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Squeak is on antibiotics :(

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bubble&squeak4ever

bubble&squeak4ever

Adult Guinea Pig
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I took my little squeak to the vets today because she's had a runny nose for a few days. The vet also said she was fairly underweight. She thought it could be a chest infection so she has put her on baytril for 7 days and we have to go back next week. If there's no improvement then the vet might look into doing some x-rays to find out what's causing the weight loss. :( Squeak is still eating and acting fine but I'm really struggling to give her the antibiotics though...does anyone have any helpful tips? Healing vibes needed! Hopefully I've caught whatever it is early enough!
 
Sending lots of healing vibes for little Squeak.

Giving antibiotics is a nightmare, and Baytril is one of the worst. It really is despised by all piggies. You could try adding a spot of Ribena or pineapple juice to the syringe to take away the bitterness. I also find that it helps to have a nice treat on hand, such as a piece of cucumber, to help take away the taste.

C. x
 
I have tried giving antibiotics with a bit of very dilute ribena, only way i could get antibiotics into my girl. It's a good idea to give some probiotics alongside the baytril as it can be quite hard on their tummies.
Healing vibes for your little girl.
 
Oh I am so sorry, I hope Squeak makes a full recovery, I have always found it really hard to get anti-biotics down a piggie too :( I'm so glad she is eating normally though. How old is she?
 
Poor Squeak :(

Baytrill is a swine to get in, we do a 2 people technique - I hold and Rach syringes. Any other meds we are fine to do a one person job with its just Baytril it tastes so foul..

Treacle used to be a power house and struggle so i used to hold her on a table top so she couldn't grip with her paws anywhere and Rach would syringe.

Lots of healing vibes to Squeak, I am sure you have caught it early enough. If you are seeing no improvement it is worth talking to the vet regarding a diuretic called furosemide which can remove any fluid from the lungs if there is any.

Hugs to you and love to Squeak x
 
I always find it easy to hold the piggy standing on my legs whilst I am sat down, with her back against my front and I use one hand to keep my hand on her face so she keeps her head still and can't push me away with her paws and use my other hand to syringe. It looks awful even though I am gentle with her, and I feel cruel doing it but it gets the medicine in quickly and she can go back to doing what she wants. I find that very dilute ribena /other flavoured juice goes down a treat so I sometimes will offer her a syringeful of ribena first and then follow it with the medicine with the end dipped in the juice. It doesn't always work but she is more often than not fooled. Esme is currently on furosemide, but as it is the injectable liquid to be given by mouth it is awfully bitter so she isn't a fan- her meaty heart tablet however she loves. Weird piggy.
 
Little update- Squeak is still doing well and she's still eating etc. I have found a way (using my friend to help me!) of giving her the antibiotics luckily! The vet suggested to mix some different pellets (burgess excel tasty nuggets) in with her usual food (pets @ home nuggets) to help her gain weight which I have been doing. The only problem is that she won't eat the nuggets at all if they are mixed together but she will eat them a bit if they are separate.. Should I just continue to keep the nuggets separate? Also, is it normal for her poops to be slightly smaller while on the AB's? Thanks x
 
bubble&squeak4ever said:
Little update- Squeak is still doing well and she's still eating etc. I have found a way (using my friend to help me!) of giving her the antibiotics luckily! The vet suggested to mix some different pellets (burgess excel tasty nuggets) in with her usual food (pets @ home nuggets) to help her gain weight which I have been doing. The only problem is that she won't eat the nuggets at all if they are mixed together but she will eat them a bit if they are separate.. Should I just continue to keep the nuggets separate? Also, is it normal for her poops to be slightly smaller while on the AB's? Thanks x
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Are you giving her any probiotic? Antibiotics can affect the gut, which may explain the changes in her poo. Vetark Pro-C and Avipro are both good :)
 
bubble&squeak4ever said:
No I'm not, didn't know I needed to! Can I buy either of those in the shop or are both online?
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You could probably get them from your vets, or possibly a local pet store. You don't need a prescription for it. It helps restore good bacteria to the gut, which can be destroyed by the antibiotics. It's useful to give some an hour after the Baytril to help avoid tummy upsets.

This is the Avipro Plus: http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/Avipro-Plus_4.aspx
This is the Pro-C: http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/ProC-probiotic.aspx
 
Jerrybelly said:
You could probably get them from your vets, or possibly a local pet store. You don't need a prescription for it. It helps restore good bacteria to the gut, which can be destroyed by the antibiotics. It's useful to give some an hour after the Baytril to help avoid tummy upsets.

This is the Avipro Plus: http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/Avipro-Plus_4.aspx
This is the Pro-C: http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/ProC-probiotic.aspx
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Okay thanks I shall try to get some! If I can't will it harm her (if I can't find any instore?)
 
Some piggies are more affected by antibiotics than others. If squeak's poos are softer than normal then probiotics will be benificial. If they are as normal but smaller in size this is most likely because she is eating less. I would offer her a wide range of veggies to encourage her to eat, dandelion leaves are also great as they act as a good prebiotic.
 
bubble&squeak4ever said:
Okay thanks I shall try to get some! If I can't will it harm her (if I can't find any instore?)
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No :) As already said, smaller poos are not really a problem. Soft, misshapen poos would be more of an issue. I always give probiotics when my piggies are on antibiotics, but a lot of piggies manage without it just fine.
 
funnehmare said:
How is Squeak doing today?
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She's still doing good today :) her poops seem to be back to normal which is great! I'm giving her extra dandelion leaves anyway to keep them that way :) She still hates having the AB's!

She seems to be wheeking way way more than she did before she went to the vets! Could this be because her chest is clearer so it's easier for her to squeak maybe? :)

Also she feels slightly heavier to me but then I could just be imagining it lol! :))
 
bubble&squeak4ever said:
She's still doing good today :) her poops seem to be back to normal which is great! I'm giving her extra dandelion leaves anyway to keep them that way :) She still hates having the AB's!

She seems to be wheeking way way more than she did before she went to the vets! Could this be because her chest is clearer so it's easier for her to squeak maybe? :)

Also she feels slightly heavier to me but then I could just be imagining it lol! :))
Click to expand...

Great news!
 
Update- Today squeak went back to the vets :) The vet listened to her chest again and it sounded much clearer but not fully clear yet. She hasn't lost weight which is great and she's gained a tiny bit. The plan of action is to give her antibiotics for another week to clear the chest fully hopefully and weigh her weekly. If she looses weight then I need to take her back to vets and we will discuss maybe looking into x rays or surgery to check for ovarian cysts or other complications inside. :( At the moment she's doing great and I really hope she continues! :)
 
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