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Breathing Difficulties

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Wiebke said:
@Carol Basten : Can you please ask what the injection is tomorrow? I am sure that it is some kind of antibiotic.

Please weigh her daily at the same time in the feeding cycle and, if her weight loss is more than 50g, start topping her up with syringe feed. The need to breathe comes before the need to drink and only thirdly before the need to eat; that is why URI and pneumonia are appetite killers. Don't just go by what you see her chewing on; it can be deceptive. Up to 80% of the daily food intake is unlimited hay, which you can't control.
You can either feed mushed up pellets (most familiar taste), recovery food or a mix of both. It is important that you try to keep up the body weight. A course of injected antibiotics will hopefully help towards preventing further impairment of appetite as the guts are not immediately affected.
You may find our detailed illustrated guide helpful. Adjust the frequency and daily amount depending on the weight loss/amount of independent food intake: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

You can give her a pinch of probiotics mornings and evenings and also give her 1/4 of a human vitamin C tablet dissolved in 1 ml of water (or 1/8 twice daily) to protect her guts and to support her immune system.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Place a bowl of steaming water close to the cage to help ease the breathing. You may add 2-3 drops of olbas oil if you wish, but please do not use vicks, which contains substances that are noxious for guinea pigs. Refresh at need!

if you have a microwaveable snugglesafe, warm for half the maximum time, so it is warm, but not hot. You may have to change more frequently. Otherwise, a nice soft cosy or towel may do. keep her out of drafts and the direct blast of air conditioning. Give her the option to get off the snugglesafe if it gets too warm, but still be comfy.

It is going to be a hard slog for you in the next few days, but she can hopefully pull through, especially with your help at home, too. But it is a very good sign that she is still interested in food, so hang on in there!
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Thanks so much for all that information, I have taken it all on board and appreciate it very much. I will certainly ask the vet tomorrow the name of the antibiotic and get back to you. Many thanks.
 
Hi folks, Tulip is very ill. She has had 3 shots of antibiotics (Baytril) and along with her antibiotic today she had a shot of a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug.
Vet putting her down tomorrow if she doesn't improve. I am not sure she will get through the night.
I am so sad. Sorry. She had an x-ray today and only a tiny bit of one lung is working.... about the size of an adults little finger nail. I will do my best with her over the next 24 hours but she won't eat or drink. I won't give up easily on that but as she is so I'll I don't want to stress her.
 
I'm sorry to hear that I hope she gets better soon, your doing the best you can do. If you can manage syringe feeding that would be good otherwise her gut will shut down.
Guinea pigs grab your heart, then break it when they go. Healing vibes to Tulip xx
 
Tiamolly123 said:
I'm sorry to hear that I hope she gets better soon, your doing the best you can do. If you can manage syringe feeding that would be good otherwise her gut will shut down, syringe fluid into mouth.
Guinea pigs grab your heart, then break it when they go. Healing vibes to Tulip xx
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Carol Basten said:
Hi folks, Tulip is very ill. She has had 3 shots of antibiotics (Baytril) and along with her antibiotic today she had a shot of a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug.
Vet putting her down tomorrow if she doesn't improve. I am not sure she will get through the night.
I am so sad. Sorry. She had an x-ray today and only a tiny bit of one lung is working.... about the size of an adults little finger nail. I will do my best with her over the next 24 hours but she won't eat or drink. I won't give up easily on that but as she is so I'll I don't want to stress her.
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I am so sorry it wasnt better news.. You are doing the right thing by giving her a chance with more antibiotics and calling it a day if theres no improvement.. It is so hard but we love them too much to let them suffer.

Thinking of you xx
 
I'm so sorry that you've had this news. I agree with your decision to allow her a chance for the ABs to work, but otherwise to help her on her way to the Bridge. Huge hugs x
 
Carol Basten said:
Hi folks, Tulip is very ill. She has had 3 shots of antibiotics (Baytril) and along with her antibiotic today she had a shot of a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug.
Vet putting her down tomorrow if she doesn't improve. I am not sure she will get through the night.
I am so sad. Sorry. She had an x-ray today and only a tiny bit of one lung is working.... about the size of an adults little finger nail. I will do my best with her over the next 24 hours but she won't eat or drink. I won't give up easily on that but as she is so I'll I don't want to stress her.
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BIG HUGS

I am so sorry. Atypical pneumonia (i.e. pneumonia that strikes fully developed out of the blue) is such a tough one to get on top of because it is always a step or two ahead of you. :(

Many of our long time piggy owners have come up against it at some point.

Fingers VERY firmly crossed! You are giving Tulip every chance, which is all you can do.
 
I would like to thank everyone for all the help you have given me over the last few days.
I am heartbroken to tell you that we lost our beautiful Tulip today.
 
Carol Basten said:
I would like to thank everyone for all the help you have given me over the last few days.
I am heartbroken to tell you that we lost our beautiful Tulip today.
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BIG HUGS
I am sorry that Tulip has not made it. Unfortunately, she and you were up against one of those things that none of us ever wants to come across. :(

You have done all you could for her, so be sad, but don't feel like you have failed her in any way! You haven't!

You are welcome to post a tribute to her in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you.

Here are our tips what you can do for Tulip's companion: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
I'm so sorry you lost her.. You certainly gave her the best possible chance and that is sadly all we can do..

Sleep tight Tulip xx
 
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