Any Ideas What Else We Could Be Doing?

[AlisonP]

Treacle is 3 and robust and healthy, recently put with 2 babies following the loss of her friend she has had a new lease of life, joyously leaping round with the babies who adore her.

On Monday Treacle made a loud coughing sound. We monitored and she only did it on the odd occasion, considering taking her to the vets when she suddenly went downhill. She started making a funny breathing noise and began sitting still and not eating much. Took her to the vets immediately, they said one lung was crackly and gave Metacam and an antibiotic. We are able to coax her with favourite food but she is still no better or worse 24 hours later. We have separated her from the babies which is really sad but the vet said they could get it too.

Is there anything else we could do to help her pull through? We are gutted that a healthy happy pig could be struck down like this, we thought losing her cage mate to a wierd tumour was enough bad luck at such a young age. Thanks, Alison

 

[GPTV]

If the lungs sounded crackly did the vet think she had fluid on them?
If so you could ask if you could have some diuretics - frusemide (sp?) for her. If she's able to eat then give her some dandelions as these have mildly diuretic properties. Not too many at once though as they can lead to soft poops if overfed.

Try some plantain or yarrow leaves if u can find any as these are supposed to help the respiratory system too.

Although she may be off of her food as she's struggling to breathe,

Put a bowl of steaming water near her cage with some olbas oil in it (not in reach) to help her breathing.

What antibiotic Did the vet give u for the respiratory infection?
Antibiotics can also be appetite dampeners. If u have any probiotics these should help to keep the gut ticking over nicely if given about 1-2hrs after the antibiotics.

If u make sure she's warm enough away from draughts this should also help.

Keep an eye on the babies too. They may be carriers anyway.
Often introductions with new piggies end in setbacks in health until the immune system gets used to new germs/bacteria etc.

If your piggy was feeling a bit low because of the loss of her old cagemate her immune system would be low anyway.

Try stimulating her to eat with her favorite foods. Handfeed strips of hay/grass if she'll take it.
If u end up syringe feeding though. Please go very careful as you dont want food to go down the wrong way into her lungs making it more complicated.
Try pellets mushed up in warm water on a spoon if she'll eat by herself which is preferable with breathing problems.

Go back to the vets if she deteriorates at all though.

Speedy recovery little one so u can be back playing with your new friends. Xx

 

[madguinealady]

So sorry you are having such a worrying time.Everything crossed for you.Keep us posted

 

[AlisonP]

The antibiotic is baytril, I have been and picked her some grass and dandelion leaves which she enjoyed. The vet didn't mention fluid on the lungs. She is making a sort of snuffling sound as she breathes . I am so worried. Can they recover from things like this? I am using hot water to steam until we can get out to buy some ok as oil. Thanks for your help.

 

[Adelle]

The antibiotic is baytril, I have been and picked her some grass and dandelion leaves which she enjoyed. The vet didn't mention fluid on the lungs. She is making a sort of snuffling sound as she breathes . I am so worried. Can they recover from things like this? I am using hot water to steam until we can get out to buy some ok as oil. Thanks for your help.

@GPTV has provided some excellent advice. Just want to add, please weigh her daily to make sure she is eating enough food. If her weight is dropping please step in with syringe feeding, all the info is in the link:

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Baytril is harsh on the tummy so please get yourself some probiotics- avipro plus or pro-c from pets at home, usually dosed at around 1/3-1/2 scoop 1-2 hours after each antibiotic dose, or fibreplex which is one unit from the tube for a 1kg pig, twice a day.

If she doesnt improve in the expected time or goes downhill, take her back to the vets.

You are doing everything else you can at the moment- all the best x

 

[Wiebke]

Treacle is 3 and robust and healthy, recently put with 2 babies following the loss of her friend she has had a new lease of life, joyously leaping round with the babies who adore her.

On Monday Treacle made a loud coughing sound. We monitored and she only did it on the odd occasion, considering taking her to the vets when she suddenly went downhill. She started making a funny breathing noise and began sitting still and not eating much. Took her to the vets immediately, they said one lung was crackly and gave Metacam and an antibiotic. We are able to coax her with favourite food but she is still no better or worse 24 hours later. We have separated her from the babies which is really sad but the vet said they could get it too.

Is there anything else we could do to help her pull through? We are gutted that a healthy happy pig could be struck down like this, we thought losing her cage mate to a wierd tumour was enough bad luck at such a young age. Thanks, Alison

- Please start topping her up with syringe feed and water if she is not eating and drinking properly. The need to breathe comes before the need to drink and the need to eat. Weigh her daily at the same time to monitor her food intake.
- Place a bowl of steaming water with or without 2-3 drops of olbas oil next to the cage (vicks contains noxious substances for guinea pigs). Renew as needed to help her breathe.
- Give extra vitamin C, about 1/4 of a human tablet daily or 1/8 twice daily to help boost the immune system.
- Prop up her guts by giving a pinch of probiotics about 1-2 hours after the antibiotic.
You can find more information on supportive care products in our detailed and illustrated syringe feeding guide: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

See your vet re. a diuretic to help drain the lungs if they are congested and for mucus thinning bisolvon powder to help clear the airways as much as possible, especially if there is no improvement. It takes 2-3 days for the antibiotic to kick in fully. If you have been given baytril and you struggle, consider mixing it half/half with ribena (also high in vitamin C) to help cover the horrible taste.

Wishing your poorly girl all the best!