Firstly sorry for the slow update, I couldn't get onto the forum last night for some reason, it wouldn't load. I must apologise in advance because I've been on such an emotional rollercoaster that this might turn into quite a ramble...
I'll pick up where I left off - I took him to the vet yesterday (Mon) morning and the vet was great, listened to my concerns, answered questions, very sympathetic & quite knowledgable etc. He said he wasn't sure it hadn't gone onto his lungs, he was given another baytil injection and one of metacam. The vet thought he had "quite an infection" and the smell is a distinctely 'infected' smell and the vet said it is solely related to the URI. Vet was quite concerned so we made another appointment to go back this morning (Tues) for more injections & a check up. He did give me some probiotics because I asked for them.
Yesterday evening he was still very snotty and his breathing was very noisy and laboured, very upsetting. No worse than the morning, but no better either. Then out of nowhere he had a nosebleed, poor little chap. I dabbed it as best I could, it bled a small amount for about 10 minutes then stopped itself. He really looks like he's been in the wars now because I don't want to stress him out by trying to clean the dried blood off too much! When it first started I panicked and phoned the emergency vet who was very kind but said there wouldn't be much she could do, as he had already had meds that day, but call back if it didn't stop. Thank goodness it did.
So we went back to the vet this morning for another baytril injection & another metacam injection. The vet said it is very good that he is relatively bright considering the infection he's got. He also suggested a few drops of olbas on a tissue near the cage to help clear the congestion he's suffering with, so I've done that. He's laying near by so obviously doesn't hate the smell.
However, the additional problem we have now is that he is not eating and drinking because he is so blocked up and irritated that he is breathing through his mouth (sort of gasping) and therefore anything in his mouth makes him cough. This started yesterday really, although he did take a few small springs of parsely from me last night, he seems to be struggling to eat hay or nuggets, and doesn't show interest in the usual veggies. He has lost weight
The vet obviously said not to syringe feed as he is breathing through his mouth, the last thing he needs is wet food on his lungs... But I'm struggling to get anything at all into him today, not even parsely. I'm hoping the olbas will have started to do its job when I go to try another feed in a minute. The vet also gave me some critical care to offer him today, as the hay content might tempt him. It hasn't yet but watch this space! He showed some interest in the nuggets and hay earlier, but coughed the nuggets out and gave up with the hay. I'm encouraged that he wants to eat, but worried that he can't.
Any other suggestions for clearing congestion or encouraging him to eat? If we can unblock his nose he'll breathe through it - if he's breathing ok he'll hopefully eat! I'm concerned that we'll have an even bigger problem on our hands if he doesn't eat soon.
Fingers crossed, sorry for the ramble xxxxx
and they sent someone out this morning to get some parsely to tempt him with heehee. Can't get over how lovely they are 
