orozcosergio2
New Born Pup
Guys I really need your help my guinea pig has a URI I was not able to get an appointment at the vet till tomorrow what should I do till then? How do I comfort him?
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What Do I Do? - Uri
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Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
Hello sorry that no one has been along to help but most of us are UK based so will have all been sleeping while you posted. I understand you can put a bowl of steaming water by the cage to help the airways but I am not experienced in URIs.
Where abouts are you based? And how long have you got to wait for your vets appointment?
@Wiebke @Pebble are two very knowledgeable forumites that might be able to offer more practical advice if you still have a bit of a wait for the appointment.
Where abouts are you based? And how long have you got to wait for your vets appointment?
@Wiebke @Pebble are two very knowledgeable forumites that might be able to offer more practical advice if you still have a bit of a wait for the appointment.
Hi!
Our forum is mainly UK based, so when you post in the middle of the British night, we are not covered. This forum is manned only by volunteers in our free time.
Please add your country or state to your details, so we can adapt any advice to products etc. that are available where you are. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.
If you are posting when the forum is quiet, you could always try a search (the button is on the top right) to find advice on other threads with a similar problem.
Good that you have booked him in a vets for today; that is the most important bit, as the chance of a good recovery hinges on getting an antibiotic quickly.
What you can do at home:
- Weigh him daily at the same time and if necessary, top him up with water and hand feed, as the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and thirdly the need to eat. Loss of appetite is typical for a severe URI.
- place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage to help ease the breathing.
- keep your boy warm and comfy.
what you should ask your vet:
- if your boy has got a lot of mucus (especially crusty eyes or nose), a mucus thinning product will help to work it out of the airways.
- if the lungs are congested, please ask your vet additionally for a diuretic to help drain any fluid and ease the breathing as much as possible.
All the best!
Our forum is mainly UK based, so when you post in the middle of the British night, we are not covered. This forum is manned only by volunteers in our free time.
Please add your country or state to your details, so we can adapt any advice to products etc. that are available where you are. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.
If you are posting when the forum is quiet, you could always try a search (the button is on the top right) to find advice on other threads with a similar problem.
Good that you have booked him in a vets for today; that is the most important bit, as the chance of a good recovery hinges on getting an antibiotic quickly.
What you can do at home:
- Weigh him daily at the same time and if necessary, top him up with water and hand feed, as the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and thirdly the need to eat. Loss of appetite is typical for a severe URI.
- place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage to help ease the breathing.
- keep your boy warm and comfy.
what you should ask your vet:
- if your boy has got a lot of mucus (especially crusty eyes or nose), a mucus thinning product will help to work it out of the airways.
- if the lungs are congested, please ask your vet additionally for a diuretic to help drain any fluid and ease the breathing as much as possible.
All the best!
Hi and welcome
Our forum is UK based, so when you post in the middle of the British night, we are unfortunately not covered. This forum is manned only by volunteers in our free time.
Please add your country or state to your details, so we can adapt any advice to products etc. that are available where you are straight away. Our default advice is UK based. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.Thanks!
If you are posting when the forum is quiet, you can always try a search (the button is on the top right directly under the bar) to find advice on other threads with a similar problem.
Good that you have booked him in a vets for today; that is the most important bit, as the chance of a good recovery hinges on getting an antibiotic quickly.
What you can do at home:
- Weigh him daily at the same time and if necessary, top him up with water and hand feed, as the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and thirdly the need to eat. Loss of appetite is typical for a severe URI.
- place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage to help ease the breathing.
- keep your boy warm and comfy.
what you should ask your vet:
- if your boy has got a lot of mucus (especially crusty eyes or nose), a mucus thinning product will help to work it out of the airways.
- if the lungs are congested, please ask your vet additionally for a diuretic to help drain any fluid and ease the breathing as much as possible.
All the best and a good recovery!
orozcosergio2
New Born Pup
I will change my location now. And thank you as of last night I put a bowl of steaming water next to him he seemed better after I did that he was eating his favorite treat and I put vitamin c in his water. My brother will be taking him to the vet soon! Thanks for the help and advice I will keep you updated @Wiebke @Lady Kelly
All the best! Please ask your brother to enquire about the mucus and any fluid on the lungs; they can make a real difference in the wellbeing of your piggy.
