Administering Flagyl®

At best getting Flagyl® into a ferret is a chore. At worst, ferrets react so negatively, owners may stop their medication - - - One of the most frustrating experiences is having to give Flagyl® to your ferret!  The horribly bitter medication comes in pill form and is guaranteed to cause excessive salivation, drooling, pawing at the mouth and all manner of negative gyrations from the poor ferret that has to have it.

Our shelter vet, Dr. Barrios, passed on the following idea which, with some adjustments over time, has evolved into a somewhat less painful method of medicating an animal.  Please be sure to check with your veterinarian about the dosage, frequency and duration of the solution as well as the combination of Flagyl® and Carafate® medications to ensure there are no contra-indications with any other medicine your ferret is taking or with your ferret’s particular illness. (Flagyl® is normally prescribed for moderate to severe diarrhea).

Here’s the recipe and directions:
1 - 250 mg tablet of Flagyl® - crushed fine
2 ½ cc honey
2 ½ cc very warm water

Mix. Shake well before using as the powder does not suspend well!

Pretreat your ferret’s mouth with ¼ to ½ cc of Carafate® immediately before medicating with the Flagyl® mixture. Dose with the Flagyl® mixture with a syringe way in the back of the throat.  (We had to dose 1 cc once per day and I would give it in approximately 1/3 cc “squirts.”) Follow with another ¼ to ½ cc of Carafate®.  However, far more gets INTO the ferret rather than spit out on the floor; and, they seem to tolerate it far better than as a pill.