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Post by SiLamb on Jun 19, 2014 3:49:57 GMT
I don't know what to do. Weasley has had a noisy single cough that seems to be worsening. At first I thought it was just a vocal sneeze, but hubby and I are thinking that it is a cough. Tonight, it sounds like his lungs are crackling, similar to when I get bronchitis. He is eating, playing, etc still.
What can we do? We are very limited in our finances, and we just spent all that we had extra over the last 38 days getting the two pigs adopted and set up in their new home. Can Weasley get better on his own? What can I give him to boost his immune system? Any advice??? I did find one vet who said the well piggy visit was almost $80. We just can't afford that plus antibiotics right now.
Thank you bunches!!
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Post by Bean on Jun 19, 2014 9:12:58 GMT
Guinea pigs can get upper respiratory infections (URIs) and unfortunately if you take too long to get it treated (if that's what this is), they can be deadly. If the crackle is down in his lungs, a vet visit would definitely be the best thing for him. I know vets are expensive and these things often come at difficult times, but it's all part and parcel of having pets. Some vets will let you pay in installments.
The only alternative I can think is that perhaps he is having a reaction to something in his environment, like a sensitivity to dust in the bedding. But that would more likely cause a bit of snuffliness rather than noisy lungs.
Keep us posted, hope he's okay, but having lost pets to URIs, I wouldn't wait around. Just make sure the vet knows their stuff with pigs - often exotics vets. Good luck.
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Post by SiLamb on Jun 19, 2014 13:52:15 GMT
Bean, thank you for the advice. I've talked it over with hubby, and he said that I can take him to the vet. I found three vets. The first one is the aforementioned and is $79.50 per pig. The 2nd one has a coupon on their website for a free initial consultation. Their normal price was $58.50 and 1/2 off the 2nd pig if seen at the same time. The third vet I found is $45 per pig. I asked each of the three vets if they were experienced with pigs. Each said yes. The first one seems to have the most experience, but they are out of any financial possibility right now. The 2nd one offers exotic pet boarding. The third seems to have some real experience as well based upon their website. We're going with the 2nd one right now.
Honestly, it is a financial decision. I am not working due to a disability, so we are cash poor right now. If I was still able to work, this wouldn't be as hard a decision. My husband struggles spending large amounts on vet bills for a $15 pig when we have taken good care of him and haven't done anything to hurt him. I, on the other hand, totally understand his point, but I have fallen in love with my piggies. He and I had discussed that we won't do extraordinary measures, but we would take care of an infection. I'm praying that is all it is and that Harry doesn't get it too.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 19, 2014 17:48:50 GMT
Good luck love and I hpoe the little sweetie gets well soon. Please keep us updated.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 19, 2014 19:19:04 GMT
If the vet puts him on Baytril, he will need a probiotic to counter the effects of such a strong antibiotic. Benebac is a good one and very inexpensive. Make sure it's formulated for small furries/rodents, not cats or dogs.
If the exam doesn't show a URI, it's probably an allergy, so don't give up. OTC meds work well. Please keep us posted ♡
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
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Post by SiLamb on Jun 19, 2014 20:51:07 GMT
I'm back from the Vet's office. Okay, so positives first...
1. I like the receptionist. Very friendly, and she has a quote from Harry Potter tattooed on her arm "Mischief Managed" along with some feet prints like on the Marauder's Map (this only makes sense if you have seen the movies)
2. I didn't have to pay for the visit
3. and most importantly, Weasley doesn't have an URI
4. doctor showed knowledge about guinea pigs
5. doctor showed concern about ensuring Weasley gets enough Vitamin C. (When I told her that he refuses to eat his pill, that I feed him a lot of kale instead...she liked that. But she also suggested feeding him citrus, which I've heard a lot of conflicting information about)
Negatives...
1. I had to wait almost 30 minutes past the appointment time
2. Once I was seen, I felt like we were being rushed
3. When she weighed him, I told her that I had his weight from 9 days ago. She rushed out of the room as soon as she had him weighed and never asked me for his old weight to compare.
4. antibiotic compounding fee was $24 plus Baytril fee of $14.62 for a grand total of $38.62 What?!?!?
