• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Respiratory Infection

Status
Not open for further replies.
*Nibbles&Nugget*

*Nibbles&Nugget*

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Sep 17, 2008
Messages
1,921
Reaction score
169
Points
510
Location
Kent
one of my guinea pigs (nugget) started strugging to breathe about ten day ago. the vet thinks its a respiratory infection but the medicine they gave him isn't working
They said it could be heart disease. hes only two and my first pet i just don't know what to do 8...
If you have any other ideas about what may be wrong with him i would really appreciate it

his symptoms are: struggling to breathe, not eating much, not drinking and this is the big one he won't run around being his cheeky little self

please help

by the way i found this site while looking for advice about what was wrong with him
 
I had a boar once who had recurrent chest infections from a young age and used to be treated with antibiotics regularly but unfortunately we never got to the bottom of what actually caused these problems. Like you said my boar couldn't run really as he used to get puffed out and lie down tired. He also used to wheeze constantly. Maybe you could try suggesting to your vet about changing to a different antibiotic? I found this info, it might help you.

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/heartproblems.htm
 
thanks i really appreciate that
we are going to see the vet soon
he stiil seems no better and i'm getting more and more worried
My friends are no help cos they say its just a guinea pig but hes more than that to me
 
I'm sure everyone on the forum can understand completely how you feel. I hope you get on better at the vets today :)
 
Could he be suffering a reaction to something in his cage? what bedding does he have? is he on woodshavings?

Hope he gets better soon, poor lad.
 
*Nibbles&Nugget* said:
thanks i really appreciate that
we are going to see the vet soon
he stiil seems no better and i'm getting more and more worried
My friends are no help cos they say its just a guinea pig but hes more than that to me
Click to expand...

It annoys me when people say 'they're just a ?' I had a rabbit (RIP Casper) for 9 years and we eventually had to have him pts. Throughout the last months of his life, he cost me a fortune in vets bills and my friend was disgusted that I was spending so much on him. Her attitude was 'he's just a rabbit, you could buy a new one for a lot less than what your paying out on him'. I'm pleased to say that she has no pets of her own. Anyway, try not to worry about him as you're being a great piggy mum. I hope he feels better soon xx
 
thanks everyone
the vet has changed the antibiotics and said come back in a few days
also we cheaked our bedding but its just newspaper veggie bedding and dust free hay
i actually had an arguement with a friend today when she said it would just be cheaper if he died tonight
i couldn't help losing my temper
why don't people understand?/
 
That's a terrible thing to say! I don't blame you for losing your temper. I'm so shocked. Hopefully Nugget will respond well to the new treatment xx
 
i was at skool so thumping her wasn't an option but i was very close topow-pow
 
One of mine is getting over pneumonia and he was very, very poorly - honestly thought the vet would recommend euthanasia at one point. He's doing really well now and is getting better, he tried to run away when I got him out to give him his antibiotics today so he must be feeling better!

Some people don't understand how attached you can get to small furries - they figure it's not like a dog or cat so why bother. More fool them I say.
 
i am going to the vets again today
the vet said today is the final judgement cos it might be heart disease and if so they aren't sure they can treat it
i'm so scared i keep crying and people are going to have haad enough of me by the end of the day
wish me luck:...
 
Oh I'm so sorry sweetie :-( I do hope it's not bad news. But if it is, it may be for the best if he is struggling. I'm crossing everything for you.

As for your friend, not everyone thinks the same way about animals, but her attitude isn't helpful. She's supposed to be your friend :-(

Please let us know how you get on. Sending massive hugs and lots of luck :-)
 
Fingers crossed the vet check goes well. Don't forget that link I posted. It mentions some treatment is available for heart disease.
 
rw3399 said:
I had a boar once who had recurrent chest infections from a young age and used to be treated with antibiotics regularly but unfortunately we never got to the bottom of what actually caused these problems. Like you said my boar couldn't run really as he used to get puffed out and lie down tired. He also used to wheeze constantly. Maybe you could try suggesting to your vet about changing to a different antibiotic? I found this info, it might help you.

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/heartproblems.htm
Click to expand...


Was yours the runt of the litter? Rw ? I've heard that can happen with them. Yeah try changing antibiotic if they keep getting the same one they can actually gain immunity to them. But I'm sure your vet knows this anyway. Sorry I couldn't be of more help- Hugs!
 
What antibiotic is he on? if the vet doesn't know a lot about guineas, he could give the wrong one. He needs one called Baytril.
 
Kerry - to be honest I can't remember as it was a while ago. What I do remember was seeing all the piggies but he stood out as he was the loudest :))
 
thanks everyone
the vet trip went well apart from Nugget trying to bite the vet!
the vet has changed the medicine over to Baytril (thank you for the advice!) and Nugget is hopefully going to make a full recovery
he even came out to see me this morning!!
yay i don't think i could be a happier piggy mum
 
Aww glad to hear it went well. Fingers crossed he's on the path to recovery now for you. xx
 
Hopefully he'll respond well to the Baytril and he'll be fighting fit soon xx
 
Baytril is really good ... hope all goes well from now on.

Keep us posted.
 
How's the little munchking today?
Sorry i'm late in replying to your thread :redmallethead
We hope that all is well and send HUGE healing wheeeeeeeks for little Nugget xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
You sound like a very caring mummy no wonder you got so cross with the so called friend :p
We all understand on here what it's like to have a sick piggie so totally understand your feelings xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
thanks everyone
Nugget is responding well and the vet says when he finishes this lot of medicine he can be taken off it:)
today he went out on the grass for the first time since he got sick
he ran in circles and wouldn't stop wheeking
his brother Nibbles has been a bit jealous and i was wondering if you have any ideas of how i can involve him when giving Nugget his medicine
thanks again
x
 
Once you've given Nugget his meds maybe you could get Nibbles out and give him a little groom. Good to hear that Nugget is responding well xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top