Persistent URI

[Hank288]

Just looking for some advice on what is best to do next. Ziggy has a URI and doesn't seem to be responding to antibiotics.

She is well in herself, still eating and running around and behaving like normal. She has now been on Sulfatrim 0.25mls twice a day for 1 week since visiting the vet and Baytril for 4 days previous to that. She didn't respond to the Baytril so vet swapped her over. Her rattling breathing hasn't improved at all but like i say she is bright and happy so.

Vets are not overly savvy on exotics so wanting some advice on what to ask for. What else can anyone else suggest? Different antibiotics, something else paired with sulfatrim, or can she have 2 antibiotics at the same time? She is at the vets tonight.
Just want to be able to have a discussion with the vet and know what I perhaps to ask for.
Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Just looking for some advice on what is best to do next. Ziggy has a URI and doesn't seem to be responding to antibiotics.

She is well in herself, still eating and running around and behaving like normal. She has now been on Sulfatrim 0.25mls twice a day for 1 week since visiting the vet and Baytril for 4 days previous to that. She didn't respond to the Baytril so vet swapped her over. Her rattling breathing hasn't improved at all but like i say she is bright and happy so.

Vets are not overly savvy on exotics so wanting some advice on what to ask for. What else can anyone else suggest? Different antibiotics, something else paired with sulfatrim, or can she have 2 antibiotics at the same time? She is at the vets tonight.
Just want to be able to have a discussion with the vet and know what I perhaps to ask for.
Thanks

Give it a bit longer on the sulfatrim; one week is not very long in my own experience.

We have seen a rise in resistance to antibiotics/responding to different ABs in guinea pigs in recent years; probably due to overtreating of commercially mass bred piggies.
In the longer term, a nasal swab lab test for which antibiotics your girl responds to is likely the best way forward for a targeted approach if the sulfatrim is not working out after at least another week. There are several unlicensed antibiotics that can be used (some in combination if they are from different classes) but this is going to be either a hit and miss process of finding something that works or you have to pay for the lab test and the best antibiotic.

The good news is while the URI is persistent, it is not so bad that you need to worry badly.

 

[Claire W]

I was going to suggest a culture on her snot to see which antibiotic the uri is sensitive too. But as Wiebke says, a week on the Sulfatrim really isn’t that long.

Not for a uri but I’ve had a piggy on baytril and Sulfatrim at the same time so yes, they can take more than one antibiotic at the same time

 

[CV26]

I'm dealing with a persistent URI too. Like your piggy, Dash is fine in himself but has a crackly nose and sneezing still. The vet said its not in his lungs, its just his nose noise that won't seem to shift.

We've tried 2 rounds of Sulfatrim, one of Marbocare and now we're giving Baytril a go.

My vet wants to try an injection of antibiotics once a day next if the Baytril doesn't work. Unfortunately I'm needle phobic and tend to pass out. If husband gave the injection I'd still have to hold Dash. Not a great option at all and the alternative would be a daily trip to the vet to complete the course. Needless to say I have my fingers crossed for the Baytril.

We've even explored it being a hay sensitivity but nothing I've tried in that area has made any apparent difference.

A nebuliser has been suggested so that might be something I'll look into to help with the symptoms if the Baytril fails whilst we decide what to do next.

Can't offer anything but my sympathies really! It's tough when we can't easily figure out whats wrong.