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Marlow - Laboured Breathing An Refusing Food

worried val of york

worried val of york

Adult Guinea Pig
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I had to take Marlow to the vets yesterday morning because of obvious breathing issues and his refusing pellets and hay. Marlow is just over 3 years old. I adopted him September 2016 and he has had no previous health issues other than mites which was just a passing problem.
I saw a vet yesterday who gave him a baytril injection. I have to give Marlow two 0.2 mls of baytril orally from today. The vet listened to his stomach and said his guts seem to be working alright. But is could be an infection or a growth or heart problems.
Marlow is still refusing pellets and hay. I have been given Critical Care which he has been fed since seeing the vet yesterday. His poops are small.
Can anyone tell me what are the signs of heart problems in a guinea pig please.
 
Thanks @Lady Kelly. I have just searched for signs of heart problems using the search facility on the right hand top corner.
I found that Helen has detailed the signs on a previous thread.
My Marlow is not hooting but his body is labouring with the effort of breathing. He moves only when he has to at present.
I am continuing with the medication and critical care and will monitor him closely.
 
Hi, I had to take my Streaky to the vet on Thursday, his breathing was also not right, he was making a ‘popping’ noise as he breathed and he was shaking every now and again when he breathed. The vet has given him a course of antibiotics for 10 days and said that it could be an infection around the nose and eyes, however Streaky is eating and drinking. I hope Marlow gets better soon!
 
I won't list the signs as you have found them already but just ask If you need anything. Did the vet mention if there was any fluid on his chest? He would need diuretics if so. You could ask about an x-ray to see if there is anything surrounding his heart but it would need to be a conscious one if there is any suspicion of him being a heart pig.

Do any of the other symptoms I listed fit?
 
Thanks for replying Helen.
The vet did not mention any fluids on lungs. She said his guts were making sounds that showed they were working properly.
He has black lips so I cannot see any colour changes.
He has loss weight because of not eating.
I continue feeding Critical Care which I will mix with ordinary pellets to syringe feed him until I can see an exotic vet (hopefully) tomorrow. There were none available over the weekend.
I have given him a poop soup mix from a donation from his cage mate Granville last night.
This is the situation I find most difficult caring for guinea pigs. Getting a proper diagnosis and effective treatment.
Keeping fingers crossed.
 
I hope you manage to get an appointment tomorrow. It could be a URI but definitely best to rule out heart issues. You could ask the vet about Bisolvon too which would help clear any mucous if there is any.
 
I agree with Helen above, maybe mention some Furosomdie (diuretic) to the vet if there is any fluid on the lungs, they should be able to hear this with stethoscope , it did help Cookie once with a stubborn URI. Sending love x
 
I will definitely mention Furosomide @sport_billy and Bisolvin @helen105281 depending on what the vet can diagnose tomorrow. There are two exotic vets at the practise I normally go to but both were off this weekend.
I just hope Marlows luck changes and he can see one of the exotic vets tomorrow. The one I normally see is fantastic.
 
Sorry to hear about this Val. In my experience if they are unwell and not eating it suggests an infection/ pneumonia. The dose of Baytril seems quite low unless he is a lightweight piggy. I also recommend he has some metacam regularly. Fingers crossed for him xx
 
ive a piggie Freya with an upper respiratory infection,she has been on septrin twice aday for 3 weeks,metacam for the first week,with bolisvon,10 days ago my vet suggested a nebuliser,so i bought the neb box and f10 antiseptic,this has improved Freyas breathing 100%,it may be worth asking your vet if nebulisers may help.I hope Marlow gets well soon.x
 
Marlow is much more lively this morning. He took some feed by syringe but when I was refilling the syringe he was so impatient to get at the food he took it from the spoon.
A lovely feeling to get him eating without having to syringe food down him.
When I put him back in the run he began eating hay for first time since Friday
@pig in the city Thanks for advice Barbara. He was 900 grams when weighed at vets. A fair chunk of that will have been his hair! His skin felt very loose.
I am thinking of taking him back to the same vet as she did seem very interested in Marlows health.
She suggested treating him for an infection or taking xrays . I was dubious about any sedation for the xrays as he was so fragile on Saturday.
I will mention a nebuliser to the vet @eileen. As Marlow's sides do move quite noticeable when he is breathing. Neither my other two guinea pigs Amos and Granville so such effort when breathing.
 
I am taking Marlow back to my usual exotic vet. He is so popular that I cannot see him until 20/11/17. But I can phone if Marlow's health deteriorates to be seen earlier.
I don't feel Marlow is any danger today, unlike Saturday when I had to make an appointment with another vets practice. That vet was lovely and quite knowledgeable about guinea pigs. But I feel I should take him back to a fully trained exotic trained vet to check Marlows overall health.
 
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