My Guinea Is Very Sick - Uri / Resistence To Baytril

[Bubbleguppy]

Hi everyone. I'm new here but desperate for help. I have a 2 year old male guinea pig who lives with his brother. They're out at grass all day and in at nightfall, all year round. This guinea has had intermittent respiratory infections during his life, the vet tells me that the noisy breathing is coming from his throat rather than his chest. Since April, he has needed 6 courses of Baytril high dose antibiotic to pull him back from the brink. He finished the last course 25 August 2015, was fine last night but by this morning his nose was literally caked in white snot, his mouth was open gasping for air and his chest sucking upwards gasping for air. The vet says it's obviously very serious if it struck so aggressively (it always does). Baytril recommenced immediately and within 12 hours, things are improving.

What do I do when this course is over? I have changed his bedding from shredded oilseed rape to dust extracted wood shavings with no benefit. Hay is good quality, vacuum packed. Housing is clean, well ventilated but not draughty. I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I hope someone can suggest something new to try. Thanks for reading. Clare (UK)

 

[gizzy]

Hi Clair, l am sorry your pig is porly .
He has had a hek of a lot of Batril , it could be that he has built up a resistance to the drug , lf he were my pig l would talk to
My vet about using another antibiotic , perhaps Doxicilin .
Also is there any chance you could bring him indoors , that might help as it is warmer

Please let us know how you get on

 

[helen105281]

As Gizzy has said I am also wondering if he is becoming resistant to the Baytril and your vet may want to consider a different antibiotic like Marbocyl, Doxycyline or Zithromax. Bisolovon is good to add in too as it helps clear the mucous in the nasal passages. If there did turn out to be fluid on the chest he would need a diuretic. For bedding, if he is outside in a hutch then I always recommend Fitch as it is warm and not dusty at all. We have a bedding section though so you could look there for more ideas. I keep my pigs inside so am not overly familiar with dealing with pigs who are outside all year round. I would bring him indoors if he is prone to infections and the weather is going to get colder, or even a shed. Though when you say "in at nightfall", do you mean indoors? if so the fluctuation in temperature may also be having an effect.

 

[Wiebke]

I wonder about resistence, too. I would also recommend to trial any of the antibiotics that @helen105281 has recommended. Sadly, only baytril is officially licensed, so you will have to sign a form for any of the recommended stronger antibiotics, which are all safe to use in guinea pigs. See another vet if possible if your vet is refusing to consider alternatives.
Recommended piggy savvy vets in the UK: Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Recommended vets in other countries (Guinea Lynx list): Veterinarians - The GLX-Files

Please bring your boys indoors for the time being, so you can monitor your ill boy and also syringe feed at need. Weigh him daily at the same time in the feeding cycle to monitor his food intake instead of the normal weekly weigh-in.
The need to breathe comes before the need to drink and thirdly the need to eat. You need to support the drinking and eating until the breathing has normalised and he is eating normally in order to keep up his fighting strength. Also up the vitamin C intake in order to boost the immune system.
More information in here: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Please contact your vet about prescribing bisolvon to help clear the bunged-up airways; it makes mucus more fluid to help clear the airways as quickly as possible. Unlike humans, guinea pigs cannot breathe through the mouth and therefore struggle much more when their airways are blocked. Place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage to help ease the breathing further. Also ask for a diuretic if there is any indication of a fluid build up. Clearing the airways and easing the breathing is vital, especially with a severe URI or pneumonia.

Please make sure that your boys have access to a dry, warm and draft-free area at all times.

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PS: Please be aware that bisolvon is a UK product.