Merley has a cold

[jolovespiggies]

Hell friends

Would you please send healing vibes to Mr Merley, he has a cold love him. The vet has given him baytril and so far it isn't working as he has this permanent little hic-cip. We are also syringing fluids into him which consist of fresh orange juice and water. He is eating though but as I haven't seen him drink for a while I decided to start to syringe some fluids into him. I will keep you posted.

Hugs
Jo xx

[bazookagoof]

I hope Merley pulls through all right; crossing my fingers for a speedy recovery.

[Bean]

Oh no, poor Merley - everything is crossed here for him to get better very soon. What symptoms does he have besides the hiccuping thing? Please keep us posted with how he's getting on - it's a really good sign he still has his appetite, so I hope he fights off the illness and is back to his usual self soon. xxx

[3piggles]

All digits crossed for poor Merley It takes a while for the Baytril to start working, and it won't work if it's an allergy and not a cold. I hope it starts working soon, so you and Merley can relax and breathe more easily. Hugs

[jolovespiggies]

Thank you dear friends. The vet seemed to think it was a cold rather than an allergy but we are going to ring again tomorrow and see what they say. When we need to get some more baytril I wonder if they will want to see him again or just give us a little more. Everything else is normal about him, he is a bit bony at the back but that is a sign of age. We are still syringe feeding him orange with a drop of water and he takes that eagerly. We are doing this quite regularly because we don't want him to become dehydrated.

Thank you my darlings for your kind words and I will keep you posted. When I phone the vet tomorrow I will see what they say.

Hugs
JO xx

[Whimsy]

I sure hope the little guy gets better soon <3

[Bean]

How is Merley today, Jo?

I just had a quick google as I couldn't think offhand what it could be. There were a few suggestions - one was that it'd be worth getting his teeth checked as if there was a problem with his molars and he wasn't able to chew his food properly, it could be causing the hiccupy cough. The other advice was to get his respiration and heart checked out to make sure they're working normally, which I'm sure your vet will have done. Does his breathing sound clear aside from the hiccuping?

I know what you mean about their back ends feeling a bit bonier as they get older anyway - Poppy is starting to feel a bit less buff these days. Keeping a close eye on Merley's weight will let you know if there is any other cause for concern, but it's great he's still chomping away.

Everything is crossed for him here, Jo. xx

[jolovespiggies]

He isn't too bad thank you love, still eating and we are syringing him with fresh orange juice and water. I am gong to phone the vet a little later to see if we can get some more baytril. His teefies are checked every 6 weeks Bean love so I know it isn't that. His little heart and everything else was checked when Paul took him to the vet. Yes, he is very bony at the back bless him, I so hope he gets over this.

I will let you know what the vet says.

Hugs
Jo xx

[3piggles]

I hope the vet will recheck him before prescribing more Baytril, just to know the updated situation, but if not, just getting the Baytril is a good step. I'm glad he's enjoying his OJ and attention, and I really hope he get better really soon

[Bean]

Hope Merley is doing well today, Jo. What did the vet say? x

[jolovespiggies]

He has some more baytril which they wouldn't normally let us have without seeing him but Paul is known as the Guinea Pig Man down at the vets as we have had them for so long and in a far greater number and they trust our knowledge. He is about the same to be honest. He is eating and we are still giving him his orange juice which he seems to really love. If that doesn't work apparently there is a new drug on the market but Paul didn't catch the name of it. It is supposed to be brilliant but expensive, if we have to get some we will and hang the expense. I so hope the little guy makes it.

Thank you darlings for your kind words. I will keep you updated.

Hugs
JO xx

[3piggles]

Keeping all digits crossed, and really pulling for Merley to be as good as new, really soon

[jolovespiggies]

Thanks hunni, he is about the same today, if only he would stop making that "I've a cold in my little nose" noise I would feel as if we were getting somewhere. At the moment he is running around quite happily so we could be onto a winner. Everything crossed and I will keep you updated.

Hugs
Jo xx

[Bean]

I'm glad Merley is well in himself and hope the vet can get to the bottom of why he's making that strange noise, and get him back to full health. xx

[jolovespiggies]

He seems even brighter today Bean sweetie and he does love his orange juice. I must admit we didn't give him any last thing last night as he was tucked up asleep and we didn't want to disturb him as he looked so peaceful. Like us they probably have trouble sleeping when they are not very well. We have seen him drink out of his bowl so we know he is taking in some liquid. Will keep you posted.

Hugs
Jo xx

[Bean]

I'm glad Merley seems to be on the mend, and I don't blame you leaving him to sleep last night. It sounds like he's drinking quite well anyway (and the bedding being wet is always a good sign of that!), although I can understand you topping him up with fluids while he's not 100% - just gives you the peace of mind. xx

[3piggles]

Very possitive news I'm glad he's sleeping better, and drinking on his own. I used to continue at least a watered down version of the syringe feeding, for as long as they wanted it. It was more about the snuggles and contact than about what was in the syringe.

[jolovespiggies]

He does seem to be on the mend Bean hunni, he is running around more and seems brighter. We are going to continue with his meds obviously and the orange juice, although he is drinking on his own he seems to love it. Yes Piggles love, it is nice cuddling him whilst it is done he has a little coronet and it is lovely stroking it. He doesn't mind at first but soon wants to go back home.

Hugs
Jo xx

[3piggles]

It's okay if he has a short attention span, Jo. He knows he's getting loved. He just isn't one to do long snuggle periods

[jolovespiggies]

We love him just as he is sweetie and we are so pleased that he is so much better. Running around more and seems a lot happier. I am very glad we didn't give up on him. He has had his cuddle-cups washed this morning, one was in quite a state LOL!!

Hugs
JO xx