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Hallie And Uri?

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Hallieandbelle

Hallieandbelle

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all,
I have 2 piggies, Hallie and Belle. Hallie is about 1 year old and I have had her for roughly 6 or so months. She has recently developed respiratory issues hence I took her to the vet this morning to be checked out. Last night I noticed that she had a clicking noise during breathing, so I reassessed this morning during lap time and the clicking noise was still present. Her breathing also seemed a bit labored so I took her in to get checked. The vet prescribed her Batryl(sp?) 0.25 twice a day for 10 days. The vet said that it usually takes roughly 48 hours to see the effects of the medication. I am concerned because the poor little girl seems as if she is really forcing her breathing. The vet seems to think I caught it early because her weight is the same and she is still behaving quite normally. The vet was unsure if it was a URI or could possibly be a cardiac issue, but her heart sounded healthy and heart issues don't normally develop this early in a pigs life. Anyone have any thoughts? I'm just very concerned for her. She really looks like she's struggling.

I gave the first dose this afternoon and had a horrible time getting it into her, so if anyone also has any ideas on how to administer it easier that would be great as well. Thank you all in advance.
 
Hi, I am not exactly sure but she could have something (bit of food or chewed off material) stuck in her airway. Did the vet check that area? I don't know but it sounds like when she breathes something is waving back and forth hitting something, making the clicking. If she's struggling it might mean she's finding it hard to take in oxygen. (?) It could be just phlegm
I hope she's ok and you find out what it is
 
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Welcome to the forum!

However, I am sorry to hear that Hallie is currently unwell!

Nevertheless, your veterinarian has prescribed an appropriate course of treatment - Baytril is commonly used to treat upper respiratory infections!

However, antibiotics often upset the natural gut flora, and, therefore, it is always recommended that a suitable probiotic is prescribed alongside an antibiotic!

The above is very basic treatment!

Personally, I would proceed with the Baytril, and obtain an appropriate probiotic from my veterinarian!

Of course, one must ensure that an unwell guinea pig is housed in a suitable environment while they recover!

However, it is also advisable to weigh an unwell guinea pig daily!
 
She doesnt seem like she is interested in coming out for water at all so I have been giving her cucumbers and a few chunks of watermelon to make up for the lack of drinking which she is eating fine. I will definitely continue with the Baytril. Any ideas on how to get it into her easier? She really fights, and I am unsure if I am getting the full dose in her since she struggles so much. Thank you again for your responses.
 
Hallieandbelle said:
She doesnt seem like she is interested in coming out for water at all so I have been giving her cucumbers and a few chunks of watermelon to make up for the lack of drinking which she is eating fine. I will definitely continue with the Baytril. Any ideas on how to get it into her easier? She really fights, and I am unsure if I am getting the full dose in her since she struggles so much. Thank you again for your responses.
Click to expand...
Have you tried giving water to her by hand (out of her water bottle)?
It might hurt for her to swallow, does she look like she's in pain when she eats?
 
She doesn't look like she is in any pain at all, just maybe a little lethargic. I just tried that idea and she took a few gulps down so I will keep doing that. I also hand fed her a few pellets but she only seems to be interested in the veggies and hay. She has been eating a lot of hay which makes me feel a little better. I am hoping that by Monday the medicine will show some signs of improvement in her.
 
I also have not seperated my 2 piggies. I know that you are supposed to do this, but my vet advised that it could stress Hallie out more and cause more damage than good especially since my other piggy has no signs of illness whatsoever. She basically told me to use my own judgement. They are very attached and I did not want to cause more stress so I left them together so far. I'm wondering what your thoughts on this is?
 
Administering medication is quite simple - Prepare the medication, wrap Hallie in a towel, and place her on a flat surface. . . To administer the medication, one is required to approach the mouth from the side, and to place the syringe behind the incisors!

In regards to appetite, it is not unusual for an unwell guinea pig to lose their appetite! However, it is possible that the upper respiratory infection has caused some inflammation, which is causing Hallie some discomfort - If Hallie's appetite does not return in a few days, I would suggest that you talk to your veterinarian about an anti-inflammatory! For example, Metacam!

*Please weigh Hallie daily, as this would indicate whether she requires further treatment!*

Unless Hallie's companion is elderly, very young, or immunocompromised, I would not recommend separating!
 
Thank you again. Is it okay if she is eating mostly hay? I mean she's very eager to eat the hay at least. And she was very excited to eat her bell peppers earlier. Its just the pellets she doesn't want. I gave her a Vit C tablet earlier to supplement since she isn't really eating the pellets.
 
That is absolutely fine - Commercial feed, both muesli, and pellets, is often considered the least important component of the guinea pig diet!

However, the guinea pig diet should consist largely of a good quality hay, and a variety of fresh produce, from which a guinea pig should be able to receive their daily requirement of vitamin C. . . Although, extra vitamin C, whilst a guinea pig is recovering from an illness, would be beneficial!
 
