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Piggie Abdominal Effort

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Zoekins

Zoekins

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Hi there,
I thought i would post on here to see if i could get some advice on my piggie..
I've had my four girlie guinea pigs since July, so they are still relatively young, and seem to be extremely healthy, all except one. My guinea pig Ruby suffers with a real abdominal effort when she breathes. She has had this since i first got her and i have taken her to the vet numerous times where she has been given baytril injections, some with steroids, none of which did anything to improve her condition. The vet seems to be stumped as to whats wrong, and obviously i am really worried, because if its something that cant be solved, i dont want her quality of life to be effected, and she must be in discomfort.. I had her on sawdust to begin with not realizing it could cause respiratory problems, but took her off this straight away, so shes now just on newspaper and hay and has been for the last 4 weeks, but there has been no improvement. Vet says that if she was suffering with allegies or respiratory condition from sawdust, that the baytril would have eased it, but its done nothing. I am thinking that maybe i should find a vet that would know more about guinea pigs as maybe they can diagnose something which my usual vet couldnt pick up on.. they dont often deal with rodents afterall..
can anyone offer any advice, or recommend a cavy vet nearest to my area? (i live in streatham, london)
I would really appreciate any advice as my animals mean the world to me, i hate seeing her in discomfort without medical treatment being able to solve it.. :(
 
Baytril would have no effect on an allergy problem.
Try Vets and Pets in Broxbourne, 01992478657, they have a vet who does know about pigs. I occasionally take pigs down there even though it it a 260 mile round trip.
 
Has your vet done an xray? That would be the best way of seeing what's going on inside. My Gethin had been a "snuffly pig" due to his quite short nose and more prone to colds, but when he developed what appeared to be chronic bronchitis that wasn't responding to treatment, the vet did an xray and diagnosed a very enlarged heart. Sadly, the diuretic treatment didn't make a difference and he passed away. However, he said that another pig was similarly diagnosed, was on long term diuretic treatment and still going after a year.

It's a shame dear Peter Gurney isn't still with us as he lived nearish you. Hopefully the Broxbourne vet isn't too far away or someone will suggest one nearer to you.
 
my vet hasnt done an xray but i think i should take her down and suggest that one is done, if nothing turns up i will take her to vets and pets if no one knows of any vets closer to me, i really wish more vets would specialise in cavies and rodents and not just cats and dogs! i also keep reptiles so finding an exotic vet is a pain too, i have to travel to maidstone for one! *sigh*, i really worry about my little rubes..
 
Fingers crossed for you and your little one.

Have you checked the sticky thread about recommended vets, just to see if there is one more in your area?

I know what you mean about the lack of vets with expertise in anything but "mainstream" pets. I've been fortunate to have a vet in Cardiff who has top class knowledge of guineas and an excellent manner both with them and with humans. We'll all miss him when we move to Scotland next month (but I looked into possible vets there LONG before I sorted out any of the things for MY move! :-)
 
I live in London and take my piggies to a vet in Surrey. Her name is Anne Taylor and she is very good with guineas.
The surgery details can be found here: http://s279208454.websitehome.co.uk/ewellpage1.htm
The nearest train station to the surgery is Stoneleigh (which runs from Waterloo or Vauxhall) and it's about a 10 minute walk from the station.

Hope this helps :)
 
One of my piggies (a rex with a short nose!) also has had very laboured breathing ever since I got her about 8 months ago (she is about 1.5 years old). She also goes through phases where she makes a noise in her throat as she breathes in and out. She is kept on dust free hay over Aubiose. My local vet had a listen and her lungs sounded clear but I am not convinced (she did not recommend antibiotics). I would be interested to see how you get on.
All the best.
 
thank you to everyone for their replies, i have decided to take her to 'All creatures veterinary clinic' in orpington, next week as that surgery is recommended on the vets sticky page - I'm hoping they are able to shed more light on the problem, i hate seeing her in discomfort:(

I'm so sorry to hear your guinea pig is going through a similar thing libertyharry, i shall keep everyone updated and hope it helps your guinea with the similar problem!
 
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