URI advice needed

[kitabird]

One of my piggies, Odin, has been a bit sneezy for a number of weeks and more recently I've noticed his breathing sounds very snuffly. He is fine in himself, eating and drinking well and very active. We've just gotten back from the vet with a prescription of baytril, which she said to put into their drinking water. She was asking whether I have recently changed their bedding or moved them from indoors to outdoors or vice versa, and if I had, that I should change back. We haven't had the piggies long so when we got them pretty much everything changed, they were living in a hutch and are now indoors. For their bedding the main part of the cage is fleece and the kitchen area is carefresh and hay. Should I try something different? She also said that I should ensure that they have good ventilation, I'm not really sure how I would achieve this - a fan?!
Does her advice sound reasonable, or do you think I should try a different vet? Odin's only 4 and a half months old, I would hate for anything to happen to him

 

[Prasiddha]

My piggy was also sick with URI and she is ten months old. She is recovered now. I have read that baytril could be harmful for young growing piggies (even though it is a good medicine). Did she take any test to find what Bacteria he is affected with. Due to the same reason my piggy was taken a test and given Bactrim instead of baytril. I am not an expert in this and also fairly New Guinea pig owner. Just shared my insight. I think there are many experts in this forum who could help you. I wish and pray Odin gets well soon. Since he is eating and drinking for himself I don't think he is too too sick yet. Might be right antibiotics given to him sooner will bring him back to good health.

 

[helen105281]

I would not put Baytril in the drinking water as it tastes awful and they won't drink it. you will need to syringe it directly into their mouths. If the vet did not give you the dose for this you should be able to ring them and ask. Baytril can affect their tummies too so you would need to give a probiotic such as AviPro or Pro C about 2 hours after the Baytril. If he is well in himself though I am not sure that he needs the Baytil, the vet has probably given it as a precaution. I think Carefresh can be a bit dusty, can you try them without it? What hay does he have?

 

[kitabird]

Thanks for the replies @Prasiddha she said that if he doesn't improve we could go back and have swabs sent off to identify the infection. @helen105281 she said to keep an eye on the water and if they don't drink it to syringe the baytril. She said she heard something on his chest, but yes I agree with you, I would have thought he would seem unwell if it was a uri. I give dust extracted meadow hay and timothy hay. Any suggestions for an alternative to carefresh?

 

[Freela]

I wouldn't put Baytril in the water. It will dilute it so it's impossible to know the dosing and it tastes unpleasant, which may just make them avoid drinking. I would stick straight to syringing it to your affected pig.

I would definitely try the Baytril... although respiratory illnesses can get serious in a hurry, not all respiratory infections make a pig appear significantly ill. One of mine was successfully treated with antibiotics a year or two ago where her only symptoms were wheeziness on and off.

It may also help to minimize dust, but if you are using the same products your normally use and your pig has had a change in their level of sneezing and/or breathing clearly, I would treat for the bacterial infection first before assuming it's an allergen in the area, just in case.

 

[helen105281]

If she heard something on his chest then I would give the Baytril but not in the water.

Is the carefresh under the hay? if so, I just put my hay on newspaper. I use fleece and vetbed though so am not particularly up to date on carefresh alternatives. Someone should be able to advise though.

 

[kitabird]

@helen105281 yes the carefresh is under the hay. I like it because it means I can change out the wet corners daily whereas if I put newspaper down I'd have to remove the whole lot daily. Plus, do the piggies not eat the newspaper? The boys I had previously did, even the parts that were soaked with wee

 

[helen105281]

Yes mine do eat it but not the wee soaked bits. Try the Baytril first and if there is no improvement I would look at a carefresh alternative. I think there are some in the guides on here.

 

[Wiebke]

One of my piggies, Odin, has been a bit sneezy for a number of weeks and more recently I've noticed his breathing sounds very snuffly. He is fine in himself, eating and drinking well and very active. We've just gotten back from the vet with a prescription of baytril, which she said to put into their drinking water. She was asking whether I have recently changed their bedding or moved them from indoors to outdoors or vice versa, and if I had, that I should change back. We haven't had the piggies long so when we got them pretty much everything changed, they were living in a hutch and are now indoors. For their bedding the main part of the cage is fleece and the kitchen area is carefresh and hay. Should I try something different? She also said that I should ensure that they have good ventilation, I'm not really sure how I would achieve this - a fan?!
Does her advice sound reasonable, or do you think I should try a different vet? Odin's only 4 and a half months old, I would hate for anything to happen to him

Hi!

NEVER put any medication in a guinea pig's water!
You can't control the intake as some guinea pigs don't drink at all. Baytril is about the most horrible tasting medication you can give (DON'T try to taste it yourself, it is bad for humans); they will never take it voluntarily! You always need to syringe to make sure that the guinea pig is getting the dose it should have.
Here are our medicating tips: Administering Medications And Syringe Feed

Any vet (even one that is not experienced with guinea pigs as yours) will firstly treat for URI (bacterial respiratory infection) because it can kill or damage permanently if left un- or undertreated.
If symptoms continue or come back after the end of a course, please see your vet again. URI can often reqire more than a week's treatment. But if a URI has been excluded, you have to look at environmental factors like hay dust, pollen, perfumes (including perfumed bedding)/air fresheners, dry air/air conditioning etc.
Please treat with the baytril in order to make sure that it is not URI which can also be present at low levels.

Guinea pig airways are very small and narrow, so any little obstruction is clearly audible. You can try to place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage and see whether it bring additional relief. It can however not replace any medication.

 

[kitabird]

Thanks @Wiebke I will syringe it. It is going to be a challenge. Wouldn't be so bad if it was his brother, but Odin absolutely hates to be held!

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke I will syringe it. It is going to be a challenge. Wouldn't be so bad if it was his brother, but Odin absolutely hates to be held!

The medicating guide has got a section on dealing with uncooperative piggies.

You can also use our piggy whispering tips to tell Odin that you a) love thim very much but that b) you are the super-piggy around and what you say goes and then c) go back to telling him that he is much wanted and loved. Always start and end with an assurance of love. This does work surprisingly well and mimics natural behaviour by socially savvy integrator piggies.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

 

[kitabird]

So I've managed to mostly get the baytril into Odin, although it has been very difficult! His breathing does seem to have improved and he's still eating/drinking and active. Poos have been a little on the soft side and I noticed this morning that there were a few small ones and misshapen ones. Would a probiotic help with this?

 

[Wiebke]

So I've managed to mostly get the baytril into Odin, although it has been very difficult! His breathing does seem to have improved and he's still eating/drinking and active. Poos have been a little on the soft side and I noticed this morning that there were a few small ones and misshapen ones. Would a probiotic help with this?

Baytril is well known for its impact on the guts. Small poos mean a diminished food intake 1-2 days ago.
Please switch to weighing daily and offer additional support feed 2-3 times daily, as much as he will take willing. You can use mushed up pellets or a mix of recovery formula and pellets if your piggy doesn't like the recovery food or you haven't got any at home in your first aid kit.

Probiotics may help; I would recommend to plump for a course of fibreplex as that is more effective than probiotics where the proof of them being really getting to the guts alive and making a difference is still outstanding.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide (includes information on probiotic and recovery feed products)
First Aid Kit For Guinea Pigs

 

[kitabird]

Thanks @Wiebke. He seems to be eating well - has spent the evening munching through the hay pile and eating pellets and veg as usual. I don't have any fibreplex, just pro c. Have given him some today, but I'm confused about how much to give. The guide you pointed me at says 5ml, that sounds like an awful lot to get into him. Is that like a pinch of the powder mixed up to 5ml with water?