Baytril For Respiratory Infection

[JBH316]

Hi,

I had my 2 year old female to the vet yesterday as she had an issue with her breathing. The vet has diagnosed a mild respiratory infection and has dispensed baytril 2.5% and metacam. She weighed in at 770g and her baytril dose is given as 0.8ml twice daily. When I gave her the dose this morning, it seemed like quite a lot and on searching older posts here, it would appear to be a high dose. I'm now wondering if the vet meant for the 0.8ml to be split into 2 doses instead of what she has put and I have called the surgery to double check the dose but they have yet to call me back. I'm just wondering what to do if they don't call me back before they close (they have form for this!). Would I carry on with what I've been told to give or reduce the dose for the weekend until I can speak to someone on Monday? I know how crummy high dose antibiotics make me feel so I don't want her feeling any worse than she is already.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I had my 2 year old female to the vet yesterday as she had an issue with her breathing. The vet has diagnosed a mild respiratory infection and has dispensed baytril 2.5% and metacam. She weighed in at 770g and her baytril dose is given as 0.8ml twice daily. When I gave her the dose this morning, it seemed like quite a lot and on searching older posts here, it would appear to be a high dose. I'm now wondering if the vet meant for the 0.8ml to be split into 2 doses instead of what she has put and I have called the surgery to double check the dose but they have yet to call me back. I'm just wondering what to do if they don't call me back before they close (they have form for this!). Would I carry on with what I've been told to give or reduce the dose for the weekend until I can speak to someone on Monday? I know how crummy high dose antibiotics make me feel so I don't want her feeling any worse than she is already.

Hi! You can safely split the dose in two, which is generally recommended for guinea pigs with their fast metabolism. It is at the higher end for a respiratory infection (but fine for a urinary tract infection, so you are not overdosing).

You may want to give a pinch of probiotics either 1 hour before the antibiotic (US recommendation) or 1-2 hours after the antibiotic (UK practice) to help bolster the guts. You can get them in many pet shops in an emergency.
Please step in with syringe feed if you are dealing with a total loss of appetite, which can happen occasionally.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide (also contains information on probiotics and other support products).