Trouble Dealing With Uri

[bribri1298]

When I got my second guinea pig, Cookie in June, a couple weeks later I noticed that he was congested. So I took him to a vet and I was told he had a URI and they gave me antibiotics, i.e. Bactrim (0.4 ml, two times a day) He was on bactrim for a week and later on he got sick again, so I asked for more bactrim. He was once again on bactrim for a week. Later on, he got sick again but was worse off to the point where he was losing weight and not eating at all. So I rushed him to the vet and they injected him with steroids to get him eating again and acting normal and gave me Baytril this time, something a little bit stronger. He took Baytril two times a day (0.1 ml) for a week. Now, he was fine until my other guinea pig who caught the URI from Cookie got Cookie sick again and I was left with two sick guinea pigs (I did try to separate them, but they became really sad and less active when separated) So a couple weeks ago, I took them both back to the vet to finally get rid of the URI once and for all, since both were sneezing a lot and Cookie is snorting a lot. I was first prescribed Bactrim again (0.4ml, twice a day for a week) but I saw no improvement. I asked for something a little bit more stronger, and I was prescribed Baytril again (0.1ml, twice a day for a week) With the Baytril, they became a little more fatter, I heard less snorting from Cookie, but they are still sick. So I feel like I'm kind of stuck at a dead end, and don't know what to do...
(Below is a picture of my piggies, ignore the Christmas outfits )

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry to hear your piggies are poorly. Are the eating at the moment? it may be they need longer on the antibiotic. Can I ask whereabouts you are based we may be able to recommend a vet local to you. IF you are in the US please let us know your city and state.

Tagging in our h&i advisers for further suggestions @Adelle @helen105281 @Elwickcavies @furryfriends (TEAS) @Wiebke @Abi_nurse

 

[DM030819]

1 week of antibiotics isn't going to kill off an infection completely. 2 weeks is standard and sometimes even longer, so I think your vet will need to give you meds for a longer time.

If you use Bayton please give probiotics 1.5- 2 hours after the med's as it can cause digestive issues and put a pig off it's food. The vet can give you some or you can get Pro-C from Pets at Home (in a yellow tub)

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Just one week of antibiotics is not killing off any UTI or cystitis. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for bactrim (US) / septrin (UK) to fully get to work.
There is also a form with the same symptoms that is not reacting much to antibiotics. If it keeps returning, we talk of interstitial cystitis (IC). This is a condition that can currently only be managed with mainly metacam (anti-inflammatory and painkiller) during the acute episodes, as well as diet and glucosamine Food Supplement to Support the bladder once IC has been diagnosed by eliminating all other issues (UTI, Stones and sludge) that present with very similar symptoms.

Please be aware that steriods should not be given to any rodents, it slows down their organs and can make things worse, not better. At the worst, it can contribute to a death. Mnay General vets with Little experience with Guinea pigs and small furries are not Aware of this. The Problems With Steroids And Why They Shouldn't Be Used.

Please montor the weight daily at the same time during an acute phase and if necessary, top up with syringe feed.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Since we have got members from all over world, we find it very helpful if you please added your Country, state/province or UK County to your Details, so we can tailor any advice to what is available and doable where you are (climate, brands, vet/rescue Access etc.) instead of keeping it as General possible. Click on your username at the top, then go to personal Details and scroll down to Location. This makes your Location visible below your username in every post.Thank you!

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

A week of antibiotic isn't enough to deal with a respiratory infection. There are also much better antibiotics. The best ones to try are either Zithromax (azithromycin) or Marbocyl. Both are very good at dealing with respiratory issues.

 

[bribri1298]

For anyone's concerns, yes my guinea pigs are still eating well and drinking their water. The only problem is they're both still sick. So I did some research and I found an exotic vet that only works on animals where I live at, but the problem is it's almost an 1 hour and a half away and seems like a long period of time to keep guinea pigs in a car. On their website, they do say they do referral cases so maybe my current vet can ask for assistance from them. I just want my guinea pigs to be better again

 

[DM030819]

My pigs have been in the car for 1 and a half hours when they go to the vet. They've been in the car even longer without issue. I normally stop every 2 hours or so to feed and water them.