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Uri

Gem789

Gem789

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Georgie was diagnosed with a Uri yesterday and I was prescribed baytril and cat metacam.He had a snotty nostril and was not himself, staying in his bed, not coming out for food.My question is, is there anything I can do to help his breathing? I can see he's struggling at the moment and feel so sorry for him.I'm also syringe feeding as he's not really interested in eating.
 
So sorry to hear about your poorly piggie, it is so stressful when they are unwell.
One of my own girls has just been on Baytril and it did make her act a little strange i.e. staying in bed and not wanting to eat, I think overall it was stress more than anything, if in doubt just call your vet and put your mind at ease.
I don’t have any experience with a URI but maybe some Vicks VapoRub in the bowl of hot water as the previous post, Claire W, said might help? The same way us humans would if we had a cold I guess.
I hope Georgie gets better soon, so sad when to see when they’re not their wee selves x
 
Claire W said:
I’m so sorry to hear this :( I’ve heard that running the shower in the bathroom and letting them breath in the steam can help or put a steaming bowl of hot water next to his cage xx
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This is what i used to do for my old boar that kept getting uri's and had a chronic stuffy nose problem. It worked a bit. And baytril used to clear the uri .in about 3 days it started working
 
Thanks all, I'll try putting him in the bathroom and running the shower.He just has no energy at the moment which I guess is from lack of oxygen.
 
If his breathing does not improve or gets worse then speak to the vet about a diuretic in case any fluid on lungs such as furosemide and also some bisolven powder to help clear nasal which you give in The tiniest pinch of in water

Sending love and vibes x
 
sport_billy said:
If his breathing does not improve or gets worse then speak to the vet about a diuretic in case any fluid on lungs such as furosemide and also some bisolven powder to help clear nasal which you give in The tiniest pinch of in water

Sending love and vibes x
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Thanks, How long shall I wait to see an improvement in his breathing? He's really got no energy to move because of it.
 
Gem789 said:
Thanks, I'm on a 12 hour shift today.My mums looking after him for me and feeding him.If he's no better by tomorrow morning I'll get him seen asap.
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Sending love to him and hugs to you matey
 
How's your piggy doing now? I'm so sorry to hear this! I am no expert by any means but I was here myself only two weeks ago so kinda asked the same things. The steam from the bathroom did help but to start with made his breathing a bit heavier. Also a humidifier in the room if you have one would do the same. I put a drop of the kids olbas oil in a bowl of boiling water in the same room too. I think they say 48 hours minimum to start seeing an improvement, kind of like in yourself when you start antibiotics really. I think if he's still not moving by tomorrow I'd be back at the vet for another antibiotic. I had zithromax mentioned to me. A probiotic might help (we use fibreplex but there are others or there is a poo soup recipe on here), but as I was told the need to breathe comes first, then the need to drink, then the need to eat. Baytril can he hard on their tummies. Keep up the syringe feeding and weigh him every day. I really hope he's doing better when you get home tonight, thinking of you x
 
Potterpig said:
How's your piggy doing now? I'm so sorry to hear this! I am no expert by any means but I was here myself only two weeks ago so kinda asked the same things. The steam from the bathroom did help but to start with made his breathing a bit heavier. Also a humidifier in the room if you have one would do the same. I put a drop of the kids olbas oil in a bowl of boiling water in the same room too. I think they say 48 hours minimum to start seeing an improvement, kind of like in yourself when you start antibiotics really. I think if he's still not moving by tomorrow I'd be back at the vet for another antibiotic. I had zithromax mentioned to me. A probiotic might help (we use fibreplex but there are others or there is a poo soup recipe on here), but as I was told the need to breathe comes first, then the need to drink, then the need to eat. Baytril can he hard on their tummies. Keep up the syringe feeding and weigh him every day. I really hope he's doing better when you get home tonight, thinking of you x
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Thanks, I asked for a different antibiotic when I took him but they said he had to have baytril as it's the only one licenced for guinea pigs.The vet did say if the baytril doesn't work then we can try a different one.He only had his 1st dose yesterday evening so it's still early days.I am worried about him though.He just has no energy and doesn't move from his bed.I will ring the vets tomorrow morning to see if they can give me something to help his breathing.I don't have any olbas oil or a dehumidifier unfortunately.I did have him in a make shift thing this morning with a bowl of hot water to try and help his breathing x
 
Baytril isn't great for respiratory conditions. It's all very well saying they need to try that first and then move on to another, if it doesn't sort the problem, but you don't have a lot of time with piggies, as they can go downhill so quickly. What dose of Metacam have you been given. I see you have cat metacam, which is 1/3 of the strength of dog Metacam.
 
