Penicillin in Guinea pigs

[Lcj579642]

Hi,
I took my guinea pigs to the vet today for a suspected respiratory infection, and was prescribed Synulox.
However, I've just researched that Guinea pigs should not have penicillin as it is toxic.
They've only had 1 dose, and are obviously not going to have anymore, but now I'm concerned
Am currently trying to get hold of vet, but difficult due to out of hours
What should I do?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,
I took my guinea pigs to the vet today for a suspected respiratory infection, and was prescribed Synulox.
However, I've just researched that Guinea pigs should not have penicillin as it is toxic.
They've only had 1 dose, and are obviously not going to have anymore, but now I'm concerned
Am currently trying to get hold of vet, but difficult due to out of hours
What should I do?

You have done the right thing to stop orally administered penicillin immediately. It is a big no no for any rodent species. How experienced with guinea pigs is the consulting vet?

Please contact the out-of-hours clinic for further advice and see an emergency vet asap if there is any deterioration. Contact the prescribing vet's clinic first thing tomorrow morning. This should not have happened.

 

[Lcj579642]

Thanks for your reply

I've used them before for previous guinea pigs, and they've been good. They're not a specialist exotic vet though, and after this experience, I shall register them with a different, more piggie experienced vet

I finally got through to out of hours, and they've just said to stop using it, and then contact the vet in the morning, so we'll see what happens with that

They do both seem a little off, but do normally sleep at this time of night, and they are still eating, so I'll monitor them in case they deteriorate

 

[Betsy]

Synulox is a big no no for piggies. My frail and elderly now Rainbow piggie Thea was prescribed Synulox (she was eight and a half) and I had a right old argument with the Manager of my old vet practice about it. You can read about it here.

Thea was at the vets this morning.

You should not have been prescribed it as I was told by the Manager that it is well known among vets that guinea pigs are allergic to Synulox and must not be given it. You have a good reason to complain and get compensation.

 

[Lcj579642]

Synulox is a big no no for piggies. My frail and elderly now Rainbow piggie Thea was prescribed Synulox (she was eight and a half) and I had a right old argument with the Manager of my old vet practice about it. You can read about it here.

Thea was at the vets this morning.

You should not have been prescribed it as I was told by the Manager that it is well known among vets that guinea pigs are allergic to Synulox and must not be given it. You have a good reason to complain and get compensation.

Oh my goodness, I'm glad you noticed before giving it to her. I really don't understand how vets, especially more than one, can make such a potentially fatal error.

My piggies are only young, and I'm seriously hoping that they will be okay in the morning. They are still bright eyed and eating, but I will still be monitoring carefully regardless, hopefully one dose won't kill them

Ironically I'm allergic to penicillin, and in hindsight, should have pushed for a different antibiotic anyways

I will be moving vets, and am planning to speak to the prescribing vet in the morning. Hopefully at least get the consult fees and med fees back, the least they can do really

 

[Wiebke]

My fingers are very firmly crossed. All you can do at the moment is wait and see. Respiratory infection dosages are generally on the lower side.

But yes, prescribing penicillin to any rodent pets is a fatal mistake. Please ask the vet about the medication or check with us if it is not a name you are familiar with.

Sadly, pet rodents, including guinea pigs, don't feature much on a general vet's curriculum who then can end up in a small pets or out of hours practice and have a rather steep learning curve trying to read up. But they should actually check on the medical register for appropriate brands and dosages where penicillin does not feature for guinea pigs. Sadly there is currently a lot of pressure on vets and mistakes do happen more often.

 

[CTWC]

This is terrible well done for realising

 

[Merab]

Hope the piggies are ok this morning.
Good for you checking up on the drug and stopping promptly.
Hope you get a good outcome today

 

[Wiebke]

Thinking of you and your piggies. How are they today and how are you?

 

[Lcj579642]

Thinking of you and your piggies. How are they today and how are you?

They are okay, however the one has diarrhoea and both are a bit droopy. They are now at the vets for observations and further treatment, including probiotics, so hopefully they will be on the mend soon

Needless to say, I spoke to a different vet at the same practice and she was very concerned for them, hence why they're now there and under obs. I'll update later when I know anything else.

Thank you for thinking of us

 

[Wiebke]

They are okay, however the one has diarrhoea and both are a bit droopy. They are now at the vets for observations and further treatment, including probiotics, so hopefully they will be on the mend soon

Needless to say, I spoke to a different vet at the same practice and she was very concerned for them, hence why they're now there and under obs. I'll update later when I know anything else.

Thank you for thinking of us

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed and hoping for the best. It was thankfully just one dosage. But good that they are under professional observation.

