Need Advice Asap Please - Respiratory Infection

[Lauren kelly]

I've had my girls for 3 months and the past few days I've noticed my ivy has been different she has been spending more time in shelters and not as cuddly as usual, today I noticed a few coughs and sneezes so I assumed it's a cold but now I've noticed every now and then when she breathes she's making noises in her breathing I can't explain the noises but I'm just wondering if this is a symptom of a cold or should I try and get her in a 24 hour vet?

 

[Wiebke]

It is a symptom of URI - respiratory tract infection. Please have her seen; URI can kill or permanently damage if left untreated.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html

You are likely to be given foul tasting baytril as antibiotic. Please ask whether they can give you a herbivore probiotic or get some at p@h to counter the antibiotic; give a pinch 1-2 hours after the antibiotic to help balance the guts.

At home, you can additionally support your piggy by placing a steaming bowl (if you wish with 2 drops of olbas oil) next to the cage to help ease the breathing.

Weigh your piggy daily at the same time, as both the need to breathe as well as baytril can kill the appetite. If necessary, hand feed.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/

 

[Lauren kelly]

Thankyou on way to vet now thankyou

 

[aimzer]

Hope your little girl gets on ok at vets!

 

[Wiebke]

All the best!

 

[irene]

A www hope she does well, my Cinnamon has had recurrent URIs so I sympathize!

 

[Lauren kelly]

Hi all just an update ivy has got anti biotics for the next few days so will be giving my poorly girl plenty of cuddles and kisses, her sisters haven't stopped pop corning since we got back

 

[Freela]

I'm glad you got her seen quickly, since respiratory infections can get serious quickly if not treated! I hope the antibiotics do the trick! Keep an eye on the others to make sure they don't come down with it too!

 

[Lauren kelly]

Hi all just an update ivy is doing okay she's been taking her medication and I've kept her separated from her sisters however now I've noticed gabby has the same symptoms so off we go to the vets again! Will be getting daisy checked too to be on the safe side

 

[DM 121120]

Good luck and I hope they get well soon, your doing the right thing x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all just an update ivy is doing okay she's been taking her medication and I've kept her separated from her sisters however now I've noticed gabby has the same symptoms so off we go to the vets again! Will be getting daisy checked too to be on the safe side

I am ever so sorry that you have a full outbreak. You can put them all together again; if the others have caught it, it will have happened by now.
URI is one of the more infectious illnesses as soon as piggies are struggling with stress, temperature swings or an otherwise compromised immune system.

Have you considered getting microwaveable snugglesafes for extra warmth during the winter months? They are widely available when you google.

 

[Lauren kelly]

I will have a look into them I was going to look into pet cushion beds as well to keep them more warm during play time if they wanna chill out for a bit all 3 have got it and are all on the same medication just different doses now I've put them all back into the same cage to prevent them getting any more stressed they've been resting a lot but they're all still eating plenty and getting a bit of exercise they're also taking their medication but I'm having problems with one medication the vet gave me I was told to squeeze a drop for daisy & 2 drops for gabby and Ivy on very small pieces of bread and feeding it to them, however gabby and daisy will not take it last night I had to resort to squeezing the drops into their mouth but that isn't easy as they fidget and the bottle is difficult to squeeze anyway I have syringes that I can use to get it into their system but I don't know how much I'm meant to use I was told there is 0.04 ml of liquid in a drop does that sound about right? Sorry about rambling just after advice on how to make my babies better