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Urgent help!

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ishy28

ishy28

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Just on the way to vets as have noticed patches of blood in myboys cage!

Anyone experienced this? It looks like it's probably being wee'd out as at first it looked orange and I hoped it was just the new sawdust being wee'd on changing colour! It started two days ago and I feel awful I haven't taken them sooner but I really thought it was just wee until I saw fresh blood on straw just now! They have both had colds and Piglet was treated with antibiotics.

Help?!
 
Nope and the vet wasn't too great. They're both on antibiotics for 5 days x
 
what did the vet diagnose?

cause of blood?

where was blood coming from?

I'm guessing he gave Oral antibiotics?

Keep a check on your guinea pigs eating - make sure he eating regularly

lots of love to your little piggy
 
Sorry but she was crap - even implying they were eating too much carrot and that could make discoloured wee. I kept saying it's def blood but she wasn't listening. Just giving us diet advice!

She confirmed there are no wounds and that's it. She did mention it could be a UTI. They've got to go back in 5 days if it's not cleared.

I'm not reassured. Stupid vet :(
 
oh dear!

Could be cystitus or uti but when you piggy wees he may make little noises

Very important While your piggy is on antibiotics please make sure he eats regularly

Also check he is drinking lots and give him cucumber which is a natural diuretric - makes them wee.

I hope he gets better little dear.
 
Thanks everyone!

They are still eating us out of house and home lol so no worries there!

They are on Ceporex, orally. Piglet will be pleased as he loves it lol
 
ishy28 said:
Thanks everyone!

They are still eating us out of house and home lol so no worries there!

They are on Ceporex, orally. Piglet will be pleased as he loves it lol
Click to expand...

That AntiBiotic is Dangerous!

Ceporex is also known as cephalexin * (derivative: Cefadroxil)

Regarding cephalexin- (derivative: cefadroxil), a pet owner at CaviesGalore reported her guinea pig had a serious reaction to this drug, eventually resulting in its death. Other sources claim it is very harsh on cavies. Do not administer this drug orally. Because there are so many other safe and effective medications, cephalexin is best avoided.

Print off this list and take it back to the Vets. That AntiBiotic is dangerous to Guinea Pigs.

http://www.guinealynx.info/dangerous_medications.html
 
flintstones said:
That AntiBiotic is Dangerous!

Ceporex is also known as cephalexin * (derivative: Cefadroxil)

Regarding cephalexin- (derivative: cefadroxil), a pet owner at CaviesGalore reported her guinea pig had a serious reaction to this drug, eventually resulting in its death. Other sources claim it is very harsh on cavies. Do not administer this drug orally. Because there are so many other safe and effective medications, cephalexin is best avoided.

Print off this list and take it back to the Vets. That AntiBiotic is dangerous to Guinea Pigs.

http://www.guinealynx.info/dangerous_medications.html
Click to expand...

I thought the same as soon as I read the antibiotics prescribed :...
There have been cases where piggies have been given this at the vets discretion with serious consequences.
PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THIS MEDICATION. YOU NEED TO SEE ANOTHER VET.
 
"Contra-indications, warnings, etc

Do not use the product in animals which are known to be hypersensitive to cefalexin.

Do not use in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.

...

The use of antibiotics, especially penicillins and cephalosporins, has been associated with potentially fatal antibiotic enterotoxaemia, particularly in rabbits."

source: http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Ceporex-Vet-Tablets/productinfo/CEPOREXV/

Suzy x
 
Argh this I doing my head in. That trip and the other cost us £70 and now it's pointless! Don't get me wrong, I'll do what it take for my pets and I love them I'm not annoyed this would even be given to them if that's the case!

Not annoyed with anyone here don't get me wrong, advice is appreciated. Piglet was on this med last week...maybe that's who is bleeding!
 
Well in my opinion you can definitely claim your £70 back from this vet for sheer negligence!

hope the pigs are ok, where are you located? We may be able to recommend a vet to you in your area who actually knows about guineas x
 
I'm gonna ring them first thing and ask for another drug?

I'm in Bracknell, Berkshire. (Nr Reading) x
 
ishy28 said:
Argh this I doing my head in. That trip and the other cost us £70 and now it's pointless! Don't get me wrong, I'll do what it take for my pets and I love them I'm not annoyed this would even be given to them if that's the case!

Not annoyed with anyone here don't get me wrong, advice is appreciated. Piglet was on this med last week...maybe that's who is bleeding!
Click to expand...

I meant I AM annoyed it was given to them lol
 
I'm slightly confused with the history so could you first please clarify:

Both had a cold and Piglet was treated with antibiotics. When was this, what antibiotic was given, what dose and for how long for? What date was the last dose given?

You have now noticed blood in the cage and have taken them to the vets again and they have both been prescribed ceporex.

