Uri

[Little Ones]

I took my Guinea pig to the vet yesterday after he was making a crackling noise continuously when he breathed, the vet said she thinks it's possibly URI so they gave her an anti inflammatory and Baytril. She also has prescribed us 1.2ml a day of Baytril for one week. Today he has stopped making the crackling noise and seems to be fine, would it be wise to still give him his course? I know that Baytril can be bad for them and I'm worried if I give him anymore he may get worse.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Quite often my piggies have had Baytril & they have been fine, what makes you think that it's bad for them?

 

[Little Ones]

Quite often my piggies have had Baytril & they have been fine, what makes you think that it's bad for them?

It can be really harsh on their gut - resulting in bad stomach aches and loss of appetite or so I've heard anyway. I know that just one injection of it shouldn't do much so I'm not worried about that, neither of mine have had a course of it before, I don't want to escalate the situation. I know a lot of vets don't know too much about Guinea pigs. The vet seemed to know her stuff but you just can't be sure.
This was the main thread that caught my eye
Baytril- please could there be a sticky on this

 

[helen105281]

I would call the vet and explain that there is no crackling today and see if they recommend you still give the Baytril. Just explain that you are concerned about the effect on the gut. If you do go ahead, remember to give a pinch of probiotic at least an hour after each dose.

 

[Little Ones]

I would call the vet and explain that there is no crackling today and see if they recommend you still give the Baytril. Just explain that you are concerned about the effect on the gut. If you do go ahead, remember to give a pinch of probiotic at least an hour after each dose.

We just called up, they said we should give it to him still. We didn't get given a probiotic, will the poop soup be okay as an alternative?

 

[helen105281]

Yes poop soup is good. You can get probiotic in Pets at Home too, called Pro C and in a white tub with a yellow label.

 

[Little Ones]

Yes poop soup is good. You can get probiotic in Pets at Home too, called Pro C and in a white tub with a yellow label.

Okay thank you

 

[Little Ones]

Update - He had the 10 day course of antibiotics as he was still making the crackling noise every now and then. We took him back to the vets and they prescribed him with some different antibiotics, Sulfatrim I think. He had (I think it was) a 0.5syringe last night and today he is now making the crackling sound non stop. I doubt it but could the antibiotic have made it slightly worse? Or is it simply that the infection just got worse over night?

 

[Adelle]

I would take him back to the vet tomorrow if his breathing is worse. You may want to request a chest xray to check for any fluid in or around the lungs as this would require a diuretic to clear. An xray would also rule out a heart issue which may be a possibility.

All the best x

 

[Little Ones]

I would take him back to the vet tomorrow if his breathing is worse. You may want to request a chest xray to check for any fluid in or around the lungs as this would require a diuretic to clear. An xray would also rule out a heart issue which may be a possibility.

All the best x

The vet told us that if this antibiotic doesn't work the next step would be an X-ray, I'm only 16 so I don't have much money of my own, the vet bill so far has been just over £100, I have only been able to chip in with £30, my mum really doesn't want to do an X-ray because that will be another £100 without including any treatment he may need after. I think the X-ray would be the best thing to do but we can't pay for one unfortunately. The constant crackling noise has stopped, he's still making it every now and then, mainly at night time. He has four days left of his antibiotic so I hope he's stopped by the end of it. I just feel that if the antibiotics are going the work, they would have by now, he's been on them 16 days so far I think

 

[Elwickcavies]

Sometimes it takes a while for the antibiotics to completely solve the problem, especially if the first course wasn't the right one. Keep at it. It does sound like it's getting on top of the infection now.

 

[Little Ones]

Sometimes it takes a while for the antibiotics to completely solve the problem, especially if the first course wasn't the right one. Keep at it. It does sound like it's getting on top of the infection now.

I thought it was too but since I last posted he's been making the noise continuously. Really hoping the antibiotics do end up working

 

[Adelle]

I agree with @Elwickcavies but please arrange an appointment with the vet for the last day of the antibiotic course to ensure the course is long enough as you dont want to stop it too early and it comes back.

If an xray becomes necessary, it should be done consciously granted the issue is a breathing one. This will definately make the xray less expensive too so its worth asking for a price on a conscious xray if its needed x

 

[Little Ones]

I agree with @Elwickcavies but please arrange an appointment with the vet for the last day of the antibiotic course to ensure the course is long enough as you dont want to stop it too early and it comes back.

