Allergies/ scaring from past uri?

[Wizzy]

Peppers struggled with a uri for almost 2 months now... and we’re on a 2nd antibiotic because some of her symptoms won’t go away! Some things do confuse me:
- After cleaning the cage Pepper seems to have gotten a bit worse although generally being happier and more active- she has started making ‘honking’ noises again. Her eyes are still a bit crusty but we’re treating that with eye drops and her nose has days where it’s completely clear but days where there is crust.
- her sides seem to move when she’s breathing, but we’ve taken her to the vet 7 times and the last few appointments the vet says there’s no fluid in her lungs or chest, her heart sounds absolutely normal, and there’s no crackling or anything. One vet didn’t even believe she had an infection anymore because everything sounded so clear.
That’s the thing- at certain times she’ll sound and look completely normal, and other times she’ll hoot very loudly and cough and sneeze. It seems to be a little worse when she sleeps?
In terms of her behaviour she has very much improved and is squeaking away for food, running around and eating hay. I’m at a loss here and am very confused as to why her lungs and heart are proven to be completely normal but she still has these symptoms?

 

[Wizzy]

a photo of pepper on saturday

 

[Marlee and Fluffy]

I cannot help you, but I will tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid I don’t have a clue but offering support. It must be a good sign if her heart and lungs are all clear.

PS if you have an ongoing thread regarding her it’s better to keep to the same one so the history can be read there - easier than looking it up.

PPS she’s a beaut

 

[Wizzy]

@Wiebke @Piggies&buns

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is there definitely nothing in the room which can cause her irritation?

 

[Wizzy]

Is there definitely nothing in the room which can cause her irritation?

Other than the woodshavings i can’t think of anything. It’s sometimes quite stuffy in their room but i have the window open as much as i can.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Other than the woodshavings i can’t think of anything. It’s sometimes quite stuffy in their room but i have the window open as much as i can.

Ah yes that’s right you were looking for an alternative dust free bedding.
If medication isn’t making a difference and the vets definitely can’t find anything medically wrong then the next logical place is an irritant - and changing from wood shavings would be the obvious one.

 

[Wizzy]

I’ve been to the vets countless times but they’ve said the past 3 times that she doesn’t have any infection anymore, that her lungs are clear and they can never see any discharge. The vet said it’s most likely a sensitivity to the bedding or the hay. However she has eye discharge still and today has some crust around her nose. I thought it was yellow but it looks more white so i think it’s me being paranoid. I’ve attached pictures- does this look like a uri(especially her nose) or a sensitivity? The vet keeps saying there’s nothing wrong anymore but i’m not convinced! she’s on sulfatrim for another week but has been on it for over 4 now- surely it would’ve worked by now?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please do keep your posts to the same thread you have previously started as we then have all the information in the same place.
As advised in the other thread, if the vet cannot find any sign of a uri and the antibiotics aren’t making any difference, then I would look at a sensitivity to something as well - as advised previously, do try changing from the wood shavings and see if it has an effect.

 

[Wizzy]

Please do keep your posts to the same thread you have previously started as we then have all the information in the same place.
As advised in the other thread, if the vet cannot find any sign of a uri and the antibiotics aren’t making any difference, then I would look at a sensitivity to something as well - as advised previously, do try changing from the wood shavings and see if it has an effect.

Sorry! I’m trying to figure out how to add it all into the same thread. Would a sensitivity still produce the crust on the nose like Pepper has ? That’s really what worried me today.

 

[Chickenpies]

I saw a post (not sure if it’s right) but apparently allergies are quite similar to uri symptoms. My boy is being treated for a uri and he has the same kind of crust. Is she sneezing at all? And what hay are you using? And I’m pretty sure the breathing out the sides is normal (correct me if I’m wrong) But I hope you find out what it is!

 

[Wiebke]

Sorry! I’m trying to figure out how to add it all into the same thread. Would a sensitivity still produce the crust on the nose like Pepper has ? That’s really what worried me today.

Hi! the crusts are minimal and they can be caused by either a rhinitis or a sensitivity.


PS: I have merged your two threads on the same case. Since we are all doing it for free in our free time, none of us is always around or posting on a thread that is already in safe hands and we can't add any more. But this also means that the person answering next time in another thread is not necessarily aware of what has gone on before or can remember what exactly has happened some 60 threads or so later.

You can set your own notifications on any thread by clicking on the 'watch' button at the start of a thread and you can pick up a previous thread either by scrolling down the section or by going to 'Search' on the grey bar at the top, and type in the key word in your thread title and your username.
Keeping all information together makes it easier for us to understand the full situation and saves us time having to search for scattered information. Proper support is not the kind of 'hip-shot 1 symptom = snap your finger, her is a quick answer' as you see far too often online.
We are trying to do the same as vets do, looking at all possible aspects, weighing them up, enquiring further and then making as educated and balanced decision as possible. Our forum format allows us thankfully to concentrate on longer term, nuanced support; but it doesn't work in 'one short post for each' format that has become the norm on social media. We appreciate your understanding of our different way of handling things on this forum. Thank you.

If you have any technical questions about the use of the forum please go to the 'Forum Technical Assistance' section.

