Marr, J. M., Gnam, E. C., Calhoun, J. et al. 1993. A non-stressful alternative to gastric gavage for oral administration of antibiotics in rabbits. Lab Animal 22(2), 47-49.

Generally, rabbits receive oral medication by gastric intubation, a method that frequently requires more than one technician, is time consuming, and places unnecessary stress on the animal. A very simple but effective training technique is described which ensures that rabbits voluntarily cooperate during oral drug administration. We coated the tip of the syringe with sucrose sample. Inserting the syringe through the bars of the cage, we placed it in the animal's mouth and injected the sucrose solution slowly to allow the rabbit to taste and drink the fluid. We repeated the procedure three times a day for a total of 15 minutes per session, and within two days, 80% of the [10] animals voluntarily swallowed the fluid from the syringe. The [2] rabbits that did not seek out the syringe usually took it with only minimal encouragement. At the onset of the therapy, we substituted the antibiotic for the sucrose solution. .... We continued coating the tip of the syringe with sucrose granules throughout the therapy, apparently masking any unpleasant sensations produced by the antibiotic. Eight of the ten rabbits cooperated within two days. They would stand with their paws on the front of the cages, protrude their faces from between the bars, and appear to beg for the syringe containing the antibiotic [documented with a photo]. This non-stress method of giving tosufloxacin was successful in producing the desired serum and bone concentrations.