If an xray becomes necessary, it should be done consciously granted the issue is a breathing one. This will definately make the xray less expensive too so its worth asking for a price on a conscious xray if its needed x

If he's still making the noise after 10days, we'll carry it on as we should have a little extra. Thank you I'll ask for a conscious X-ray, I actually didn't think that would be an option! I've just sold some concert tickets I had so that will give me £160 that I can put to some more treatment so if the lady who says she'll buy them does then I should have enough for an X-ray

 

[Adelle]

If he's still making the noise after 10days, we'll carry it on as we should have a little extra. Thank you I'll ask for a conscious X-ray, I actually didn't think that would be an option! I've just sold some concert tickets I had so that will give me £160 that I can put to some more treatment so if the lady who says she'll buy them does then I should have enough for an X-ray

If you where advised 10 days and hes still making the noise on day 10 i would take him back to the vet at that point and not just continue without vet advice.

Yes a conscious xray would be advisable in this case, even if you can afford it, its too risky to anaesthetise a piggy with breathing issues.

Well done you for trying to make money with what you have for your pigs vet bills, you're little one is lucky to have you x

 

[Little Ones]

Update - went back to the vets, they want to try him on more antibiotics because a conscious X-ray wouldn't be possible and a regular X-ray could potentially kill him. They prescribed him 1ml Metacam oral suspension daily and 2ml of Zithromax. I'm not sure how much Zithromax they put in the bottle but we mixed it with 4.5ml of water and he has two separate bottles of it if they makes sense. It should last a week. Let's hope this work otherwise I don't know what other options we have.

 

[chesca_27]

Could it possibly be pneumonia? I think severe URIs can escalate to pneumonia? My past piggie was diagnosed with pneumonia last year. Pneumonia and URIs have quite similar symptoms. The first day he was ill, he would not stop crackling at all, so I understand what you mean by that. Luckily he got better very quickly, and completely stopped crackling on day 3 of treatment.

I think he was tried with a few different medications as he did end up having many relapses. The one that seemed to word best with him was the combination of Metacam and Septrin Paediactric (if I remember rightly) but he was also tried with Baytril

After his first pneumonia experience, he always had a runny nose, which became worse and worse every time he had a relapse.

He has now passed to the Rainbow Bridge, but I suspect an underlying heart condition may have been the cause all along, as he was a pet shop pig (before I knew about rescues) and seemed very unlucky health wise.

Could you possibly take him to another vet or vet hospital where they might be able to do conscious X-rays for you?

I wish you and your pig all the best and that he gets better soon.

 

[Little Ones]

Could it possibly be pneumonia? I think severe URIs can escalate to pneumonia? My past piggie was diagnosed with pneumonia last year. Pneumonia and URIs have quite similar symptoms. The first day he was ill, he would not stop crackling at all, so I understand what you mean by that. Luckily he got better very quickly, and completely stopped crackling on day 3 of treatment.

I think he was tried with a few different medications as he did end up having many relapses. The one that seemed to word best with him was the combination of Metacam and Septrin Paediactric (if I remember rightly) but he was also tried with Baytril

After his first pneumonia experience, he always had a runny nose, which became worse and worse every time he had a relapse.

He has now passed to the Rainbow Bridge, but I suspect an underlying heart condition may have been the cause all along, as he was a pet shop pig (before I knew about rescues) and seemed very unlucky health wise.

Could you possibly take him to another vet or vet hospital where they might be able to do conscious X-rays for you?

I wish you and your pig all the best and that he gets better soon.

I am so sorry for your loss how would I go about 'treating' pneumonia if it was that? If this doesn't work were taking him to a specialist centre, they might be able to do a conscious X-ray, the vets I go to said it wouldn't be possible because his breathing is crackly and the breaths are too quick to be able to get a clear vision of the lungs so there'd really be no point so I suppose that would be the next thing to try even if it came back with limited results

 

[Little Ones]

Update - honey seemed back his normal self however he had his last antibiotics on Thursday, we really thought he was better this time but now he's started with the noise again so back to the vets honestly don't know what else they can do for him, so upset

 

[Little Ones]

Been to the vets got more Zithromax, we requested another weeks worth as I thought another course might work. If it doesn't then I think we will go to Sheffield to then specialist. Can't believe he's had URI for 6 weeks now...

