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Sick Guinea Pig - Emergency!

GuineaPigger

GuineaPigger

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My guinea pig is having breathing problems, as we are experiencing a bout of pneumonia. We thought that it was over, but today she started showing very serious symptoms, mainly that she is heavily heaving and clicking when breathing. I am worried that she will not last the night. We have given her some medicine that the vet gave us for the other pigs (for the same illness), one who died, one who recovered.
Aside from the emergency vet, does anyone know any emergency methods to clear the lungs of the fluid/gunk? And can humans catch guinea pig pneumonia?

Any information at all will really help me and my guinea pig.

Sidenote: She is still eating a bit, but not her usual diet.
 
GuineaPigger said:
My guinea pig is having breathing problems, as we are experiencing a bout of pneumonia. We thought that it was over, but today she started showing very serious symptoms, mainly that she is heavily heaving and clicking when breathing. I am worried that she will not last the night. We have given her some medicine that the vet gave us for the other pigs (for the same illness), one who died, one who recovered.
Aside from the emergency vet, does anyone know any emergency methods to clear the lungs of the fluid/gunk? And can humans catch guinea pig pneumonia?

Any information at all will really help me and my guinea pig.

Sidenote: She is still eating a bit, but not her usual diet.
Click to expand...

Hi!
- Please see an emergency vet if possible and ask not only for an antibiotic but also a diuretic like frusol or furosemide to clear the congested airways as quickly as possible - the second can be as crucial for survival as the first. The quicker you can free the airways, the better your piggy can breathe and the more of a chance it has to fight and survive. The need to breathe comes before the need to drink and only thirdly before the need to eat. Guinea pigs cannot breathe through their mouths.

- You can place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage and keep that refilled to help ease the breathing.

- Start syringe feeding and watering now, about 40-60 ml in 24 hours - the less you get in with each session, the more often round the clock you need to feed. When a guinea pig is very ill, syringe feeding is vital to keep the guts going.
You can use mushed up pellets in an emergency as long as you prep the syringe tip as shown to allow the fibre to pass through. Your support in this area can be vital in the survival.
Our illustrated guide will talk you through everything step-by-step if you have never done it before: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Pneumonia is not transmittable to humans. However, basic hygiene like thorough hand washing before and after you handle ill guinea pigs is always a very good idea!
 
GuineaPigger said:
My guinea pig is having breathing problems, as we are experiencing a bout of pneumonia. We thought that it was over, but today she started showing very serious symptoms, mainly that she is heavily heaving and clicking when breathing. I am worried that she will not last the night. We have given her some medicine that the vet gave us for the other pigs (for the same illness), one who died, one who recovered.
Aside from the emergency vet, does anyone know any emergency methods to clear the lungs of the fluid/gunk? And can humans catch guinea pig pneumonia?

Any information at all will really help me and my guinea pig.

Sidenote: She is still eating a bit, but not her usual diet.
Click to expand...
When my Tansy had Pneumonia I kept a snugglesafe/ hot water bottle close to her and sprinkled it with Olbas oil to help her breathing. Keep the area where she’s resting covered as this will help to keep any steam near her plus help the effect of the Olbas oil. Xx
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!
- Please see an emergency vet if possible and ask not only for an antibiotic but also a diuretic like frusol or furosemide to clear the congested airways as quickly as possible - the second can be as crucial for survival as the first. The quicker you can free the airways, the better your piggy can breathe and the more of a chance it has to fight and survive. The need to breathe comes before the need to drink and only thirdly before the need to eat. Guinea pigs cannot breathe through their mouths.

- You can place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage and keep that refilled to help ease the breathing.

- Start syringe feeding and watering now, about 40-60 ml in 24 hours - the less you get in with each session, the more often round the clock you need to feed. When a guinea pig is very ill, syringe feeding is vital to keep the guts going.
You can use mushed up pellets in an emergency as long as you prep the syringe tip as shown to allow the fibre to pass through. Your support in this area can be vital in the survival.
Our illustrated guide will talk you through everything step-by-step if you have never done it before: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Pneumonia is not transmittable to humans. However, basic hygiene like thorough hand washing before and after you handle ill guinea pigs is always a very good idea!
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your reply! They all sound like very good ideas, and I shall try them. Helga (my guinea pig) says thank you, too!
 
Janice C said:
When my Tansy had Pneumonia I kept a snugglesafe/ hot water bottle close to her and sprinkled it with Olbas oil to help her breathing. Keep the area where she’s resting covered as this will help to keep any steam near her plus help the effect of the Olbas oil. Xx
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply - do you know if I can try sudafed with Helga (my guinea pig)?
 
GuineaPigger said:
Thank you very much for your reply! They all sound like very good ideas, and I shall try them. Helga (my guinea pig) says thank you, too!
Click to expand...

Please keep her warm, but not hot; rather re-heat any snugglesafe pad or water bottle more often. All the best! It is always a very worrying time.
 
Wiebke said:
Please keep her warm, but not hot; rather re-heat any snugglesafe pad or water bottle more often. All the best! It is always a very worrying time.
Click to expand...

I shall, but what will I do in the night when I am sleeping? Will a blanket or something over her and the water bottle be enough to keep her warm?
 
GuineaPigger said:
I shall, but what will I do in the night when I am sleeping? Will a blanket or something over her and water be enough to keep her warm?
Click to expand...

A water bottle and a blanket will be enough. Please get up at least once in the night to check on her, syringe feed and offer her hand warm water by syringe, to refill the steaming bowl and if necessary the water bottle. It is tough (i have spent many a night up with very ill piggies myself), but it can make the difference. See a vet as soon as possible!
 
Wiebke said:
Please keep her warm, but not hot; rather re-heat any snugglesafe pad or water bottle more often. All the best! It is always a very worrying time.
Click to expand...

I also do have other guinea pigs - should I remove them/Helga from the cage because of the risk of them contracting the pneumonia?
 
GuineaPigger said:
I also do have other guinea pigs - should I remove them/Helga from the cage because of the risk of them contracting the pneumonia?
Click to expand...

They will not contract bacterial pneumonia, but if it is easier for, you can put your piggy in a carrier and keep her together the syringe feeding supplies etc. by your bed, so it is easier for you to check on her. make sure that she still has got hay, some veg and water with her, too.
 
Wiebke said:
They will not contract bacterial pneumonia, but if it is easier for, you can put your piggy in a carrier and keep her together the syringe feeding supplies etc. by your bed, so it is easier for you to check on her. make sure that she still has got hay, some veg and water with her, too.
Click to expand...

I do have birds in my room (in a cage), though. Will that be a problem? I probably sound really annoying, asking all these obvious questions, but you're really helping!
 
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