5. They didn't clean the table from the previous pet exam...I saw hair all over it
6. It seems to be just congestion.
So I am to feed him .5ml of Baytril every 12 hours for 10 days and run a hot steamy shower with him in the room to help break up the congestion.
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Post by SiLamb on Jun 19, 2014 20:52:44 GMT
If the vet puts him on Baytril, he will need a probiotic to counter the effects of such a strong antibiotic. Benebac is a good one and very inexpensive. Make sure it's formulated for small furries/rodents, not cats or dogs. If the exam doesn't show a URI, it's probably an allergy, so don't give up. OTC meds work well. Please keep us posted ♡ Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk What OTC meds are there? Thanks for the advice? Bean, Jo & 3piggles, thank you for your support. You all are a Godsend! |
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SarahKate
Newbie
Just added 3 piggals to my menagerie!
Posts: 16 
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Post by SarahKate on Jun 19, 2014 23:50:06 GMT
If the vet puts him on Baytril, he will need a probiotic to counter the effects of such a strong antibiotic. Benebac is a good one and very inexpensive. Make sure it's formulated for small furries/rodents, not cats or dogs. If the exam doesn't show a URI, it's probably an allergy, so don't give up. OTC meds work well. Please keep us posted ♡ Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk What OTC meds are there? Thanks for the advice? Bean, Jo & 3piggles, thank you for your support. You all are a Godsend! Seconded! Probiotics are essential to small herbivores receiving anti biotics. You might want to ask the vet you chose how many GP's he has treated in the past year. I find that's a good indication of their experience. Not cleaning the table in-between patients is not a good sign, for sure. And recommending an antibacterial without a probiotic AND without the presence of an infection are all signs that maybe the vet should be checked out a bit more. I wouldn't try an OTC without a call to the vet first just to be safe you'd be getting the right thing and that there wouldn't be any interactions. |
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Post by Bean on Jun 20, 2014 8:50:35 GMT
Great work getting him to the vets, and sounds like a good idea he's on antibiotics. I'm not sure why antibiotics were prescribed if they did just think it was congestion rather than an infection either, but with that sort of noise coming from the lungs, it's better to be safe than sorry so I think it's probably the right call he's on them.
There are definitely a few signs that indicate there's a better vet out there for your pigs though. I think your gut feeling was right with the negatives you mentioned, but you've had Weasley looked at, you have the right meds, and you have time to research a better one for the next time you need help quickly.
Have you thought of any environmental factors that could be causing congestion - bedding etc?
Good luck finding a probiotic too. I take them myself in capsule form and checked with my vet I could just use those - I open one and sprinkle a bit on a bit of cucumber or something. Hope he's doing well in himself anyway, keep us posted. x
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 20, 2014 13:58:00 GMT
Benadryl Children's Elixir and Chlor Trimeton work well on piggy allergies. I use Chlor Trimeton, and have friends who use Benadryl. Doses are on guinealynx.com. I also have them if you need them. Need to have the pig checked by a vet and have URI ruled out, first.
That vet doesn't sound good, and sanitation is a must in medical clinics of any kind. Never had a vet not interested in weight changes. I expected the Baytril, as it's a heavy duty, wide spectrum AB that kills just about everything. Kills all the good bacteria needed to digest food, too, and causes problems when they stop eating the hay they need to avoid constipation and bloat, which can be fatal. The compounding makes a horrible tasting med slightly less horrible tasting, I've never had a pig take Baytril without a fight. Definitely look for Benebac to help with his digestion. Sorry your experience was so bad. Did the vet even listen to his lungs and give him a thorough exam?
