Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

by River Tue 06 Mar 2018, 1:55 am

Anyone else have this problem?

I know, I know, she needs it, so I try not to feel too bad but she doesn't know that! She hasn't learned to like her medicine. She scrabbles away while I'm applying cream so I have to grab her and reposition her and try to hold her still...repeat...you can tell how genuinely terrified she is though, really tries to bolt any chance she can get and she just looks so petrified. I feel awful!

She let me scratch her head and bruxed for a while earlier tonight but when I had to give her the medicine she was already running for her life before it was even on.

I hate having to grab her and reposition her. I try to be gentle, but quick enough to get her before she's jumps to try and escape, but it feels so much more rough than what I'm used to -- I usually let her do how she pleases, I don't even pick her up unless she crawls into my hand on her own will. I know it stresses her out and boy do I hate that its necessary!

Probably a me problem, but how do you guys deal with guilt of manhandling your terrified mice for medicine? I feel absolutely riddled with guilt every time! Is there any way to ease her fear or do you just wait it out?

by BananaPie Tue 06 Mar 2018, 4:25 pm

I'm in the exact same situation! I know she needs the medicine to get better and I would never do anything to intentionally harm her. But the fact that I can't communicate this to her stresses me out. I try to realize what's necessary for her health and toughening up a little bit. In the long run, her being happy and active is worth the thirty minutes of manhandling.

If you're taking her out the tank to administer medicine, then she's probably really frightened not being in her comfy-zone. I let my baby get comfortable with where she's at before I attempt to give her medicine. Something else I do is give her little breaks if she gets herself worked up. I let her rest for a few minutes and try again so she doesn't get super scared.

Have you tried holding her with both palms up and letting her explore and rest before attempting to apply it gently? If that doesn't work, maybe you can try applying it in a small carrier so that you don't have to chase her too much.

Good luck!!! Thumbs Up

by River Tue 06 Mar 2018, 5:08 pm

Thank you! I'll do my best. I think part of it is because I have to touch a sore, sensitive wound to get her medicine on which no doubt hurts. She's not in as much pain as she used to be, but touching a wound never feels good! I do try to let her relax by snacking on my shoulder sometimes, it's become the "safe space" she runs to.

Hopefully your advice will help her chill out a little bit!

by CallaLily Wed 07 Mar 2018, 8:19 am

Yes. With Cheeseburger I felt really guilty about it because it obviously stressed her out and she never quite came to fully trust me again after. But she did recovered from her illness and lived for many many more months (almost another year), so it was worth it.

I did dose Daryl differently (food), and I know it’s frowned upon by most here, but it worked for us because he gobbled it up straight away. But he did have an ointment too and I just did the best I could to get it on there without scruffing and as stress free as I could. Sometimes I’d miss but the vet had said that was no biggie because as he went to wash it off his face he was pulling it through his eyes anyway (where it was needed). So I would say just try to relax and get it on there the best you can - even if you have to take a bit of a break and let her play a little before trying again. From your other posts it sounds like she’s healing well and you’re doing a great job. Smile

by River Wed 07 Mar 2018, 10:10 am

I'm afraid she's not healing all that well! She was healing very, very well but there's this one spot she refuses to stop scratching that just continues to worsen. Something that used to work now hardly helps at all it seems. Doesn't help that she makes such quick work of herself. The wound is now down her side, to her leg, with bald but less red patches nearby...I'm not totally giving up on it yet, though. Who knows. Miracles happen.

Thank you, though!

by BananaPie Wed 07 Mar 2018, 1:36 pm

Have you asked the vet how to deter her from messing with this spot? I can see why you're so distress about it. Goodness knows I would be if it was seemingly getting worse. Hopefully it clears up!

by River Wed 07 Mar 2018, 3:20 pm

Thank you! That's what we're working on, she has some skin problems we haven't yet identified for sure. We are working on finding the best route of action for long-term treatment but right now I keep her nails short and give her a cuddle when she starts itching too much. I also add a new toy every other day to keep her distracted and happy. Even though I'm hesitant with all her open wounds, I've also considered adding another mouse to the colony to enrich her more...but I'm not sure how good of an idea that is! It's a process but I have hope.

by CallaLily Thu 08 Mar 2018, 6:01 am

River wrote:I'm afraid she's not healing all that well! She was healing very, very well but there's this one spot she refuses to stop scratching that just continues to worsen. Something that used to work now hardly helps at all it seems. Doesn't help that she makes such quick work of herself. The wound is now down her side, to her leg, with bald but less red patches nearby...I'm not totally giving up on it yet, though. Who knows. Miracles happen.

Thank you, though!

Oh no! I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize she had a relapse. One step forward, two steps back eh? From everything I’ve read, chronic scratching can be really hard to break. It often continues to be a problem even after the original cause is taken care of. But exploring other options never hurts. I hope you and your vet find a solution.

by Sponsored content

Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!

Re: Medicating makes me feel so guilty!