Vitamin C And Baytril

[GeorgesHuman]

My piggy boy, Oscar, has been put on Baytril for laboured breathing. The vet says he's congested on his chest. The vet said to get some Vit C supplement from the pet shop to go in the piggies water. I've read that it's to balance his gut flora while on antibiotics. My question is, is the vitamin c ok for my other healthy boys as it'll be in their shared water bottles. Also, as an alternative, can he have human (perhaps children's) vitamin C supplements? Thanks :o)

 

[madguinealady]

I think the vitamin c breaks down in the water and changes the taste so it may put them off drinking it.Some people give tablets.We're you told to give probiotics along with the baytril?This helps replace what the baytril destroys in the gut.

 

[biscandmatt]

it sounds like the vet might have been talking about pro-c probiotic Pro C Probiotic | Health & Hygiene | The Hay Experts (it can be found in some pet shops and online) - it's a probiotic with added vitamin c.

it isn't usually advised to add it to the drinking bottles for the reasons mentioned above by madguinealady.

the avipro plus probiotic is brilliant and you can give it as a pinch in either 0.5ml or 1ml of water syringed into the piggies mouth directly, or a pinch on some food.

oxbow do a vitamin c tablet which is chewable (if they like it!) or can be crushed and mixed with a little water. supplements for children won't be suitable. the only one i know of that is vegan and suitable for piggies is the natures own cherry c brand, however you need to break the capsules open, divide the powder and then use it which makes dosing accurately a bit more difficult.

please see the vet again fairly soon if there is no improvement, as baytril isn't usually the best choice for dealing with this kind of issue. alternatively if you'd like details of a recommended piggy-savvy vet then there is the vet locator at the top of the page. best of luck

 

[Elwickcavies]

The other thing to ask your vet about is a diuretic. Fluid in the lungs is common complication with guinea pigs, and a diuretic can literally be a lifesaver. Septrin, or Zithromax would be better antibiotics for this. With the probiotic, make sure you wait 1-2 hours after giving the antibiotic, or you won't get the full effect. I use pro-C and the easiest way to get it in is to sprinkle on some wet food, or mix with water and syringe it in. It won't harm your other pigs, but you need to be certain that it is Oscar that is getting it.

 

[GeorgesHuman]

Hello thanks so much for your replies. I have got the pro c probiotic and have been sprinkling it on his food in the morning and then again a bit at supper time a few hours after his medicine. He seems back to his normal self again so I'm one happy piggy mummy! It says on the tub that its good for elderly animals too, so its also benefitting Elliot Pigg, who is 5 and I suppose just helps the whippersnapper Charlie aged 2 to keep healthy in his digestive health.