Metacam / Antibiotics - Respiratory Issue

[pip&pebble]

Hello,

Yesterday I noticed my guinea pigs breathing was slightly different from normal - his stomach appeared to be pushing out with each breath, though fairly subtle. Everything else with him was absolutely fine, he was eating, drinking, moving about, had no discharge from nose, mouth, ears, etc.

The vet examined him and gave him some metacam to try once daily for a couple of days. If his symptoms got worse (e.g. discharge, lethargy, mouth breathing) or after those days nothing had changed, she said to come back and we will try antibiotics.

He had his first dose of metacam around 6pm last night. Although I'm not obviously expecting immediate results, his breathing / stomach pulsing appears much more prominent this morning, though in everything else he still seems fine.

Am I being too prompt in contacting them again today to go with the antibiotics seeing as he is yet to have a second dose? Or is it best to continue with metacam for today and monitor for further signs?

Thank you,

Beth

 

[Piggies&buns]

It would best for you to speak to your vet if - it’s for them to make the decision on whether the situation has changed and if other action is needed. Noticeable abdominal breathing is always something to take seriously.

I hope he is ok

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,

Yesterday I noticed my guinea pigs breathing was slightly different from normal - his stomach appeared to be pushing out with each breath, though fairly subtle. Everything else with him was absolutely fine, he was eating, drinking, moving about, had no discharge from nose, mouth, ears, etc.

The vet examined him and gave him some metacam to try once daily for a couple of days. If his symptoms got worse (e.g. discharge, lethargy, mouth breathing) or after those days nothing had changed, she said to come back and we will try antibiotics.

He had his first dose of metacam around 6pm last night. Although I'm not obviously expecting immediate results, his breathing / stomach pulsing appears much more prominent this morning, though in everything else he still seems fine.

Am I being too prompt in contacting them again today to go with the antibiotics seeing as he is yet to have a second dose? Or is it best to continue with metacam for today and monitor for further signs?

Thank you,

Beth

Hi

I am sure that your vet has checked his heart in case the diaphragmic breathing is caused by a fluid build up not in the lungs but in the chest or the body cavity.
It can be difficult to diagnose in the earlier stages where the problem is coming from because it can also be from something that is pushing on the heart internally and masked by any fluid with the heart fine in itself; especially when the lungs are clear.
I suspect that is why your vet has opted for trying metacam first rather than an antibiotic in the absence of any other clear respiratory signs.

How old is your guinea pig?

Please contact the clinic again if you feel that the metacam is not doing the trick. Visible sideways breathing from the body is a serious symptom that should always be investigated. You have done the right thing to have your piggy seen promptly.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[KK327]

Good luck with your piggy - shout from the roof top if necessary to get your pig seen and issue addressed. Leave no question unasked or answered - I learnt that valuable lesson with my dear Squirrel. Don’t assume they know everything - you know your pig and what isn’t right for him and time delays are not great when it comes to piggies. Search the forum put together what you’ve read and discuss it with the vet. Sometimes things crop up on here that they haven’t even thought about

Good luck