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Phoebe - I am not happy

Merab's Slave said:
She was 1100g at the weekend.
I will weigh her again tonight.
Today is the first day she’s been off her food - day 2 of the Azithromycin
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For a guinea pig that weight, we would give 0.55 ml, twice daily. I’ve never given a probiotic with Zithromax, but I know some piggies do lose their appetite, although I’ve found it to be very well tolerated x
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
For a guinea pig that weight, we would give 0.55 ml, twice daily. I’ve never given a probiotic with Zithromax, but I know some piggies do lose their appetite, although I’ve found it to be very well tolerated x
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Thank you. That’s reassuring.
It may be that she will adjust to it and is just having a major sulk because she was taken out to be given her meds.
I found that she would take the Enrobactin in the cage if offered the syringe but this is a bigger dose in one go and she’s resisting.
She spent most of today hiding in a paper bag full of hay.
It may just be me being over anxious.
 
Merab's Slave said:
Thank you. That’s reassuring.
It may be that she will adjust to it and is just having a major sulk because she was taken out to be given her meds.
I found that she would take the Enrobactin in the cage if offered the syringe but this is a bigger dose in one go and she’s resisting.
She spent most of today hiding in a paper bag full of hay.
It may just be me being over anxious.
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Simon used to prescribe it once per day, but has found that by switching to two smaller doses, it is tolerated better.
 
Sending you and Phoebe best wishes and hugs @Merab's Slave it's such an axious time when piggies are unwell. I hope you here about her appointment soon and can get some answers.
 
Sorry to be late in reading this thread, they do give us some challenges at times. I send lots of love and healing vibes in the hope that all is sorted very soon. Come on Phoebe you can do this x
 
Merab's Slave said:
Phoebe is definitely not a happy piggy today.
I’m seeking wisdom please.
She’s now on a daily dose of 0.8ml Azithromycin which appears to be affecting her appetite and cheerfulness.

I know from the forum that antibiotics can affect a piggy’s guts.
I managed to get some Pro-C today and have added it to the water.
I popped a dish of Critical Care in the cage earlier - Phoebe refused the proffered spoon.
I intend to take her out soon, weigh her and try to give her a syringe feed and some water with Pro-C added.

Is there anything else I should do?
I’m waiting for the referral to Rutland House to bear fruit.
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Hi!

Zithromax/azithromycin is a very strong antibiotic. When it wipes out the gut, it really does so unfortunately.

You can discuss with your vet whether giving 0.4 ml twice daily may be worth trying to see whether that brings the appetite partially; however it may lessen the effectiveness to some degree; it has helped me with at least one of my own totally off-fooders.

Otherwise you have to unfortunately tough it out with syringe feeding support; especially if it is a situation where there is no real alternative, especially in older piggies where an operation (like eye removal) is not something you want to risk - if necessary through two back to back courses. I've had to do that 3-4 times with piggies of mine; but thankfully it was in each case worth the effort because the zithromax saved their lives. But it was definitely not fun and very draining indeed! :(

All the best!
 
Thanks @Wiebke .
I’ve just weighed Phoebe and she’s 1124g so she’s put weight on since Friday.
She didn't want any syringe food and flatly refused to take any.
I managed to get 5ml into her.
There’s a dish in the cage and a mountain of hay so I’ll see how she is in the morning.

All the support is appreciated.
I’ve very fortunate so far in not having to need such a strong antibiotic for a piggy.
 
Oh Phoebe stop worrying your Slave and eat your food.

I'm sorry that Phoebe is not a happy girl at the moment Heather. You are doing all you can.
 
Merab's Slave said:
Thanks @Wiebke .
I’ve just weighed Phoebe and she’s 1124g so she’s put weight on since Friday.
She didn't want any syringe food and flatly refused to take any.
I managed to get 5ml into her.
There’s a dish in the cage and a mountain of hay so I’ll see how she is in the morning.

All the support is appreciated.
I’ve very fortunate so far in not having to need such a strong antibiotic for a piggy.
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It is a battle; just make sure that you are very generous with benebac or fibreplex (the big guns of probiotics) and also add some 'poo soup' from a healthy companion (i.e. healthy gut microbiome transfer) and feed every two hours during the day but no more than once at night to ensure that you get your sleep.

Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links (includes the 'recipe' for poo soup - if done right, it really works; it actually mimics natural behaviour in recovering piggies).
 
