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Bubbly/rattly chest

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Guinea pig slave

Guinea pig slave

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Another vet visit booked for this evening for our golden oldie piggy, Sheila :(
She has completed a course this morning of Baytril 0.2ml twice a day for a suspected URI but no significant improvement :...
Eating gusto as usual, poops normal due to Fibreplex probiotics but her chest is still rattly...am worried sick as she's around 4 years old.
Am currently wondering if she may have a heart issue and oedema on her lungs as she sounds more bubbly than rattling - is it worth asking our vet to consider further abx, Baytril again or Zithromax or possibly mention Frusemide...would this harm her ?
No weight loss, in fact she's gained 9g since Friday, not massive but better than a loss :{
Any suggestions from you lovely piggy persons :))
 
I usually give frusemide with ABs when treating a URI. I find it a much more effective way of treating.

Suzy x
 
Frusemide may be very useful i this situation. Your vet needs to do some more, i would advise:
- Frusomide
- a chest xray to check for fluid and the heart
- if your vet is worried then a heart ultrasound
- a change or adding of antibiotics - clearly Baytril isnt doing the job well
- possibly some Bisolvin if she is having upper airway fluid - it helps to dry this up.

I hope your piggie gets better soon. Make sure you keep on at your vet about this. She needs effective treatment as soon as she can.

x
 
Echo Abinurse...my old girl (7 years 4 months) lived for over a year on Frusemide and Bisolvin and it really helped her a lot.

I got to know the pattern of the fluid build up and would vary the Frusemide dose according to how bad she was. She had a bad heart hence her fluid problems which occasionally resulted in a respiratory infection. If you can manage it then they can improve greatly and I guess if its just an infection you should help it go completely.

Sadly it was not her lungs and heart that got her in the end but a huge gastric tumour. The day she was PTS she was scanned and xrayed and her lungs and heart had actually improved over time, so it does work.

RIP Thelma :-( you taught me so much xx
 
Any news on the vets Tracey? Hope Sheila ok x
 
Sheila is doing ok guys thank you although we had to whisk her off to an exotic vet last night as I insisted she needed more than abx and the vet didn't seem too confident so we took her to Marshall and Taylor in Shifnal a few miles from us.
Hannah the vet immediately confirmed my fears of oedema and after giving Sheila a thorough examination, diagnosed pleurisy/pneumonia and trachitis 8...
She's on Mabocyl 0.45 ml per day, Loxicom 0.12ml twice daily and Bisolvon.
Little minx is loving all the extra attention and hopefully will show signs if improvement within the next few days (I have some lieu days off from work phew...!) Must have been such hard work trying to breathe and eat at the same time, I'd noticed she appeared more tired and mentioned this to Hannah.
Still eating really well and no weight loss, Bruce huspig is washing her face atm x) Can already hear the rattle has subsided slightly and she's less distressed so paws crossed, she'll pull through although may be left with scar tissue :(
This practise is extremely good and will be using them in future now after last night's experience, Hannah is totally amazing and has had piggies of her own, really understands how us piggy crazy feel about our ickle furries :))
I'm so pleased we had a second opinion rather than try another course of abx which are rendered useless and shows that not all chesty piggies have a URI :...
 
Guinea Slave said:
Echo Abinurse...my old girl (7 years 4 months) lived for over a year on Frusemide and Bisolvin and it really helped her a lot.

I got to know the pattern of the fluid build up and would vary the Frusemide dose according to how bad she was. She had a bad heart hence her fluid problems which occasionally resulted in a respiratory infection. If you can manage it then they can improve greatly and I guess if its just an infection you should help it go completely.

Sadly it was not her lungs and heart that got her in the end but a huge gastric tumour. The day she was PTS she was scanned and xrayed and her lungs and heart had actually improved over time, so it does work.

