Overdosed on baytril

[Julesie]

Please help.

Joey has been bleeding and I took him to the vet. I got prescribed a medication that didn't work and took him back yesterday. (Thursday 21) he was given Baytril to take and some powder in a capsule (cyst something. I can't read the handwriting).

The bottle said to take 0.7ml so I followed the advice. It was for twice a day however it looked far too much in my opinion so the next day I phoned the vet and explained. I was told it was 0.07ml and I have given him far too much. I feel awful and now today he's been all puffed up and not looking happy. The vet said to leave it for a week then continue.

But now he seems unable to move his lower body properly when I just went to feed them their vegetables. I'm so worried and I feel absolutely awful and guilty. I feel like a terrible mother and I'm getting horrible flashbacks of Mumen my last male piggie who ended up paralyzed from the waist down (suspected seizure).

I don't know what to do? The only upside is he wants to eat his vegetables so I had to move them to him when I realised he is struggling to move.

Please help. I feel awful. I'm so scared he's going to die and it's all my fault.

I've set an alarm for 3.30am to go check up on him but other than feeding him I don't know what I can do.

 

[Black piggies]

How awful for you and Joey. What a shock. Sorry I can't advise, you've been caring and careful and shouldn't feel guilty. I'm not sure if that overdose was enough to cause kidney damage, I'm not sure what could be done if it does.

Not sure where you are in Hertfordshire but the Royal vet college outside Hatfield does out of hours cover for some of the local vets. Village Vets is a 24 hour hospital vet anyone can access, between St Albans and Hatfield, been good when I've gone for emergencies.

I hope Joey keeps eating veg and pulls through

 

[Wiebke]

Please help.

Joey has been bleeding and I took him to the vet. I got prescribed a medication that didn't work and took him back yesterday. (Thursday 21) he was given Baytril to take and some powder in a capsule (cyst something. I can't read the handwriting).

The bottle said to take 0.7ml so I followed the advice. It was for twice a day however it looked far too much in my opinion so the next day I phoned the vet and explained. I was told it was 0.07ml and I have given him far too much. I feel awful and now today he's been all puffed up and not looking happy. The vet said to leave it for a week then continue.

But now he seems unable to move his lower body properly when I just went to feed them their vegetables. I'm so worried and I feel absolutely awful and guilty. I feel like a terrible mother and I'm getting horrible flashbacks of Mumen my last male piggie who ended up paralyzed from the waist down (suspected seizure).

I don't know what to do? The only upside is he wants to eat his vegetables so I had to move them to him when I realised he is struggling to move.

Please help. I feel awful. I'm so scared he's going to die and it's all my fault.

I've set an alarm for 3.30am to go check up on him but other than feeding him I don't know what I can do.

Hi!

I am very sorry. Just hang on in there and contact your vets first thing tomorrow. It is a very good sign that he still wants to eat; make sure that he has access to unlimited hay right next to him, as that is by far the biggest food group (80% of the daily food intake). The more he eats, the easier it is for the body to work the baytril out of the body so that any symptoms can hopefully subside again. This happens usually more slowly than then when they come on.

Could you please tell us how old your piggy is, how much they are weighing and where the bleeding is happening/what they are being treated for?

0.07 ml is an extremely low dosage bordering on the cosmetic so I assume that that was just a guess by the receptionist?
Since you have also been prescribed something like cystophan, which is a glucosamine based food supplement, I assume that you are dealing with a urinary tract issue?
The standard prescription for a 1000g piggy with urinary tract problems is twice daily 0.4 ml of baytril or 0.8 ml once daily. It is more likely that your vet has got the once/twice daily wrong on the label, so what you have been giving was double the dosage and not ten times of what your piggy should have had?

Here is our one stop emergency care advice and information guide: Emergency Information and Care

If he continues to get worse, please contact your local out-of-hours services for advice.

All the best!

 

[Rivervixen]

Thinking of you and joey tonight, lots of love and hugs xx

 

[My Piggies]

Holding you and Joey in my heart. I hope he's okay

 

[Julesie]

Hi!