 

[Wizzy]

Hi! the crusts are minimal and they can be caused by either a rhinitis or a sensitivity.


PS: I have merged your two threads on the same case. Since we are all doing it for free in our free time, none of us is always around or posting on a thread that is already in safe hands and we can't add any more. But this also means that the person answering next time in another thread is not necessarily aware of what has gone on before or can remember what exactly has happened some 60 threads or so later.

You can set your own notifications on any thread by clicking on the 'watch' button at the start of a thread and you can pick up a previous thread either by scrolling down the section or by going to 'Search' on the grey bar at the top, and type in the key word in your thread title and your username.
Keeping all information together makes it easier for us to understand the full situation and saves us time having to search for scattered information. Proper support is not the kind of 'hip-shot 1 symptom = snap your finger, her is a quick answer' as you see far too often online.
We are trying to do the same as vets do, looking at all possible aspects, weighing them up, enquiring further and then making as educated and balanced decision as possible. Our forum format allows us thankfully to concentrate on longer term, nuanced support; but it doesn't work in 'one short post for each' format that has become the norm on social media. We appreciate your understanding of our different way of handling things on this forum. Thank you.

If you have any technical questions about the use of the forum please go to the 'Forum Technical Assistance' section.

Thank you for merging the thread! And sorry about the millions of threads, my vet never gives me any answers!

 

[Wizzy]

I saw a post (not sure if it’s right) but apparently allergies are quite similar to uri symptoms. My boy is being treated for a uri and he has the same kind of crust. Is she sneezing at all? And what hay are you using? And I’m pretty sure the breathing out the sides is normal (correct me if I’m wrong) But I hope you find out what it is!

Yes she sneezes quite a bit! I also find she hoots/ wheezes when i’ve cleaned their cage, and then settles down for a few days until the cage gets damp, then she starts wheezing again. I use a mix of the natures own timothy hay and the excel hay for rabbits as it’s very dust free. I used to use the p@h one but it was very dusty so i don’t recommend it. And thank you!

 

[Piggies&buns]

As per previous advice, once medical issues (URI) is completely ruled out and as per the vet instruction, stop using wood shavings and see if things improve. It may be worth finding a new hay brand as well just in case it’s that.

 

[Wizzy]

As per previous advice, once medical issues (URI) is completely ruled out and as per the vet instruction, stop using wood shavings and see if things improve. It may be worth finding a new hay brand as well just in case it’s that.

Vet suggested we change from woodshavings as well! i’m going to put them on shredded paper with newspaper underneath when i get back on monday and see if that helps. thank you!

 

[Wizzy]

missed antibiotic dose
i’m visiting my dad at the moment so haven’t been home all weekend to give the guinea pigs their antibiotics... my brother has been doing it but unfortunately he has gone into hospital- so no one is home at the moment to give them their antibiotics. I’m hoping to get home by tomorrow morning, but i can’t be certain! Will they be okay or relapse?

 

[Wizzy]

tagging @Wiebke @Lady Kelly @Piggies&buns always very helpful

 

[Siikibam]

As with us its best not to skip a dose. You’ll just have to give the next one when you get home. Do they have everything they need till tomorrow mornin?

 

[Wiebke]

missed antibiotic dose
i’m visiting my dad at the moment so haven’t been home all weekend to give the guinea pigs their antibiotics... my brother has been doing it but unfortunately he has gone into hospital- so no one is home at the moment to give them their antibiotics. I’m hoping to get home by tomorrow morning, but i can’t be certain! Will they be okay or relapse?

I am very sorry that things have gone haywire for you and your brother so untimely!

Just give the antibiotic as soon as you come home tomorrow and hope for the best. In most cases you can get away with a missed day; after that it depends on what they have and how severe the problem is.

 

[Wizzy]

As with us its best not to skip a dose. You’ll just have to give the next one when you get home. Do they have everything they need till tomorrow mornin?

Yes- my brother called this morning saying he gave them antibiotics at 11am as well as lots of hay and water. I’m just hoping they don’t get worse again as they were finally starting to improve

 

[Wizzy]

I am very sorry that things have gone haywire for you and your brother so untimely!

Just give the antibiotic as soon as you come home tomorrow and hope for the best. In most cases you can get away with a missed day; after that it depends on what they have and how severe the problem is.

thank you so much, i’m leaving very early in the morning in hope to get home at least around mid morning. They both usually have sulfatrim 0.3ml twice a day and last had it at 11am.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes- my brother called this morning saying he gave them antibiotics at 11am as well as lots of hay and water. I’m just hoping they don’t get worse again as they were finally starting to improve

11 am today? In this case you should be OK with giving them the next lot tomorrow. Not ideal, but in this kind of situation you concentrate on doing the best you can.
Stuff happens to all of us sooner or later!

 

[Wizzy]

Was just wondering... is it normal for you to be able to hear a guinea pig breathe when i put them up to my ear? I can hear Pepper breathe when i do this and sometimes she has a very faint whistle but not all the time. The rest of the time the breathing sounds clear, but i can hear it. I can’t hear this on my other pig though, although she does have a longer nose? I’m not sure what’s normal and what’s not anymore it’s driving me mental!