http://www.cairnrescue.com/docs/AfterTreatmentCare.htmForget The Spoonful Of Sugar: Giving Medicine To Your DogYou probably have already noticed that animals can be remarkably stubborn about taking medications. Apparently, no one's been able to convince them that eating something that tastes bad is good for you. But one of the primary rules in getting your dog better is making sure she gets her medicine on time. Another is following the full course of treatment prescribed by your vet-in other words, don't stop giving the medicine just because your dog seems better. If you think your dog is having an adverse reaction to the medication, however, call the vet right away and ask for instructions.
Medication for your dog may come in pills or in a liquid. If it's the latter, use a syringe or bottle as described earlier. For pills, it doesn't seem to matter how inventive you are about disguising the medicine with food or special treats: dogs always know, and more often than not spit it out. To be sure that the medicine is going down, try this:
* Hold your dog's muzzle with one hand and tilt her nose up at a 45° angle. Talk to her while you are doing this; reassure her verbally and pat or stroke her head. Press gently inward on her upper lips to get her mouth open.
* To prevent your dog from clamping her mouth shut on your fingers, keep her upper lips rolled inward between her teeth and your fingers. If you have a large dog, use your opposite hand to open her mouth and place the pill as far back over the base of the tongue as you can. If the pills are not in the center of the tongue or back far enough, your dog will spit them out.
* Quickly remove your hand so your dog can close her mouth. Keeping her head up will encourage her to swallow; if that fails, stroke her throat until she does. If your dog licks her nose, most likely the medication has gone down.
* If you have a small dog, the procedures vary slightly. Grasp the pill between your thumb and forefinger, use your third finger to hold the bottom jaw open and place the pill over the base of the tongue. If your dog is too small or your fingers too large, take aim and shoot: drop the pill over the back of her tongue rather than placing it.
* If your dog is more mule than canine and nothing you try succeeds, ask the vet to administer the pills or give your pet the medication by injection.