Sherbert's Sneezing

[scpiggy]

This weekend Sherbert started sneezing. She sneezed at least 20 times in a minute, I thought it more likely she'd got a bit of hay dust up her nose as she seemed fine soon after. But the past few days she's been sneezing, not loads like at the weekend, but she'll have one or two sneezes several times throughout the day. I had a listen to her chest this morning and her breathing does seem to be heavier than my other two girls. She's also been a lot more subdued the past month but I figured that might be cos we've got a new girl. Other than this she's eating fine, quite active and has not lost any weight, she's actually gaining weight. She lives inside, on fleece and I've read that these symtoms can sometimes be an allergy but she's lived this way for the past year and no changes in the environment so I'm pretty sure that isnt the case.
I've booked her into the vets this evening. They're not an exotic vets but they have been very good in the past. I'm guessing the vets will give her baytril if she does have a cold/respiritory infection. However I've had no experience of guniea pigs with colds so I'm wondering what is the best medication for colds? Can they be easily treated and cured? And is there anything I can be doing before hand to help her?
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I have no experience of a piggy with a cold but have had them on Baytril for a URI. Baytril is recommended to give with a little bit of Ribena as it is very bitter tasting and as with all antibiotics, a probiotic is always a good thing to give a couple of hours after. Fibreplex is one I always keep handy.
Perhaps dot a little bit of Vick vapour rub on her pen and just ensure she is kept snug and warm.
Hope someone with more constructive advice can help you and please let us know how Sherbert gets on at the vets.
Sending hugs and healing vibes to your little one from us all here x>>

 

[scpiggy]

Thanks. I'll ask at the vets for probiotic if she's but on baytril, where could I get it if the vets dont have any? I'm just about to take her so i'll give an update when I get back.

 

[scpiggy]

Back from the vets, they suspect its a minor chest infection but said its unlikely an indoor pig would get one as its usually outdoor pigs who have been exposed to the cold. I've been given bayril, 0.2 ml twice a day for 10 days and told to come back if theres no improvement within the first 5 days. I tried giving her it on some greens but she spat them out so i just had to do it with syringe. she wouldnt take food off me for a while after trying to dsiguise bayril with it. But shes now happily munching on carrot tops.

 

[scpiggy]

Well Sherbert's not minding the baytril with ribena. And she's quite liking getting lots of fuss and cuddles and getting first pick of the veg No improvement yet but its only day two so keeping my fingers crossed that the baytril works. I dont want to think of what might be wrong with her if it doesnt work.

 

[sport_billy]

Glad she is not minding the Baytril with Ribena! - Wish ours were that easy to con with blackcurrenty goodness Lol!

URI's can be stubborn so just keep an eye on her, if there's no improvement the vet may choose to up the dossage a little depending on piggies weight. Hope she gets well soon. Did you get a probiotic?

 

[scpiggy]

Glad she is not minding the Baytril with Ribena! - Wish ours were that easy to con with blackcurrenty goodness Lol!

URI's can be stubborn so just keep an eye on her, if there's no improvement the vet may choose to up the dossage a little depending on piggies weight. Hope she gets well soon. Did you get a probiotic?

she's getting better and better at taking it
Thank you, I ordered some probiotic online today. She getting lots of vitamin C rich veg though until it arrives. The tastey veg also helps with the baytril taking, so all is forgiven afterwards.

Any one know if 0.2 mls is a suitable dosage for a 1 kg piggy? He didnt weigh her or ask for her weight so unsure what he's basing the dosage on.