Hallieandbelle said:
She doesn't look like she is in any pain at all, just maybe a little lethargic. I just tried that idea and she took a few gulps down so I will keep doing that. I also hand fed her a few pellets but she only seems to be interested in the veggies and hay. She has been eating a lot of hay which makes me feel a little better. I am hoping that by Monday the medicine will show some signs of improvement in her.
Click to expand...
Good to know she's a bit better
 
So quick update on Hallie. She has been on Baytril for 2 complete days now a total of 5 doses. She seems peppier and the clicking noise she had has now turned into a noise that sounds like sniffing. I'm not sure if that's normal for her to sniff every time she breathes? Her breathing is still labored, but to me has improved a bit. Should I continue with the baytril for a few more days and see what happens?
 
Sorry I have only just seen this, glad she seems to be improving on the Baytril. Baytril is what the vets tend to prescribe first of all as it is the only antibiotic licensed for pigs but there are others that can be more effective. Did the vet not suggest diuretic if she was struggling to breathe? Did she mention any fluid on her lungs? If she sounds snuffly she can also have Bisolvon which you would need to get from your vet. Did you manage to get any probiotic in the end? is she pooing ok?

Yes you need to finish the full course of Baytril.

As for the vets comment on heart conditions, I know of a pig that was diagnosed with a heart condition at 6 months old by ultrasound and xray. I also have had 2 pigs diagnosed at a year old. Age is not always relevant.
 
Hi Helen, thanks for your response. She isn't exactly sniffling it just sounds like a sniff noise like if she was smelling food. Also, I put a call into the vet just to give her an update but she overall seems to be improving it's just the breathing that bothers me. The vet did say she had a little fluid but said the baytril should take care of it if it hasn't developed into a pnuemonia. Should I ask about a diuretic? She has no other symptoms aside from the breathing issue.
 
Also, I have been struggling to give her probiotics that I've been sprinkling on her veggies but she won't eat it when it's on there. She only gets like. 1/4 of what I give her but is rather her eat than worry about the probiotic. She seems to be pooing as normal
 
Do you think the breathing seems laboured still? if so then yes I would ask the vet, I have not heard of Baytril being every effective at removing fluid. My own local vet always prescribes diuretic if needed.
 
Is good that she is pooing, you may need to syringe the probiotic into her mouth instead, and also it needs to be given at least an hour after the Baytril if possible.
 
Yes I'm going to buy some watermelon and try putting it with that since it's more wet and see if that works. I will ask the vet about the diuretic if they ever call me back! Thank you for your help again. Do you think it ok to give her some floor time and see how she reacts to that? I just don't want to over exert her.
 
I am so pleased to hear that you have seen an improvement in Hallie!

Personally, unless I had cause for concern, I would continue with the Baytril for another couple of days, and then reaccess!

Nevertheless, it does sound as though Hallie is a little congested - As Helen has mentioned, a product like Bisolvon could be beneficial!

With regards to a diuretic, it is something you will have to discuss with your veterinarian!

Thank you for the update!
 
Sorry but I have another question. So last night Hallie started sneezing quite a lot. She has no had this problem so far with this illness but her breathing is almost completely back to normal now...should I be worried about this newly developed sneezing?

Also, I have been trying to give her acidophilis with poor result. She won't take it on her veggies and in not sure what to mix it with the syringe it since it is so clumpy when mixed with water. Any ideas?
 
Can you leave it to dissolve for a while? is it an animal probiotic? I take that myself.

The sneezing could be related, is there anything actually coming out of her nose? glad her breathing has improved.
 
So Hallie is now making a terrible squeak when pooing and her pops are very very soft but still formed. I have put in a call to the vet but she is due for her next baytril dose right now. Should I wait to give her this dose till the vet calls back?
 
The vet told me to only give on dose of baytril a day now instead of the 2. Does this seen right to you? Her infection hasn't completely cleared up but she is much improved. I'm worried if I only go down to one it will get worse again. She is on.25ml two times a day
 
I think that's ok but if she deteriorates you would need to put it back up.
 
Great news - Personally, I would be really happy with Hallie's progress!

However, if you are unable to administer the probiotics, please continue to closely monitor/observe Hallie - Ensure that she continues to eat, and drink, and that her motions are healthy!

Your veterinarian has prescribed appropriate treatment, which is proving to be successful - Please continue to follow your veterinarian's instructions. . . We could not possibly advise otherwise!

Thank you for the update!
 
So i have tried once again to syringe feed the probiotics to Hallie and still only get about half in her. They do not seem to be helping. I am going to give the next dose of baytril tonight but it worries me because of her poos. It is very painful for her to go and I feel really bad. Do i just keep trying to give the probiotics and wait and see? I have been giving her plenty of hay and her URI has basicially completely cleared up, I'm just worried about the very soft mushy stools with the rest of the baytril course.
 
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