Clicking when breathing, sneezing?

[deeandnick]

Hey guys, I know its late but any advice you could give would be great.

Diego has been away at boarding for ten days, I just got him back on Monday. He seemed totally fine, and happy to be home. And was amazingly well looked after at his boarding.

However I noticed a strange 'sigh' noise coming from one of my boys since they came back. It was only once or twice a day so i couldnt work out who it was. Ive just came to go to bed and heard it was diego making it. I picked him up and it sounds like he is clicking when breathing, and when making his little noises they seem to be broken up instead of continuous if that makes sense? Like it seems he is bunged up with something? I had him out for 15 mins and he sneezed 6 times, and snuggled up by me not really bothering to look around.

He is still popcorning around, he was popcorning when I came in the room and the popcorned again around his cage when I put him and some hay in. He ate all his veg today, most of the hay and some nuggets. He has drank some of his water too.

I have noticed he has a watery eye recently, not watery but shiny - although no crust and its **** wide open.

Any suggestions? I think I'm going to take him to the vet in the morning just in case but any ideas would really be appreciated x

 

[Stacey]

When my boys have a chest infection (which is always) their breathing sounds like its crackling which sounds a bit like a clicking noise
Could be a wee chest infection.

 

[deeandnick]

thanks for replying so late Stacey

What do * do when they have a chest infection? Do they get antibiotics or anything? Wish I was still at home in Glasgow then I could use your vet! xx

 

[Stacey]

Yea mine always get a 10 day course of baytril, given morning and night. I think its the 0.3 mark on the syringe they get They should provide you with a wee syringe aswell.

Hope everythings ok, which I'm sure it will be Let me know how you get on tomorrow x

 

[Stacey]

Also ( i couldnt edit my post again so i had to put another comment) when mine have a chest infection i always give them extra vitamin C

I also make sure theres no draughts etc and i use an air purifier which is what my vet suggested.

Alot of the time when my boys have them they are really mild. I always think they sound worse than what they are! Mine whimper like they are in pain and always turns out to be nothing too bad. The only bad experience i had was when Darwin stopped breathing and was put on an oxygen tank and turned out he had a severe infection but 99% of the time its nothing to worry about Also mine are extremely prone to chest infections so dont worry that your wee guy is going to be really bad.

I find the Baytril is really good and does clear it up. I notice a difference by a couple of days using it.

A wee tip if you do get baytril, offer a peice of veg afterwards. Mine hate it but are happy enough to take the veg. Mine are also a nightmare to take it and ive found the easiest way it to sit them on my lap and cover their eyes and then squirt in their mouth. Mine struggle alot if i try do it any other way I also steralise the syringe in boiling water after each use

If he lives with others i would mention that to the vet too and if possible take them too (unless you have like 15 other piggies). Once one of mine have it, the others get it. I usually take all 3, even if they arent showing symptons. It turns out cheaper aswell and saves another trip to the vets and they can get treated at the same time.

 

[deeandnick]

Thanks for all your help Stacey.

Took him to the vet this morning and she gave me exactly what you said, baytril! Have to give him 0.8 of the syringe, took your advice and covered him eyes then gave him some basil. Hard work though, they do not like that stuff at all do they!

Thanks again, really appreciate it x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

hiyah, poor diego, hope he is feeling better soon.

I think the baytril has a really sour/bitter taste so i dont blame them for not liking it!

Good that he is still eating

 

[scpiggy]

I currently treating one of my girls for a minor chest infection. I was advised to put a tiny bit of ribena is the baytril to make it taste nicer as it is apparently very bitter. I tried giving Sherbert her first dose on its own and it went very badly so i tried adding some ribena and she was much happier taking it.

 

[Guinea Slave]

Great ideas here re the Ribena particularly, tryng that tonight although my guineas even hate Septrin and I love the smell of that!

I have an old girl with a bad heart who also is just recovering from a severe chest infection (upper tract and lungs). We tried Septrin (she also had a UTI as a result of cystic ovaries...don't ask its been hell!) but the Septrin did nothing for it, we changed to Baytril and she is getting better all the time.

Stacey...question about the air purifier, how does that work? Mine are in a heated shed would it be something you suggest for them? There's no draughts etc. I have a bad suspicion that as she gets older these respiratory infections will become more prevalent so keen to understand what else I can do to prevent them ......

 

[Stacey]

I like the air purifier. It cleans the air and gets rid of germs etc. Plus my livingroom always smells of fresh air
I think they would be good to use anywhere and i would recommend them anyway

 

[deeandnick]

thanks for the good thoughts doglovinpiggylover

Brilliant idea about the Ribena scpiggy, thank you so much for that. Dont think I'd get away with giving him it as it is again, he really hated it!


Guinea Slave I really hope your little piggy lady gets better too. The vet told me to keep the room draught free, cosy and make sure the room is kept as close to a constant temperature as possible.

Thanks everyone x