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Suspected URI - advice required please

esmepickle

esmepickle

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi, Oreo is a 5.5yrs boar. I suspect that he has a URI, today his breathing is creating a crackled/rattling noise, it is quite loud, I thought I heard this yesterday, but today it is very obvious. I've held him close and can hear it is from the upper chest area not nasal.
He isn't suffering from any weepy eye, runny nose etc. And he is eating very well, is alert and has his mobility is fine. Pooing fine too other than Impaction which I take care of.
Its Sunday afternoon and I have no access to a vet locally until tmrw. I could perhaps use the online 24/7 vets, do you recommend this as beneficial?
Oreo is a very nervous Piggie, always has been. He only responds to me and is generally frightened of his own shadow (unlike our other Boar who thinks he is a lion). My questions are:
Do URI's need antibiotics for recovery? can it clear with time, good nutrition and good living conditions? I am generally against antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. I am also against Vets who offer intrusive treatment such as injections (this would terrify Oreo he is just so scared of unknown people & environments anyway) Oreo is clean, warm, has plenty of Timothy Hay & nuggets and water. I'm staying calm and trying not to panic myself! I would be super-grateful for any words of wisdom please.
And also, do I need to separate him from Waffle (same age Boar living very happily 'together-apart' / side-by-side due to a fight many moons ago)
 
Unfortunately he really does need a vet appointment. If he has got a URI which sounds very likely from his symptoms, he will need antibiotics, it will not clear on it's own. He is unlikiley to need any injections as most guinea pig antibiotics are given orally by you at home.

It may be frightening for him and it's horrible to see our babies upset but he really does need to see a vet ASAP.

Don't be shy to advocate for him though! You could explain the situation on the phone when booking an appointment, and you may be able to restrain him instead of the vet during the appointment.

He'll be fine to live next door to his friend as normal, just keep an eye on your other pig for similar symptoms.
 
Thankyou for your advice, and I understand, I will get him to a vet asap tmrw for diagnosis and meds. He is still remaining active and eating this afternoon. I will call a few vets and go with the one that I feel is most Cavvy-savvy, I took our other Piggie for emergency help wit paralysis to 2 different local vets and neither had a clue, they just both gave him 'booster' injections, sort sort of vitamin mix. And yes, I will be sure to keep very close to him during the whole visit.
I'm pleased he can stay by Waffle, wouldn't be very kind to not only be unwell to be separated from your pal. I'll keep an eye on Waffle for any issues too, presently he is his usual crazy self. Many thanks again, and best wishes.
 
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