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Baytril and Babies?

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susie_q

susie_q

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I've got a sow here with four bubbas, and all the bubbas have a bit of a chest infection. The vet gave me baytril to put in water (20ml of water and 1ml of baytril every day). I assume this was so the meds would go into mum and then into the babies through the milk. It's certainly cleared the rattling up in a couple of the babies, but the other two don't seem to be clearing up too well and one in particular is sounding worse. I've been trying to get the one who is sounding worse some alone time with mum to get some milk, but he's such a nosy little parker he's barely interested in suckling from mum! He's eating fine, is alert and nosy and his poos are fine.

Basically I'm wondering if anyone knows any reasons I shouldn't give the wee bubba a bit of baytril straight into him (not more than a drop or two), probably mixed in with some Lactol (cold). The vet did give them all a jag when we visited, and there seems to be no ill effects.
 
Any medications in water is not a good idea as the dosage cannot be guaranteed, thus the meds will not be as effective as they need to be. They should be given direct to the sick piggies, not go through Mum (who I guess is healthy?). In any case, if the meds did need to go through Mum and into the babies via her milk, Mum should be given the full oral dose - so either way, your vets advice wasn't particularly sound.

How old are the babies? I don't know about dosing young piggies with meds, so hopefully someone with particular knowledge on that will come and help you.
 
Thanks! I was bewildered that she wanted me to put the meds into the water and not straight into the babies - every other time I have used Baytril I've given it orally. Fortunatly 20ml isn't a lot of water and them, the mum, is a thristy piggy so she's drinking most of it. Yep, mum is fit and healthy.

The babies are about a week old - personally I would've thought that the baytril would be fine because they were given a jag of it. But maybe they would react differently to getting it orally.
 
Sorry to hear that the little babies are under the weather.

I am afraid that I just don't know about giving young piggies Baytril, but I tend to agree with CCC4 as you just don't know how much each baby is getting, or if it all. However, I would not like to comment on how week old babies would cope with antibiotics and how if would affect their tummies. Having said that if they have an infection then getting the right treatment is really important for them.

I would give your vet a ring and voice your concerns.
 
I believe the vets concern might have been that giving it orally to the babies might really mess with their digestive tract, which is probably why he wanted it going through mum. Only problem is, how do you know how much milk each baby is getting? Definitely worth seeking some clarification from the vet.
 
Well, one of the babies has taken a turn for the worse and is now gasping. Still upright and bright enough to run after mum when she moves, but gasping. Called the vet and he said to give 0.1ml of baytril a day and maybe try getting some lactol into the poor wee bubba, but the baby ain't interested I and I don't want to shove it down his throat.

I'm going to give the others a half dose of 0.1ml of baytril too, but they are sounding clear.

Fingers crossed guys. ~x~
 
You could try taking mum pig out with the ill baby and allowing it to suckle from her alone. This means it get some milk rather than being pushed out by the stronger babies. Even if they weren't ill I would suggest doing this. If they don't all get a fair amount of milk they won't survive.
 
Sadly the little one just died in my hands not that long ago. Had tried everything. :( Goodbye little Ludo, everyone here will miss you and the way you nibbled your veg. ~x~

Others are all sounding clearer, but I think I am going to give them all some baytrill orally. Also off to the vet tomorrow to get somemore baytril and treat everyone in the house, just to make sure it hasn't spread or came from one of the others.
 
Susie, I'm very sorry to hear you lost little Ludo. Good luck with the others, do keep us updated. xx
 
so sorry to hear about Ludo. RIP baby.

are there 3 babies now? I think baytril orally is a good idea. All 3 should be able to pull through.

Have you tried weighing them?
 
Yep three babies. Have been weighing them, and each is gaining weight. One baby in particular has just boomed up in weight and size. Went from being one of the smallest and is now the biggest, bless her.

The other two are gaining weight steadily, but not as much as I would like so have been putting bread soaked in Lactol for them to nibble on.
 
I'm really sad to hear about Ludo. Sounds like you're having a really traumatic time. I really hope the remaining 3 get fully recovered soon.
 
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