Gem789 said:
Thanks, I asked for a different antibiotic when I took him but they said he had to have baytril as it's the only one licenced for guinea pigs.The vet did say if the baytril doesn't work then we can try a different one.He only had his 1st dose yesterday evening so it's still early days.I am worried about him though.He just has no energy and doesn't move from his bed.I will ring the vets tomorrow morning to see if they can give me something to help his breathing.I don't have any olbas oil or a dehumidifier unfortunately.I did have him in a make shift thing this morning with a bowl of hot water to try and help his breathing x
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It is so hard I really do know how you feel right now. How's he going with the syringing? With hindsight for me after 48 hours I should have asked to change the drug or sought a second opinion. I'd probably get yourself ready and prepared (research which vets are open and where they are etc) for a vet trip over the weekend. Metacam did seem to make a difference to my piggy once it kicked in so I was ready with the food as he would take a lot then and also whe would tuck into some veg then too. All the best little piggy. X
 
Potterpig said:
It is so hard I really do know how you feel right now. How's he going with the syringing? With hindsight for me after 48 hours I should have asked to change the drug or sought a second opinion. I'd probably get yourself ready and prepared (research which vets are open and where they are etc) for a vet trip over the weekend. Metacam did seem to make a difference to my piggy once it kicked in so I was ready with the food as he would take a lot then and also whe would tuck into some veg then too. All the best little piggy. X
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He's taking it quite well luckily.Hes a well behaved piggy unlike some others I've had to syringe feed lol.I think I'll go back to vets 4 pets although I'd rather take him to the cat and rabbit clinic but I doubt I'd get an appointment x
 
Gem789 said:
He's taking it quite well luckily.Hes a well behaved piggy unlike some others I've had to syringe feed lol.I think I'll go back to vets 4 pets although I'd rather take him to the cat and rabbit clinic but I doubt I'd get an appointment x
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I had similar with the exotic vets here, they wouldn't see me for 48 hours. Our Harry was lapping up the critical care (he preferred the fine grind one, of course he did haha), whereas trying to get anything into buzz this week (he's got an abscess and keeps getting a bit cross after a vet trip) has been hard work. I got everything crossed for you and your little guy. I do agree with furry friends though, you don't have much time at all if baytril isn't touching it by tomorrow. X
 
To get unlicensed antibitoic, i get charged £1 on top at my vet. Can others do the same?
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
To get unlicensed antibitoic, i get charged £1 on top at my vet. Can others do the same?
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When I enquired I was able to have it I just had to sign to say I understand it's unlicenced and why things aren't licenced (mostly not enough research in that species but still used with success) x
 
Potterpig said:
I had similar with the exotic vets here, they wouldn't see me for 48 hours. Our Harry was lapping up the critical care (he preferred the fine grind one, of course he did haha), whereas trying to get anything into buzz this week (he's got an abscess and keeps getting a bit cross after a vet trip) has been hard work. I got everything crossed for you and your little guy. I do agree with furry friends though, you don't have much time at all if baytril isn't touching it by tomorrow. X
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Thanks for your support and advice.I have a feeling they'll tell me it needs time to work but I didn't want baytril in the 1st place.Its funny, when I went there before for another piggie, a different vet prescribed sulfratrim when I asked for that instead of baytril.Did furry friends say that when you had the same issue? x
 
I don't think furry friends was on my thread but there was lots of great advice! The thread is on here only a few weeks ago but unfortunately mine didn't hCe a happy ending. Please don't be overly alarmed, my vet felt he may have had neoplasia too. But it is serious 😭 I am no expert and I am relatively new to the piggy world, I've just been in your shoes very recently 😭 let me see if I can work out how to tag you as there is a lot of advice x
 
I'm 90% sure it said

Unlicensed antibiotic - £1 on the breakdown.

Maybe the vets get charged to get the unlincensed ones in. I dont know
 
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furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Baytril isn't great for respiratory conditions. It's all very well saying they need to try that first and then move on to another, if it doesn't sort the problem, but you don't have a lot of time with piggies, as they can go downhill so quickly. What dose of Metacam have you been given. I see you have cat metacam, which is 1/3 of the strength of dog Metacam.
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Hi Debbie, sorry I missed your post.Hes on 0.38ml once a day of cat metacam.I'm gonna ring the cat and rabbit clinic 1st thing to see if I can get in there xx
 
Got an appointment for half 2 today at the cat and rabbit clinic.I hope something can be done,Georgie is worse today and I've been crying as I'm fearing the worst
 
Gem789 said:
Got an appointment for half 2 today at the cat and rabbit clinic.I hope something can be done,Georgie is worse today and I've been crying as I'm fearing the worst
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Oh honey I'm thinking of you. I am glad you've gotten him into the specialist clinic. Hopefully they'll be able to do something to help him quickly. Harry was very up and down, on the Saturday I nearly had him pts and then Sunday he seemed bright. Sending lots of healing vibes your way x
 
Potterpig said:
Oh honey I'm thinking of you. I am glad you've gotten him into the specialist clinic. Hopefully they'll be able to do something to help him quickly. Harry was very up and down, on the Saturday I nearly had him pts and then Sunday he seemed bright. Sending lots of healing vibes your way x
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Thank you xx
 
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