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Crackly breathing

Black piggies

Black piggies

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I've booked 4 or 5 year old Mila into the vet today to see whether she has URI, but unfortunately the piggy savvy vet is at another practice and booked up, (but available for other vet to consult with.)

A few days ago I thought Mila might have gummy eyes, but eyes were fine next time I checked, and I thought it was just me giving masses of extra hay with the new bonding to Bertie and 2 new baby sows.

Yesterday I heard her crackly breathing when eating veg. Today crackly breathing has persisted after her veg breakfast. Seems fine in herself. With going to a non piggy savvy vet, I'm wondering whether there's anything I should ask her to look out for.
 
Black piggies said:
I've booked 4 or 5 year old Mila into the vet today to see whether she has URI, but unfortunately the piggy savvy vet is at another practice and booked up, (but available for other vet to consult with.)

A few days ago I thought Mila might have gummy eyes, but eyes were fine next time I checked, and I thought it was just me giving masses of extra hay with the new bonding to Bertie and 2 new baby sows.

Yesterday I heard her crackly breathing when eating veg. Today crackly breathing has persisted after her veg breakfast. Seems fine in herself. With going to a non piggy savvy vet, I'm wondering whether there's anything I should ask her to look out for.
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Any general vet will be able to locate where the cracking is coming from (provided Mila is not suppressing her symptoms whie at the vet's) but if it is audible only during eating, then it is a) a minor obstruction and b) much more likely located in the upper respiratory tract. You will likely come away with an antibiotic to be on the safe side but may want to check whether the air in your piggy room may profit from being a bit moister - it may settle the crackling if it is environmental and not bacterial.

All the best!
 
Thank you for comments and advice 👍 The humidity level is 55% which is good though less than it was. I wonder whether moving in with 3 youngsters has been stressful, though they seem much more settled now.

The vet seemed certain Mila has an upper only respiratory infection, caught early.

She's been prescribed twice daily 0.13ml of co-trimoxazole 40/200mg 100ml x 5.0.

When Shadow recently had co-trimoxazole 40/200mg for bladder, she had 0.6ml twice daily. I'm wondering about phoning the vet tomorrow to check the dose....
 
Black piggies said:
Thank you for comments and advice 👍 The humidity level is 55% which is good though less than it was. I wonder whether moving in with 3 youngsters has been stressful, though they seem much more settled now.

The vet seemed certain Mila has an upper only respiratory infection, caught early.

She's been prescribed twice daily 0.13ml of co-trimoxazole 40/200mg 100ml x 5.0.

When Shadow recently had co-trimoxazole 40/200mg for bladder, she had 0.6ml twice daily. I'm wondering about phoning the vet tomorrow to check the dose....
Click to expand...

Dosages for urinary tract issues are always a lot higher than for the respiratory tract, unless you are fighting a fast developing pneumonia.

Your vet is treating for a very mild URI whereas Shadow had the highest possible dosage for her size for her bladder problem.
 
Wiebke said:
Dosages for urinary tract issues are always a lot higher than for the respiratory tract, unless you are fighting a fast developing pneumonia.

Your vet is treating for a very mild URI whereas Shadow had the highest possible dosage for her size for her bladder problem.
Click to expand...
Ah many thanks!
 
Wiebke said:
All the best!

See whether a bowl of steaming water next to the cage does ease her symptoms somewhat; that is a good way of checking whether the humidity level is OK or may need a little tweaking.
The crackling could also be a sensitivity to hay dust.
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I will do thanks. OK, I've absolutely overdone the clouds of hay for the new babies, so will make half of the cage fleece again.
 
Thank you for comments and advice.

After Mila's URI diagnosis, baby Seren developed slight crackly breathing and started co-trimoxazole (septrin) on Friday.

Today, baby black and white piggy has developed crackly breathing and honking (sneezing?) so she'll get treated.

Senior Mila seems to be responding to treatment, her dose was upped on Saturday.

Bertie is 13 months old, and no symptoms. I'm not sure whether to hope he won't get it as he's not young or old... Or whether if I don't medicate him too, Mila and Seren will have finished meds and he could reinfect them if/when he gets it? It could be an endless roundabout. Does URI treatment mean they don't catch it again straight away?

Thanks.
 
That’s great that they called you back. Hope they are all soon on the road to recovery.
 
Aw poor piggies, and you with treating everyone :hug:Hope everyone’s feeling better soon, big hugs and piggy kisses to you all :) x
 
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