Merab's Slave said:
Thanks @Wiebke .
I’ve just weighed Phoebe and she’s 1124g so she’s put weight on since Friday.
She didn't want any syringe food and flatly refused to take any.
I managed to get 5ml into her.
There’s a dish in the cage and a mountain of hay so I’ll see how she is in the morning.

All the support is appreciated.
I’ve very fortunate so far in not having to need such a strong antibiotic for a piggy.
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Glad that her weight is good. Hope that continues. You're taking excellent care of her. Hang in there!
 
Well, Phoebe has spent most of today so far in a pile of hay munching steadily.
She is still resisting any Critical Care, either by syringe or offered on a spoon.
I will weigh her again this evening and see how she’s doing.
She’s a bit miserable but still feisty enough to fight me for CC or meds.
We now have an appointment at Rutland House with Molly Varga for Friday next week and then we’ll see.
The support and advice you have all given me has made a big difference as this is a new experience.
All other illnesses have been straightforward so I’m in new territory here.
I appreciate all your help very much.
Thank you
 
So pleased you've got your appintment for her. It might be worth trying a different recovery food. I've found different piggies of mine preferred different ones.
 
piggieminder said:
So pleased you've got your appintment for her. It might be worth trying a different recovery food. I've found different piggies of mine preferred different ones.
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I’m using the Oxbow Aniseed one which has been the absolute favourite before.
Other types have been given a rejection slip by the piggies but thanks for the suggestion.
 
I hope Phoebe starts to feel better soon.
I only had to give Zithromax once and it was quite a battle, because Chelsea stopped eating and also refused being fed. But she pulled through and recovered completely.
So we have got all fingers and paws crossed! 🍀🍀
 
Poor Phoebe, hope she feels a bit better soon, good luck for Friday, hope Molly comes up with some answers x
 
Good to hear that Phoebe is resisting your attempts. A feisty piggy is always a good sign! Hope that Molly can throw some light on what is going on with the eye.
 
Phoebe seems to be adapting to the Zithromax.
She hates it but at least today she’s been eating better.
I managed to get some syringe feed into her and although not quite her bright self she’s certainly not as miserable.
Her weight tonight is the same as last night.
She will be in my husbands care for the next 2 days as I have to be away :D

Not sure how excited he is about it.
 
That’s great she’s feeling a bit better. Hope shes a good girl for your husband.
 
Merab's Slave said:
Phoebe seems to be adapting to the Zithromax.
She hates it but at least today she’s been eating better.
I managed to get some syringe feed into her and although not quite her bright self she’s certainly not as miserable.
Her weight tonight is the same as last night.
She will be in my husbands care for the next 2 days as I have to be away :D

Not sure how excited he is about it.
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Good luck to Mr Merab’s Slave. He’s a very competent substitute slave and I’m sure he and Phoebe will get along just fine. Hope you left plenty of herbs in the fridge so he can bribe her x
 
Nice to hear that she's feeling better. Hope she's right as rain in no time.
 
So sorry @Merab's Slave I must’ve missed an update somewhere, just caught up!
Sorry gorgeous Phoebe isn’t a fan of the Zithromax, it is a strong one! Both RB Poppy and Pedro the chins were on it and went completely off their food, and when RB Jess had it after her eye removal surgery it was the only time in nearly 8 years I had to syringe feed her as she’d always eat off the spoon normally!
Really hope she’s feeling a bit better now and she’s got more of an appetite! Hope she also approved of Mr Merab’s Slave care while you’ve been away! :) x
 
I’m home and both Phoebe and Mr Merab’s Slave have survived :D:D

Apparently she’s been eating well so hopefully it was just the initial shock to the system that put her off her food.
I will weigh her this evening but she’s looking nice and chubby still.
Fibreplex arrived - I will see what her weight is before deciding if she needs it.

Now we wait for the appointment with Molly Varga to see what’s next.
Personally I think the Zithromax is doing the trick as her eye looks much better, but I’m not a vet so will see what Molly says next Friday.
 
Having shared my anxiety with you it seems only right to share the fact that today Phoebe seems her normal bright and happy self.
For the first time in a while she was at the bars wheeking for food when I came in.
She’s clearly much more enthusiastic about food than she has been.
Her eye looks more or less normal again.

I found the help from forum friends invaluable in dealing with a piggy on Zithromax.
What seems to work is giving her 1ml of fibreplex mixed in with about 5 - 10 of CC.
I’m giving her that with her meds a little while after breakfast and it’s working :yahoo:

We see Molly Varga on Friday and I am hoping she will say all is well and sign Phoebe off.
 
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