Stubborn Sam

He may look more lazy than stubborn in this picture, but when it comes to getting medicine down, he can hang with the best of 'em. We have been giving Sam an antibiotic for a skin infection called a hot spot. I am sad to report that he has outwitted us in almost every attempt to try to fool him into taking his medicine. This is what we have tried so far: hiding it in a hotdog (we tried to reason with him-"Think of how many hotdogs you could have!", hiding it in a 'cookie', putting the powder only (not the capsule) inside the cookie, hiding it in peanut butter, and just plain ole shoving it down his throat. Even that is hard because he has the strongest tongue EVER and he will hold it in the back of his mouth while we try to massage it down his throat. Keep in mind all of this is done with an element of surprise. We vary the time at which we give it to him, and the method of attack. (Sometimes Jason gives it to him outside, inside, on the way to his crate at night, right after dinner, etc.) I told you he was stubborn!!!

I talked to the vet this morning, and he said to put mayonnaise on the pill to make it easier to shove down his throat. We will try that tonight, but I am kind of doubtful that it will work. His hot spot is still not completely better, so we are going to have to continue antibiotics for a few more days. But Jason and I are desperate. Please post any ideas that you have found to be successful for making dogs take medicine. We are almost to the end of our rope. It is so hard to hear him gag and watch him writhe around like we are trying to kill him by making his take this medicine. Any suggestions are appreciated!