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Baytri really really worried

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Danlaarr

Danlaarr

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(I mean baytril) pippin was prescribed this today I have given her her first dose (0.2 ml per day) and have only just read about it is it really bad stuff? I really don't want to loose her am and actually feeling really upset should I not give her anymore?
 
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All my small rodents that I have had have had baytril (rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) It is the go to antibiotic for most vets. In fact my Gerbil Jasper is on it currently for an infected scent gland. My vet said it was very safe and effective. I have never had an animal have a bad reaction to it.

What gives you the impression it is bad? (why was your piggy prescribed it?)
 
I've been reading about piggies who died from it on here :( she was prescribed it as she has some harmless cysts I was told its just in case they become infected I think I'm going to stop giving it to her as I'm not willing to risk loosing her :(
 
Baytril is safe to give to guinea pigs. Most vets will try this before trying other antibiotics.

The problem with baytril is it can be harsh on a guinea pigs tummy causing them to have soft poos which can lead to other problems.

Have you been given a probiotic from you vet? Giving this after the baytril helps to settle the guts which should hopefully prevent any soft poos and side affects.

If you notice your piggy having softer poos than normal, stop feeding fresh fruit and veg, keep piggy hydrated, make sure she is eating and offer unlimited hay to eat. If side affects continue past 48 hours, consult your vet.

Not all guinea pigs suffer from the common side affects of baytril.

Please do not stop the treatment without consulting your vet first.
 
Baytril is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for use with Guinea Pigs, I can't count the number of times our girls have had it. It is considered safe.
It may upset the guts a little so just keep an eye on their poo's, do you have any probiotic in? This helps encourage good bacteria in te tummy which any antibiotics kill off.

Edit: Sorry posted same time as Claire
 
No I was just given the baytril I won't be able to tell as she lives with two other guinea pigs I think I shall just stop using it
 
Has your vet asked you to put it in the water?

What has it been prescribed for?

Your piggy is more likely to suffer complications from not having it than having it. It's your choice of course but one bad story over numerous positive results is encouraging.
 
If you notice any soft poos in the hutch, that could be a sign.

Please consult your vet and ask for some probiotics before stopping treatment as this could cause delays in her recovery
 
If the vet has prescribed you it then they probably think your piggie needs it. It is a one of the safest antibiotics try not to worry. You would notice any slightly off poo if it were to happen and in my experience it is uncommon, we have gave baytril plenty of times without a probiotic and had zero problems.
 
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Please speak to your vet about this before stopping treatment.

Probiotic is not a prescription thing so you should be able to buy some over the counter at any vet surgery.

My Winnie pig is currently on Baytril and got soft poos after a week. However, less veg, somd extra tasty hay and more Probiotic really seem to have helped and her poos are no longer squashy :)
 
It was just prescribed as a precaution in case of infection in her cyst
 
Has the cyst been cleaned and drained?

One of my piggies had a cyst drained earlier in the year and was given a shot of baytril as a precaution to prevent infection.

I really do recommend you give the stated does. A vet wouldn't prescribe it for no good reason and the last thing you want is an infected cyst
 
baytril is a very safe and good medication. it's just that non-exotics vets seem to think it is the answer to everything! even when something else would be better. in this case though, as it is only being used as a precaution, i would continue using it but get your piggy a probiotic to have at the same time aswell.

the actual dose is very low aswell so it shouldn't cause any harm to your piggy, but just provide that edge off any infection should there be any.

the risk you run if you stop, is that if there is a tiny bit of infection, then that could get worse.

with the small dose though, and using baytril, i would say that the vet is pretty sure that there isn't any infection, so i really wouldn't worry. :)

you read horror stories about everything online. aslong as you have an exotics vet, who you trust, then i would go along with their advice. :)
 
What is a probiotic? Where can I get it from and is it expensive?
 
Probiotic is stuff that helps the good bacteria in the gut and help it keep working sensibly. The ABs can be a bit harsh on those good bacteria.

You can get it over the counter at any vet surgery from the receptionist - doesn't need a vet to prescribe it. It comes in a tub or sachets and is a white powder. Expect to pay £7 - £10 for a tub which will last you ages.

You can mix it with water and syringe feed it, you can sprinkle a pinch on their veg and you casn mix it with the watef in their bottle.
 
She's starting to look a bit drowsy although she's sat on me and had a little bit of celery
 
She will be feeling a bit rotten anyway by the sounds of it but please give her the Baytril as it is more likely to help than hinder her recovery. It's also important to complete the course given just as you should with antibiotics prescribed to you or else it will not be effective.

Probiotics will help keep her tum healthy and happy while the Baytril does it's work but if you have concerns then please please go and discuss them with your vet before stopping any treatment. Vets have a vast amount of knowledge and training and do their best to manage illness in any animals. Guinea pigs are not easy to diagnose and treat as they are so very good at hiding illness, a perfect strategy in the wild but not so helpful when we take our pets to the vet!

Best of luck with her treatment.
 
I have given her her second dosage and she seems to be alright no loss of appetite etc
 
Danlaarr said:
I have given her her second dosage and she seems to be alright no loss of appetite etc
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Great, keep going! Monitor her weight just to make sure she's eating enough and check poos but sounds like she is doing just fine. Probiotics will do no harm even if she seems fine without, just helps the guts do their job to the best of their ability.
 
MerryPip said:
Great, keep going! Monitor her weight just to make sure she's eating enough and check poos but sounds like she is doing just fine. Probiotics will do no harm even if she seems fine without, just helps the guts do their job to the best of their ability.
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I haven't given her a probiotic with it is that bad?
 
It is absolutely fine to give her the baytril without the probiotic, do not worry. Cookie was on Baytril for a whole week and we did not give her any probiotic.

If you do give her some probiotic its best to give her it at a different time to the baytril.
 
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