Breathing Issues

[guineapigs<3]

Hi, My eldest GP Holly is 6 years old roughly. She has never had any health problems until recently she seems to be short of breath. Sometimes it's very loud but most time it's just short sharp breaths. Once taken out her cage she is fine which seems odd as they have a fleece liner and are cleaned every other day. She has been on 0.5mg of septrin for the past 4 days but this seems to have had no effect. Also from time to time her eyes get gunk in them. I know it might be a URI but why isn't the septrin working? Is it just her age? And why has this been happening for 6/7 months, and it's now happening everyday. We've never kept a GP till this age so would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

 

[guineapigs<3]

Also she is eating and drinking fine. She does seem to strain when pooing. But is her usual self running around being my most dominant sow.

 

[klee]

Did the vet check listen to her chest when they prescribed antibiotics? Short, sharp breaths can be a sign of a URI as suggested, or may also be linked to heart issues. My Esme had heart problems which manifested itself as laboured, diaphragmatic breathing. It may be worth considering an X-ray (A lot of cavy savvy vets can do a conscious X-Ray without sedation ) to check for fluid on the lungs, seeing as the antibiotics haven't improved her symptoms- how long is the course of antibiotics she is on? It is really important to complete the full course, and only then will you see a full improvement if they have worked. If there was fluid on the lungs a diuretic would be required.

The duration of time it has been going on for makes me wonder if it may be linked to something such as dusty hay.

As for the straining when pooing, this could be a number of things such as a UTI/stones/cystitis, it is difficult to say without a full vet check up.