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Recurrent Uri - Ziggy

Katiedid

Katiedid

Adult Guinea Pig
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although I spent the night hoping and praying that Ziggy was ok she isn't so its off to the vets tomorrow. However here is my devil and deep blue sea choice...

I am sure it's not guts - I had meds left over and gave her some at 5 am this morning, it made no difference.

Her eye is closing and she is very quiet but her breathing is fine. Last time I almost lost her, until I nebuliser her so I'm not sure how effective the bayril is, but my vets are reluctant to change because of resistance. On last tummy incident we weren't sure it was tummy so I came away with a 2 week course of baytril which is untouched to use if it came back. I have enough f10 to nebulise most of China!

I really would like some swabs done to check whether we just need a longer course of baytril or a different antibiotic. I need to see the vets tomorrow anyway because I have no eye drops and will need gut meds if we go on baytril.

If I start baytril or nebulise will that stop the swab working? I'm leaning towards nebulising as stopping nebulising was the catalyst for this starting - and was what started the improvement last time - I thought she had about 24 hours to live before I started the nebuliser. Help!
 
All I can say is when I discussed a swab with my vet she explained that it might be biased due to antibiotics already in use but that it would show up any resistant strains.

Has Ziggy been checked for fungus? I know that systemic fungal infections are rare, but with Ceri she didn't start getting properly better until we introduced the sporanox.

As for the nebuliuser, I would take the chance and just do it personally. The benefits would outweigh the risk on the effect on the swab imho, if you are concerned about her respiration
 
Katiedid said:
although I spent the night hoping and praying that Ziggy was ok she isn't so its off to the vets tomorrow. However here is my devil and deep blue sea choice...

I am sure it's not guts - I had meds left over and gave her some at 5 am this morning, it made no difference.

Her eye is closing and she is very quiet but her breathing is fine. Last time I almost lost her, until I nebuliser her so I'm not sure how effective the bayril is, but my vets are reluctant to change because of resistance. On last tummy incident we weren't sure it was tummy so I came away with a 2 week course of baytril which is untouched to use if it came back. I have enough f10 to nebulise most of China!

I really would like some swabs done to check whether we just need a longer course of baytril or a different antibiotic. I need to see the vets tomorrow anyway because I have no eye drops and will need gut meds if we go on baytril.

If I start baytril or nebulise will that stop the swab working? I'm leaning towards nebulising as stopping nebulising was the catalyst for this starting - and was what started the improvement last time - I thought she had about 24 hours to live before I started the nebuliser. Help!
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Using the nebuliser won’t do any harm! Can only help if it’s a respiratory problem. The Baytril could interfere with swab results BUT as I Romberg from nursing people, as long as the Lab knows you’ve used an antibiotic they’ll be able to take that into account. Good luck - another hellish worry for you. x
 
I'm now thoroughly confused. I'm cleaning the cage (weekly deep clean and f10 disinfect) and Ziggy is running round like a loon with only a slightly gummy eye. I know I need to ask the vet! Ahhhhhhhh
 
I'm now wondering if it's hay poke :doh: I took Biscuit (Ziggy's snuggle buddy) out the cage to look after her and Ziggy came to life, she has been zooming round for near 4 hours now....
 
Well that’s wasn’t enlightening! Conjunctivitis but no ulceration. Not hay poke. Likely to be your related but is it allergic reaction, dust or virus? Is there something wrong with her nose? They won’t do swabs unless sedated so 5 days of eye drops and nebuliser. No antibiotics and see what happens.
 
Katiedid said:
Well that’s wasn’t enlightening! Conjunctivitis but no ulceration. Not hay poke. Likely to be your related but is it allergic reaction, dust or virus? Is there something wrong with her nose? They won’t do swabs unless sedated so 5 days of eye drops and nebuliser. No antibiotics and see what happens.
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O.o are they wanting to take the swab from the back of her throat? Why can't they just do a little wipe around in her nostril? Ceri was very much awake for hers, we just held her while our vet put the itty bitty cotton bud in her nose!
 