I am very sorry. Just hang on in there and contact your vets first thing tomorrow. It is a very good sign that he still wants to eat; make sure that he has access to unlimited hay right next to him, as that is by far the biggest food group (80% of the daily food intake). The more he eats, the easier it is for the body to work the baytril out of the body so that any symptoms can hopefully subside again. This happens usually more slowly than then when they come on.

Could you please tell us how old your piggy is, how much they are weighing and where the bleeding is happening/what they are being treated for?

0.07 ml is an extremely low dosage bordering on the cosmetic so I assume that that was just a guess by the receptionist?
Since you have also been prescribed something like cystophan, which is a glucosamine based food supplement, I assume that you are dealing with a urinary tract issue?
The standard prescription for a 1000g piggy with urinary tract problems is twice daily 0.4 ml of baytril or 0.8 ml once daily. It is more likely that your vet has got the once/twice daily wrong on the label, so what you have been giving was double the dosage and not ten times of what your piggy should have had?

Here is our one stop emergency care advice and information guide: Emergency Information and Care

If he continues to get worse, please contact your local out-of-hours services for advice.

All the best!

Thank you for your reply.
Joey is roughly 3/4 years old and he weighs 1220 last weigh in. He's bleeding when peeing I believe. The vet took an x-ray and there was no stones and he took a pee sample. There was nothing wrong other than what seemed to be an infection I believe he said.

So I haven't given him far too much? I'm a little confused on the syringe measurements. Is it the little tiny lines? Or the larger numbers?

Thank you so much for replying. I just gave him a top-up of some hay. I'll be keeping a close watch on him.

 

[Julesie]

How awful for you and Joey. What a shock. Sorry I can't advise, you've been caring and careful and shouldn't feel guilty. I'm not sure if that overdose was enough to cause kidney damage, I'm not sure what could be done if it does.

Not sure where you are in Hertfordshire but the Royal vet college outside Hatfield does out of hours cover for some of the local vets. Village Vets is a 24 hour hospital vet anyone can access, between St Albans and Hatfield, been good when I've gone for emergencies.

I hope Joey keeps eating veg and pulls through

Thank you xx I just felt so terrible. I've only wanted to help him and felt I made it ten times worse.

I live in Hatfield. I usually take Joey to see Amir in Broxbourne as he's on the suggested Vets on this forum vet locator. He's amazing with Joey but quite a journey usually. If he does get worse I'll look into that one as it's a little closer for me to get to. Thank you

 

[Julesie]

Thinking of you and joey tonight, lots of love and hugs xx

Thank you so much xx

Holding you and Joey in my heart. I hope he's okay

Thank you xx me too

 

[weepweeps]

I hope Joey is ok and you managed to get some sleep. They are such a worry aren’t they? Don’t feel bad. It looks like you didn’t give him too much after all.

 

[Black piggies]

Probably similar distance for you to Broxbourne, but I'd recommend my current local vet, Naomi at Shenley Wellpet, she has a herd of 26 piggies herself, in case Amir isn't available. How's Joey now?

 

[Julesie]

I hope Joey is ok and you managed to get some sleep. They are such a worry aren’t they? Don’t feel bad. It looks like you didn’t give him too much after all.

Thank you. I fell asleep eventually but I'm mad I didn't hear my second alarm to wake up at 7. I've just given him some more food now.

I hope not! I'm still confused on it

 

[Julesie]

Probably similar distance for you to Broxbourne, but I'd recommend my current local vet, Naomi at Shenley Wellpet, she has a herd of 26 piggies herself, in case Amir isn't available. How's Joey now?

Thank you that's useful to know as he's always very booked. He's still not doing well. Can't really move much I just don't understand why.

 

[Black piggies]

It might be nothing to do with the Baytril and caused by whatever was causing the original problem, the bleeding?

When the vet said wait a week, Joey hadn't stopped moving then?

Poor you and Poor Joey

 

[Julesie]

It might be nothing to do with the Baytril and caused by whatever was causing the original problem, the bleeding?

When the vet said wait a week, Joey hadn't stopped moving then?

