Uti And Breathing Problems

[Claire Evans]

Hi
Our piggie Nelson was weeing blood a few days ago so was put on 0.4 of septrin twice daily, he's already on 0.35 metacam twice a day for a rare and inoperable tumour in his cheek

Around the same time he started to breath differently, his while body moves when he breathes and he is wheezing slightly.

I wandered if these are likely to be related or seperate problems?

I'm going to try to get to our local vets today. But any experiences people have would be really useful before I go.

He's eating as much as is now normal for him (much less because of the tumour so he has critical care every day). We're under Simon and Kim at the Cat and Rabbit care clinic for Nelsons dental care due to the tumour and we would take him there but they're on holiday for a week!

Any advice appreciated as Nelson is already going through so much and we just want him to be comfortable for however long he has left x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
Our piggie Nelson was weeing blood a few days ago so was put on 0.4 of septrin twice daily, he's already on 0.35 metacam twice a day for a rare and inoperable tumour in his cheek

Around the same time he started to breath differently, his while body moves when he breathes and he is wheezing slightly.

I wandered if these are likely to be related or seperate problems?

I'm going to try to get to our local vets today. But any experiences people have would be really useful before I go.

He's eating as much as is now normal for him (much less because of the tumour so he has critical care every day). We're under Simon and Kim at the Cat and Rabbit care clinic for Nelsons dental care due to the tumour and we would take him there but they're on holiday for a week!

Any advice appreciated as Nelson is already going through so much and we just want him to be comfortable for however long he has left x

Please have him checked by a vet promptly as heavy breathing can be potentially very serious. The strong breathing is not related to UTI in my experience.
Diaphragmic (heaving) breathing is usually caused by a build up of fluid either in the lungs or the chest cavity from pneumonia, heart insuffiency/acute failure; the build up of fluid can also be caused by an internal growth, but it needs to be seen in an case.

I feel for you! My own emergencies usually happen in the weeks the Maddocks are on holiday...

@Jaycey @helen105281 @Freela

 

[helen105281]

I am a nervous wreck when the Maddocks are on holiday. I hope your local vet can put your mind at rest. If there is fluid detected ask them about diuretics. A nebuliser may also help, Kim suggested that to me recently for my Tabitha.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, I have nothing to add to the excellent advice already given but just wanted to say I hope Nelson gets on ok at your local vets. My own vet is currently away for two weeks, its a tense time, so I sympathize with you.

 

[Freela]

Why does it always happen when the vets are away? I agree with Wiebke that the heavy breathing and UTI are unlikely to be related, but both should be assessed by a vet. I hope you can find a vet that is experienced with guinea pigs to help you out, I know first-hand it's sometimes difficult when the usual vet is not available!

 

[Claire Evans]

Thanks everyone. The local vet (who were very good and better than a specialist in fact with our other piggy Neve) didn't find anything really worrying, but did say there's a possibility the tumour has spread and is effecting Nelsons chest

However she said he's relaxed and as long he seems quite happy and is still eating and doing piggy things, it's not too much of a worry and we should go back if he gets worse....

Fingers crossed he carries on how he is until our appointment with Kim on Monday!

It's great to have this forum to ask questions and for advice. Thanks so much for caring :-)