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 16, 2014 14:44:39 GMT
Benadryl Children's Elixir and Chlor Trimeton work well on piggy allergies. I use Chlor Trimeton, and have friends who use Benadryl. Doses are on guinealynx.com. I also have them if you need them. Need to have the pig checked by a vet and have URI ruled out, first. That vet doesn't sound good, and sanitation is a must in medical clinics of any kind. Never had a vet not interested in weight changes. I expected the Baytril, as it's a heavy duty, wide spectrum AB that kills just about everything. Kills all the good bacteria needed to digest food, too, and causes problems when they stop eating the hay they need to avoid constipation and bloat, which can be fatal. The compounding makes a horrible tasting med slightly less horrible tasting, I've never had a pig take Baytril without a fight. Definitely look for Benebac to help with his digestion. Sorry your experience was so bad. Did the vet even listen to his lungs and give him a thorough exam? Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Thanks 3piggles. So after 10 days of Baytril, there has been no changes to Weasley's sneezing. Hubby and I were away for 4 days and had the boys over at a friend's house. She said that she didn't hear Weasley sneeze. Okay, so something in my house is causing him to be congested. I've cleaned the area, changed the a/c filter, put a humidifier next to Hogwarts and covered the cage with a towel, made sure the a/c vent isn't blowing anywhere near his cage, and he is still congested. i know it isn't his cage, food or hay as he used it all over at my friend's house. Harry isn't congested either. I'm headed over to guinealynx.com to find dosages. If I can't find them, I'll let you know. I just feel so bad for Weasley. To answer your question, the vet did listen to his lungs and said that she found congestion only in his head. One positive about the vet, is that they called twice to check on Weasley. |
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 16, 2014 15:02:56 GMT
Benadryl Children's Elixir and Chlor Trimeton work well on piggy allergies. I use Chlor Trimeton, and have friends who use Benadryl. Doses are on guinealynx.com. I also have them if you need them. 3piggles, I can't seem to locate the dosages on guinealynx.com. So I'll take you up on your kind offer to provide the doses. I did find that Benadryl could make the piggy sleepy, so I probably will try Chlor Trimeton first. Thanks again! |
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 17, 2014 15:59:53 GMT
Chlor Trimeton: .5-1mg every 12 hours. Crush one pill and mix with 4cc of water, juice or Pedialyte. Use for 1-2days on, 1-2 off. Benadryl: .25ml per pound of body weight. Can go up to 1ml per pound for short periods of extreme allergic reactions. Twice daily for up to 5 days. I hope this helps  Only hearing nadal congestion definitely implies an allergy. It could be to the hay. If so, lightly mist the hay with a plant mister to kerp the pollen and tiny particles from getting up his nose. Pigs do have dust and pollen allergies just as we do, so they may come and go with the seasons. Pigs are very sensitive to odors, so if you use scented air fresheners, carpet cleaners, etc that scent the air, that could be bothering. |
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 17, 2014 18:18:06 GMT
How is the little love today hun, please give him a nose rub from his auntie Jo?
Hugs
Jo xx
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 18, 2014 16:12:41 GMT
Piggles, thanks so much. I went to Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market yesterday and they only had the Benedryl Children's medicine, so I bought that. I didn't see Chlor Trimeton there at all. So I will wait to see how Weasley reacts to the Benedryl first. I gave him a dose last night and one this morning. He is still congested when I gave him the second dose, but I figure it needs a little time to get in his system to really clear him up.
Auntie Jo, aww, you're so sweet. So I passed on your nose rub to him, and he gave me this message back for you, (imagine a very soft piggie voice) "em, em, em."
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 18, 2014 16:56:39 GMT
Good luck |
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Post by faafaa on Jul 18, 2014 17:39:49 GMT
Poor Wealsey! Its so frustrating when they are sick and you can't pinpoint why! I hope you can figure it out quickly. My Henry has allergies, or at least he did, he has been better since leaving FL.
Sent from my SCH-I435 using proboards
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 19, 2014 17:07:10 GMT
Quick update...When I was giving Weasley his morning Benedryl, I noticed that his breathing didn't sound as congested. He still is a tad congested, but we are on the mend. Plus, he actively reached for the syringe this morning. Definitely not like the Baytril which was a chore getting into him. |
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 20, 2014 13:34:24 GMT
Excellent news Silamb and Faafaa. The worst thing about allergies is not knowing the cause. It's great when the treatment works, or the symptoms go away, but good to have a treatment for it.
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Post by cookie72 on Jul 20, 2014 17:29:24 GMT
Sorry your little guy isn't feeling so well. As I was reading your comment about how Weasley was at a friend's house and didn't seem to be sneezing there, my first thought was something in your house could be causing it. 3 piggles took the words right out of my head...lol. Any air fresheners, Glade plug-ins, deodorizing sprays, linens with scented fabric softener on them, perfumes...etc being used near his room?
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