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Biscuit is going downhill

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mikulinek

mikulinek

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

Having a difficult time this morning. Yesterday morning we went to see the vet because Biscuit was hooting. The vet found clear nasal discharge and prescribed engemycin for the URI.

Yesterday, after giving him his dose, he spent most of day sleeping and seemed very lethargic. He's also been puffing himself up and sitting in a corner.

This morning we found diahrroea and it's definitely Biscuit's. He's puffed up and lethargic again and is having trouble eating. I called the vet and he's changing the anti-biotic which I will go and pick up in a bit.

Has anyone had engemycin cause diahrroea? I'm really worried about Biscuit now.
 
It's not an antibiotic I know - but as he's got the runs you'll need a pro-biotic to kick start the gut flora the ABs kill off - usually in their water or if given orally 1-2 hrs after AB dose. ABs often cause the runs.

If he's not eating/drinking enough on his own he will need syringing too - either Critical Care or his usual pellets soaked in warm water and mashed up. Hopefully he's still interested in hay - no veg as his gut needs to stabalise first. Perhaps some Sub-Cu fluids by the vet if he's very dehydrated already.

Do keep us updated please! Keeping everything crossed for you.

Suzy x
 
I have just dropped Biscuit off at the vet's. As soon as I mentioned that he was having difficulty eating and was puffing himself up, they wanted him back in. There were no free appointments so I've dropped him off with them and hope to hear something in the next few hours.

It doesn't look good 8...
 
I hate that feeling of helplessness when a pets ill and because they can't tell you how they feel or what's wrong, there's no instant prognosis.. all we can do is sit and wait, and just cling to the hope that he'll pull through.. sending healing vibes ((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
 
Sorry to hear Biscuit is unwell. Engemycin contains oxytetracycline, which is not a safe antibiotic:

http://www.guinealynx.info/dangerous_medications.html

This may explain why he has been so unwell since taking the medicine. Vet should be doing SubQ (injected) fluids and probiotics at the very least, and ideally activated charcoal to soak up the toxins.

I will keep my fingers crossed for him, please do keep us updated. xx
 
Thanks to everyone for all your wishes and to Laura for her helpful advice :)p

Biscuit is going to stay with the vet overnight. They have syringe fed him and will do so again later. He is on a different anti-biotic now thankfully and they are also giving him some pain relief medicine and something to help him pass dropping better (he has slowed gut activity too apparently).

The nurse on the phone said that she thinks he's on the right medication now and we've caught this infection in time so she's positive about it which is always good to hear.

We will get an update tomorrow morning unless something changes drastically.

Thanks again. This 30-year old man had a bit of a cry this morning so I appreciate your concern x>>
 
Glad it's better news. Hope he continues to do well.

Don't blame you for crying at all, my 32 year old OH cries buckets when our animals are ill.
 
oh that sounds better than we thought, fingers crossed eh? Really hope the little man gets through it x

Who cares if you blub, we all would, i blub at other people losing their pigs, how sad am i, in fact since i lost my beautiful Pepper i cry a lot!

8...
 
I'm pleased biscuit seems to be doing better. There's nothing wrong in having a bit of a blub, it shows your a caring person :)
 
Sending Biscuit our slightly belated vibes! I hope that he will continue to feel better.

You can't help releasing some of your pent up emotions sometimes - your pet is your pet, and you care for every one deeply, whatever the species!
 
I really hope he continues to do well hun hugs! I get VERY emotional when my piggies get ill.8...
 
he will need a gut stimulant (metoclopramide) if his gut isnt working right this will kick start his gut into working and also increase his appitie he will need up to 1ml 3 times a day, until he is eating and passing normal poops.

also find out if they are giving him probiotics, IF he doesnt have this with all the other problems he has there is a chance he will die from gut problems as well as his other problems.

Zithromax (azithromycin) is a fantastic antibiotic for chest problems.

