uri in guinea pigs

[Meg19]

my piggies have been on baytril for about 1 month now for their URI’s and they are still making a clicking noise. When i take them to the vets they just put them on more baytril and I'm not sure if its good for them and whether the vets know what they are doing ? Maybe i should try and find a different vet or is that all they are allowed to perscribe to them ? I tried to look for some videos on youtube but i dont see much about URIs, i just want my piggies to be healthy it seems like a never ending cycle ! Has anyone else had problems with stubborn uris in guinea pigs and what to do different to help them ? I have changed their hay to more expensive quality burgees excell and they are on both fleece and back 2 nature pellets i just dont know how to help !

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

I assume that you are rather using a no frills general vet and not an exotics vet?
Baytril is in many countries the only licensed antibiotic for guinea pigs but there other ones that are safe to give.
If the clicking has not cleared after a month, then there is more likely no uri. Is the clicking rather in the nose or in the lungs and do both piggies have it? Are they eating normally and are you checking their weight weekly?
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness) (includes information on URI)

Here is our hay guide link. Check for dust extracted hay; it is often cheaper from online suppliers: A Comprehensive Hay Guide for Guinea Pigs (incl. providers in several countries)
Also consider a sensitivity for pollen, dust, dry air con air/radiator air, any scented products, smoke etc.

Since we have members and enquiries from all over the world, it would really help us if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to location in account details (via your username on the top bar) so we can tailor any recommendations to what is available and relevant where you are straight away as your location appears with every post you make. Climate, vet and rescue access, brand names (including medical ones) can differ quite a lot as does the general background. lacking that information, all we can do is keep any advice as general as possible.

 

[Meg19]

Thank you for replying ! I'm guessing so, i dont really know any exotic vets around my area. I have tried asking the vets to put them on something other than baytril however they explain that the others wont sit well with them and they’ll become more ill. It does sound like its more in the nose for both of them and they sneeze sometimes but I'm pretty sure thats normal, I'm just confused because i am weighing them every day, they are staying the same healthy weight, seem very happy, eat their veggies, hay and nuggets and they are quite lethargic due to the antibiotics.
Their bedding is changed 2 times a week maybe 3 depending on how messy they are and their hay is pretty decent as they are on burgees excel hay.
Thank youu for you time and help !

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for replying ! I'm guessing so, i dont really know any exotic vets around my area. I have tried asking the vets to put them on something other than baytril however they explain that the others wont sit well with them and they’ll become more ill. It does sound like its more in the nose for both of them and they sneeze sometimes but I'm pretty sure thats normal, I'm just confused because i am weighing them every day, they are staying the same healthy weight, seem very happy, eat their veggies, hay and nuggets and they are quite lethargic due to the antibiotics.
Their bedding is changed 2 times a week maybe 3 depending on how messy they are and their hay is pretty decent as they are on burgees excel hay.
Thank youu for you time and help !

Here is our recommended UK vets list. Not all are exotics: Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

How old are your piggies and how long have you had them?
The symptoms are more typical for a sensitivity to hay dust or pollen than a URI.

 

[Meg19]

My piggies are both 1 years old and i have had them for a year in september, thank you so much ! I'm just wondering what can i do about their sensitivities ? Do you know ?

 

[Freela]

There are other safe antibiotics other than Baytril, but many vets who are not that experienced with guinea pigs are nervous about prescribing them. Some antibiotics are very unsafe for guinea pigs as they upset their gut flora and can be rapidly fatal, so it's very good to see a vet who has experience with guinea pigs and similar animals with sensitive herbivore stomachs! It's also possible that the symptoms are due to dusty hay or bedding... what kind of bedding are you using and how dusty is the hay? You may want to try switching up brands to find the least dusty bedding/hay possible and see if that makes any difference.

 

[Meg19]

Yeahh i completely understand but because they keep putting them on baytril wouldnt they eventually become resistant to it ? And i have already switched it up, i have them on back to nature litter which is not dusty at all, they are on fleece and also the hay ( burgees excel long stem hay ) its amazing theres barely anything compared to others i have used.
I was thinking i do wash the fleece with a tiny bit of washing powder ? I dont use any conditioner just a tiny bit if washing powder but maybe thats not helping ?