Most times, dogs are intelligent enough to find out that a drug, mixed with food or water, is being offered them by their owners. Hence, it often becomes a headache for the owners to give medicine to their dogs. To the extent possible, the dog should not be forced into taking the drug. If the drug is to be given orally, determine whether it is best to administer it with water or food. Usually, the medicine is mixed with food and kept in a concealed by mixing the medicine into the food.
Before administering medicine, delay the feeding time your dog. Hence, the dog will be more hungry. At that time, give just amount of food without medicine and the dog will likely eat it without suspicion. Now provide the medicine mixed food and the dog may well voluntarily eat it as well. If the dog refuses, restrain the dog well and open his mouth. Place the tablet behind the fanged teeth, almost behind the bulb of the tongue. However, take care that in administering the drug that the dog does not take it directly into the respiratory system.
If so, the dog will likely experience many respiratory bouts and may end up in aspiration pneumonia with severe nasal discharge as evidenced by much panting. In puppies, just swab the medicine around the upper lip. The puppy will automatically lick up the drug with his tongue. In such cases, administration is perfect.
If the medicine is in liquid form, neither raise the dog's head too much nor administer medicine with a syringe. With just a dropper, fill the lip pocket with the medicine. Continuously rubbing at the side of the neck may stimulate swallowing. You may also try keeping the animal thirsty then offering the medicine mixed with water many times encourage intake of the medicine.
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