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Baby Guinea Showing Symptons

PollyThePiggy

PollyThePiggy

Junior Guinea Pig
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So I just got a baby guinea pig from the store. Yes. I know. But just for your info, there are no rescues or breeders near me...I noticed she has some discharge on her eyes, a little on her nose, and some frequent sneezing. She is eating ALOT and drinking so there she looks healthy. It's hard to tell how active she is because she is still pretty scared... I haven't heard much wheezing but I have heard small ones possibly.

I a little concerned about the possibility of URI because she was from the pet store... I am a little hesitant to take her to the vet because the vet tried to treat our previous guinea who had some sort of URI for over a year without success. They also don't seem to know that much.

Is there something at home that I can try or what should I do? Should I try giving her vitamin C? Any thoughts or info fore me?
 
Upping her vitamin C to support her immune system short term certainly wouldn't hurt, but if it is a URI then only antibiotics will help, personally I'd still go to the vet due to how quickly they can go downhill. Even non exotic vets can, usually, manage to not mess up a course of antibiotics but you can always double check the mediation name and dose on here before going ahead if you're concerned.
 
Eriathwen said:
Upping her vitamin C to support her immune system short term certainly wouldn't hurt, but if it is a URI then only antibiotics will help, personally I'd still go to the vet due to how quickly they can go downhill. Even non exotic vets can, usually, manage to not mess up a course of antibiotics but you can always double check the mediation name and dose on here before going ahead if you're concerned.
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ok
 
I hate being one of those people like VETS IMMEDIATELY. But a URI won't cure itself. It's really does need antibiotics. They die so easily from it. You can keep your guinea pig in the bathroom with a hot shower running
while you sit with him on your lap on the floor (correct me if I'm wrong) but that's only supplemental to antibiotics. I hate baytril, but it is more specified for URI but you need a probiotic to give them an hour after the abx because it messes with their stomachs.
 
Coco&Luna said:
I hate being one of those people like VETS IMMEDIATELY. But a URI won't cure itself. It's really does need antibiotics. They die so easily from it. You can keep your guinea pig in the bathroom with a hot shower running
while you sit with him on your lap on the floor (correct me if I'm wrong) but that's only supplemental to antibiotics. I hate baytril, but it is more specified for URI but you need a probiotic to give them an hour after the abx because it messes with their stomachs.
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thanks
 
I'm of the above impression, better safe than sorry. I also don't fully agree that your vet was treating a Uri unsuccessfully for a year as, in my experience, if treatment is unsuccessful death is usually quite quick as they deteriorate so quickly. However I know I have been told by an excellent vet that once they have something like pneumonia it can cause scarring of the lungs which can impact their effectiveness even after the infection has been cured.
 
Especially in a young pig, I would have them seen by a vet as soon as you can. Respiratory infections can deteriorate really quickly, particularly in the old and the young, and can sometimes even be fatal. Vitamin C in the short term is definitely not going to hurt, but it's not a fix either. If you just got the piggie, you may be able to recuperate some of the cost from the pet store. Good luck and hope he does well for you!
 
Having lost a piggy last week to URI I am a vet immediately person too I'm afraid. My 5 month old was sneezing but was also fine. So I didn't realise anything was wrong. Then bang, he could barely move. I stayed up night and day to try and help him through with supportive care and the drugs. Please don't think that because your piggy is still eating and drinking then nothing is really wrong. Hopefully it comes to nothing, but please don't take the risk. Good luck x
 
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