Bordetella Help?

[Aelizl]

So, last time I posted about a christmas tree allergy in my piggy. I'm ashamed to say, he was either misdiagnosed or later developed bordetella from the discomfort. I had taken him to the vet Dec 1st for coughing, but he was deemed healthy. He displayed no symptoms of illness, aside from coughing, until Jan 1st. He went back to the vet with decreased appetite and energy on Jan 3rd, and started antibiotics and pain meds that day. His appetite continued to decline, so he went back to the vet Jan 5th to check for GI Stasis. He was cleared of that, and we started force feeding critical care that afternoon. He had dropped 40g in those 2 days, but his weight has since stabilized for now. However, I'm not seeing any marked improvement. He's no longer coughing, but he still sometimes makes negative noises like he's uncomfortable. He will occasionally nibble on hay and treats, but hasn't touched his pellets in a week. Everything I've researched says we should have seen improvement in 2-3 days on antibiotics. Though he's not worse, he's no better on day 5.

My question, for someone with more experience, is am I working toward a positive end? I know every case is unique, and either way I will do whatever is necessary. But am I killing myself with force feedings just to keep him on life support? I'm constantly calculating cc's and grams, and I've even started dreaming of syringes. And the poor baby is certainly having no fun.

He has 2 more days of pain meds, and 9 more days of antibiotics after today. We'll ride it out and see what happens, but I'm hoping someone might have advice.

 

[Adelle]

So, last time I posted about a christmas tree allergy in my piggy. I'm ashamed to say, he was either misdiagnosed or later developed bordetella from the discomfort. I had taken him to the vet Dec 1st for coughing, but he was deemed healthy. He displayed no symptoms of illness, aside from coughing, until Jan 1st. He went back to the vet with decreased appetite and energy on Jan 3rd, and started antibiotics and pain meds that day. His appetite continued to decline, so he went back to the vet Jan 5th to check for GI Stasis. He was cleared of that, and we started force feeding critical care that afternoon. He had dropped 40g in those 2 days, but his weight has since stabilized for now. However, I'm not seeing any marked improvement. He's no longer coughing, but he still sometimes makes negative noises like he's uncomfortable. He will occasionally nibble on hay and treats, but hasn't touched his pellets in a week. Everything I've researched says we should have seen improvement in 2-3 days on antibiotics. Though he's not worse, he's no better on day 5.

My question, for someone with more experience, is am I working toward a positive end? I know every case is unique, and either way I will do whatever is necessary. But am I killing myself with force feedings just to keep him on life support? I'm constantly calculating cc's and grams, and I've even started dreaming of syringes. And the poor baby is certainly having no fun.

He has 2 more days of pain meds, and 9 more days of antibiotics after today. We'll ride it out and see what happens, but I'm hoping someone might have advice.

Did he have a chest X-ray to check for fluid in or around his lungs or heart? This could signify a heart issue but treating with antibiotics to rule out an infection is usually the first port of call.

My elderly sow had laboured and noisy breathing. 3 different vets listened to her chest, one gave me antibiotics for crackle sounds and the other two said her chest was fine. I kept going back and they suggested a whole range of things but wouldn't X-ray her consciously to check for a heart issue as her lungs sounded clear.

Finally found a specialist quite a drive away who done a conscious X-ray and found fluid in her lungs, he diagnosed heart failure.

Listening to the chest can be deceiving and an X-ray (Insist on conscious X-ray) will give you a clearer picture.

Heart conditions can be managed once the right doses of meds are found to keep it under control.

Fudge was given a week or 2 to live as her case was severe and she needed high doses of diuretics. That was August 2015 and she's still here. She's on 2 heart meds and 2 diuretics and in all honesty her heart failure is probably the most stable health issue she has at the moment!

Hope you get some answers soon x

 

[Aelizl]

I asked about heart problems, but the doc said I shouldn't worry about it since he's under a year old. All they did was listen to the chest, and note his lungs are clear even though he's coughing. His symptoms do seem to be consistent with bordetella, but who can really tell with these guys? Thank you for the advice! I will start asking about his heart if he doesn't improve.

 

[helen105281]

I knew of a pig that was diagnosed with a heart issue at 6 months old so it is possible in younger pigs.

 

[Adelle]

I agree with Helen, some heart issues can be genetic. Iv seen several dogs with heart issues at under 12 months old, coughing is a classic symptom. For a Uri there is normally discharge and sneezing as well as crackles rather than solely coughing:

As I said my fudges chest sounded clear to 2 vets- it was full of fluid! Definately push for a conscious X-ray, it won't harm him and will Eli u rule a lot out and get to your answer sooner x

 

[Aelizl]

I agree with Helen, some heart issues can be genetic. Iv seen several dogs with heart issues at under 12 months old, coughing is a classic symptom. For a Uri there is normally discharge and sneezing as well as crackles rather than solely coughing:

As I said my fudges chest sounded clear to 2 vets- it was full of fluid! Definately push for a conscious X-ray, it won't harm him and will Eli you rule a lot out and get to your answer sooner x

I will definitely push for a conscious x-ray because I suspected a heart problem in the first place. However, he did sneeze a bit though it was mostly coughing. And his cough attacks were usually right after this grunting noise that sounded like he was trying to clear his sinuses. But the "discharge" was never more than the occasional eye booger. And his cough has cleared up with the antibiotics. The only coughing now is usually right after he gets his meds, and I think it's because he's mad at me more than anything. Though he's lower on energy, he is still bright and alert.

 

[3Tyger]

I knew of a pig that was diagnosed with a heart issue at 6 months old so it is possible in younger pigs.

This is completely true. I remember when I took my previous guinea pig Hazel to the vets just to register her. She was still a tiny little baby guinea pig. The vets listened to her chest and immediately diagnosed a severe heart murmur, and there were no symptoms whatsoever that she was even ill, she just looked and acted like a healthy baby guinea pig. I was stunned! I wouldn't rule out any medical conditions due to age anymore - my vet has told me that due to very poor breeding practices guinea pigs are generally not as hardy as they used to be.