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P1gg1e5

P1gg1e5

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hi. I've had my boar at vets three times in the past 5 days. His breathing is crackling which I thought was another uri. He's had an injection to rid his lungs of fluid, 5 days of antibiotics and today a steroid injection. Nothing seems to be helping. They say they've exhausted their resources. He lost weight but has started to put back on. Eating as normal and toilets seem fine too. I'm completely lost. I can't afford to pay for vet
 
P1gg1e5 said:
hi. I've had my boar at vets three times in the past 5 days. His breathing is crackling which I thought was another uri. He's had an injection to rid his lungs of fluid, 5 days of antibiotics and today a steroid injection. Nothing seems to be helping. They say they've exhausted their resources. He lost weight but has started to put back on. Eating as normal and toilets seem fine too. I'm completely lost. I can't afford to pay for vet
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The biggest problem you are likely to face here is your struggle with vet fees I'm afraid. He needs a chest X-ray to check wether this is URI/pneumonia, an issue from a mass or a heart issue and then long term appropriate treatment for the diagnosis. This will be costly, but I'm afraid without it he will likely deteriorate if he isn't on the correct treatment.

Can you arrange a payment plan? Can you see if there are any charity vets in your area for people with low income?

Did he improve at all with the diuretics?

I'm really sorry he is so poorly but further investigations sound like his only chance of survival.
 
Can you put your location up, then any advice can be tailored to your location.
I really feel for regarding vet bills, there can be a bit steep. Assuming you are in the UK can you not get financial help from the RSPCA or the Blue Cross if you are in the latter, they provide care for free. Let us know how you get on. Is he the only piggy you have. I'll see if I can tag people that may be able to help.@Sport-Billy @Adelle @helen105281
 
I've being going to the pdsa vet and they said they cannot offer X-ray for small animal. They said I can only go to exotic specialist. I cannot find anywhere that will help with costs. He's been running around like his normal little self. I feel so helpless
 
P1gg1e5 said:
hi. I've had my boar at vets three times in the past 5 days. His breathing is crackling which I thought was another uri. He's had an injection to rid his lungs of fluid, 5 days of antibiotics and today a steroid injection. Nothing seems to be helping. They say they've exhausted their resources. He lost weight but has started to put back on. Eating as normal and toilets seem fine too. I'm completely lost. I can't afford to pay for vet
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I forgot to ask is the vet an exotic/pet savvy vet
 
Do they say why they can't offer an X-RAY for small animals. Do they not think it's safe or is the cost?
 
Tiamolly123 said:
Can you put your location up, then any advice can be tailored to your location.
I really feel for regarding vet bills, there can be a bit steep. Assuming you are in the UK can you not get financial help from the RSPCA or the Blue Cross if you are in the latter, they provide care for free. Let us know how you get on. Is he the only piggy you have. I'll see if I can tag people that may be able to help.@Sport-Billy @Adelle @helen105281
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I have 2 boars that are housed separately. I'm in Newcastle
 
Can you go to a specialised vet, can you make a payment plan, loan money off family or friends. A bank loan or agreed overdraft.
 
Tiamolly123 said:
Can you go to a specialised vet, can you make a payment plan, loan money off family or friends. A bank loan or agreed overdraft.
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I have nobody to loan off of and cannot get credit.
 
The vet should be able to hear whether there is fluid on his chest without an X ray, not ideal but better than nothing. You won't find the root cause so it will be trial and error with drugs but better than nothing.

I have had several Guineas with respiratory issues and used Frusemide (frusol) which is very effective, it's a sweet tasting liquid which you syringe in once or twice a day usually. This works very well. It is prescription only though so ask your vet.

One injection to remove fluid is not enough, he needs maintenance as well which the frusol will provide. He will dehydrate slightly so make sure he has watery veg and see if he will take some water from a syringe. Some vets don't like it as it does put a strain on the kidneys but short term use will be fine, although I have actually had Guineas on a maintenance dose for several years for heart issues with no ill effect.

