Respiratory Problems and Seizures

[kateiy6789]

My guinea pig of 2 years now has been dealing with respiratory problems that isn't related to a URI, but similar to bordetella. She has been on long term antibiotics and a nebulizer treatment. I'm curious if anyone has any experience with this in their guinea pigs because mine has been appearing to have seizures or some type of discomfort where she lays on her side and runs in place until I can give her another nebulizer treatment. She isn't lethargic and has a hearty appetite but these sudden attacks are beginning to worry me, the way the vet had explained it to me was that there is fluid stuck in the base of her skull, and surgery would practically be near impossible for her to survive. Does anyone have any tips or experience with guinea pigs like this?

 

[sport_billy]

@Abi_nurse @furryfriends (TEAS) @Wiebke @Siikibam @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle @Adelle @Freela @helen105281

Tagging in some knowledgeable people for you.

i am sorry you and your little one are going through this

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I’ve never experienced these type of symptoms, in a guinea pig with respiratory issues of any type. I think @Abi_nurse is going to be the most likely to be able to advise.

 

[Siikibam]

I’ve no experience, just offering support. Out of curiosity, did the vet prescribe any metacam?

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig of 2 years now has been dealing with respiratory problems that isn't related to a URI, but similar to bordetella. She has been on long term antibiotics and a nebulizer treatment. I'm curious if anyone has any experience with this in their guinea pigs because mine has been appearing to have seizures or some type of discomfort where she lays on her side and runs in place until I can give her another nebulizer treatment. She isn't lethargic and has a hearty appetite but these sudden attacks are beginning to worry me, the way the vet had explained it to me was that there is fluid stuck in the base of her skull, and surgery would practically be near impossible for her to survive. Does anyone have any tips or experience with guinea pigs like this?

Hi and welcome

I am sorry but I have never come across this in combination with respiratory issues on this forum.

 

[kateiy6789]

I’ve no experience, just offering support. Out of curiosity, did the vet prescribe any metacam?

No she is not on that, she’s currently one a handful of medication where she takes a gentamicin and saline solution for her nebulizer treatment, and orally she takes Enrofloxacin, Doxycycline, and Meloxicam

 

[eileen]

Meloxicam is metacam ! its an antinflammatory and pain relief.i cannot give you any advise,but I'm sending support.

 

[Sappyshelly]

Sending hugs and healing wheeks.

I too know nothing on this, but here to offer support.

 

[Abi_nurse]

This sounds very much like an inner ear issue/potentially teaching infection to the brain. If it’s especially resolving during nebulisation would be very suspicious of this. There is a small tube (eustasion tube) goes from the back of the throat to the inner ear. It’s not uncommon for infection to tract up this tube and cause inner ear infections. This would easily cause a pig to fall over to the side and try desperately to get up (kicking feet out to try and get up). Nebulisation loosens up any secretions so they would be moving about in this inner ear space and therefore relieving any symptoms.
Obviously might be wrong on this one but this is more like what I would think it is.

x