As already pointed out , ceporex is not the first choice for a guinea pig as it can lead to enterotoxaemia. However it is still quoted in the most recent Veterinary Formulary at an oral dose of 25mg/kg for guinea pigs so the vet is not doing anything wrong in prescribing it (just not very cavy savvy)

Having said that, most cavy savvy vets would not give this antibioitic except as a last resort if the bug causing the infection had been cultured, identified and was found to be resistant to the other antibiotics that should be used first (namely baytril, septrin, azithromycin). Even in this case, my cavy savvy vet stated he would only give ceporex by injection and not orally because of the risks.

There has been a very recent case I have been personally involved in where this drug was precribed for several piggies who all developed a bad reaction to it involving lethargy, not eating, blood in the urine and one had diarrhoea. Luckily they were only on the drug for couple of days but nevertheless had to be admitted for intestive care by another more cavy-savvy vet for three days before they were back to normal

Unless Piglet was given ceporex (or other harmful antibioitic) previously for his cold, it is unlikely that the current blood in the urine is a reaction ot the ceporex and more likely to be a UTI or possible bladder sludge/stone. However it is important that you stop this drug immediately and either go back to your vet and take the dangerous anitbiotics list with you or find another vet to prescribe septrin as this is considered better for dealing with UTI's than baytril.

HTH
x

Edit - you;ve just clarified Piglet was on the same drug last week - stop the drug now., in all porbaility it is the drug that has caused the blood in the urine. Can you put him on a white towel and monitor him for an hour or so to confirm he is the one suffering? Jenny at Tilehurst vets is cavy savvy
http://www.activevetcare.co.uk/practices/tilehurst.asp
 
Last edited:
A recommended piggie vet is in Tilehust, Reading GP Rescue uses them I believe.

http://www.activevetcare.co.uk/Practices/tilehurst.asp

Please give the emergency vet a ring to get appropriate advice in giving support care until you can get to see a vet - it is very likely that the blood was from Piglet and he may well need vet help.

Suzy x
 
Thanks again everyone.

We have put them on the floor right now and are monitoring them to see who it is then go from there. I will definitely take them to the tilehurst vet tomorrow.

They are playing and eating happily right now. x
 
Piglet was on the same drug for 5 days which ended a couple of days ago...the same time I first noticed possible blood.
 
As already pointed out , ceporex is not the first choice for a guinea pig as it can lead to enterotoxaemia. However it is still quoted in the most recent Veterinary Formulary at an oral dose of 25mg/kg for guinea pigs so the vet is not doing anything wrong in prescribing it (just not very cavy savvy)

Having said that, most cavy savvy vets would not give this antibioitic except as a last resort if the bug causing the infection had been cultured, identified and was found to be resistant to the other antibiotics that should be used first (namely baytril, septrin, azithromycin). Even in this case, my cavy savvy vet stated he would only give ceporex by injection and not orally because of the risks.


Omg so it is in the Veterinary Formulary as being suitable for guinea pigs. That's incredibly worrying. Simon said he would only ever administer it by injection, and only as a last ditch attempt if everything else had failed and if the client fully understood the implications and risks.
 
In view of the fact that Piglet was on this drug last week you do need to ring the emergency vet tonight for advice as Suzy suggested. He may need fluids and he may need some intensive probiotic treatment to prevent fatal diarrhoea occurring. Are his poos normal?

You should be able to claim back from your previous vet if you write a letter and get a supporting letter from the new vet who sees your pigs. Please also ask both vets to submit an adverse reaction notification - the sooner it is declared unsuitable for guinea pigs by both the manufacturers and the Veterinary Formulary, the better

x
 
Another piece of information for your letter of complaint to the Practice Manager:


Baytril is the only licensed antibioitic for guinea pigs - all the rest are off-license. The vet should have firstly notified you of their intention to precribe an offlicense medication and secondly tell you the risks associated with it. If they didn;t do this you need to bring this up in your letter.

Also I would suggest that it is the subsequent treatment your guineas now need that should be reclaimed....plus the consultation fee/meds for their last visit.

x
 
Just rang Tilehurst and another num
For emergency vets but they just told me to ring the vets he's just seen! But they already know he's bleeding and gave him the drug again! Head against a brick wall! She didn't seem to understand that!
 
Rang the emergency Num for my own vet and he was really stuck up an basically said everyone and the web is wrong and although an
Unlicensed drug it would cause bleeding and basically use the given drug!

Called another vet who wouldnt help cos I'm not registered!

Ffs :(. He's done 2 massives bloOd wees now.
 
I'm concerned that precious time is being wasted while you are trying to find a vet to help. Do you have any probiotic? High doses of probiotic will help until you can get some proper veterinary care. It's dreadful that you are being treated this way.
 
Pets now which was the emergency number given by the Tilehurst vet are going to call me back shortly. It is a bit ridiculous!

Both pigs happy as larry right now and eating.

I have noticed Piglet doesn't drink that much and never has so UTI could ve unrelated but unlikely considering he had this drug and didn't bleed until then!

I'm annoyed none of these vets seem to care!
 
I'm in Bracknell and a vet in Tilehurst was recommended in this thread so likely I will be going there first thing tomorrow if the emergency people don't help tonight!
 
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