Nursing tool

[Sunnyastounded]

Do you guys prefer the eyedropper or syringe for when it comes to nursing kits? Or is there something else out there that makes the job easier?

 

[tunes]

1 cc insulin syringe.

 

[6Dusters]

1 cc insulin syringe.

Have several around as they dry out and become hard to pull back. I have also taken them apart when this has happened and applied liquid PAM spray with my finger around the plunger. However that doesn't work but a couple times.

 

[EMSChins]

I prefer the 1cc syringe, I bulk order them from Amazon that way I always have them on hand for kits and medicines as the ones the vets give you wear out quickly if you are handfeeding or giving meds long term.

 

[Claire D]

Plastic pipette as I find them incredibly easy to control - I use a 0.5ml with very small kits & then increase to 1ml.

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

The pipettes look like they work well. Don't know where I'd find them though. I have tried using a syringe many times but always go back to an eye dropper. Some kits are easier to feed with a curved tip eye dropper.

 

[Claire D]

You can buy them via eBay in the US.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/plastic-dropper-transfer-pipette-pipete-0-5ml-x-100-pcs-/260826307872

 

[Essentia]

While I have never hand fed a kit, I have hand fed baby rats and squirrels and I agree completely with Dawn and the pipettes. I have used an eye dropper, 1cc syringe and the pipette and they always seem to be able to nurse better from the pipettes.

 

[Sunnyastounded]

Thanks for all the input! So it seems I'm torn between 1cc insulin syringes and plastic pipettes...

 

[Essentia]

I would recommend having both on hand.

 

[tunes]

How do you clean a pipette and get all the milk out? I use syringes over and over again until they finally start to stick, and even then, that only really affects the teeny babies, not the older ones.

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Usually you can suck up hot soapy water, shake it in the bulb the squeeze the bulb out to empty the pipette. I usually do this until it looks clean.

 

[ChinnieShop]

I like the pipette idea, but I have used syringes myself.

 

[Cuddlebug]

I use a curved eye dropper, though I am seriously considering ordering some syringes.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

I use syringes with the little tiny nipples from a rabbit website (don't remember which) that sells them for baby rabbits and squirrels. You slip the nipple on the tip of the syringe. I got quite a lot of them and when the nipples get chewed I replace with a new one. That it is easy to clean the syringe and nipple. When the syringe get difficult to use I then start using another. You can get the 1 CC syringes from KV VET animal supplies. They have the needles on them but you just take them off and throw away

 

[VolunteerChin22]

I prefer curved eyedroppers myself.

 

[Sycamore Chins]

Curved eye droppers, hands down!

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

Barb-

Becareful with throwing the needles away. Needles/sharps should go in a sharp container and dispose of properly. You can get syringes without needles attached. I usually get the 3 ml dispensing syringe.

Jessica

 

[Claire D]

How do you clean a pipette and get all the milk out?

I use hot water flushes & then sterilise in Milton (baby bottle sterilisation fluid). I do the same with mouse bottles if I get the kits on to drinking milk from a bottle.

 

[Essentia]

While I have never hand fed a kit, I have hand fed baby rats and squirrels and I agree completely with Dawn and the pipettes. I have used an eye dropper, 1cc syringe and the pipette and they always seem to be able to nurse better from the pipettes.

Claire! I meant Claire! I have no idea why in the world I said Dawn, but I didn't notice until just now. Sorry about that!