Poor you and Poor Joey

No he was just puffed up and not looking happy. It was only around midnight he stopped moving around as he ran away when I tried to take him out for some of the cystophan on his veggies so he could move then.

The photo was how he looked

 

[Black piggies]

Aw he does look more puffed up than usual. Could you phone a vet for advice about whether to wait till next week?
Late at night, the night before I recently took Shadow to Northampton where she was put down, I phoned the vet college and their advice helped me decide to wait till the next day.

 

[Julesie]

Aw he does look more puffed up than usual. Could you phone a vet for advice about whether to wait till next week?
Late at night, the night before I recently took Shadow to Northampton where she was put down, I phoned the vet college and their advice helped me decide to wait till the next day.

Yeah I think I'll have to. I know Amir has this week off so I'm not sure if he'll be there. He told me the other day. He wanted me to bring a pee sample back after a week and mentioned it. The staff spoke to Amir for me as he was too busy to speak with me personally so I hope they didn't get any info wrong.

I still feel incredibly guilty. I just don't know if I'm doing things right..I'm a little scared I maybe choked him on his medication because he was pawing at his mouth and making a watery sound after... But it was really hard to get him to take the medication

 

[Black piggies]

It's horrible when it gets like that. Shadow who recently had to be put down, the vet said she couldn't take food or meds anymore as her heart was so bad it meant she couldn't eat and breathe. Are you able to get him to a vet? Even Pets at Home I'd use if I could get anywhere else, as at least they see a lot of guinea pigs. Shenley Wellpet is open today. Even if Naomi isn't on today, they are a good vet practice and the others know more about piggies than usual from Naomi. Good luck.

 

[Black piggies]

PS you did really well to check the dose with the vet. You've been travelling to find a good vet. You ask advice on here. It's upsetting and you question yourself, but you're doing well

 

[Julesie]

I phoned Amir. He's busy but I asked for him to phone me back so I'm just waiting on that call to find out what to do for Joey.

Thank you Black Piggies. I appreciate it. I just wanted to get him over the bleeding. I love him so much

 

[Black piggies]

I phoned Amir. He's busy but I asked for him to phone me back so I'm just waiting on that call to find out what to do for Joey.

Thank you Black Piggies. I appreciate it. I just wanted to get him over the bleeding. I love him so much

That's great you'll hear from Amir soon. Sorry for your stress. He is an absolutely adorable guinea pig

 

[Julesie]

That's great you'll hear from Amir soon. Sorry for your stress. He is an absolutely adorable guinea pig

Thank you he's such a sweet boy.
I'll update what Amir tells me

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your reply.
Joey is roughly 3/4 years old and he weighs 1220 last weigh in. He's bleeding when peeing I believe. The vet took an x-ray and there was no stones and he took a pee sample. There was nothing wrong other than what seemed to be an infection I believe he said.

So I haven't given him far too much? I'm a little confused on the syringe measurements. Is it the little tiny lines? Or the larger numbers?

Thank you so much for replying. I just gave him a top-up of some hay. I'll be keeping a close watch on him.

Hi!

Is it a normal 1 ml syringe with black markings you are using? Can you please post a picture of the syringe you are using.

It is still a bit on the high side (for that weight, I have usually seen about 2 x 0.5 ml of baytril prescribed) but it is not so high that it should cause the kind of side effects and it should certainly not be high enough to cause any kidney damage.

All the best!

 

[Julesie]

Hi!

Is it a normal 1 ml syringe with black markings you are using? Can you please post a picture of the syringe you are using.

It is still a bit on the high side (for that weight, I have usually seen about 2 x 0.5 ml of baytril prescribed) but it is not so high that it should cause the kind of side effects and it should certainly not be high enough to cause any kidney damage.

All the best!

here’s a photo. I included the bottle in case it helped

thank you

 

[PigglePuggle]

Thank you for your reply.
Joey is roughly 3/4 years old and he weighs 1220 last weigh in. He's bleeding when peeing I believe. The vet took an x-ray and there was no stones and he took a pee sample. There was nothing wrong other than what seemed to be an infection I believe he said.