On this forum, we are a friendly and supportive community which helps each other to get through worrying and sad times. We know only too well just what you are going through and how it feels. And know how much our mutual moral support can make a difference.

 

[Lcj579642]

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed and hoping for the best. It was thankfully just one dosage. But good that they are under professional observation.

On this forum, we are a friendly and supportive community which helps each other to get through worrying and sad times. We know only too well just what you are going through and how it feels. And know how much our mutual moral support can make a difference.

Yeah I can see the support that it gives and I appreciate the support you are all giving me

This is my first thread on here so thank you for making it a good experience. I wouldn't have known about penicillin toxicity without this group, so thank you

 

[CTWC]

Keeping all our paws and fingers crossed

 

[weepweeps]

I gave one of my piggies one dose of penicillin. He was fine. I spoke to the vets and they changed to another antibiotic. I hope your piggies are ok.

 

[Lcj579642]

Hi all, just wanted to update

Piggies are back at home, with probiotics 3 times a day plus food supplement. Both are going back to the vet tomorrow morning for a check up

They have both perked up and are starting to eat more, plus the diarrhoea has gone, which is good news. They're not out of the woods yet, but they do seem happier now in comparison to this morning so fingers crossed it continues

 

[Freela]

I'm so glad they're back home- what a scary experience! Good on you for catching it and stopping at one dose!

Also, welcome to the forum!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, just wanted to update

Piggies are back at home, with probiotics 3 times a day plus food supplement. Both are going back to the vet tomorrow morning for a check up

They have both perked up and are starting to eat more, plus the diarrhoea has gone, which is good news. They're not out of the woods yet, but they do seem happier now in comparison to this morning so fingers crossed it continues

That is great news.

Wishing them a good full recovery and all the best for any respiratory problems? Or is that being checked tomorrow as to whether they need suitable antbiotics or not?

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry this has happened but well done for realising and getting them the treatment they needed. I am wishing them a speedy recovery for their respiratory problems x

 

[Lcj579642]

That is great news.

Wishing them a good full recovery and all the best for any respiratory problems? Or is that being checked tomorrow as to whether they need suitable antbiotics or not?

Apologies for the late reply. One of them seemed to go downhill last night, with the other bullying her so had to split them up. However, this morning she was very perky and eating and moving a lot more

Both are still a little droopy at times, but their appetite is returning, and they're moving around more, so hopefully both will continue improving

They're not currently on any antibiotics. The vet said when they were under observation on Thursday, that they hadn't sneezed, there's no discharge, and that their chests sounded good, so atm shes more concerned with getting them better with probiotics and supplement

Am due a phone call with her tomorrow to update how they're doing and see when we can reduce the food supplement and probiotics etc

 

[Wiebke]

Apologies for the late reply. One of them seemed to go downhill last night, with the other bullying her so had to split them up. However, this morning she was very perky and eating and moving a lot more

Both are still a little droopy at times, but their appetite is returning, and they're moving around more, so hopefully both will continue improving

They're not currently on any antibiotics. The vet said when they were under observation on Thursday, that they hadn't sneezed, there's no discharge, and that their chests sounded good, so atm shes more concerned with getting them better with probiotics and supplement

Am due a phone call with her tomorrow to update how they're doing and see when we can reduce the food supplement and probiotics etc

Hi

I am ever so relieved that your girls are recovering and don't seem to have a respiratory infection. It could have just been an initial reaction to the different humidity or an irritant in your house.

Was the one that seemed to go downhill more lethargic or was one of the girls just bothering her?

In the second case, it may have been a sow in season. More on that behaviour, especially in newly bonded/arrived sows: Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

 

[Merab]

Glad things are going well with the piggies.
Hope you’re also recovering from the scare.

 

[Lcj579642]

Hi

I am ever so relieved that your girls are recovering and don't seem to have a respiratory infection. It could have just been an initial reaction to the different humidity or an irritant in your house.

Was the one that seemed to go downhill more lethargic or was one of the girls just bothering her?

In the second case, it may have been a sow in season. More on that behaviour, especially in newly bonded/arrived sows: Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

She was lethargic and didn't want to move much, which the other took advantage of. She's now doing much better, and her appetite is almost back to normal. The other is still a bit droopy, but she is eating a bit, so shes still getting some supplements, and both are still on probiotics atm

 

[Wiebke]

She was lethargic and didn't want to move much, which the other took advantage of. She's now doing much better, and her appetite is almost back to normal. The other is still a bit droopy, but she is eating a bit, so shes still getting some supplements, and both are still on probiotics atm

Keep hanging in there and be patient. Things are moving in the right direction but the physical damage needs time to heal.