 

[Little Ones]

He's on his antibiotics however now he has crackly breathing every time he moves really worried about his future right now...

 

[chesca_27]

I'm sure your piggie will get better very soon.

Oreo had an X-Ray last week, they were able to do it conscious. I was told he was an excellent patient .

Have you tried multiple antibiotics at the same time? Don't know if that would work though. Or increasing the dose? Toffee was able to live quite a normal life, although it could have been allergies, but it's unlikely and despite the pneumonia.

Have you been feeding a probiotic? Have you tried any other form of examination like a blood test or something? Again, I don't know if that would help, but you could potentially rule out any illnesses causing it?

 

[Little Ones]

I'm sure your piggie will get better very soon.

Oreo had an X-Ray last week, they were able to do it conscious. I was told he was an excellent patient .

Have you tried multiple antibiotics at the same time? Don't know if that would work though. Or increasing the dose? Toffee was able to live quite a normal life, although it could have been allergies, but it's unlikely and despite the pneumonia.

Have you been feeding a probiotic? Have you tried any other form of examination like a blood test or something? Again, I don't know if that would help, but you could potentially rule out any illnesses causing it?

We haven't tried different antibiotics at the same time but we have tried different doses. He does have a probiotic an hour after his anti-b. They haven't suggested any blood tests and they won't do a conscious X-ray, if these antibiotics don't work, were going to a specialist centre for him and so I imagine they'll be on top of ruling out any illnesses. Really hope he gets better soon, six weeks to be ill is a long time. Poor baby

 

[chesca_27]

Poor piggie, really wish him better. Is he weight ok? Just remember, if he's happy, he'll get better sooner !

 

[Little Ones]

Poor piggie, really wish him better. Is he weight ok? Just remember, if he's happy, he'll get better sooner !

His weight is good, he weighs a huge 1450g! He's been a chubby one since he was 7 months old, bless him. I try to keep him happy, it's only after his third course which was Zithromax he began seeming more like him self, he got his character back, he became more perked up, interested, more active and vocal, I really thought he was getting better but then when that course ended, the URI was still there, we asked for another course of Zithromax as it seemed to work, he's been on in a few days and it doesn't seem to be helping, really hope it kicks in and makes him better

 

[chesca_27]

Maybe it's just a slow, long recovery period. I've heard URI and Pneumonia treatments should last for ages. Normally Toffee was put on a course for about two weeks.

Sounds like he's a very happy, healthy pig otherwise. Being heavy is good for piggies, as they can lose weight so fast, when ill.

 

[Little Ones]

Maybe it's just a slow, long recovery period. I've heard URI and Pneumonia treatments should last for ages. Normally Toffee was put on a course for about two weeks.

Sounds like he's a very happy, healthy pig otherwise. Being heavy is good for piggies, as they can lose weight so fast, when ill.

I hope so, every time the antibiotics wear off, he begins making noises every time he breathes. Heavy is definitely good as long as it's not too excessive, besides I think slightly chubby animals are just the cutest! Probably why I was so taken with him in the beginning.

 

[Little Ones]

He sounds really bad today... Keeps choking and sounds so much like he's struggling to breathe, he had the last of his antibiotics yesterday - they didn't work. Thinking about changing his hay to dust free hay just in case it's that but not sure if I want to wait for it to arrive and see if it makes a difference or if I should just take him straight to the specialist centre. I don't want to wait and see then watch him pass away but I don't want to spend anymore money in case the answer lies in his hay.

 

[Lily & Rose]

I think it would be best to take him to a specialist, as it sounds more than a hay allergy. My pig had similar problems and they had to take swabs, blood and do an X-ray to determine what was wrong. It would be worth changing the hay as well, if it seems dusty and make sure the central heating is on low if it is on in the room, as the dry air could make it worse. Hope he gets better soon x

 

[Little Ones]

I think it would be best to take him to a specialist, as it sounds more than a hay allergy. My pig had similar problems and they had to take swabs, blood and do an X-ray to determine what was wrong. It would be worth changing the hay as well, if it seems dusty and make sure the central heating is on low if it is on in the room, as the dry air could make it worse. Hope he gets better soon x

What ended up being wrong with your pig? I've tried several brands of hay, at the moment they have Timothy hay - it seems the least dusty one we've tried.