Baytril is a very very harsh antibiotic, and ive found if they are on it over a week it can really mess with their gut and sometimes they can die from antibiotic toxemia..(same with all antibiotics if probiotic isnt given the same time a guinea pig is on antibiotics)..
 
Hi everyone,

Thank you all again for your wishes.

I've just been on the phone with the vet to get a break down of what medication Biscuit is being given:

AB = Marbocyl (does anyone have experience of this AB, it's supposed to be specially for small animals)

Gut stasis = Zantac syrup

Pain relief = Metacam

I couldn't get any more information on his condition from the nurse on the desk but she said the vet will call me later. I don't know which is worse (for me not for Biscuit I eman), having him being treated with all the right medications where I can't see him or having him be ill where I can... I know having him there is the right thing for him now but you just worry when you can't cuddle them don't you? :(
 
I can so sympathise, it is hard becuase you want to be with them, keep some normality for them, but medically you sometimes have to hand them over to someone who can help them better.

Marbocyl is safe, have given it to a sow of mine in the past. Generic drug name of it is marbofloxacin.

Zantac syrup, no experience of it myself but Pebble has used it on her guineas with success, I believe.
 
hi,

i'm really hoping that Biscuit is feeling better soon. belated best wishes from two humans, 6 ratties, 1 dwarf hammie and seventeen beautiful piggies xx
 
Not very good with the meds knowledge, apart from metacam having had two of mine have it with no ill effects (apart from Dodge liking it too much and trying to chew the syringe)

Massive massive hugs to Biscuit and to you and Caramel and your OH

Bumble, JoJo and the rest of my motley crew send many wheeks of get-wellness x
 
Sorry to hear about Biscuit. Best of luck for the results tomorrow. We (Lexi, Freya, Archie and me) all hope he recovers soon :)
 
Healing vibes for Biscuit from Velvet Onyx and myself xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
and a big HUG for you mate, it shows how much you adore your little guy and i think it's admirable that you can show your emotions :)xx>>>
 
How is Biscuit doing this morning? Do let us know when you can, when you hear from the vets.
 
Good morning everyone and thank you again for all oyur concern and wishes. x>>

I have just got off the phone with the veterinary nurse. Biscuit is still not eating solid food or passing any droppings but his breathing is better and he is being syringe fed. His medication has not be changed and he spent the night with the nurse (lucky nurse!).

I was told to call back later on to get another update so I'll pass on any changes or updates then. I'm hoping at least to be able to go and see him today, even if he can't come home yet.
 
mikulinek said:
Good morning everyone and thank you again for all oyur concern and wishes. x>>

I have just got off the phone with the veterinary nurse. Biscuit is still not eating solid food or passing any droppings but his breathing is better and he is being syringe fed. His medication has not be changed and he spent the night with the nurse (lucky nurse!).

I was told to call back later on to get another update so I'll pass on any changes or updates then. I'm hoping at least to be able to go and see him today, even if he can't come home yet.
Click to expand...

Thats not too bad eh? I would be so jealous of the nurse ha ha, hope you not missing him too much x
 
H everyone,

I've just got off the phone with the vet again. Your positive vibes and good wishes must have helped because Biscuit is coming home later! :)

I'm picking him up at 16.00. (Yes I was jealous of the nurse last night and I've missed him a lot!).

He's moving fine and his hooting and whezzing is almost completely gone. He was syringe fed this morning but has since been eating hay on his own. His gut movement sounds much better but he has only passed small droppings which the vet says is normal considering what happened and his treatment and reaction to it are going as planned. He was given a few greens and piggy treats which he didn't eat today but the vet isn;t worried since he's eating hay and his appetite is coming back.

Apparently he's been investigating everything at the vet's and being very inquisitive which is his normal behaviour (he's a very curious little piggy by nature).

Thanks to everyone massively. Biscuit, my first ever piggy, means a lot to me and never stops giving me little scares! You're all fantastic! x>>
 
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