Ariel has a URI ☹️

[Alisa3114]

Ava told me this morning that one of the girls had woken her up in the night. She heard one of them drinking water and it sounded like she was coughing after it. She said she had a look and only Ariel was by the water bottle. I got her out to check her over and it looked like she had a bit of crusting around one of her nostrils. I couldn't get an appointment with the recommended exotic vet until next Thursday and there was no way I was going back to vet I had taken Alisa and Aria to so I phoned one of the other local vets but they said they didn't have a vet who was experienced Guinea pigs but recommended an exotics vet at Vets for pets about 15 miles away luckily when I phoned them they had a cancellation at 3pm. The vet was really lovely I will definitely take the girls there again to see him. He put magnifying glasses on and had a look at her nose and then gave them to me so I could see and you could see she had a runny nose when she was breathing in and out. He listened to her chest and lungs and said it looks like we had caught it early as her chest and lungs were clear. He prescribed her Metacam 0.3ml once a day and Baytril 0.2ml once a day and Vitamin C powder. He also told me to put her in a separate cage from the girls until she was better. That's the only thing I wasn't really happy with. I spoke with Suzy after the visit and she assured me that I didn't need to separate the girls which I was happy with.

Does anybody have any advice on the best way to hold her to get the syringe in ? It took me ages as she screamed the place down and kept moving her head.

 

[piggieminder]

Sending Ariel healing vibes, get well quickly sweet girl. Other than wrapping her in something like a towel or t towel I don't know what else to suggest. Mine have always been good with a syringe. I wouldn't seperate them either, if they've been with her anyway so if they are going to catch it they will by now.
Hugs to you, it's horrible when they are ill.

 

[Alisa3114]

Sending Ariel healing vibes, get well quickly sweet girl. Other than wrapping her in something like a towel or t towel I don't know what else to suggest. Mine have always been good with a syringe. I wouldn't seperate them either, if they've been with her anyway so if they are going to catch it they will by now.
Hugs to you, it's horrible when they are ill.

Thanks I don't think she's ever had something from a syringe before so was a little scared, fingers crossed she will get used to it or it's going to be a stressful two weeks hoping I get her to take it all. It was just lucky I had a day off today and managed to get an appointment straight away. All the girls have had a good checking and all their noses are clear so far but if any of them start getting any symptoms at least I have the stuff here now and can get them straight on it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

That’s great that you could get her checked so quickly. I also wouldn’t separate her, and wrapping in a towel is what I would also suggest.

 

[piggieminder]

Hopefully she will get used to it, any piggies I've had on metacam love it once they work out what they are getting and will run to the side of the cage for it without being picked. Spike even liked Baytril and took it eagerly! From tales I've heard on the Forum he is an exception to that one though. When Bracken was on a lot of meds I started with the ones he didn't like and finished with Metacam, he knew what was coming and didn't make a fuss.

 

[Alisa3114]

Great, I.m going to try the towel tomorrow I gave her the Baytril first which I had mixed with a little metatone tonic that Suzy suggested so it didn't taste so bitter then gave her the Metacam. So fingers crossed she will be like the others piggies and like Metacam which will make things easier

 

[Alisa3114]

That’s great that you could get her checked so quickly. I also wouldn’t separate her, and wrapping in a towel is what I would also suggest.

She's back with all the girls it wouldn't have felt right separating her I think it would have made me more worried about her.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Aw healing wheeks for Ariel, so glad you found a good vet- URIs can get bad pretty fast so good job you caught it so early! Sounds like when our Blod had the start of a URI, she was snoring and honking but her lungs were clear and it was more of a sore throat, a course of baytril cleared it up.
I have no advice about syringing as personally I am rubbish at it and piggy daddy does all our medicines and critical care feeds... I think the advice is to practice with something nice! The metacam should be popular as it tastes sugary, but baytril is generally thought to taste foul- our vet suggested mixing baytril with sugar free cordial which I have tried, but that doubles the amount you are trying to get them to swallow, so it doesnt work for everyone or everypig.
Personally I wouldnt risk the bond by separating her from her friends, if she was going to infect them she will have done by now anyway, though other people may have different views on this of course...

