Curing URI by its own?

[Yurigiri]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and this is also first post. I have been caring for guinea pigs for 10 years now.

I bring my 3+mth old boar to the vet and was given antihistamine, meds to break down the mucus, and Baytril. He is sneezing less and his nose is dryer after 3 days. (From every minute to once an hour). I am afraid of the sides effects of antibiotics in guinea pigs. Hence, I have yet to administer the antibiotics because the vet mentioned that it was a low-grade URI. I am trying to delay as long as I can.


I heard that URI is quite a stubborn infection in piggies. I wanted to ask if anyone has had good news about guinea pigs curing URI on their own?

Or is antibiotics the only road to cure?

 

[Piggies&buns]

A URI is a bacterial infection which requires antibiotics. Untreated or under treated URIs will not cure themselves and left too long have the potential to get worse and potentially be fatal. Please do give the meds your vet has prescribed. Baytril is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for guinea pigs.

Antibiotics can upset their tummies but not always. You can combat this by ensuring you weigh him daily to ensure he is eating enough hay. If he experiences a reduced appetite (weight loss due to reduced hay intake), then you will need to step in and syringe feed him. If he has soft poops, then remove veg from his diet until his poops normalise.
You can also give a probiotic while he is on antibiotics (1-2 hours before or after an antibiotic dose) as that can help keep the tummy more settled. Better still, offer him poop soup made from the very fresh poops of a healthy companion will directly replace the gut microbiome.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Swissgreys]

I agree.
Please do give the antibiotics you have been prescribed.
Yes they can have side effects, but these are much less than the side effects of a long running, untreated URI.

 

[Yurigiri]

Thank you all. The vet did mention that I can start 2-3days later if sneezing still persist.
I don't want to risk prolonging the infection as well. I will start the antibiotics today.

 

[VickiA]

With the other posts. I would definitely start giving the antibiotics. Please do let us know how he gets on

 

[Yurigiri]

Update day-4 on AB: The sneezing and hooting are still on-going, there's no improvement. About a few times every hour.

On a bright side, he is still eating and drinking well. It might be early to tell but I'm afraid this might be the infamous and stubborn URI everyone is talking about.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If the vet has said it is a URI, then that is your diagnosis. It takes a few days before antibiotics start working though so at day 4, I would only just be expecting them to be really kicking in.
How long is the course of antibiotics youve been prescribed?

 

[Yurigiri]

14 days of antibiotics. Yes, I'll stay hopeful of his recovery. I guess I'm just worried about my piggie's health.

 

[Piggies&buns]

That's good.
It's very early days in his treatment and it will take some time to start working. It's natural to be worried.
I hope he recovers well

 

[Siikibam]

How has his weight been? Hope he’s better soon.

 

[Yurigiri]

How has his weight been? Hope he’s better soon.

Day 7 on Baytril, 0.12ml once, daily. Still not much improvement, but it isn't getting worst either. Sneezes almost every minute with clear mucus.

His weight stays the same at 580g with good appetite.

 

[Yurigiri]

With the other posts. I would definitely start giving the antibiotics. Please do let us know how he gets on

Update here. The Baytril is working and we are left with 2 more days to complete the course. Seems like the bacteria lingers, with wet nose but minimal sneezing. I will call the clinic to schedule a review date.
Thanks you all for the recommendation to start the AB.

 

[Swissgreys]

Thank you for taking time to update us.
Glad to hear it's moving in the right direction, and sometimes stubborn infections can take a slight longer course of treatment.