Catherine
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**Marmite & Smudge**
Posts: 108
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Post by Catherine on Mar 10, 2008 19:50:31 GMT
I've introduced Marmot in another thread but have started this one as took him to the vet today as concerned by some crusty eyes, sneezing and runny nose ..... because of everything I have learned from this forum I new this was a very bad sign and took him to the vets this afternoon.
I wasn't surprised but still heartbroken when she confirmed it was a URI.... he looked so healthy when I picked him up from the rescue on sat.
anyways marmot has had an injection at the vets and I have mixed the pro biotics in his water that the vet gave me and am due to start giving him the antibiotics by syringe in the morning.
Is there any tips anyone can suggest at getting him to take it with the least amount of stress...... do you just force the mouth open ..... he's so little and don't want to hurt the little fella
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Post by newpig on Mar 10, 2008 19:59:20 GMT
Catherine here is a link to Jackie's site with some great tips on syringe feeding. It really helped me in the past. jackiesguineapiggies.com/handfeedingyourguineapig.htmlSo sorry to hear about Marmite's URI. Am glad the vet thinks you have caught it at an early stage. Do you know what antibiotic he was given? Just be aware that if it was Baytril it can put them off their food as can cause gastric problems. It is vitally important that you ensure he gets regular feeding and if he stops eating for himself he will need hand fed throughout the night as well as day time. I would also suggest you let the rescue centre know in case he was with others who may need checked. I know you have him quarantined from Smudge but it is more important now than ever to keep the quarantine firmly in place so less chance of Smudge getting the URI as well. Good luck and please keep the thread updated. xx
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taterdh
Bronze Member
Dizzy do Little.
Posts: 486
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Post by taterdh on Mar 10, 2008 20:01:10 GMT
Awww...Good luck with poor marmite!! URI's are not fun. But be sure to research the antibiotic and check the list in guinealynx.com ....Good luck with your baby and I hope he gets better real soon!!
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Catherine
Tin Member
**Marmite & Smudge**
Posts: 108
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Post by Catherine on Mar 10, 2008 20:52:50 GMT
It was Baytril, I will keep a close eye on him ...... thanks for that because the vet didn't mention to look out for that.
Going to have a look at that link now
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Post by threelittlepigs on Mar 10, 2008 23:32:00 GMT
Yes, some people recommend that you give a probiotic with baytril as it upsets their stomach and puts them off their food. From my experience in giving baytril it seems to taste very bitter and unpleasant to guineas so I have usually added a drop or so of ribena to make it taste sweeter. Take the clean syringe to the bottle of antibiotics and draw up the right amount. Then place a small amount of ribena in a tiny bowl or ramekin and draw up the ribena as required.
I would go back to you vet and ask if it would be OK to give probiotic to such a young pig. Probiotic is a mix that you mae with water that looks like mashed pellets. It is very good for helping piggies gain weight and fight illnesses. You feed it through a syringe and I think that you can feed it limitlessly. I call it 'complan for piggies'!
Good luck with the nursing: it seems that you have caught it early, so well done you!
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Post by wehowardjr on Mar 11, 2008 0:05:28 GMT
Sorry to hear about the URI. I am sure with some TLC from you, Marmite will make a 100% recovery. We will be holding you and him in our thoughts.
On a side note and sorry to go off topic.
I had a scare... My son, thinking he was funny, asked me why one of my girls had "eye bugars". I about freaked out, then told me he was joking. I informed him that something like that is not funny when it comes to my little ones. He apologized until he went to bed.
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Catherine
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**Marmite & Smudge**
Posts: 108
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Post by Catherine on Mar 11, 2008 18:14:14 GMT
marmite has had 2 doses of the med now and is doing alot better already. When I checked on him today he had no crusty eyes.... he's still sneezing but seems more alert. I'm keeping a close eye on him to make sure he's still eating which he still is..... if anything I'd say he eating more now which is a relief
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Post by threelittlepigs on Mar 11, 2008 18:47:14 GMT
Excellent news: I bet you both feel much better lol!
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Post by wehowardjr on Mar 13, 2008 2:54:02 GMT
WONDERFUL NEWS
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Post by msguineapiggie on Mar 13, 2008 4:38:59 GMT
This past summer my sow had a UTI and gas and I had to stringe fed her medicine. I wrapped her in a towel and talked sweet to her. You just gotta do it.
