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Persistent stuffy nose- vet refuses to see us again!

Wizzy

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 19, 2018
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Location
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Both Rexy and Pepper have had respiratory problems since May. Pepper caught an Uri and Rexy caught it a week later. They were on Baytril for 5 weeks, in which they improved massively but never got completely better, so were put on Sulfatrim for 6 weeks. We’ve been to our specialist vets 8 times and for the past 3 they’re assured us both their lungs are clear and they can’t find any type of infection. They even refused to do a bacterial culture because they truly believed there was nothing wrong. They’ve been off antibiotics for almost 4 weeks now... and the only problem they still have is a yellow crust around their nose. It honestly looks nice human snot. Rexy used to have a very very crusty eye and that has never returned. Pepper had a very crusty eye and very hooty breathing and that also never returned, although her nose does seem to get quite crusty. It’s not every day- i’ve noticed this yesterday and last week. Pepper also seems to cough when she’s eating- not constantly and it’s never a coughing fit. just one single cough. i’d say this happens about once a day usually in the evening. Apart from that and the odd sneeze both seem completely fine. The crusty noses are the only thing that still stays. Even on rexy the crusts are barely there- i’ve noticed them once or twice in the past 2 weeks. Both are keeping their weight and actually normally. I’m honestly at a loss as of what to do here? The only thing i can think of is take them to a vastly expensive vets about an hour away from me, but to be honest this isn’t an option at the moment- i’m on the verge of losing my house because of a financial crisis. Was wondering if anyone had any advice as to what i should do? Thank you, and sorry this is so long!
 
If I remember correctly, you were going to change bedding. Did you do that? How has that been?
If the vets can’t find anything wrong but you can see something isn’t right then all I can suggest is you try a different vet, but if the lungs are clear etc and have been for a while, then I wouldn’t think a URI still present
Perhaps you have a recent picture of her crusty nose you could post?
 
Have you tried changing up bedding? Since they've been treated and are eating and maintaining weight I'm wondering if they could be reacting to dust or something in the environment? Sorry, it must be so frustrating to be dealing with this long-term problem!
 
Maybe change their bedding if your using sawdust, try and use fleece? And if you’re using dusty hay try and find dust extracted? Or look into allergies? I’m not expert but I hope things get better!
 
If I remember correctly, you were going to change bedding. Did you do that? How has that been?
If the vets can’t find anything wrong but you can see something isn’t right then all I can suggest is you try a different vet, but if the lungs are clear etc and have been for a while, then I wouldn’t think a URI still present
Perhaps you have a recent picture of her crusty nose you could post?
Yes we have. We switched to a very thick layer of newspaper and then a small amount of shredded paper in toilet areas. And then a pile of hay in the corner. I also clean the cage more, about every 4 days. Her wheezing has pretty much gone because of it which is great, but i find no matter how dust free the hay is she always has a runny nose to it. She’s had that most of her life but only now is it turned into crust. I wiped it off this morning and it hasn’t really returned since but if it’s there tomorrow i’ll get a picture! It’s frustrating because she is absolutely fine in herself but i worry that her uri is still there. She has no other symptoms!
 
Have you tried changing up bedding? Since they've been treated and are eating and maintaining weight I'm wondering if they could be reacting to dust or something in the environment? Sorry, it must be so frustrating to be dealing with this long-term problem!
It’s a nightmare! :mal: at the moment i think the dust in the hay is setting it off... but it’s the best i can find! The only other alternative is really the excel hay for rabbits but it’s £7 a bag and only lasted me a week! if anyone knows a good dust free hay brand that would honestly be amazing :)
 
As I say, if her chest is clear then it’s not likely to be a uri. If it’s only occasional crust and it is much improved since changing the bedding then I’d say it was possibly the bedding that irritating her.
 
It’s a nightmare! :mal: at the moment i think the dust in the hay is setting it off... but it’s the best i can find! The only other alternative is really the excel hay for rabbits but it’s £7 a bag and only lasted me a week! if anyone knows a good dust free hay brand that would honestly be amazing :)

I use haybox hay. It is dust free. Not cheap but because it comes in big boxes, it lasts a while and the quality is worth the cost in my opinion
 
As I say, if her chest is clear then it’s not likely to be a uri. If it’s only occasional crust and it is much improved since changing the bedding then I’d say it was possibly the bedding that irritating her.
Thank you! i honestly don’t know what i’d do without this forum! Does it matter that the crust is yellow-ish as i always thought that was a sign of infection? if it was completely clear then i’d honestly not be worrying nearly as much!
 
Sorry to hear you’re having a hard time with your piggies and the vets! It must be so stressful. I can also recommend HayBox. The more you buy in bulk the cheaper it is too which is a bonus. I can’t add anything else that hasn’t already been said but I hope you find out what’s causing the crusty noses!
 
Sorry to hear you’re having a hard time with your piggies and the vets! It must be so stressful. I can also recommend HayBox. The more you buy in bulk the cheaper it is too which is a bonus. I can’t add anything else that hasn’t already been said but I hope you find out what’s causing the crusty noses!
Thank you! i was looking at haybox as well they look great... only problem is i’m not sure where i’d store 15kg!
 
I buy the 5kg option. Still get advantage of good price and not difficult to store as it's one medium sized box.
We use shredded paper a lot at work and I always found it very dusty. You're very lucky to go 4 days without a clean! I wish my boys were that clean...
I used to use air purifier when I had 6 piggies inside and it did make huge difference with the amount of dust in the room.
Good luck with your piggies x
 
Hay comes in either a 2.5kg box (if you order only 2.5kg), otherwise it’s 5kg in increments. So you can order just 5kg. One 5kg box measures approx 40cm x 60cm. I buy 20kg worth a month but I’ve got five to bed and feed with hay!
 
So since removing most of the shredded paper on Monday Rexy has improved completely and the Crust from Peppers nose has gone and her eyes are a bit watery but have no crust. She’s also put on about 40g in weight! Her nose is a tiny bit watery but has no crust and is otherwise clear. The only thing now is she sometimes croaks? I’ve only noticed this in the past day. It’s only usually just the one croak but she does it every hour or so? It never ends! When i listen closely to her breathing when i pick her up i can hear a slight squeak- but she’s always had this!
 
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