Upper Respiratory Infection

[KFranko]

Hi! So my pig was born early October, since getting him (December 23rd), he's had 2 URI. Started another round of antibiotics today. His last URI was approximately 2 months ago. Since then we went to paper bedding, changed the location of the cage (no drafts). I'm wondering if the dust from the Timothy Hay/Orachard Grass his bothering him. If that's the case, what the heck can I feed him instead of the hay?

 

[Siikibam]

There are other types of hay you could feed. You can’t not feed it, it’s their main staple.
@Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns @furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! So my pig was born early October, since getting him (December 23rd), he's had 2 URI. Started another round of antibiotics today. His last URI was approximately 2 months ago. Since then we went to paper bedding, changed the location of the cage (no drafts). I'm wondering if the dust from the Timothy Hay/Orachard Grass his bothering him. If that's the case, what the heck can I feed him instead of the hay?

Hi!

Hay is unfortunately the staple of any guinea pig diet; it should make around 80% of their daily food intake. It does however not cause URI; but some piggies can be more sensitive to hay dust and other irritants in a home than other - especially young guinea pigs coming from a comparatively sterile atmosphere at the commercial supply mass breeder for pet shop chains into a much more complex home environment.

Please have a look at our hay guide; the quality of various dust extracted brands can vary.
A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

However, what antibiotic at which dosage and for how long have been given? URI is not rarely undertreated by too short a course or at too low a dosage. There is also the problem that bacteria in the respiratory tract can react to very different antibiotics.

 

[KFranko]

Hi!

Hay is unfortunately the staple of any guinea pig diet; it should make around 80% of their daily food intake. It does however not cause URI; but some piggies can be more sensitive to hay dust and other irritants in a home than other - especially young guinea pigs coming from a comparatively sterile atmosphere at the commercial supply mass breeder for pet shop chains into a much more complex home environment.

Please have a look at our hay guide; the quality of various dust extracted brands can vary.
A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)
Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

However, what antibiotic at which dosage and for how long have been given? URI is not rarely undertreated by too short a course or at too low a dosage. There is also the problem that bacteria in the respiratory tract can react to very different antibiotics.

Thanks for the links. I'll look into another hay that might be less dusty. Thankfully the irritants won't apply to him, we don't have or use any that was posted.
He's on SMZ-TMP 240mg, .2 ml twice daily until gone. Qty: 5.
The vet we use is an exotic vet. Also, from my understanding (via the internet) Bactrim is more geared towards younger pigs?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the links. I'll look into another hay that might be less dusty. Thankfully the irritants won't apply to him, we don't have or use any that was posted.
He's on SMZ-TMP 240mg, .2 ml twice daily until gone. Qty: 5.
The vet we use is an exotic vet. Also, from my understanding (via the internet) Bactrim is more geared towards younger pigs?

Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP) is the active ingredient in all antibiotics that are sold under the brand name bactrim (USA) and sulfatrim or septrin (UK). It is a different strength but not a different antibiotic.
The dosage sounds OK to me.