The sooner you can ease the breathing and get the appetite back, the better. Hand feeding in a piggy that is not at all eating and drinking or only partially doing so is also important; you want to keep the guts going and your piggy having as much strength to fight off the bug.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/
You can also support your piggy by giving 1/8-1/4 of a human vitamin C tablet daily to help boost the immune system while he is ill.
The sooner you can ease the breathing and get the appetite back, the better. Hand feeding in a piggy that is not at all eating and drinking or only partially doing so is also important; you want to keep the guts going and your piggy having as much strength to fight off the bug.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/
You can also support your piggy by giving 1/8-1/4 of a human vitamin C tablet daily to help boost the immune system while he is ill.
orozcosergio2
New Born Pup
You have most likely been given baytril, which is very foul tasting. We have got tips in our hand feeding guide (this is the best, as most gentle way to hand feed/medicate guinea pigs).
If that is not working, then you can try this thread here here: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/administering-medications-and-wrapping-piggies.36533/ It is VERY important that you keep the upper body above the main body, as the lungs and heart are already under major strain in your case. Please only try this if you can get the baytril in even with the help of a family member.
Is the cream just for the outside of the eyes, but not to help clear the airways by help to let mucus flow out?
Please weigh Anubis daily at the same time after feeding him, so you get an idea of his actual food intake, which can be very deceptive. First you feed him normally on your lap. See how much he is eating and then adjust the hand feed accordingly. The less he can eat in one go, the more often you need to feed, if necessary once or twice during the night. You will find tips of how much and how often in the hand feeding guide. In your case, it is very important that you do not give too much at once; I would only give about 1/3 of a 1ml syringe to make sure that nothing is ending in the lungs that could make things worse. Right now, you concentrate on getting as much as possible into him; every little bit helps to giving fighting strength. Give him his favourites, and if you can, also try cilantro and parsley - fresh herbs often go down easiest with ill piggies.
Try to get hold of some probiotic from a pet shop, so you can support the guts. If you got another piggy, you can also soak fresh healthy poos in a bit of water and then syringe water. Gross, but it contains all the good stuff for the guts that the antibiotic is killing off!
Fingers firmly crossed for Anubis! You are a very caring mom. I hope that you can pull him through. It is certainly not for lack of trying!
If that is not working, then you can try this thread here here: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/administering-medications-and-wrapping-piggies.36533/ It is VERY important that you keep the upper body above the main body, as the lungs and heart are already under major strain in your case. Please only try this if you can get the baytril in even with the help of a family member.
Is the cream just for the outside of the eyes, but not to help clear the airways by help to let mucus flow out?
Please weigh Anubis daily at the same time after feeding him, so you get an idea of his actual food intake, which can be very deceptive. First you feed him normally on your lap. See how much he is eating and then adjust the hand feed accordingly. The less he can eat in one go, the more often you need to feed, if necessary once or twice during the night. You will find tips of how much and how often in the hand feeding guide. In your case, it is very important that you do not give too much at once; I would only give about 1/3 of a 1ml syringe to make sure that nothing is ending in the lungs that could make things worse. Right now, you concentrate on getting as much as possible into him; every little bit helps to giving fighting strength. Give him his favourites, and if you can, also try cilantro and parsley - fresh herbs often go down easiest with ill piggies.
Try to get hold of some probiotic from a pet shop, so you can support the guts. If you got another piggy, you can also soak fresh healthy poos in a bit of water and then syringe water. Gross, but it contains all the good stuff for the guts that the antibiotic is killing off!
Fingers firmly crossed for Anubis! You are a very caring mom. I hope that you can pull him through. It is certainly not for lack of trying!
orozcosergio2
New Born Pup
Please be aware that it takes at least a day for the antibiotic to start working and several days to build up to full effect. Please see your vet again if the symptoms have not disappeared in within a week or if there is a deterioration at any time.
Best of luck! Continue to weigh Anubis daily and if necessary top him up. Your care can really make a big difference.
orozcosergio2
New Born Pup
Everyone I tried my hardest I really did anubis passed away 
I am ever so sorry! Pneumonia is not a diagnosis you want to be up against, as it is always a battle for life. So sad that Anubis didn't win it.
RIP Anubis
RIP Anubis
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
I'm so sorry.
ayemee
Adult Guinea Pig
I'm so sorry. I also lost a guinea pig to pneumonia. It is an awful thing. x
Caviequeen
Adult Guinea Pig
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I'm very sorry for your loss
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
I'm so sorry for your loss, Pneumonia can act so quickly against poor little piggies, we all know you did everything you could
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