Is there a fools guide to using a nebulizer?

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi. Following advise from my vet I have bought a nebulizer machine and f10 antiseptic solution but have no idea what to do. I have never used one before. I don't understand the instructions and don't even know if I have bought the correct machine. I think i am just overwhelmed and my brain has shut down. The instructions say I have to take it apart and disinfect it before use and I don't even understand how to do that lol.

The guinea pig is already on antibiotics and metacam for a respiratory infection and is stable but not improving. I have an other appointment next week and will discuss a change of antibiotic. In the meantime I just want to cry about the nebulizer. I learn better by being shown than reading instructions, so that doesn’t help.

I am hoping there is a guide here somewhere that explains what to do and what I need.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi. Following advise from my vet I have bought a nebulizer machine and f10 antiseptic solution but have no idea what to do. I have never used one before. I don't understand the instructions and don't even know if I have bought the correct machine. I think i am just overwhelmed and my brain has shut down. The instructions say I have to take it apart and disinfect it before use and I don't even understand how to do that lol.

The guinea pig is already on antibiotics and metacam for a respiratory infection and is stable but not improving. I have an other appointment next week and will discuss a change of antibiotic. In the meantime I just want to cry about the nebulizer. I learn better by being shown than reading instructions, so that doesn’t help.

I am hoping there is a guide here somewhere that explains what to do and what I need.

Thank you in advance.

Sorry, it is on my to-do list but it has become yet another victim of my ongoing battle for life...

But members with practical experience can hopefully help you.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Sorry, it is on my to-do list but it has become yet another victim of my ongoing battle for life...

But members with practical experience can hopefully help you.

Thank you for replying. Don't worry, you do so much for the forum already and right now focusing on your own battle, your life and your loved ones is what is important. I hope everything is going as well as possible for you. Hugs.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

When I bought a nebulizer for Zebedee, I initially asked a vet nurse to show me how to use it to nebulise a guinea pig.
I recall they suggested I use put piggy in a big bag (eg a bin bag) and seal the open end round the spout of the nebuliser, but I used a lidded plastic box instead - I made a hole in it for the spout and a few little air holes.

What machine have you bought, it sounds like the instructions aren't very good if they don't show you properly how to do things. Mine was a medical grade one (naughty me , the price didn't include VAT as it was for human use).

 

[Truffolo]

Don't worry, once you have used it once you will find it easy. The nozzle works best held upright. I use a RUB plastic box and try to close the lid down around the nozzle as much as possible. Some of the mist comes out, but most goes into and around the patient. If you have a picture of the nebuliser we can see how best to use it

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for replying. Don't worry, you do so much for the forum already and right now focusing on your own battle, your life and your loved ones is what is important. I hope everything is going as well as possible for you. Hugs.

Thank you. Nothing seems to be ever run quite smoothly but I am getting as well as I can - eventually...

 

[Eriathwen]

The way my vet advised me, and what works for me, is to put piggy in a carrier, place the nebuliser in front of the door so it fogs inside, and place a towel over the top to keep the mist in.
This method saved my Fern when she had pneumonia and very little working lung tissue left.

Some people create boxes specifically for nebulising which also works great, but I've always found the carrier method more convenient as my house is quite small and having a box lying about just in case it's needed is a bit of a pain!

 

[LucyP]

Not sure if this helps

 

[LucyP]

See also this thread

Using a nebuliser

 

[LucyP]

I was totally overwhelmed at first too and am useless with instructions! But once you get the hang of it, it’s ok. Happy to help if I can

 

[Goblins707]

I hope I might be able to help, I totally understand the overwhelm brain shut down thing (blinking menopause!)

I have a guinea that requires nebulising daily or every other day for life.

At first I purchased the Omron C28P Compressor which members here have recommended. But I think it must have been updated because it would not work for an animal as the vapor needs to actively be sucked out. My guinea does not suck on command! I contacted their customer services to ask if I could purchase a different attachment but they were most unhelpful and told me it should never be used on an animal. So I sent it back.

I now have a little portable travel nebuliser which is BRILLIANT, so easy to use and - importantly - has few parts and does not require all that faffing about with daily disinfecting, you just give the used bits a rinse and air dry after each use. It also has a self-cleaning function when required. The instructions are short and easy to follow. It delivers a good steady stream of vapour of the correct particle size, and it is very quiet.

Beurer Portable Compact Nebuliser (from Argos).

I put guinea in a lidded Curver storage box which has holes for handles and poke the Mouthpiece through one of the holes, lid on, he sits in there with a treat and it’s no trouble at all.