I don’t know. The 2 piggy vets weren’t around today. Standard line of baytril doesn’t work then it’s not bacterial. I’m not keen on more antibiotics without either a swab ornament a change in antibiotic as baytril did not really work last time.
 
Katiedid said:
I don’t know. The 2 piggy vets weren’t around today. Standard line of baytril doesn’t work then it’s not bacterial. I’m not keen on more antibiotics without either a swab ornament a change in antibiotic as baytril did not really work last time.
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Yeah I really feel you on that. I hate the attitude of "Oh they're sick, let's just throw baytril at it!" Not to mention the stasis issues you've had in the wake of that previously... Honestly, what was that vet thinking? It might be worth making a call when the piggy vet is back in and pressing about this swab thing again... I know sometimes they have to be taken from the back of the throat, which does require sedation, but I suspect you can get one from her nostril just fine....
 
Also, if you get the swab and then it -is- bacterial, you already have a nebuliser, you can give her gentamicin through that and spare her poor tummy...
 
I think we will be back in 5 days at which point I'm hoping the nice piggy vet will be back. In all honesty if they want to sedate her to x-ray her and will swab at the same time I don't have much issue with that - they get the information they want, I get the information that I want and they will rule out any physical abnormality so we will be left with either virus, bacteria or allergy and at least then we will know what we are dealing with.
 
Mishka said:
Also, if you get the swab and then it -is- bacterial, you already have a nebuliser, you can give her gentamicin through that and spare her poor tummy...
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I hadn't realised that. Does gentamicin have the same issues in piggies as it has in humans (the only time I've seen it used is when I was a few hours from death with sepsis and quite frankly being alive even if deaf was fine)?
 
Katiedid said:
I hadn't realised that. Does gentamicin have the same issues in piggies as it has in humans (the only time I've seen it used is when I was a few hours from death with sepsis and quite frankly being alive even if deaf was fine)?
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As far as I am aware the side effects when it's nebulised are basically non existant. It's a stronger class of drug than Baytril but it doesn't cause any of the gut motility issues when delivered in the respiratory tract, and it's a very broad spectrum. I personally don't know how common the hearing risks are. I can't say I have ever -used- it, but I've read many threads of it being used with great effect in URIS. And I can't say any of those threads mentioned deafness being caused in the wake of usage. It might be worth putting the feelers out on Guinea Lynx and getting Lynx's opinion. It -is- a big gun and it might be that something like TMZ might actually work on whatever organism is lingering there. It all depends on what happens in the next 5 days, as you say. But it's another option for you.
 
Sorry. Was hoping you'd get an answer today. So, another 5 days waiting for a Vet you trust then waiting on an answer again!
 
I'm sorry that's really frustrating for you. Hope you get some answere soon. Sending more healing vibes to Ziggy and hugs to you.
 
I think Jet is wheezing, Biscuit has been shoot me now! If he is wheezing I'm putting all of them into the vets to be looked at.
 
Goodness it’s just going on and on. You must be going round the bend with all the worry. It’s surprising where we gain the strength from when we need it though. Xx
Cuddles for them all.
 
@Katiedid I am sorry to hear you are having more problems. Hope you are finding some time for yourself, even if it's just to recharge your bateries.
 
Janice C said:
Goodness it’s just going on and on. You must be going round the bend with all the worry. It’s surprising where we gain the strength from when we need it though. Xx
Cuddles for them all.
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You can't exactly give up can you. There would be a huge amount of relief handing them over to be checked over.


piggieminder said:
@Janice C no more squeeky wees :yahoo:. Everyone good but missing going outside - roll on summer!
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they'd brilliant news, yuh must be so relieved!

piggieminder said:
@Katiedid I am sorry to hear you are having more problems. Hope you are finding some time for yourself, even if it's just to recharge your bateries.
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tonight I have been playing with Binks who is in season and just a hormonal mess, it's so funny, she has rumbled about mountings everyone - given that she weighs all of 450g and is titchy she has this big low rumble and is being an absolute terror. It's so funny to watch.
 
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