Antibiotics question

[exia]

Hi,

little Joe is prescribed Bactrim 0.87ml/2 times a day for 7 days. It all started with some heavy breathing and less active than usual. A trip to the vet told us he had a mild cold and a sharp teeth. He was prescribed Azithromax 1/day but I split the dosage up in halv 2/day after reading here on the forum. A bad reaction later and some critical days he could get his teeth fixed Thursday. He is slowly perking up by every hour, eating more and more and shows interest in what happens around him. I still syringe feed him 60-70ml critical care, probiotics and bio lapis. He also gets Metacam twice a day.

The vet told me his lungs looked fine on xray, his breathing sounds fine, no sneezing/running eyes/nose etc. He has a blister in his throath witch she tells is pretty common with Guinea pigs with an tracht infection and thats why he is on Bactrim. I'm curious about this 7 days. I'm not very experienced with Guinea pigs and antibiotics, but my Kongo was prescribed Bactrim for upper tracht infection for 10 days (+7, +3 "just in case"-days). That was a stubborn UVI). Is 7 days a bit short?

Also; I'm so greatful for this forum! You guys helps us get thru this nightmare. I'm pretty sure the worst is over for Joey and hes bouncing back fine, but I'm a wreck after this week. You guys are amazing

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

little Joe is prescribed Bactrim 0.87ml/2 times a day for 7 days. It all started with some heavy breathing and less active than usual. A trip to the vet told us he had a mild cold and a sharp teeth. He was prescribed Azithromax 1/day but I split the dosage up in halv 2/day after reading here on the forum. A bad reaction later and some critical days he could get his teeth fixed Thursday. He is slowly perking up by every hour, eating more and more and shows interest in what happens around him. I still syringe feed him 60-70ml critical care, probiotics and bio lapis. He also gets Metacam twice a day.

The vet told me his lungs looked fine on xray, his breathing sounds fine, no sneezing/running eyes/nose etc. He has a blister in his throath witch she tells is pretty common with Guinea pigs with an tracht infection and thats why he is on Bactrim. I'm curious about this 7 days. I'm not very experienced with Guinea pigs and antibiotics, but my Kongo was prescribed Bactrim for upper tracht infection for 10 days (+7, +3 "just in case"-days). That was a stubborn UVI). Is 7 days a bit short?

Also; I'm so greatful for this forum! You guys helps us get thru this nightmare. I'm pretty sure the worst is over for Joey and hes bouncing back fine, but I'm a wreck after this week. You guys are amazing

Hi

Could you please clarify whether the bactrim/baytril is new and has been prescribed after the end of the zithromax?

There is no given length of prescription. Your vet is doing this in accordance with the severity of any symptoms. Guinea pigs do however not have any (viral) colds, they have bacterial respiratory infections, these are more like we humans have (bacterial) sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia.

Could you also please specify the 'heavy breathing' you are mentioning: Is this audible rasping or crackling or is this laboured, heaving, breathing from the sides (diaphragmic breathing)?

 

[exia]

Hi Weibeke,

the Bactrim has been prescribed after we stopped the Azithromax. I stopped the Azithromax on Monday, and he was given the first Bactrim on Thursday after a check up at the vet.
The Azithromax gave him diarrhea and lethargy.

Its hard to describe to breathing. He sounded "heavy". It was not constant, and he was eating with normal appetite from what I could see. The breathing now - 1,5 weeks later - sounds fine.
The diagnosis from the vet to the insurance company is "upper tracht infection", I guess thats what she refers as a "mild cold" to me. His lungs looked fine at the new xray on Thursday, its the blister in his throat that is the main issue.

Its a bit hard to tell what is what with the side effects from medications, tracht infection and I guess pain from the tooth. I'm so glad he was strong enough to fix that teeth and seems to come around that terrible experience. I trust the vet with her plan - she is an exotic vet with a great reputation - I was just curious on why Joe was ordinated just 7 days and Kongo more than the double. Now I get it. Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Weibeke,

the Bactrim has been prescribed after we stopped the Azithromax. I stopped the Azithromax on Monday, and he was given the first Bactrim on Thursday after a check up at the vet.
The Azithromax gave him diarrhea and lethargy.

Its hard to describe to breathing. He sounded "heavy". It was not constant, and he was eating with normal appetite from what I could see. The breathing now - 1,5 weeks later - sounds fine.
The diagnosis from the vet to the insurance company is "upper tracht infection", I guess thats what she refers as a "mild cold" to me. His lungs looked fine at the new xray on Thursday, its the blister in his throat that is the main issue.

Its a bit hard to tell what is what with the side effects from medications, tracht infection and I guess pain from the tooth. I'm so glad he was strong enough to fix that teeth and seems to come around that terrible experience. I trust the vet with her plan - she is an exotic vet with a great reputation - I was just curious on why Joe was ordinated just 7 days and Kongo more than the double. Now I get it. Thank you

Hi

Any medication doesn't come with a fixed dosage and often not with a fixed run but with a recommended bandwidth. Any vet is trained to carefully weigh up symptoms/severity, any potential side effects and interactions with other medication to come to a considered decision as to the individual treatment in terms of dosages and length. This weighing up process actually takes up quite a large part of any veterinary training.

You simply cannot compare the dosages and length of treatment between two guinea pigs; even more so when it is for different health issues - that is like comparing apples with pears. It is however a very common mistake that many owners make - and why we cannot replace a vet visit or why home treatment on spec can do more harm than good.

The minor funny breathing issues from your URI (upper respiratory tract infection) and the blister should simply take less long to heal out than your previous health issue.

I hope that this makes sense to you?