So I haven't given him far too much? I'm a little confused on the syringe measurements. Is it the little tiny lines? Or the larger numbers?

Thank you so much for replying. I just gave him a top-up of some hay. I'll be keeping a close watch on him.

Please dont worry- 0.07mls (the little lines on a 1ml syringe) is far too little to have any effect, my piggies have regularly had 0.5mls (the big lines, ie half a 1ml syringe full) prescribed twice a day. Baytril is usually very safe and well tolerated- but like all antibiotics may affect gut function. Giving a probiotic like fibreplex or pro-C an hour or two after the antibiotic can help.
That bottle does say 0.07mls which is really too low to do anything... I would query that, or request a second opinion from another vet? But 0.7mls should not be harmful at any rate, a bit high maybe closer to the usual dosing range than 0.07mls!

 

[Julesie]

Please dont worry- 0.07mls (the little lines on a 1ml syringe) is far too little to have any effect, my piggies have regularly had 0.5mls (the big lines, ie half a 1ml syringe full) prescribed twice a day. Baytril is usually very safe and well tolerated- but like all antibiotics may affect gut function. Giving a probiotic like fibreplex or pro-C an hour or two after the antibiotic can help.
That bottle does say 0.07mls which is really too low to do anything... I would query that, or request a second opinion from another vet? But 0.7mls should not be harmful at any rate, a bit high maybe closer to the usual dosing range than 0.07mls!

Yeah. I didnt give him the little lines. I gave him the large 0.7 mistakenly twice which is why I worried I’ve overdosed him when it was supposed to be the smaller lines.

I also have this bottle to give him. I didn’t get to ask the vet whether to continue it or not but the receptionist said to… however she’s not a vet just a young lady in her 20s so I would rather know from the vet whether to continue with it or if it needs to be in conjunction with the baytril.



I'm still waiting on a phone call from the vet.

 

[Black piggies]

Hopefully vet can advise soon about meds.
Joey suddenly not moving and puffed up might be to do with what was wrong originally, and might need checked by vet? Sometimes easier for vet to diagnose and treat correctly, when more new symptoms appear.

 

[PigglePuggle]

I cant read that either, but cyste... something is usually something to ease bladder inflammation.
Did he get prescribed pain relief too, that would be loxicom or metacam (different brand names for the same standard piggy safe anti-inflammatory pain relief medicine meloxicam) ?
If not then he may just be understandably showing signs of pain and discomfort...
I hope the vet gets back to you soon x

 

[Julesie]

I cant read that either, but cyste... something is usually something to ease bladder inflammation.
Did he get prescribed pain relief too, that would be loxicom or metacam (different brand names for the same standard piggy safe anti-inflammatory pain relief medicine meloxicam) ?
If not then he may just be understandably showing signs of pain and discomfort...
I hope the vet gets back to you soon x

He was only given the two I posted.

so Hopefully he’s just uncomfortable rather than I have hurt him with the baytril?

thank you. I hope so too. I feed them their veg at 2pm every day so I’m going to keep a watch on him then. He’s not leaving his little house but I may have to move him as I don’t want him to sit in a wet patch.

 

[Black piggies]

He was only given the two I posted.

so Hopefully he’s just uncomfortable rather than I have hurt him with the baytril?

thank you. I hope so too. I feed them their veg at 2pm every day so I’m going to keep a watch on him then. He’s not leaving his little house but I may have to move him as I don’t want him to sit in a wet patch.

I'm no expert but I think puffed up and not moving could be significant pain? I wonder whether what was originally wrong with him is becoming more urgent? Hope he eats his veg

 

[Julesie]

I'm no expert but I think puffed up and not moving could be significant pain? I wonder whether was was originally wrong with him is becoming more urgent? Hope he eats his veg

Yeah I'm not sure. He can move, it just seems he doesn’t want to as it seems to be hurting his back area. I imagine it might be sore.

Luckily he is bright eyed and my house is super cold so it could also be that not helping. I’ve just turned on the heating to warm it up a little as I’m sat shivering myself ^^;