darcidual
Junior Guinea Pig
Hello, this is going to be a long post, as I am feeling a little helpless with a pig who is not looking super poorly, but who also hasn't eaten much on her on for 4 weeks now.
I got back from a holiday on Tuesday 9th March, and noticed dried snot around one of Pepper's nostrils. She didn't have any eye crust and didn't sound overly crackly when she was breathing, but was sneezing more than normal. I took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with an early URI. She was prescribed baytril and arthrocam. I had already stated syringe feeding her at this point, because she had gone off all food (including veggies - which is not like her).
After a few days, she started gagging like she was clearly struggling to swallow, so back to the vets we went. I was informed she could be put under general anesthetic for a proper dental check, xrays, swabs and bloods or we can opt for another antibiotic (doxycare), and see how she gets on. I went for the less invasive option first. She was also given cisapride and emeprid.
She would have up and down days, picking at hay, eating bits of veggies and then other days barely eating and sneezing loads. As the gagging didn't subside, I took her back for the general anesthetic. During which they found spurs on her molars digging into her cheeks, which they filed down. They didn't do xrays or swabs, thinking they'd find the problem, telling me it was only mild dental disease. They took bloods too but I didn't get these sent off straight away, hoping she'd get better after the dental (still taking all the medication).
Four days post op, she had a check up. Still not eating enough on her own. The vet said she should be eating by now. We took her off the baytril as she had been on it for two weeks at this point. The vet admits he's stumped, so we send the bloods off.
Bloods come back, she has a higher white blood cell count, obviously suggesting an infection - likely still her URI. Kidneys and liver are fine but we take a urine sample to be on the safe side.
I am waiting for a nebuliser to come in the post to use with F10, but am reading online these only help to ease symptoms and don't address the underlying problem?
I'm not sure what else I can do anymore. She still has good days and bad days, but doesn't seem that poorly on the bad days, just sneezing and hiding between feeds. No crusty nose or eyes. She doesn't look in obvious pain.
Still waiting on urine results but should I push for an xray? Could this be pneumonia or just a stubborn URI? Any tips or tricks?
Quite frankly I am exhausted, as starting feeding every 2 hours and now every four, even through the night. I love her to bits, but I want her to get better, also so I can have my life back.
I got back from a holiday on Tuesday 9th March, and noticed dried snot around one of Pepper's nostrils. She didn't have any eye crust and didn't sound overly crackly when she was breathing, but was sneezing more than normal. I took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with an early URI. She was prescribed baytril and arthrocam. I had already stated syringe feeding her at this point, because she had gone off all food (including veggies - which is not like her).
After a few days, she started gagging like she was clearly struggling to swallow, so back to the vets we went. I was informed she could be put under general anesthetic for a proper dental check, xrays, swabs and bloods or we can opt for another antibiotic (doxycare), and see how she gets on. I went for the less invasive option first. She was also given cisapride and emeprid.
She would have up and down days, picking at hay, eating bits of veggies and then other days barely eating and sneezing loads. As the gagging didn't subside, I took her back for the general anesthetic. During which they found spurs on her molars digging into her cheeks, which they filed down. They didn't do xrays or swabs, thinking they'd find the problem, telling me it was only mild dental disease. They took bloods too but I didn't get these sent off straight away, hoping she'd get better after the dental (still taking all the medication).
Four days post op, she had a check up. Still not eating enough on her own. The vet said she should be eating by now. We took her off the baytril as she had been on it for two weeks at this point. The vet admits he's stumped, so we send the bloods off.
Bloods come back, she has a higher white blood cell count, obviously suggesting an infection - likely still her URI. Kidneys and liver are fine but we take a urine sample to be on the safe side.
I am waiting for a nebuliser to come in the post to use with F10, but am reading online these only help to ease symptoms and don't address the underlying problem?
I'm not sure what else I can do anymore. She still has good days and bad days, but doesn't seem that poorly on the bad days, just sneezing and hiding between feeds. No crusty nose or eyes. She doesn't look in obvious pain.
Still waiting on urine results but should I push for an xray? Could this be pneumonia or just a stubborn URI? Any tips or tricks?
Quite frankly I am exhausted, as starting feeding every 2 hours and now every four, even through the night. I love her to bits, but I want her to get better, also so I can have my life back.
I'm not an expert, so someone more experienced should be here soon. My piggy is on antibiotics and it's very hard seeing them unwell. He's OK on them, but when I try to stop them, he starts wheezing 
He's been on them all year. I hope Pepper starts to improve soon 
I hope your piggy picks up soon 