RIP Thelma :-( you taught me so much xx
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Aw, I'm so sorry - this made me cry...what an inspiring story and Thelma must have left a huge hole in your life x>>
 
Sorry she's poorly, hopefully Hannah's prompt treatment will help Sheila make a speedy recovery, please keep us updated on her. She's in the best hands with you and her Huspig Bruce, bless him. Lots of vibes to your beautiful girl x x
 
sport_billy said:
Sorry she's poorly, hopefully Hannah's prompt treatment will help Sheila make a speedy recovery, please keep us updated on her. She's in the best hands with you and her Huspig Bruce, bless him. Lots of vibes to your beautiful girl x x
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Aw, thanks x>> She's a lot more mobile today as opposed to lying down to eat :( Think another 24 hours without the proper treatment needed could have been fatal 8... Sheila says a big wheeky and croaky thank you too (between little mouthfuls of pellets) :)p
Hope you both and your girls are well x
 
Oh noes! Poor Sheila! :( i'm really pleased you've found a better vets Trace, sending her healing vibes and fingers crossed she's on the road to recovery!
 
Thanks Lindsey and Sheila says a wheeky but croaky thank you too :) Sounds so funny having a piggy who has lost her 'wheek' but Bruce makes enough noise for both of them :x
She's perked up a lot within the last 12 hours so am hopeful she'll recover fully :)
It's horrible having such a poorly piggy and seeing her physically looking well in herself when I know her body is weak from fighting this :(
Am keeping her snug and warm with lots of nice food to eat, loads of cuddles etc. although Bruce doesn't like her being away from him for too long :x
 
Guinea pig slave said:
Thanks Lindsey and Sheila says a wheeky but croaky thank you too :) Sounds so funny having a piggy who has lost her 'wheek' but Bruce makes enough noise for both of them :x
She's perked up a lot within the last 12 hours so am hopeful she'll recover fully :)
It's horrible having such a poorly piggy and seeing her physically looking well in herself when I know her body is weak from fighting this :(
Am keeping her snug and warm with lots of nice food to eat, loads of cuddles etc. although Bruce doesn't like her being away from him for too long :x
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Aww bless her, glad Brucey is looking after her and she of course has the best mummy waiting hand and foot on her too :))
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
Aww bless her, glad Brucey is looking after her and she of course has the best mummy waiting hand and foot on her too :))
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Aw, thanks ") Little divas are my life and don't they know it :x :(|)
I resemble a jack-in-the-box pandering to her needs and am putting everything close to her so she doesn't have to make an effort to move too far :))
Think 'rod' and 'own back' springs to mind as when Harley had his bladder surgery, I did the same and eighteen months later, he still sits back waiting for me to put hay under his nose rather than him walk to the basket as he knows I'll scurry around for him mallethead
Slave taken to another level but worth it...;)
 
Been thinking bout Sheila tonight, hope she is doing well. She's got great mum and dad to look after her x
 
Thanks guys, you're so thoughtful and kind xx>>>
Sheila is ok, have reheated and popped her snugglepads back in the pen and she's been eating on and off all evening, her appetite is good and tonights meds given :)) She loves Readigrass so gave her a bit more :x and she is settled nicely with Bruce inches away from her, he knows she's poorly :(
My daughter has said she'll stay up overnight to keep an eye on her as I've not left her for a minute today - even did their veggie shopping online :))
Hoping she has a comfy night and I'll update tomorrow, thanks for your thoughts again x>>
 
So glad Sheila is picking up sounds like she is doing very well. Bruce clearly is a very good and dedicated husband! More healing vibes being sent your way...:))
 
Guinea pig slave said:
Aw, I'm so sorry - this made me cry...what an inspiring story and Thelma must have left a huge hole in your life x>>
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Ahh thank you . Yes she did, a HUGE one. I still think of her everyday. Such an amazng little girl. I will post her story one day on here its just a bit raw at the moment 8...
 