Antibiotics can take a while to take effect, what is he on? Usually it's a minimum of 2 weeks, often more to get rid of an infection.

If it's his nose then you can try steam therapy but be very careful as you don't want to burn him! it works well to clear the airways.

The fact he is eating is a very good sign, you need to get those lungs clear.

Hopefully some ideas which may help your vet?
 
Thank you so much! I will ring first thing! I've tried steaming and am still giving his 1 ml daily enroflaxacin.
 
I honestly cannot thank you all enough. I will keep you up to date with his progress.
 
Guinea Slave said:
The vet should be able to hear whether there is fluid on his chest without an X ray, not ideal but better than nothing. You won't find the root cause so it will be trial and error with drugs but better than nothing.

I have had several Guineas with respiratory issues and used Frusemide (frusol) which is very effective, it's a sweet tasting liquid which you syringe in once or twice a day usually. This works very well. It is prescription only though so ask your vet.

One injection to remove fluid is not enough, he needs maintenance as well which the frusol will provide. He will dehydrate slightly so make sure he has watery veg and see if he will take some water from a syringe. Some vets don't like it as it does put a strain on the kidneys but short term use will be fine, although I have actually had Guineas on a maintenance dose for several years for heart issues with no ill effect.

Antibiotics can take a while to take effect, what is he on? Usually it's a minimum of 2 weeks, often more to get rid of an infection.

If it's his nose then you can try steam therapy but be very careful as you don't want to burn him! it works well to clear the airways.

The fact he is eating is a very good sign, you need to get those lungs clear.

Hopefully some ideas which may help your vet?
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did you give frusol and antibiotics together?
 
Somthing in the back of my head tells me frusol should not be given with antibiotics, and a 4 / 6 hour gap is needed
But you safest bet would be to ask a pharmacist
 
Keep him warm enough &in a draught free area. The steam therapy should help him breath more easily, if u have any olbus oil-leave some on some cloth/kitchen towel near his cage/hutch not within reach of him, this should also help to clear his airway.

My vet offers cheaper follow up appointments for 2nd or 3rd etc visits for the same thing, might be worth asking if your vet would consider doing this for you?

I think @Adelle s fudge has a cocktail of different meds &frusol/diuretic too,
My ellie had it but I can't remember which other meds she was on at the same time.

DanDilions &celery have some lightly diuretic qualities if you have any available you could dry giving him these. (dont give him too much though as an excess could cause a tummy upset or bloat, which would complicate matters)

The fact that he is eating,putting on weight&pooping etc is a good sign.

Is his hay of a good quality? Just thinking if u have a dodgy batch of hay, this can cause respiratory problems-also bedding guineas on wood shavings/dust can make them wheeze too.
Check his hay hasn't gone mouldy &replace if it has.
One of my girls picked up a bad URI after a dodgy bag of hay. Took her ages to be rid of it.
Might be worth asking to extend the antibiotics for another week. 5days doesn't seem very long.

Healing vibes for your little man.
Speedy recovery. Xx
 
P1gg1e5 said:
did you give frusol and antibiotics together?
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Hi, to be honest I gave both at the same time as no one said any different and I never thought to ask! Seemed ok but it's hard to tell.

Later on I did ask and they do advise a gap of around an hour. As mentioned, it is worth checking as I seem to get different answers depending on the vet! It would make sense to leave a gap to honest.
 
Just off the phone from the vet. He's advised to keep going with the antibiotics (now on day 7) and to give the steroid more time to work as it is a long-acting drug.
Fudgie seems really good in himself this morning. Eating etc as normal. Thank you for all of your advice and kind words. I'm definitely a new regular to this site!
 
Just thought I'd give a list of fudgie's meds over the past week...
29/12 2.5% enroflaxacin orally for 9 days
01/01 meloxicam 0.5% 20ml injection
Frusemide injection
04/01 depo medrone injection

Finished the antibiotics today but he's still croaking away. Fine otherwise.
 
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