How to Give a Cranky Dog a Pill

Dogs are so smart. They can take a piece of cheese or meat and gobble it up while spitting out the pill. It's almost like magic. No matter how well you wrap, squish, or sandwich that pill inside the treat, the dog deftly spits it back out. So, what's the best way to give a dog a pill?

Double time them! Aim for their predatory instinct.

This is Cupcake. She had a huge blood blister on her ear. Read that about that miss-adventure here. Now she takes meds every morning and night. She's an older pup and very savvy on how to get her own way so I had to outsmart her. Here's how I did it.

First, wrap the pill in something irresistible. I use roast beef. It's a special treat she only got when we were first training her and if she needs a pill.

Prepare the roast beef wrapped pill and then take another piece of meat that's a bit longer so you can dangle it.

Hold pill roast beef between your fingers, but palm the second piece.

Offer the first and once its taken from your fingers quickly slip the second piece out and dangle it in front of the dog's nose. Watch their eyes pop as they get the scent. Every dog I'd ever had would gobble the first quickly in order to get that second piece. Meat gone, pill gone! Works every time.

I've found the meat works better than those pill popper things. I believe it's because meat is a more natural choice and not as stickly/chewy as the poppers.

Good luck with your pill popping pups! Let me know how this method works for you.

Fun at the Veterinarian

Cupcake (nee Corona) went to the vet today.
It wasn't pretty....

Saturday afternoon I noticed one of Cupcake's ears was flopping over. Normally her ears are straight up so this was a surprise.  On the top of her pointy ears was a big soft bump. Did she get bitten by a bug? Stung by a bee? I put some Neosporin on it and figured I'd wait and see.

Sunday
Still swollen. Doesn't seem to bother her.

Monday
Still there. Call the vet. She's not in any pain. Make appointment for Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday

Take the trembling little Chihuahua to the vet. She starts shaking as soon as she realizes Gracie's isn't coming with us. Cupcake never goes for a walk without Gracie. She tried to get back into the house. I tug her along and put her in the car.

We arrive at vet and she's starting to run in circles. I pick her up before she trips me.

To truly understand how upset Cupcake is you have to know her history. For the first 9 years of her life Cupcake lived in a hoarding situation where she had no medical care, was repeated bred, and was rarely handled. There was no love and affection in this little dog's life before rescue. She came into my house full of fear. After two years she's found her place on our couch and in our hearts. However, that doesn't mean she trusts anyone else.

Cupcake is muzzled because she will bite anyone who tries to touch her. (except me, of course) The vet wants to drain the ear bubble so I hold her body and the assistant holds her legs. Just as the vet moves to drain the ear, Cupcake freaks and starts fighting. POP! The blister on her ear erupts and BloOd goes everywhere. It flew all over me and the table.

We calm her down and get the ear wrapped. As I hold her I say, "I think I smell something."

The vet finishes wrapping the ear. I release Cupcake and she tries to leap off the table. I pull her back and she takes a dump all over me and the table. Then she scrambles her little legs around on the slippery mess to make sure her little gift is spread everywhere. Thank you, Cupcake!

I pay the vet, make an appointment to come in for a recheck next Wednesday, and head home to shower. (Cupcake got a bath in the vet's sink.)

Has your dog ever had one of those fun days at the Veterinarian?

Happy Hump Day!