 

[Wiebke]

Ava told me this morning that one of the girls had woken her up in the night. She heard one of them drinking water and it sounded like she was coughing after it. She said she had a look and only Ariel was by the water bottle. I got her out to check her over and it looked like she had a bit of crusting around one of her nostrils. I couldn't get an appointment with the recommended exotic vet until next Thursday and there was no way I was going back to vet I had taken Alisa and Aria to so I phoned one of the other local vets but they said they didn't have a vet who was experienced Guinea pigs but recommended an exotics vet at Vets for pets about 15 miles away luckily when I phoned them they had a cancellation at 3pm. The vet was really lovely I will definitely take the girls there again to see him. He put magnifying glasses on and had a look at her nose and then gave them to me so I could see and you could see she had a runny nose when she was breathing in and out. He listened to her chest and lungs and said it looks like we had caught it early as her chest and lungs were clear. He prescribed her Metacam 0.3ml once a day and Baytril 0.2ml once a day and Vitamin C powder. He also told me to put her in a separate cage from the girls until she was better. That's the only thing I wasn't really happy with. I spoke with Suzy after the visit and she assured me that I didn't need to separate the girls which I was happy with.

Does anybody have any advice on the best way to hold her to get the syringe in ? It took me ages as she screamed the place down and kept moving her head.

Hi!

Healthy, well cared for guinea pigs don't usually catch a bacterial URI from their mates because their immune systems are strong enough to cope. URI is an opportunist that can only hit when the immune system is somewhat lowered for whatever reason.
But because it is a potential killer, any vet will treat for it if in the least doubt.

This is how I find it best to hold an uncooperative piggy of mine (baytril and sulfatrim are both horribly foul tasting - but please don't try them as baytril is not suitable for humans):


Use your upper body as well as the index and thumb to restrict movement of the head while using the rest of the hand to pin the upper body of your piggy against you. This your other hand free to try and get the syringe in (may take a bit but training and practice help!)
Also use piggy whispering tricks and lots of praise and encouragement to make a big fuss.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?
Have some ribena or other fruit concentrate and give the same amount straight afterwards to cover the taste.

I hope that this helps?

 

[Merab]

Hope she recovers quickly

 

[Alisa3114]

Aw healing wheeks for Ariel, so glad you found a good vet- URIs can get bad pretty fast so good job you caught it so early! Sounds like when our Blod had the start of a URI, she was snoring and honking but her lungs were clear and it was more of a sore throat, a course of baytril cleared it up.
I have no advice about syringing as personally I am rubbish at it and piggy daddy does all our medicines and critical care feeds... I think the advice is to practice with something nice! The metacam should be popular as it tastes sugary, but baytril is generally thought to taste foul- our vet suggested mixing baytril with sugar free cordial which I have tried, but that doubles the amount you are trying to get them to swallow, so it doesnt work for everyone or everypig.
Personally I wouldnt risk the bond by separating her from her friends, if she was going to infect them she will have done by now anyway, though other people may have different views on this of course...

Thanks I really didn't want to separate her as I thought she might get depressed which would make her worse. I phoned Suzy at the rescue and she assured me it was ok to put Ariel back with the girls.

 

[Alisa3114]

Hi!

Healthy, well cared for guinea pigs don't usually catch a bacterial URI from their mates because their immune systems are strong enough to cope. URI is an opportunist that can only hit when the immune system is somewhat lowered, for whatever reason.
But because it is a potential killer, any vet will treat for it if in the least doubt.

This is how I find it best to hold an uncooperative piggy of mine (baytril and sulfatrim are both horribly foul tasting - but please don't try them as baytril is not suitable for humans):
View attachment 122846

Use your upper body as well as the index and thumb to restrict movement of the head with one hand while you still have the other to try and get the syringe in.
Also use piggy whispering tricks and lots of praise and encouragement to make a big fuss.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?
Have some ribena or other fruit concentrate and give the same amount straight afterwards to cover the taste.