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Post by 10 Little Piggies on Mar 13, 2008 13:37:37 GMT
I'm so glad to hear that Marmite is feeling better! ;D I know that has to make you feel better too knowing that he's on the mend. Keep us posted on his progress..
Lee Anne & all the boys
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Catherine
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**Marmite & Smudge**
Posts: 108
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Post by Catherine on Mar 13, 2008 20:08:07 GMT
From Peoples experiences of uri's how long did you have to give the meds? I've been giving him it for 3 days now ..... there is improvement in that the crusty eyes has gone but he is still sneezing ...... I'm taking him for a follow up checkup on Friday and was hoping that would be the end of the meds.
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Post by newpig on Mar 14, 2008 9:05:45 GMT
I think its usual for the course to last for about 10 days.
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Post by 10 Little Piggies on Mar 14, 2008 10:27:34 GMT
Yep, my boys always had to do 10 days. Except for my Emmett, he was so bad he had to do 2 rounds. But he's doing great now. ;D
Hope Marmite's vet appointment goes well.
Lee Anne & all the boys
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Catherine
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**Marmite & Smudge**
Posts: 108
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Post by Catherine on Mar 16, 2008 23:04:53 GMT
Vet said that Marmite was sounding alot better, she advised to continue the meds and unless worsens stop on Tuesday ..... I haven't heard anymore sneezing which he's was still doing alittle when I took him to the vets so hopefully will be his last lot on Tues ...... I've got enough pro-biotic to last until Fri so will continue that until I run out.
It sounds horrible but him being I'll has really helped us to bond. He is so laid back yet very quiet .... the complete opposite to smudge as he is very vocal and runs as soon as he sees me (I'm not sure if their different personalities is going to be a good thing or a bad thing when it comes to introducing them)
Thanks for everyones help
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Post by newpig on Mar 17, 2008 8:46:42 GMT
it will probably be a good thing as they may find it easier to find the dominant and subordinate one. I am so glad to hear that he is improving. Soon you will be able to put this behind you and move on to the fun of introductions!
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Post by 10 Little Piggies on Mar 17, 2008 10:44:27 GMT
Glad to hear the vet appointment went well.
Just my opinion, but you might want to do quite a bit of reading on introductions if you've never done it before. It can be quite the experience.
The 1st boys of mine that I tried to intro- I didn't know a whole lot and let me tell you the way they acted about gave me a heart attack.
I made sure before the next time I tried to read alot so I knew more what to expect and what "Danger" signs to watch out for. Boys can be especially interesting.
Feel free to let me know if you need any links to info. I have a few good ones. ;D Lee Anne & all the boys
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Catherine
Tin Member
**Marmite & Smudge**
Posts: 108
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Post by Catherine on Mar 18, 2008 12:19:09 GMT
I've done a whole lot of research, constantly looking on the Internet for advice ...... I'm more than ready with knowledge to introduce them just got another week to go before I can.
They are within hearing distance and talk to each other alot and stand up in their cages so they can see each other so hopefully wont be too much of a shock when they meet.
I hope they do get on but is not I have made them a C&C cage that a can separate if needed
I'm just keeping my fingers crossed!
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Post by moppet on Mar 23, 2008 0:15:39 GMT
Glad to hear your poorly piggy is feeling better. I had to do the same thing with my long hair Nutty when i first got her as she had scurvy *and* a URI. I syringe fed her the antibiotic by wrapping her up in a towel with head poking out at an upwards angle then feeding her it in one go.
Unfortunately i went to a vet who was not very experienced with guinea pigs as they are hard to find in my area, but luckily i was quite experienced myself. i gave Nutty a little live yoghurt to help with the gut flora, which she loved. She pulled such funny faces when i gave her the antibiotic though, it must not taste nice. But because she had scurvy too and wasnt eating, i also had to feed her critical care by syringe and a vitamin C mixture which she loved, so the antibiotic went first, then the vitamin C, then the food.
I think it made her much tamer than my other pig, Pappy. She's still cuddly and much calmer than Pappy is, although because she was so ill, i do worry about her more.
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