Anti-biotics, good or bad? :(:(:(

[tasteslikefame]

Hello,

Yesterday we noticed my piggie was breathing funny, like it was a struggle and it was really noticeable. we rushed her to the vets who gave anti-biotics and said she could have a chest infection. we mentioned about how weve been trying to fatten her up because shes so skinny compared to her sister but it just isnt working even though we make sure she eats seperately. she also drinks lots and lots of water! the vet said we would test her for diabetes after a week of anti-biotics and hopefully when she was rid of the chest infection.

anyway we went home and opened the anti-biotics and it was the exact same banana medicine that doctors give to children. so we rang the vets and said surely we shouldnt give her this, which was presumed was full of sugar, if she could be diabetic? they said theyd research and find out, they rang back to say it was just sweetner and not sugar and therefore she should be fine.

So, reassured, we gave her the dosage, she really didnt enjoy getting the syringe in her mouth so we put her straight back in her cage to calm down then literally less than a minute later, she lay down and had died even though just before that she had still been breathing funny but seemed fine, eating and drinking.

we are absolutely devastated and in complete shock, i really cant believe it. I feel so angry and just want to turn back time.

Why did that happen? was she diabetic? or was it just the wrong dosage?

Please help, i just want an answer so distraught

thank you

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Oh my goodness, i am so sorry to hear of your loss.

Firstly, what was the name of the meds prescribed and what dosage?
How old was she?
How much did she weigh?

I am not sure that if it was less then a minute after the meds were administered that she died it could be an effect of the meds and that would probably not be enough time to effect her - though i could be wrong. It could have been the shock that killed her, or even a result of whatever was wrong with her - they do go downhill sooo quickly, which is why it is important to do what you did and seek professional help ASAP.

Are the vets cavvy savvy - exotics specialists?

What exactly did they do with her from the moment you walked into the room to when you walked out, did they listen to her chest or anything?

So sorry for all the questions but it might help find some answers.


x

 

[sport_billy]

First of all, so sorry for the loss of your piggie.

The Banana tasting Antibiotic was more than likely Septrin, This Antibiotic is widely used within piggies and we have often had it prescribed to our girl who too is a diabetic piggie. Only a vet could give you an exact cause of death after a post mortem.

Unfortuantely it sounds like it was your piggies time to go, sometimes no matter what we do we can't save them. Please don't beat yourself up, piggies are very good at hiding illness and often go downhill very quickly. Once again so sorry for your loss.

 

[Claire W]

I am so very sorry for your loss

Please do not beat yourself up. Obviously I could be wrong, but I suspect that the fact she died wasn't down to the antibiotics, more that it was just her time to go.

As sport billy has said, Septrin is a commonly used antibiotic for piggies.

I am afraid that only a vet would be able to tell you the exact cause of death which may include a post mortem. You would have to make the decision if you could put yourself through that.

Once again, I am so very sorry.

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Sorry for my interrogation, i have heard septrin being commonly used for piggies, but i have never had it prescribed so was not aware it was banana flavoured. I too suspect it was just her time.

x

 

[Amanda1801]

As already said, the antibiotic is likely to be septrin, something many of us have used in guinea pigs before. The fact that the death was so quick after the antibiotics suggests it was unrelated to this. It was more likely due to her illness, be it directly (the infection) or indirectly (problem with the lungs making her heart work harder to get enough oxygen around the body exacerbating an underlying heart problem/defect for example).

 

[tasteslikefame]

thank you all for such quick replies and condolences.

She was 4 years old and had a really fun life with her sister. I think it probably was too late when we noticed. Poor thing It's just such a shock, it was SO quick!

She has never been apart from her sister in nearly 5 years, whats the best thing to do now with our remaining piggie? Will she be ok alone?

It does bug me that most vets just refer back to cats and dogs whenever speaking to them! I'm yet to find a vet who has a strong knowledge and confidence of dealing with piggies!

 

[Amanda1801]

thank you all for such quick replies and condolences.

She was 4 years old and had a really fun life with her sister. I think it probably was too late when we noticed. Poor thing It's just such a shock, it was SO quick!

She has never been apart from her sister in nearly 5 years, whats the best thing to do now with our remaining piggie? Will she be ok alone?

It does bug me that most vets just refer back to cats and dogs whenever speaking to them! I'm yet to find a vet who has a strong knowledge and confidence of dealing with piggies!

Guinea pigs are naturally prey animals, so they are very good when it comes to hiding illness, as showing signs of weakness in the wild would lead to them being eaten. You mentioned some weightloss, it could be that this was the start of her getting unwell. It's generally advised to weigh guinea pigs once a week or so, as weightloss is often the first sign of illness, and you can catch it early. When they start showing signs of being unwell, they're normally quite poorly already.

Most people will advise getting your remaining piggy a friend. They are herd animals and do best in numbers of at least 2. Where abouts are you located? A lot of rescues do dating, where you can take your existing piggy off to find a friend that they will get on with, as like people, there's no guarantee that two pigs will just get on! Rescues are full to bursting at the moment, so you'll more than likely find something that suits your needs, whether you want an older or younger piggy. Rescue pigs come in all shapes and sizes too, but the best thing is that your remaining pig can pick a pig that she is going to get on with.

The Piggy Bank UK is a rescue network, and the PB approved rescues meet minimum standards in terms of welfare and piggy wellbeing, as unfortunately some "rescues" aren't as wonderful as they can seem. I'd strongly recommend contacting your nearest PB rescue and taking it from there. If you're on Facebook, you can "like" the PB UK facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/piggybank.gpr?fref=ts and if you're not on Facebook, the PB have compiled a map showing all the PB approved rescues, so that you can easily find the one closest to you https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0

If you let us know where you're located, I'm sure someone would also be able to recommend a tried and tested "cavy savvy" vet that you could look into, incase you need them in the future.

 

[Stewybus]

I really know what you're going through, having just lost my little Madam last Saturday aged just 18 months. We have 3 other girls so aren't planning on getting another piggie yet unless maybe a neutered boar comes up for adoption in my area.

With only one piggie, she will be lonely after years with a companion. Maybe getting hold of a younger compatible rescue piggie would be the best option.

Whatever you do don't blame yourself, it sounds like you really cared for her.

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry! Do you know what antibiotic she was given? Several are mixed in with that banana-flavoured base and are normal... one of my pigs is on ongoing antibiotic therapy for bladder issues I mix her Baytril with a banana base myself at home. Honestly, I really doubt that the medication had anything to do with her death. Respiratory infections are serious for guinea pigs, and having owned rodents/small animals all my life, I have unfortunately seen several of them simply lay down and die, even when getting appropriate medical care. Often by the time they show symptoms, small animals can be very sick already, and can deteriorate within minutes right at the end.

Again, I'm so sorry. I don't think you did anything wrong in giving her the meds.

 

[wenton5]

I also suspect it was just her time. I have learned it's so tricky with piggies, they need to be checked everyday to be sure they are eating and they seem normal. I think it was just her time to go. I just lost my lovey and I also believe that pigs shouldn't be alone. I switched my Skunky's cage mage S'more, I cleaned her cage, and put in a bunch of new things, and moved stuff around (food, etc.) so that S'more would have new and interesting things to discover and do instead of brooding and depressed over the loss. Make sure to monitor her eating.