and mosquitoes come out in full force.  But unfortunately not all dogs enjoy taking their pills.
     As I've said before, I have a kennel with a number of Miniature Dachshunds (I'll save the shameless plug for later).  Most of them think I've brought them a piece of candy when I offer their tiny little heart worm pill.  Others, however, look at me like I have just called them a bad name.
     There are a few different ways to administer the pill if you meet resistance, and it needn't be traumatic for either of you.  My dogs know what to expect, and don't resist at all.  But this is my technique for them:   Place your hand over the top of his muzzle and with your thumb on one side, fingers on the other side, push his lips against his teeth until he opens his mouth wide.  Drop the pill as far back into his mouth as possible; if it lands closer out on his tongue, you may need to push it a little further to the back of his throat.  Then allow him to close his mouth, but hold it shut and blow into his face and nostrils to make him swallow.  I also rub their throat to encourage swallowing.  This may sound complicated, but it is really very easy.  And for the dog who can discover a pill inside any kind of treat you may try to hide it in, it is good to know.
     Speaking of treats.  Many people have good luck giving their dog a pill by burying it inside a dab of peanut butter.  Peanut butter is sticky, but they love it, and will work it all around in their mouth, trying to get every tiny taste.  This is usually better than wrapping inside a piece of bread or cheese; my experience with that is that they roll it around in their mouth, and spit out the pill, wag their tail and look at you for another piece of cheese!
     If your dog is talented enough to catch treats that are tossed to him, and he usually just gulps them down, you might be able to wrap the pill in a treat and toss it to him with no problem.  I would toss a couple of treats first, then toss the loaded one. 
     Many types of pills, vitamins, Canine aspirin and these sorts of things are made with tasty ingredients that dogs usually are happy to take, and want more.  However, for those hard cases, I hope I've bee able to give you a few ideas here to help next time you have Ole Blue pinned down on the floor, with a plunger, trying to get a pill down his throat!

     The picture shown here are just a few things I keep on hand; Canine Aspirin is nice to have if you have an old dog like Sissy.  She's a 9 year old Lab mix who is pretty stiff in her joints, and sometimes she's in pain if she has walked a lot or tried to run. 
     If you have questions or comments, please leave them and I'll get back to you very soon.  If I don't know the answer, I know a good old Texas A&M Vet who does, and I will find out and let you know.  Please go up to the top of the page, and click to "follow" my blog.  And pass it on to others dog lovers you might know.  And now for the shameless plug:  www.dogwooddachshunds.com.  As always, thanks for stopping by, and . . . .
                                  Happy Tails, Everyone!!!!!!!!