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Jesse Has Pneumonia

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Ok, it would be a good idea to ask for tablets or liquid you can give at home. When my pigs are on diuretics they have at least 2.5mg twice a day.
 
Thanks all. We still have him with us. He's not better but not deteriorated either. Struggling to get him to eat from syringe and getting water down him seems impossible but I'm off work and going to give him both bit by bit without stressing him out. We keep our pigs in the hutch outside but has cover on at night but Jesse has been inside. His cagemate is pretty bossy and boisterous so didn't want him stressing Jess out. Put Jesse back in the hutch in a blanket earlier and cagemate popcorned loads! Was so sweet. He was running around up and down the levels as if to say 'come on its hay time!' but Jesse didn't budge, even when the other took the food from in front of him... But his spirit is still there, when cagemate got too close Jesse had a go at him. Brought him back inside now... Not sure which I less stressful for him as I know they love company, he's on my knee atm. Any tips about him, and feeding most welcome. Trying to keep him as calm as possible. Appreciate all your help so far with him x
 
Thank you! Just trying to give him the best chance he can but still expecting to lose him... Just reread the hand feeding guide, and managed a full 1ml syringe of Critical Care down with only a few tiny drops of spillage! Amazing. And half the syringe of water. Unsure if we need to get him to vet again for more diuretics just in case x
 
Is cleaning himself any good sign? Clutching at straws I know....
 
Yes it is!
It takes time for meds to kick-in but he is not out of the woods yet and it is important the meds are continued until his breathing returns to normal.
Most importantly in order to aid his recovery
a) he will probably need another shot of diuretic to get rid of the rest of the fluid (or the vet can prescribe oral frussol for a few days but I have found this is not as effective as an injection in this type of acute situation)
b) keep syringing him food AND fluids as the diuretic may dehydrate him a bit - he will need up to 120ml of mushed food over 24hours to keep his guts moving, (about 20ml every 4 hours based upon average stomach capacity and digestive time).
c) If his poop output stops he will need a gut stimulant
Good luck
x .
 
Thank you! We'll get him back to the vet. I read about Dioraltye for guineas being safe and them liking the flavour. He's had 2ml of Critical Care so far today, going to try him with more in a moment. It's going to have to be constant but trying to not distress him. We've not heard him cough whilst feeding/watering so hopefully we've not aspirated him. He is pooping but the pellets are smaller and obvs less frequent. We will keep going, he is not giving up on my watch!! x
 
Please be careful about giving diarolyte whilst the effects of the diuretic are still ongoing. Without getting too technical the diuretic works by encouraging the kidneys to excrete more salts and water whilst diarolyte is designed to encourage the the absorption of fluid/salts from the stomach so is working in opposition. Diarolyte is however useful as it also contains glucose which provides readily available energy. I would therefore suggest that any fluids given whilst diuretics are still being administered should be water. (or water with a small amount of clear honey to provide energy)
x
 
Thank you - I'll stick to water. He's had some more, and has eaten more on his own today since he has on Sunday. Only bites of radish, hay and dandelion here and there but he just squeaked his chatty squeak too which we've also not heard for days. Would another diuretic injection be really harmful to his poor little body?
 
Had more diuretics and vet a bit more positive, said he looks brighter and she's happy for him to continue. However, any tips for getting water down him?!
 
You need to take it slowly and give him no more than 0.5ml at a time, have a look in the handfeeding guide for the technique. It may look mean but it doesn't bother them.

Glad he has had more diuretic and seems brighter.
 
Thanks. Just doesn't seem much but will have another read :)
 
Not much water? I meant each time you put the syringe in his mouth. So don't give more than half a syringe per mouthful.
 
It is best to take it slowly if he is still struggling with his breathing though.
 
Glad he has had another shot of diuretic. Does he normally have a water bottle? When ill piggies won;t drink I put a small water bowl in their cage - they find that easier.although I still supplement with the syringe though, and like Helen only give 0.5ml per mouthful otherwise they can get water in their lungs.
Caring for any ill piggy is always a long, tiring and stressful task as you do have to syringe at the piggie's pace.
The meds only ever do "half" the job of helping a piggie recover from a serious illness - it's the time, commitment and patience of the slaves (with associated sleepless nights) ensuring regular food and fluid intake that do the rest!

Hopefully in the next 48 hours he will start to eat/drink more by himself so you can reduce the syringe feeding.
x
 
Thank you. Yes water bottle normally and not touching the bowl I have in his 'hospital' box... Have been trying to devise an indoor bottle alternative. I was off work today (chronic migraine not helped by this haha) so have been on syringe duty but tomorrow it's my other half's job and he's worried bless him. I'm staying as calm as I can so Jesse does, not rushing him and waving food under his nose which he sometimes nibbles. Ah, what it is to be a piggie slave huh! Really appreciate all your help. He won't take more than a few parts of the ml at once and alway syringe from the side so doesn't go down his throat so much. So tired but must keep on going!
 
Thank you. Yes water bottle normally and not touching the bowl I have in his 'hospital' box... Have been trying to devise an indoor bottle alternative. I was off work today (chronic migraine not helped by this haha) so have been on syringe duty but tomorrow it's my other half's job and he's worried bless him. I'm staying as calm as I can so Jesse does, not rushing him and waving food under his nose which he sometimes nibbles. Ah, what it is to be a piggie slave huh! Really appreciate all your help. He won't take more than a few parts of the ml at once and alway syringe from the side so doesn't go down his throat so much. So tired but must keep on going!
 
Awww.bless...yes - I understand how tiring and emotionally exhausting this is for you....but you have got this far so please don;t give up!

Let's be frank - your diligence and care got him that first shot of diuretic in the nick of time....saved his life...but would have been useless without your diligent feeding and ongoing care..

You're doing him proud and if you can just hang on a little longer with the feeding routine I am very hopeful that he will make a full rcovery

Please be proud of yourself for what you have achieved for your little fella!

x
 
Morning all... His breathing is more laboured again. So worried!
 
Pebble thank you. Wondering if a third diuretic shot will help or if he's worsened due to no food or fluids for 7 hours... I set my alarm to get up and feed him at 2am and it didn't go off. Thanks phone! Do you think that could be it? He's had a few syringes of both food and water again now the morning x
 
Crazy pig mum here again - could Sudafed help him do you think?
 
Thank you :) I'm hoping it's not a heart problem as surely he would have left us by now. Being at work is really tough today!
 
I am not sure when Pebble will be on and as time is of the essence, if his breathing is laboured I would think he needs more diuretic, 2 doses in a case like this are not usually enough. I would also ask about oral medication to bring home. The lack of food and water overnight would most likely have made him lethargic and cause gut issues but I would not have expected it to affect his breathing.
 
This little guy is a tease! He's been eating a radish again and chewing a bit of hay, going toilet and coming around a bit. He's going to the vet for more diuretic - read this which I found interesting: http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/Heart-problems-guinea-pigs.shtml - fingers crossed the 3rd is what he needs. I hope we don't have to keep this up til next week, how much diuretic can be bad for them?
 
Hi again - sorry for the constant questions. A friend who has nursed rats back from near-death has suggested I investigate giving little Jesse a malt paste to get vitamins down him (and it apparently tastes good too!): http://www.vetuk.co.uk/ferret-suppl...r-vitamin-malt-paste-for-ferrets-100g-p-10353 - has anyone ever tried this?

Don't want to pile him full of stuff but want to do everything we can to get him over this.
 
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