I hope that this helps?

That's a great help, Thanks Wiebke

 

[Alisa3114]

Hope she recovers quickly

Thanks

 

[VickiA]

Just remember that you are being temporarily cruel to be kind. Baytril is disgustingly bitter, but metacam tastes sweet like honey, so if she has the metacam after her Baytril, that should help take the nasty taste away. The syringe guide is a great help. And to be honest, we all find our own slightly different ways of getting syringe meds into our piggies as no 2 piggies are alike.
Well done for catching it early. You are very attentive.

 

[Alisa3114]

Just remember that you are being temporarily cruel to be kind. Baytril is disgustingly bitter, but metacam tastes sweet like honey, so if she has the metacam after her Baytril, that should help take the nasty taste away. The syringe guide is a great help. And to be honest, we all find our own slightly different ways of getting syringe meds into our piggies as no 2 piggies are alike.
Well done for catching it early. You are very attentive.

Thanks It's only down to reading all the great advice on here that I knew it was important that she was seen quickly otherwise it might have been different and I missed it

 

[VickiA]

Thanks It's only down to reading all the great advice on here that I knew it was important that she was seen quickly otherwise it might have been different and I missed it

I have no doubt that years ago this forum saved my beloved Connie’s life when I recognised that she had bloat and learned about how vets deal with emergencies. I’d have had no clue, if it hadn’t been for the forum.

 

[Alisa3114]

I have no doubt that years ago this forum saved my beloved Connie’s life when I recognised that she had bloat and learned about how vets deal with emergencies. I’d have had no clue, if it hadn’t been for the forum.

Exactly, I'd be lost without this forum. I would have driven Suzy mad by now bombarding her with questions if I hadn't joined here lol

 

[piggieminder]

The Forum has saved several of my piggies, and it's saved my sanity on a few ocasions. I'm always telling people who ask me advise about their piggies to come here.

 

[PigglePuggle]

I have no doubt that years ago this forum saved my beloved Connie’s life when I recognised that she had bloat and learned about how vets deal with emergencies. I’d have had no clue, if it hadn’t been for the forum.

Same here! The forum saved little bloaty Puggle's life because I knew we had to get her to the vet as an emergency, it was the worst case of bloat our vet had ever seen (5 minutes before closing time on a friday!) and even our excellent head vet didnt think she'd make it, but she did!

 

[Alisa3114]

Good news, Ariel seems to be on the mend her nose is drying up and she's actually put on a good bit of weight since last week but then she never lost her appetite her and Aria spend 99% of their time in the hay tray

Bad news, Avaleigh has come down with the same thing it seems to have hit her harder than Ariel she's lost weight and she was just lying in her tunnel. Started her on the Baytril, Metacam, Metatone tonic, and syringe fed her some vitamin c water and mashed up pellets. I've ordered some Emeraid just in case but she seemed to have perked up after having the meds and she was in the hay tray eating hay.

I ordered the respiratory blend from Piggie Parcels and that arrived this morning so I am hoping that will give a boost to them all. Just keeping fingers crossed none of the others are going to come down with it. Apart from Avaleigh they had all put on weight this week and are all eating and drinking and don't have signs of a runny nose yet.

 

[piggieminder]

Sending you hugs, what a hard time you are having. Good to hear Ariel seems to be getting better. I hope Avaleigh gets better very soon.

 

[Alisa3114]

Sending you hugs, what a hard time you are having. Good to hear Ariel seems to be getting better. I hope Avaleigh gets better very soon.