Guinea pig slave said:
Aw, thanks ") Little divas are my life and don't they know it :x :(|)
I resemble a jack-in-the-box pandering to her needs and am putting everything close to her so she doesn't have to make an effort to move too far :))
Think 'rod' and 'own back' springs to mind as when Harley had his bladder surgery, I did the same and eighteen months later, he still sits back waiting for me to put hay under his nose rather than him walk to the basket as he knows I'll scurry around for him mallethead
Slave taken to another level but worth it...;)
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:)) why doesn't this surprise me?!
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
:)) why doesn't this surprise me?!
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:(|) Bought Sheila a lovely little pink blanket today as a snuggler - she's doing quite well but just tired zzz Would give the world to see her bossing Bruce around and giving him a nip when he gets too close to her snoozy spots rolleyes
Poor old thing :(
 
How's your little girl today?
 
She's not too good sadly, I'm fearing the worst tbh and praying it's just the Marbocyl that's knocked her appetite back :(
Bruce has started 'bullying' her a bit pinching her food and blocking the water bottle access so have two of everything in the pen now. She's drinking ok.
Just wish she'd eat more dry food, veggies are still going down ok in small amounts - gave her some pureed baby food, CC and poop soup (donated from the big boys earlier) Was stalking them for fresh ones :)) Think because her trachea is inflammed, swallowing is hard for her although she's on Loxicom twice a day.
Am going dandelion leaf hunting and hoping she'll enjoy those if I can find some ?/
OH is picking up our smaller cage on his way home which I use for any poorlies to give her a bit of time alone for meals etc.
Thanks for asking and am doing everything I can think of atm :)
 
:( Oh no, Tracey. Poor Sheila.

Good that she's still eating her veg... Have you tried making pellets mushy, sometimes that will tempt them to nibble on dry a bit more. When is she due back for a check up? Sending her lots of healing vibes and you some hugs x
 
Aww just seen this thread. I hope your little piggy will get better! Sometimes they do go a bit downhill and you think 'oh no!' but then they start to pick back up. But you sound like you are doing an amazing job! I have no advice or anything just wanted to tell you that :))
 
It will be a week on Monday she started the Marbocyl etc. so another week to go :(
Hannah the exotic vet has said she can liase with our practise in the meantime if she deteriorates for the next plan of action.
In the last hour though, Sheila has been a bit more active and been in her hay basket nomming 'YAY' and had a few pellets. I've scattered bits of everything in the pen and built her a little cave under the ramp from hay/readigrass etc. mallethead so she's got stuff under her nose for temptation :))
Hope she continues - I stayed home from work as was sooo worried today, they know how much my piggies mean to me ;)
I will try mashing the pellets but was a bit wary as been giving her some CC and afraid it was too much for her system, she wouldn't eat the porridge oats the little minx ;)
Wondering if the poop soup has helped as well xx>>>
 
:... such a worrying time Trace, you really are doing everything you can for her though! Keeping everything crossed she will start to pick up for you!
 
I hope she feels better soon, such a worrying and stressful time but you are doing everything possible for her.
 
Sheila is doing so much better thank you :) She's eating for herself now, still giving her a little bit of CC but it's good to see her munching pellets and hay.
I'd got her out on the sofa for a little run around last night but she kept jumping back onto my lap every few minutes so think she knows where to come for lots of attention rolleyes Bruce isn't bothering her any more either, he was a bit bad temepered but have put that down to a bit of tummy ache due to hoovering everything up as he had one or two soft poo's (Fibreplex always sorts this out !)
Really hopeful now that Sheila is on the mend, OH has been and fetched some nice fresh blueberries as she loves those - atm she's guzzling the Bisolvon mixed in her water bottle then will probably plonk out on the snugglepad for a well earned rest :))
Have managed to weigh the other piggies today, nail trims etc. as felt I'd been concentrating everything on Sheila the past week so they're all having some little treaties later for being patient :laluot_29:
 
That's great news Trace :) glad Bruce is behaving now too! sounds like the others are in for a treat too!
 
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