Okay so my problem seems simple right? Just get a feeding syringe and he'll be fine. Except there are no stores around that sell them in store and I would have to order it online which I have no problem with but it won't come for another week cause they won't give me 1 day shipping. I already know to get oxbow critical care but its the same thing as getting a syringe. My guinea pigs have been diagnosed with a URI and are taking Baytril but its making one of my pigs even more sick. He was sneezing alot today and wont eat as much. I scheduled an appt. for tomorrow and they have another one the next week but how can I get him to eat and drink until then? I'm really worried.
Hi!
You can use the syringe for baytril if you cut off the tip as shown in our illustrated step-by-step syringe feeding guide in order to allow fibre to come through. You can mush up some pellets with hot water (as shown in the guide) in an emergency and feed that; add as much water as you need to allow the fibre to pass through the syringe.
You will hopefully find the guide very helpful, as we have specifically written for members with no previous experience. it also tells you exactly how much to feed and how often etc.
Make sure that you draw water up our syringe a few times after using the baytril, as it is the most horrible tasting thing you can give a guinea pig (and don't try to taste it, as even a litte is dangerous for humans). guinea pigs have double the amount of human taste buds.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Administering Medications And Syringe Feed (includes tips and pictures for uncooperative piggies)
First Aid Kit For Guinea Pigs (tips for what to always have at home in case of a sudden illness/loss of appetite to keep your piggy going until you can see a vet and until it is well again)
Baytril is unfortunately an appetite dampener, and in some cases an appetite killer. Unfortunately it is still the only officially licensed antibiotic in many parts of the world (in the UK, bactrim/septrin or sulfatrim/trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has also been licenced for exotics).
You can add a pinch of probiotics to the syringe feed mix or give it either 1 hour before the antibiotic (US recommendation) or 2 hours after the antibiotic (UK recommendation); either works as well a the other.
Alternatively you can soak some REALLY fresh poos (like just made) from a healthy companion in a little water and syringe that. We call it poo soup. It is even more effective than probiotics if it is fresh and can be made wherever you are.
Could you please change your location to your country, please. We have members from the US, Canada and Mexico, and there are some differences when it comes to advice and available brands.
I went to the vets for extra syringes (1ml ones are best if you're not very experienced in syringing) and they gave me some for free. I snipped the pointy bit off to make the feeding hole bigger x
