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Ernie Sounds Chesty

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BertnErnie1971

BertnErnie1971

Junior Guinea Pig
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My male guinea pig has a chest rattle he had it the other day and it went it's now back again there are no other signs or symptoms apart from he is more lethargic. Thinking could it be an allergy to wood chips he's been playing on! And what can I do for him to ease his congestion/rattle. Are there any over the counter meds I could give him?
 
I'm afraid he needs to see a vet. Lethargy and chest rattle mean he probably has a URTI and needs a full vet assessment tomorrow. There are things you can do while waiting to get him to the vet tomorrow including placing a bowl of steam near him to help ease his airways.
 
Yes i agree with @VickiA. My stan had uri. Slightly different symptoms as he was struggling with breathing. I rushed him in to the vet on a sunday as an emergency and he was prescribed baytril and metacam.


He finished the course (which was too short i think) he seemed to have really picked up and was eating, breathing normally and i really thought he was over the worst.

Then he became lethargic. I noticed it one evening a couple of days after the baytril was finished.

When i checked him next morning he was much the same but still eating so this time i made a non-emergency appointment for 2pm that same day.

By midday he was looking worse. we made it to the vet but the stress of the appointment was too much. He didn't make it out of the vet's.

Lesson learned: by the time a pig looks ill, time is of the essence.

Please keep a close eye on your boy and get him checked over as soon as you can
 
I took Ernie to the vet he was still having laboured breathing the vet checked his chest n there was a slight crackle but she wasn't concerned as he was still eating pooping and he wasn't distressed so she gave him baytril twice a day and I'm to take him back Tuesday if there's no improvement then they will either change his medication or xray him for heart n lungs his heart was fine during her initial exam no murmur so that's good. Thanx for all the advice and sorry for the little piggy who didn't make it x
 
Thank you for the warning I have that pro c powder in at the moment will give him that and get some proper stuff tomoro he's seems happier in himself and less laboured to be honest so fingers x he's gonna be ok x
 
Thank you I know I'm always scared to take them in case they don't come back selfish in know. It always depends on the vet and how they make you feel too I was confident this one knew about piggies so she set my mind at ease I also asked about Ernie eyes as I thought he was diabetic and had cataracts both of which they don't really treat in guinea pigs so I've read! and she confirmed both I knew but it was good to hear it from a professional and I'm also glad my instincts were right so I've monitored his diet when I had an inclination of what he had and what I could do. She weighed him and he's perfect so again I'm so proud of myself little ernie is doing well despite his ailments and worried mummy x
 
Just an update Ernie is well and back to his happy bouncy self however the vet felt he should be on the baytril a little longer as the bacteria guinea pigs, rabbits and rats get tends to hold on to rodents after the antibiotic course so they like to continue them. Feel this is a fair statement however she didn't say how long she said he was fine lungs sounded clear breathing was fast but probably because we waited a while with dogs and cats in earshot so his stress levels were up. This second course is the same dosage but more than the original quantity his first course was 10x 2.5% 0.6mls twice a day his 2nd lot is 20x 2.5% 0.6mls twice aday. My question is should he finish the lot? And another question is or can it be saved for another time/emergency
 
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BertnErnie1971 said:
Just an update Ernie is well and back to his happy bouncy self however the vet felt he should be on the baytril a little longer as the bacteria guinea pigs, rabbits and rats get tends to hold on to rodents after the antibiotic course so they like to continue them. Feel this is a fair statement however she didn't say how long she said he was fine lungs sounded clear breathing was fast but probably because we waited a while with dogs and cats in earshot so his stress levels were up. This second course is the same dosage but more than the original quantity his first course was 10x 2.5% 0.6mls twice a day his 2nd lot is 20x 2.5% 0.6mls twice aday. My question is should he finish the lot? And another question is or can it be saved for another time/emergency
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Glad he has recovered fully! Best call your vet on monday and ask how long he needs to continue the course for x
 
Ernie isn't feeling well again clumpy poo with smears on fleece bedding, lethargic and he looks fed up he's also making a sort of winey with a sort of clicking noise not sure if it's his nose or mouth. He's moving about and eating and drinking but just wants to lay down any ideas. I still have baytril which I can give him as this did help him
 
Sorry to hear this. It will be worth having him checked again for another uri or maybe opting for the xray this time to check for other heart or lung issues x
 
Yeah I'm thinking an xray too. My poor baby his room mate is fit as a fiddle and has never had any problems where as poor Ernie always seems to suffer
 
Woke up to feed my piggies as usual and Ernie didn't come out for his which so unusual he's usually first to the bowl so he's stopped eating tuck him straight to the vet where he was whisked away for xray and oxygen and he has pneumonia and they are keeping him in over night he's also going to be on antibiotic injections. I miss him dearly and it's so upsetting his cage mate Bert however is doing ok. Just hope my baby pulls through x
 
Poor boy! You got him there as fast as you could, i really hope he pulls through.. Keep us updated x
 
Thank you. I hope he pulls through too I'm so so sad to be without him. Left sided pneumonia he has. The vet said he had improved slightly and was showing interest in food by nosing it but didn't eat anything his breathing is easier too wish I could sleep at the vets with him will let you know tomoro x
 
BertnErnie1971 said:
My baby Ernie passed away this morning I am heart broken x
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I am so so sorry :-( You gave him a fighting chance and he was in the best place for the care he needed. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, how quickly we get them seen.. Sometimes they are just too sick and it breaks our hearts!

Thinking of you.

Sleep tight Ernie xx
 
Can't believe he's gone he was only 2yrs old but his chest was always his weakness bless him I miss him dearly. His friend Bert is missing him too so I'm off to get him a new friend to bond with it will help us both x
 
madguinealady said:
you did everything you could for him. Huge hugs hun, its crap isn't it.
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Yeah it's awful just goes through your head could I have done more and the what if's. Looking at videos and photos on my phone just want him back. He's buried next to where he lived which is in front of the pet shed I was always in the shed with them and will be with Bert his friend so it's a peaceful place for him to be and I can still reminisce about my baby x
 
All my lost piggy babies are in my front garden under a membrane soon to be slated over to keep them safe.I'm so pleased I took loads of photos.
 
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