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medication for pneumonia

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mountnugent

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Hi,
I am new to this forum, indeed any forum. I came across it trying to find info on the medication given for my 18 month old g.p. She started being ill with laboured breathing and lack of appetite just before xmas. No other clinical signs, not even noisy breathing. Took her to vet who said she had congestion in lungs and gave baytril. Symptoms became worse. Took her back to another who said she was pregnant. No chance. Went to yet another vet who suggested x-ray for enlarged heart. Said that this was the case and she then referred me to an exotic vet. He x-rayed but could not see the heart due to fluid on lungs. He also took blood tests which suggested hay or fungal pneumonia. He has now prescribed drugs which I have not heard of for a pig. Has anyone else. this is Azithromycin, frusol and metacam. The metacam is at a very high dose of 0.7 twice a day and today she has had bloat. Has anyone heard of this type and amount of medication for pneumonia.
 
I'm so sorry to hear this, I'm no help at all but somebody will be around soon to help you :) maybe you could message 'maryh' :)
 
hoping your little baby gets better soon. if you are unsure on medication talk to your vet. discuss what is worrying you etc. also you could PM maryh she is an angel and so is her vet who is willing to email other vets even to here in australia. 0:) 0:) :smitten: :smitten:
we get vets like yours here all the time as guinea pigs and vets don't mix here in australia. the azithromycin sounds like an antibiotic a relative or terramycin, but don't hold me to that. so i would advice talking to your vet and/or PM maryh.
keep your baby warm and watch her. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: sending hugs and cuddles to you and your little baby and hoping she gets better soon! :smitten: :smitten:
 
Just to let you know MaryH is away until monday and until then she has very limited access to a computer but I am sure she will be able to help!
 
Frusol is a diuretic being used here to get water off the lungs of you pig- have used it and its good.
Azithromycin is used to kill the bacteria casued by the infection but I haven't used this and don't know if its safe. If you can't contact MaryH then Vedra at CCT would know 07721 026401 to text/phone your message.
Metacam is an antiinflammatory/painkiller and used in guineas.

Have you treated the bloat? As you said 'had' then I'm assuming 'yes' :)
 
I always thought metacam was a pain relief for bigger animals like dogs, cats and *sometimes* rabbits.
Our rabbit was only allowed 0.2 when he broke his leg.

I'd contact MaryH or Vedra like karenrgpr said :) :)
 
Thank you for your replies. The guineas bloat has now cleared up and i did find something on the net last night which stated that the antibiotic prescribed is to treat pneumonia. Also found confirmation on the net that the dosage of metacam (which seemed high) is right so now fingers crossed that she is on the right med and dosage. Wil keep you posted on progress. Thanks again for your replies
 
A pro biotic such as bio lapis will help her gut flora too as the antibiotics upset the balance. Make up as per instructions and give by syringe 2 hours after antibiotic.
 
Azithromycin is in the erythromycin group and has a known toxicity in gps.

Metacam should be given at the dose rate of ONE DROP per day which can be raised to one drop am and one drop pm if the pain is severe.

Matacam is for cats and dogs but is safe for gps at the above dose rate.It should not be given over a long period as it can cause kidney damage,
 
Hi This is a reply to an answer to my post re: pneumonia from maryh. Can i speak with you about the drug azithromycin being offered to my gp
 
can you tell me what you mean by toxicity i.e. drug azithromycin, the vet who has prescribed this is supposed to be an exotic vet and I was referred to him vi another vet. He has also prescribed metacam at 0.7mls twice daily as well as frusol at 1mls twice daily. I am rather worried as the piggie does seem to be having abdominal discomfort and i have her on probiotics for this. as she is not eating well he has also prescribed maxolon and zantac.

She was x-rayed by a previous vet who said she had an enlarged heart. however, this referred vet x-rayed her and said that altho the x-ray was clearer than the first vet, she had too much fluid and congestion in lungs to even see the heart. she has had blood tests which are showing the possibility of a dust or funal pneumonia but i am not too sure of this.

what do you think
 
Without seeing the gp it is difficult to say,but to me it sounds like a heart problem.I think the vet/s are overloading the system with drugs all of which have side affects.Some types of antibiotic can kill a gp within an hour,the one your vet prescribed does not do that obviously,but it can cause liver and sometimes digestive problems.It is not a safe drug for gps.

Have a look at WWW.petergurney.com and read his notes on heart conditions,both in the health pages and in his A-Z.They are very helpful.If it were my pig I would drop the drugs and maintain on a high food diuretic diet.You could also try the herbal diuretic that Peter has advised.I know this is safe and does work.He also mentions banana as a source of potassium,I have also used this.
 
thank you and also for the no for a vet in north yorks. i have dropped the drugs as they are obviously upsetting her system. she should have antibiotic today again but have stopped this. i am going to try and find another vet. p.s. have just paid £220 to this last vet. and £94 to the one previous to him. expensive little piggie
 
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