8 Month Old With Uri

[angrybird929]

Hi everyone, I purchased my first Guinea pig from petsmart yesterday. I now know how terrible of a choice that was and I will always rescue from now on. Anyway, I noticed him lights sneezing yesterday and he had a little discharge on his nose. He was still eating a ton and drinking his water and acting happy. But this morning I took him in to the vet anyway (not at petsmart because I didn't want them treating him and keeping him like that) and sure enough he has a URI. They gave me doxycycline to give him twice a day. Has anyone else used this medicine and had good results? He's supposed to take it for two weeks and I'm just so scared. Any advice would be welcomed. Gatsby is such a sweetheart and I'm really hoping I caught this early enough.

 

[Adelle]

Hi!

I'm sorry to hear your little one is poorly but well done on seeking vet treatment right away- URI's can be fatal if left untreated but it sounds like you have caught it early and she is still well in herself which is great.

Doxycycline is safe for guinea pigs but is usually not the first antibiotic of choice- this is usually baytril.

Antibiotics can upset the gut flora so its best to give a probiotic, 1-2 hours after you give each antibiotic dose. Avipro plus, fibreplex and bio-lapis are a few examples, the latter probably being the one available in the states.

If your piggy goes downhill or you dont see an improvement in a few days then its best to see the vet again.

If she gets stuffy in her nose from congestion then a bowl of steaming boiling water with a couple drops albas oil in placed next to the cage can help (not within piggys reach), as this helps clear the airways.

Please weigh her daily at the moment to make sure she isnt losing weight- if she is please step in with syringe feeding:
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

I hope she has a speedy recovery x

 

[angrybird929]

Okay, this was a vet that specializes in exotics so I hope the medicine will work for him! Do you think it would be better to go back and ask for the other?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone, I purchased my first Guinea pig from petsmart yesterday. I now know how terrible of a choice that was and I will always rescue from now on. Anyway, I noticed him lights sneezing yesterday and he had a little discharge on his nose. He was still eating a ton and drinking his water and acting happy. But this morning I took him in to the vet anyway (not at petsmart because I didn't want them treating him and keeping him like that) and sure enough he has a URI. They gave me doxycycline to give him twice a day. Has anyone else used this medicine and had good results? He's supposed to take it for two weeks and I'm just so scared. Any advice would be welcomed. Gatsby is such a sweetheart and I'm really hoping I caught this early enough.

Any vet will in doubt treat for URI, as it can be a killer if untreated. You can try to reclaim the vet cost from the shop by presenting your sale receipt together with the vet bill.

Doxycycline is OK; it is used more often in the US for URI than in the UK.
Here is the link to safe meds: Guinea Lynx :: Medications
Here is the link to dangerous medications: Guinea Lynx :: Dangerous Medications

Administering Medications
First Aid Kit For Guinea Pigs

A list of recommended good standard US guinea pig rescues where you can be sure that all guinea pigs are quarantined/healthy when put up for adoption and properly sexed and bonded.
Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations
If you rehome from another place, please be aware that the risks are all on your side, so make sure that you double check the gender upon arrival and quarantine in another room.
Importance Of Quarantine

You may find our new owners information guide helpful in getting a good start.
" Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners

 

[Adelle]

Okay, this was a vet that specializes in exotics so I hope the medicine will work for him! Do you think it would be better to go back and ask for the other?

As long as he doesnt have any issues with it and he improves well then there shouldnt be any need to change it at this stage x

 

[angrybird929]

So I had to make the dreadful decision to let him be taken back to petsmart yesterday to be treated. I thought he was getting better and all of a sudden he started walking with his head tilted and extremely lethargic. The vet was quoting me no less than $300 to have him xrayed. It broke my heart having to take him to petsmart to be cared for and their vet called and said it looks like it's probably a tumor and not an ear infection so they're going to try and treat him but will probably need to euthanize him. He gave me such love for the 5days I was able to care for and medicate him and my heart is broken.