My vet taught me to use a silcone spatula found in most cookware sections. Finding one small enough is the trick, maybe a kids cook set, but cut off one side of it to make it less cumbersome. The rubber is very soft and easily slides into their mouth with little gum or lip trauma. The big bonus in using the spatula is it depresses the tounge and gets you past the trachea. So it minimizes the chance of the food or any meds being aspirated or pushed back out by her tounge. Best of luck with your girl.
