Baytril 2.5% Help

[Jeniva]

Hello I was wondering what the shelf life for baytril 2.5% strength is in an opened bottle. I bought some from a vet back in October and it's been in the little bottle they give you with a cap. I haven't kept it in the fridge but it's not exactly been hot since Oct. It's still clear and looks ok.
It's prescription only here in UK and I really don't want to have to spend about £30-£40 to see a vet and get too little dose of baytril as usual and have to go back anyway and get more.

 

[Stewybus]

I would keep it up to six months myself so it should be just about be OK. What about ringing your vet to double check or to ask for a repeat prescription rather than going for an appointment if it's a follow-on thing. Generally, the daily dosage is 0.5 to 1.0ml.

 

[Jeniva]

Back then he was on 0.3 then another vet said 0.4 twice a day - but he's gotten a lot fatter now as he was very very poorly back then with abscesses. So would need to weigh him and get the right dosage again.
I don't have any money and I've got this medicine sitting in my cabinet. I also don't know if he's even sick so it's more of a precaution to give him a week dosage and see how he is.

 

[LeahsPiggies]

The 2.5% is only supposed to be given in water as it's too strong to give them directly into the mouth. I believe it's the 0.5% which is better and will be more effective - however I do not know about the shelf line but I would expect it to be ok

 

[Stewybus]

Well if you can't get to the vets the only thing to do is stick to dosage vet prescribed earlier but a consultation is the only way to be sure. You may also qualify for treatment at the PDSA.

It's also good to use a probiotic if they're on an antibiotic. These are available without a prescription. Bio-Lapis or Avipro Plus are both available from Vet UK. You could also use Fibreplex if there's a lack of appetite because of the Baytril, again no prescription required & available from Vet UK.

 

[Stewybus]

The 2.5% is only supposed to be given in water as it's too strong to give them directly into the mouth. I believe it's the 0.5% which is better and will be more effective - however I do not know about the shelf line but I would expect it to be ok

Baytril 2.5% Oral Solution is the usual one prescribed by vets for piggies & dosage is usually 0.5 to 1.0ml per day either in one dose or split into 2 doses. There's also a 10% solution but this should only be used by experts.

There's more info at:- http://www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-meds-pre...21_710/baytril-2-5-oral-solution-100ml-p-8256

 

[Jeniva]

Thanks! I already have a probiotic that I used previously when he was on antibiotics for a long period with abscesses.

And what? Only in water? Well one vet I went to told me to fill the rest of the syringe with water and give him it. But when I went to an actual guinea pig specialist vet he upped the dosage and told me there's no need for mixing it with water.

 

[Jeniva]

Does anyone know the dosage I should be giving him? I need to get my hands on a syringe first so not starting it just yet.
He was on 0.3ml twice a day before but the gpig specialist upped it to 0.4ml twice a day - he weighed about 730-750g then. Now he weighs 1kg, so dosage should be higher?

 

[Amanda1801]

You should really discuss this with a vet, even if it's just a chat on the phone.

Firstly, if you've used anything but a sterile syringe (i.e. a new syringe each time rather than re-using one) in the pot, then the baytril you have is likely to eb contaminated.

Secondly, if you don't give an adequate dose, or you don't have enough to give for enough of a duration, you are risking making the problem worse through antibiotic resistance etc. This is also the reason that prophylactic antibiotic use isn't recommended.

Baytril should be syringed directly into the mouth and not put in a water bottle - it tastes foul and no pig in their right mind would take it willingly!

 

[Stewybus]

I buy my Baytril in 100ml bottles then put a weeks usage into a smaller bottle so that main bottle doesn't get contaminated. Surprisingly Minky isn't too bad with it. She takes it without a struggle. She loves Bio-Lapis and will grip onto the syringe till it's empty & willingly take it in her mouth by herself but not Baytril. It needn't be diluted with water as it is already a suspension.

