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Could Popeye Have Uri?

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Sarah-jane

Sarah-jane

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me some more advice.
2 weeks ago our piggy Batman passed away. We took him to the vets as he wasn't eating. We noticed immediately when we woke up and knew he had been eating the night before. We took him to the vets straight away and they gave us the usual.
Unfortunately he didn't any better and we took him to another vet who gave us septrin and more powered food.
His health deteriorated and he died 2 days later.
I'm now extremely paranoid that his brother might have a URI too. The only thing that's showing is the occasional sneeze.
I've phoned the vets and asked their advice and they said to bring him in to check him over, and I know how dreadful this sounds but we can't afford to bring him in just yet. We've spent so much on Batman, (the first trip was out of hours, so it was triple the amount) that we can't afford another trip to the vets this month.
When I say occasional sneeze, he sneezed yesterday and I think I heard him this morning,it's just the once and I've never heard several in a row.

I do have some septrin left over and the vets said its ok to use if he show's any other symptoms and to call them first.
But I am concerned that I won't see any symptoms, and one day he will just stop eating, just like his brother.
Does anyone have any advice or help with things to watch out for?
Thank you so much. (sorry for the massive post)
 
Hi Sarha can you give a rough idea of your location please? (UK/Australia/US etc) as that will help to get you the right advice. URIs are horrible, unfortunately as piggies are good at hiding illnesses, things like URIs can suddenly become very serious. Does he have any discharge from his nose at all?
 
UK.
Nope he's not got any other symptoms other than an occasional sneeze. No runny nose, or crusty eyes. I'm worried because I'm not sure if it's contagious and the likelihood of him getting it too.
 
Well they can catch things from one another unfortunately. How old is he? Have you had them long? It may be an idea just to monitor him closely for the next 48 hours, I would think after that he will probably be ok :)
 
We've had him for a year and a half and he's only about 2. His brother was the same age, which is really sad as he was fairly young.
I do think I'm overly paranoid and worry at lot.
Don't worry I'll be watching him like a hawk fora verrry long time.
Thanks a lot for your help
 
You're welcome :) If he gets a discharge from his nose, crusty eyes and sneezes a lot then you need to see a vet :) Can you weigh him regularly please, at the same time every day preferably, as weight loss is a good indicator of piggy health. If you are not happy with your vets, you could check our vet locator for piggy savvy vets :)
 
Hi, Sarha-jane, I did a search for you, pdsa.org.uk is apparently the leading vet care charity in the UK, they have many locations, possibly within a 25 mile radius of you. I also suggest that you take your piggy to Batman's vet, and since you have spent quite a bit, I really believe they will accommodate you with a payment plan. It is your responsibility to maintain the health of your guinea pig and it is unfair to him to deny him the healthcare that he needs because you already took care of the other one. I ask you to do what is in the best interest of this guinea pig that relies solely on you for his well being. Take him to the vet ASAP.
Thanks
Alexis
 
Hi, Sarha-jane, I found these agencies for you that provide very cheap or free vet care, including exotics:
1. RSPCA they have 2 mobile units and many hospitals all over UK
They also offer financial help in paying for private vet bills
2. People's Dispensary for Sick Animals provide very cheap or free vet care, many clinics in UK
3.Royal College of Vet Surgeons, has referral service for vets, call them, see if any vets have sliding fee scale
4.The Blue Cross has a charity for vet care
5.Dogs Trust, maybe they have a vet with some training in exotics
6.Catchat.org.uk has a program where they provide vet care for low cost or free. Their phone is 020-7983-4000
 
Please keep a good eye on Popeye for the next few days but try not to panic at the least bit - I know hoe difficult this is when you have just lost a piggy. Just the occasional sneezing is not to worry about; many piggies do it to clear their nose from any dust and dirt.

However, if you see crusty/yellowish discharge around nose and eyes, crackly breathing and/or coughing, sudden loss of appetite/weight, then you need to see a vet. URIs are infectious, so there is a chance that he may have caught it from his brother if he has got a lowered immune system. URIs can unfortunately kill despite the best of care and prompt hand feeding and hydrating (the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and thirdly the need to eat). Popeye should be out of the woods if he hasn't come down with anything within two weeks of his brother passing away.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html

Please weigh Popeye daily for the time being instead of weekly, ideally at about the same time in the feeding cycle.

You can enquire about the charities mentioned, but most will cater only to people on benefits. Many vets will accept payment plans, however. It is worth enquiring beforehand at those vets where you are already registered.
 
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Thanks so much for the info. I definitely wouldn't deny him of any treatment, and would do everything in my power to help him, but because we are quite tight at the moment I didn't want to go if I'm being paranoid.
He's been fine today, not heard any sneezes so far. I'm feeling calmer.
I'll weigh him daily too.
So greatful for all the help :luv:
 
That's great news Sarah :) Maybe in a few weeks time when you know he is well, you might be able to find him a boar friend through a reputable rescue, you can check out our rescue locator to find one near you :)
 
I feel bad that he might be lonely, but he seem's to be coping quite well, better than I expected. I think he's pleased he is now able to eat a whole celery stick by himself without being chased around to cage.
I don't intend on not getting him a friend, but it's still a bit raw really.
I do miss the celery fights though.
 
As long as he's eating & maintaining his weight he should be ok, they are happier in pairs & letting him choose his own friend when you are both ready would be the best way of insuring a lasting stable partnership :)
 
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