Thanks been the week from hell so far. Wednesday Ariel was first ill and rushed her to the vets, Thursday i was in hospital all day as they thought I had appendicitis so was there until 7.30pm and had to go back Friday morning for scans and to see Consultant( was kidney stones not appendix). Friday afternoon my mother shut the car boot on her finger they had to just bandage it up as they thought she had damaged her tendons. Saturday morning had to take my mother to Morriston hospital @ 8.00am so she could have surgery on her finger luckily it wasn't too bad and they did the surgery under LA so we were only there until 5.30pm and she didn't have to stay in then yesterday found Avaleigh ill

 

[piggieminder]

You have had a bad week! As a fellow kidney stone sufferer I send you commiserations. Will you need an operation to remove them or are they small enough to pass, either ways not fun. Your poor Mum that must be so painful, I hope she makes a quick recovery. Why do all these things happen at once? It's like life goes along okay for a while and then suddenly turns round and bites you!

 

[Wiebke]

Good news, Ariel seems to be on the mend her nose is drying up and she's actually put on a good bit of weight since last week but then she never lost her appetite her and Aria spend 99% of their time in the hay tray

Bad news, Avaleigh has come down with the same thing ☹it seems to have hit her harder than Ariel she's lost weight and she was just lying in her tunnel. Started her on the Baytril, Metacam, Metatone tonic, and syringe fed her some vitamin c water and mashed up pellets. I've ordered some Emeraid just in case but she seemed to have perked up after having the meds and she was in the hay tray eating hay.

I ordered the respiratory blend from Piggie Parcels and that arrived this morning so I am hoping that will give a boost to them all. Just keeping fingers crossed none of the others are going to come down with it. Apart from Avaleigh they had all put on weight this week and are all eating and drinking and don't have signs of a runny nose yet.

Good that you could step in promptly - that means that it is hopefully not getting any worse.

With a second piggy in a group having caught it you might consider a quarantine (although it may be too late).
Importance Of Quarantine

 

[Alisa3114]

Good that you could step in promptly - that means that it is hopefully not getting any worse.

With a second piggy in a group having caught it you might consider a quarantine (although it may be too late).
Importance Of Quarantine

Perhaps I made a mistake and should have quarantined Ariel on Wednesday

 

[Alisa3114]

You have had a bad week! As a fellow kidney stone sufferer I send you commiserations. Will you need an operation to remove them or are they small enough to pass, either ways not fun. Your poor Mum that must be so painful, I hope she makes a quick recovery. Why do all these things happen at once? It's like life goes along okay for a while and then suddenly turns round and bites you!

Touch wood they are small at the moment so no operation needed. Thanks, she should be ok now as no permanent damage done, don't know how she didn't pass out from the pain but she had to unlock the boot to free her finger

 

[VickiA]

What a tough time you’re having. Hang in there.

 

[Alisa3114]

What a tough time you’re having. Hang in there.

Thanks, I'm trying

 

[Alisa3114]

Update, they both had a check up at the vets today.

Ariel still has a runny nose so she's on another 10 day course of Bayril although he hasn't prescribed anymore Metacam for her. She's had no weight loss and her appetite is as big as ever, her and Aria seem to spend the whole day sitting in the hay tray eating.

Avaleigh is steadily putting on weight she's back up to 601g, she was 661g before she was ill . Vet said he is no longer worried about her as she's got her appetite back and is putting on the weight. She has no signs of a URI her nose, chest and lungs are clear and her poops are normal but he said he's keeping her on a low dose of Baytril for the next day days just in case. I forgot to ask whether I can stop syringe feeding her now.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Update, they both had a check up at the vets today.

Ariel still has a runny nose so she's on another 10 day course of Bayril although he hasn't prescribed anymore Metacam for her. She's had no weight loss and her appetite is as big as ever, her and Aria seem to spend the whole day sitting in the hay tray eating.

Avaleigh is steadily putting on weight she's back up to 601g, she was 661g before she was ill . Vet said he is no longer worried about her as she's got her appetite back and is putting on the weight. She has no signs of a URI her nose, chest and lungs are clear and her poops are normal but he said he's keeping her on a low dose of Baytril for the next day days just in case. I forgot to ask whether I can stop syringe feeding her now.

Glad they seem to be improving! I would keep up a bit of top-up syringe feeding once or twice a day until she regains her usual weight, as she is so small x