 

[Lcj579642]

Hi again,
So one of my piggies now has soft poop. I believe this is because she ate a lot of lettuce a couple of days ago, and not necessarily due to the penicillin as her poop was getting hard before that. She seems uncomfortable and a little cold (although that could be because I'm currently hot). I've syringe fed her some probiotics, as well as some mushed up nuggets, which was difficult but she did eat eventually. Just wondered what else I can do to make her more comfortable before I can get her to the vet tomorrow? Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi again,
So one of my piggies now has soft poop. I believe this is because she ate a lot of lettuce a couple of days ago, and not necessarily due to the penicillin as her poop was getting hard before that. She seems uncomfortable and a little cold (although that could be because I'm currently hot). I've syringe fed her some probiotics, as well as some mushed up nuggets, which was difficult but she did eat eventually. Just wondered what else I can do to make her more comfortable before I can get her to the vet tomorrow? Thanks

Hi

Just offer her a half-heated snuggle-safe or a cosy to snuggle under if she feels cold.

When reintroducing fresh food, best start with one sprig of fresh coriander/cilantro or parsley. With the next meal, you give a few sprigs.
If that is going well, a very thin slice of cucumber to the herbs.
Then you serve a larger slice with the herbs.
Next you give a thin strip of lettuce or a pinch of fresh grass with the rest; make sure that goes OK and move on to a little pepper and then a normal meal.

Stop immediately if the digestion is not up to it. It pays to do it slowly and carefully. Herbs make the best start after a tummy upset or loss of appetite.

I hope that this helps you? Fingers firmly crossed. You are doing right with syringe feed. I assume that you are still weighing daily first thing in the morning?

 

[Lcj579642]

Hi

Just offer her a half-heated snuggle-safe or a cosy to snuggle under if she feels cold.

When reintroducing fresh food, best start with one sprig of fresh coriander/cilantro or parsley. With the next meal, you give a few sprigs.
If that is going well, a very thin slice of cucumber to the herbs.
Then you serve a larger slice with the herbs.
Next you give a thin strip of lettuce or a pinch of fresh grass with the rest; make sure that goes OK and move on to a little pepper and then a normal meal.

Stop immediately if the digestion is not up to it. It pays to do it slowly and carefully. Herbs make the best start after a tummy upset or loss of appetite.

I hope that this helps you? Fingers firmly crossed. You are doing right with syringe feed. I assume that you are still weighing daily first thing in the morning?

Thats very helpful, thank you. I did try her on a bit of parsley yesterday, which she ate, but still has soft poop. She's not eating much hay, which i dont think is helping, hence why I decided to syringe feed

I'm still weighing them daily yeah, she had lost a little weight today, but not massive, so ill see what shes like in the morning

 

[Wiebke]

Thats very helpful, thank you. I did try her on a bit of parsley yesterday, which she ate, but still has soft poop. She's not eating much hay, which i dont think is helping, hence why I decided to syringe feed

I'm still weighing them daily yeah, she had lost a little weight today, but not massive, so ill see what shes like in the morning

You need to weigh your piggies daily first thing in the morning so you can control the hay intake via day to day comparison, which should make over three quarters of the daily food intake. Then you can compute just how much syringe feed topping up she needs for the next 24 hours in order to keep her weight stable. It can well be that it is the lack of fibrous food (hay/recovery formula) that contributes to the diarrhea in combination with the veg although it can be sometimes very difficult to get a badly disturbed gut back on track.

Are you giving probiotics to help stabilise the digestive microbiome?
Probiotics & Live Gut Microbiome Transfer ('Poo Soup'); Recovery Formula Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links and Transfer Recipe

 

[Lcj579642]

You need to weigh your piggies daily first thing in the morning so you can control the hay intake via day to day comparison, which should make over three quarters of the daily food intake. Then you can compute just how much syringe feed topping up she needs for the next 24 hours in order to keep her weight stable. It can well be that it is the lack of fibrous food (hay/recovery formula) that contributes to the diarrhea in combination with the veg although it can be sometimes very difficult to get a badly disturbed gut back on track.

Are you giving probiotics to help stabilise the digestive microbiome?
Probiotics & Live Gut Microbiome Transfer ('Poo Soup'); Recovery Formula Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links and Transfer Recipe

She had about 20ml of syringe feed, shes only 3 months and weighs about 350g atm. I did only start giving this evening across 2 sittings, and shed had enough after that

Yeah I've got the Pro C probiotics and am giving her that to try and help

 

[Lcj579642]

Hi all,
I just wanted to let you know that sadly my littlest piggie died last night, and the other now also seems to have taken a turn for the worst
Thanks for all your support in the matter

 

[weepweeps]

Oh no I’m so sorry. Sending you hugs.