 

[Jeniva]

I never put it in his water bottle, plus it would get mixed in so much he wouldn't get the correct dosage.
You have to forgive me for having such little faith in vets. I spent over a month going back and fourth before and had a vet bill for over £300 going to two different vets. My poor piggie was on baytril for weeks and weeks and I kept asking for zithromax as baytril clearly wasn't doing anything (this was for abscesses). And even the dosage I got for zithromax was wrong and I had to ask everyone on this forum to an actual dosage.

 

[sport_billy]

Best

I never put it in his water bottle, plus it would get mixed in so much he wouldn't get the correct dosage.
You have to forgive me for having such little faith in vets. I spent over a month going back and fourth before and had a vet bill for over £300 going to two different vets. My poor piggie was on baytril for weeks and weeks and I kept asking for zithromax as baytril clearly wasn't doing anything (this was for abscesses). And even the dosage I got for zithromax was wrong and I had to ask everyone on this forum to an actual dosage.
In this case though, due to his lack of symptoms I know a vet will say they can't see whats wrong with him. I've been researching his symptoms and it's one of a few things. Baytril can cure all but one. And if it is the later then he needs an x-ray - something I'm sure they wouldn't just do if I go in and explain, they'd tell me to try baytril first.
I used to work in a zoo and we often self medicated animals showing URI symptoms, they always recovered.
Thanks for all the info but will try him on 0.4 twice a day for a week, if no improvement he will get taken to a gpig vet and I'll explain all and say he's already been on baytril. I will be furious if they tell me to just use it for longer as that's generally what happened before and he was on it for probably a month to which is did nothing and his condition worsened.

Have you had a look on the recommended vet locator at top of page in case you have a better vet nearby? We found our piggie vet by literally ringing round 20 different vets with a piggie with dental problems. Sometimes it pays just to ring round, you may discover someone not known before who is good with piggies.

 

[Stewybus]

Best


Have you had a look on the recommended vet locator at top of page in case you have a better vet nearby? We found our piggie vet by literally ringing round 20 different vets with a piggie with dental problems. Sometimes it pays just to ring round, you may discover someone not known before who is good with piggies.

I always say ring your local rescue if you can't find a vet on the vet locator. They'll be using a good vet & if they're sending all their piggies there the vet will almost certainly be clued up on piggy problems.

 

[Amanda1801]

I never put it in his water bottle, plus it would get mixed in so much he wouldn't get the correct dosage.
You have to forgive me for having such little faith in vets. I spent over a month going back and fourth before and had a vet bill for over £300 going to two different vets. My poor piggie was on baytril for weeks and weeks and I kept asking for zithromax as baytril clearly wasn't doing anything (this was for abscesses). And even the dosage I got for zithromax was wrong and I had to ask everyone on this forum to an actual dosage.

Vets aren't allowed to pick and choose which antibiotics they prescribe, unless there's been a sample cultured and the specific antibiotics identified. They have to prescribe medications in a particular order under something called the "veterinary cascade". This means that they have to prescribe medications in a certain order based on their suitability for the job, and you always have to start with medications that are licensed for use in that species unless there's a good reason not to (culture results, contra-indications etc.). Guess which is the only antibiotic licensed for use in guinea pigs?

 

[Claire W]

I am sorry that you are going through so much and I remember all the bother that you had before

But Amanda is right and a vet could be in serious trouble to the point of wrecking their career if they do not follow procedure and something was to go wrong.

During Eliza's problems, she was on a variety of four different antibiotics and apart from baytril and septrin, I had to sign a disclaimer that I understood Eliza was taking medication that wasn't licensed for guinea pigs and that the vet prescribing the medication couldn't be held responsible if anything was to go wrong. Most vets will follow the same procedure.

Although my vets are knowledgable, they are not classed as cavvy savvy vets. However, they are in touch with a specialist vet in Cheshire and are more than happy to ask their advise and refer if needed.

I have replied to your other thread but I understand that you are worried about finances. I suggest that you contact your local RSPCA, pdsa and Blue Cross. I am not saying that you will be but you may be eligible for help with veterinary fees given your circumstances.