Respiratory issue not clearing with Baytril

[LennyPig]

I need a little advice. A LITTLE HISTORY: My 4 year old sow "Piglet" ("Pig" for short) has had recurring sniffles and sneezes since we got her as a baby and Baytril has not worked when this was tried when she was younger. Her wheeziness has been kept under control so far with dust free hay, ultra clean cage and keeping her inside.

So Pig has been on Baytril for the last 7 days to try and clear respiratory issues that have occurred which are above and beyond what is "normal" for her. Her breathing has been rattly and whistly and her nose a little runny. 7 days of Baytril has not improved this at all.

She is eating, drinking and moving around as normal. Her poops are normal (thanks to Avipro-plus).

I'm really at a loss as to what could be wrong with her and whilst she has not got any worse in the 7 days, I'm concerned that she hasn't got better either. I'm also concerned that my vet is not going to know what to do next so would appreciate any words of advice before I have that conversation with the vet.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Pebble]

Is the nasal discharge clear (viral or heart problem) or yellow/green/white (bacterial/respiratory infection)

I think I would be looking to check whether she has a heart issue - which will need heart meds (fortekor) and more importantly frusamide diuretic fr any fluid in/on the lungs which a clear nasal discharge would indicate

http://www.guinealynx.info/heart.html



x

 

[LennyPig]

Is the nasal discharge clear (viral or heart problem) or yellow/green/white (bacterial/respiratory infection)

I think I would be looking to check whether she has a heart issue - which will need heart meds (fortekor) and more importantly frusamide diuretic fr any fluid in/on the lungs which a clear nasal discharge would indicate

http://www.guinealynx.info/heart.html

x

Hi Pebble,

Nasal discharge is yellowy/white (sorry, graphic description but kinda looks like human snot!). There's not a lot of it though and in between the "snot" her nostril is just "wet".

 

[Pebble]

I would be asking a cavy savvy vet to investigate for fluid in the lungs and possibly giving frusemaide on top of a change in antibitoics (septrin or azi-thromax) to clear any stubborn infection. I'd also be looking at an Xray to show up any heart issues.

Don;t know where in N Yorks you are but Holly House in Leeds have very good guinea pig vets - see James.

x

 

[LennyPig]

Thank you Pebble for your reply. Not sure how Cavy Savvy my own vets are, I've had mixed experiences with the various vets at the practice up to now so thank you for the suggestion of the Leeds vets x

 

[biscandmatt]

respiratory issues are so complex and baytril isn't generally considered a good antibiotic to treat them either. i would agree about finding a really good exotics vet for a new treatment plan and tests etc.

i have two rabbits with long term respiratory problems so i know how awful they can be and the looking after it takes, like you said with keeping dust levels low and all that stuff.

it's been humid aswell, then cooler, then humid again. i know my two have had a flare up and alot of other bunnies have aswell, so it could be the change in temperature, it's a nightmare. x

 

[mikulinek]

I could just be that the bacterium in question is resistant to Baytril.

We had persisitent/recurring URIs with Biscuit. In the end, our vet took a tracheal swab and sent it away for testing. We identified the specific bacterium and got Biscuit on the specific anti-biotic for it. He'd had four URIs and one case pneumonia by this point.

If you're really concerned, this might be a good step.