Chloramphenical and nose bacteria

[PennyCopper]

Hello All,
Due to finding bacteria from a nasal swab, my Penny has been on Chloramphenical, 2cc twice a day for about 3 weeks. She is still sneezing hard and has some congestion I can occasionally hear when I hold her. The doctor told me to refill the prescription and continue to treat. My concern and question is this- how can such a small animal have this long of a time on meds? Humans do an antibiotic normally only 5-7 days. The doctors answer is more or less generic, saying the bacteria are resistant.
I Googled and can not find an answer. If anyone can clarify the process of riding a bacteria from such a little body I will be very grateful. Also, how about my piggies insides? Will she have gut issues from this medicine? Is there some way I need to be supplementing her diet while we treat her?
THANK YOU

 

[Wiebke]

Hello All,
Due to finding bacteria from a nasal swab, my Penny has been on Chloramphenical, 2cc twice a day for about 3 weeks. She is still sneezing hard and has some congestion I can occasionally hear when I hold her. The doctor told me to refill the prescription and continue to treat. My concern and question is this- how can such a small animal have this long of a time on meds? Humans do an antibiotic normally only 5-7 days. The doctors answer is more or less generic, saying the bacteria are resistant.
I Googled and can not find an answer. If anyone can clarify the process of riding a bacteria from such a little body I will be very grateful. Also, how about my piggies insides? Will she have gut issues from this medicine? Is there some way I need to be supplementing her diet while we treat her?
THANK YOU

Hi!

I am linking in @Abi_nurse for you. She is best poised to answer your question.
Which way is the chloramphenicol given? Has your vet tested whether the chloramphenicol is actually effective against that particular bacterium?

I have had piggies on over two months' worth of antibiotics for serious infections where the only other option would have been euthanasia. Even in the cases where the antibiotics wiped out the gut microbiome and I had to syringe feed for the whole time, the piggies have all recovered fully and went on live without issues with keeping their badly injured/infected eyes, during which time they have been treated with chloramphenicol eye drops as well as a strong oral antibiotic; neither piggy was fit for an eye removal operation.
In the case of Hywel and his rare life-threatening post-neutering complications, he lived for another VERY happy and fulfilled 5 1/2 years of lording it over a group of up to 13 sows and died very shortly before his 7th birthday. He was on another very strong antibiotic.
However, I know of piggies that have to stay on life-long antibiotics.
I hope that that helps?

These guides here contains information on how you can support the gut and the microbiome during this time and how you care for a guinea pig that is not eating at all. they are very useful links to bookmark anyway!
Emergency Resources and Critical Illness Care - Contents list and subforum link
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Hopefully it won't come to that, though. If your piggy has already been on it for 3 weeks, then it can obviously cope with it.

PS: Which country are you in?

 

[Freela]

Longer term antibiotic use isn't harmful... there are animals (and humans) on long-term, even life-long antibiotics for various medical conditions like recurrent infections of joint implants, etc. There is a chance, though, that if you aren't seeing improvement on an antibiotic, that it's a poor match fir the bacteria in question. For that reason, your vet may choose to vary the antibiotic used to find a better match. Hope this helps!

 

[Abi_nurse]

For a respiratory infection 3 weeks is nothing. Stubborn infections will often need upward of 6-8 weeks at least. My last pig on antibiotics was on so for 8 weeks for a head tilt with no lasting long term or short term side effects. Had pigs on antibiotics for months too. I would stick with it to be honest, especially if the swab has said to use this antibiotic for it. What way are you giving the drug? Chloramphenicol is not a common one we go for? Is it because nothing else was usable?

x

 

[PennyCopper]

Thank you for your reply. It does help. The link to Abi Nurse is so great!
Life long antibiotics does not sound good. All I can do is trust the doctors and hope that she fully recovers.
We are a new family of guinea pig owners and lovers. I have only had Penny since March and her adopted brother since August. Your experiences with
your pets is informative and I thank you for the time you took to reply. I will contact Abi Nurse as well.
All the best to you and your babies.

 

[PennyCopper]

Longer term antibiotic use isn't harmful... there are animals (and humans) on long-term, even life-long antibiotics for various medical conditions like recurrent infections of joint implants, etc. There is a chance, though, that if you aren't seeing improvement on an antibiotic, that it's a poor match fir the bacteria in question. For that reason, your vet may choose to vary the antibiotic used to find a better match. Hope this helps!

I appreciate your time and reply very much. You make good points regarding long term/life long antibiotics. It rests my mind that it isn't harmful.

 

[PennyCopper]

For a respiratory infection 3 weeks is nothing. Stubborn infections will often need upward of 6-8 weeks at least. My last pig on antibiotics was on so for 8 weeks for a head tilt with no lasting long term or short term side effects. Had pigs on antibiotics for months too. I would stick with it to be honest, especially if the swab has said to use this antibiotic for it. What way are you giving the drug? Chloramphenicol is not a common one we go for? Is it because nothing else was usable?

x

Hello, thank you for getting back to me and reassuring me. It is liquid and I use a syringe to administer. This forum is amazing. The wisdom, experience, and knowledge I get from every one is a blessing!