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Iris isnt very well! Helppppp!

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Miss Magpie

Miss Magpie

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My pigs have been over my boyfriends so i havent seen them much this week. He said Iris hadnt been herself and just sat in a corner all day and wasnt eating very much. So i got back to his after work and looked at her and my first reaction was that she really stunk! Her belly was all wet and its a kind of horsey smell. So ive clean then out and disinfected all the cage. Shes eating little bits of what you give her, even with her favourite foods and eating some hay. Before she would chomp until its all gone! She has lost some weight aswell, how much i do not know but shes still cleaning herself etc. My boyfriend said now I'm back that this is the most hes seen her do since yesturday. I'm going to take her to the vet 2moro as there is one about an hour away open on a sunday in Neath. I'm really really worried...anyone got a clue whats wrong?
I'm so so so so scared 8...
 
Soaking belly and awful smell usually indicates cystitis. There can be symptoms which intitially seem unrelated, but can in fact be secondary issues as a result of the cystitis symptoms e.g. weight loss, due to not eating caused by the pain of cystitis.
 
I would have said full-flown cystitis as well.

Get her to the vet quickly and ask him for septrin in preference to baytril 0.4 ml twice daily. It's easier on the digestive system (especially in view of her weight loss!) and fights UTI better. Plus it tastes lots better, so it's not so much of a fight to get it into her.
Make sure you get some pain killer (metacam or meloxicam ) and some probiotic like avipro to help counter effect of the antibiotic on the digestive system and stimulate the appetite.

Buy "OceanWave" unsweetened cranberry juice and give her as much as she will take (I syringe it twice daily, once with the metacam, but you can give more often, the more the better). Put a quarter of a vitamin C tablet in her water bottle and change daily (tip of my vet's).

Cystitis can be quite tenacious. As long as she has the big smelly pees, she should be cleaned out every day, if possible. Her urethra and the bum end will be very sore, especially in a few days. You could ask the vet for a salve for sore skin.

I've been treating my Llewelyn for cystitis since Good Friday. He's getting better, but it's not over yet.

All the best to poor Iris!
 
Thanks guys for your help. Ive been trying to give her little bits to eat and ive got some diluted cranberry juice in their bottle and I'm trying to encourage her to drink extra. I wanted to give her a little bath to get rid of the wee but i was afraid she'd get sore. I'm so concerned about her, I really couldnt handle it if she got really ill, i'd be so upset. Ive been trying to comfort her and talk softly to her and she seems happy to see me but so miserable.

I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow and I will ask for all those things you suggested Vickyt. I just hope the vet doesnt get offended by me telling them what to give me lol. But I know you know exactly what your talking about.
I feel so awful that shes ill and I really dont want to lose her!

Please all send healing vibes to my Lady Iris piggie 8...
 
Dissolve an effervescent Vit C tablet in water and syringe feed it to your pig. That way you know she is taking the Vit C. If it is in a bottle you have no idea what, if any, she is drinking.
I am not in the least suprised it is "a tip of your vet's". They often recommend putting drugs in the drinking bottle. How on earth anybody can know what dose, if any, the pig takes is left to chance!!
 
alcesterpigs said:
Dissolve an effervescent Vit C tablet in water and syringe feed it to your pig. That way you know she is taking the Vit C. If it is in a bottle you have no idea what, if any, she is drinking.
I am not in the least suprised it is "a tip of your vet's". They often recommend putting drugs in the drinking bottle. How on earth anybody can know what dose, if any, the pig takes is left to chance!!
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Ive got nothing but cranberry juice and a bottle to hand at the moment but ill be doing that. Their in my room with me so I can keep an extra eye on them and ive been putting the bottle to her and shes been drinking from it so I know shes had something. Thanks for the tip though.
 
Yep, trouble with putting anything in the water is it can put them off their drinking water, which is obviously essential esp. when they're ill. Syringing is best as you know exactly what they've had (or how much you've ended up wearing!)

Hope she's better soon

Sophie
x
 
She has been to the vet. I told her I think it's cystitus She gave her a baytril injection and gave me baytril to give her, 0.2ml twice daily. I didnt want to ask for Septrin because i didnt want to tell her how to do her job. She said she thinks she has got cystitus and washed her a little for me *** her belly looked sore. I told her that baytril can be harsh on a piggies tummy so could i have some probiotics so shes given me Bio-lapis that is for rabbits and told me that theres not one specifically for piggies so id have to dilute this one down. Then I asked if she needed any painkillers and she said no. I then asked her for critical care just incase she stops eating and she told me no and said that she could get pneumonia if i keep syringe feeding her with different things because they can go down the wrong way.

So now I'm crossing everything I can that she keeps eating and the baytril works. I'm sooo worried. I felt the vet was a little hopeless and she didnt seem too amused that i was asking for all of these things.

Can anyone give me anymore advice? I feel useless now.
 
I'm glad you have got something to help, even if the vet wasn't the best.

You can buy Critical Care online - I just stocked up on some from www.sphsupplies.co.uk
I bought the Fine Grind Critical Care; it is the same as the usual, but ground finer so it syringes much smoother, plus it's a bit cheaper than the usual. Fine Grind is £15 for 100g.

The Bio-Lapis is fine for piggies, I tend to make up half a sachet in 100ml water and syringe as much as I can to the pig. Wastes less than doing a whole packet in a lot of water you just won't get down the pig.

Some vets don't take kindly to discussion, others are really great and very willing to learn and research more. I too hate asking a vet for something specific - you did good in what you asked for, well done. A good vet is willing to listen and discuss it with you (not just say "no", but to explain why and suggest alternative or "if this doesn't work we'll give what you suggested a go" ) - unfortunately the vet you went to sounds like an average vet who just does the basics.
 
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CCC4 said:
I'm glad you have got something to help, even if the vet wasn't the best.

You can buy Critical Care online - I just stocked up on some from www.sphsupplies.co.uk
I bought the Fine Grind Critical Care; it is the same as the usual, but ground finer so it syringes much smoother, plus it's a bit cheaper than the usual. Fine Grind is £15 for 100g.

The Bio-Lapis is fine for piggies, I tend to make up half a sachet in 100ml water and syringe as much as I can to the pig. Wastes less than doing a whole packet in a lot of water you just won't get down the pig.

Some vets don't take kindly to discussion, others are really great and very willing to learn and research more. I too hate asking a vet for something specific - you did good in what you asked for, well done. A good vet is willing to listen and discuss it with you (not just say "no", but to explain why and suggest alternative or "if this doesn't work we'll give what you suggested a go") - unfortunately the vet you went to sounds like an average vet who just does the basics.
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I was suprised that the vet wasnt to be honest. The vet in the next room was that exotics vet in wales from that television programme that was on a few years back (I'm not sure if they showed it anywhere apart from wales though). But I ended up with the vet I did just by chance because they were seeing people as and when they were free. I might ring the lady at the rescue that I got my girls from and ask her for a piggie savvy vet, but il just see how iris gets on first.
Shes still eating which is good and now I'm trying to get her to drink as much as i can...i might end up trying to syringe it to her as she doesnt seem keen.
So its a bath for Iris every evening when I get home from uni to stop her belly getting sore. Can anyone recommend anything to sooth her skin? She just said to put vasiline on her but thats not going to help the stinging.
 
You could email Chrissie at Gorgeous Guineas and see what she suggests - one of her lotions may be useful. Alternatively, Bepanthen (baby nappy rash cream) could also be used, it's a good one for soothing and protecting the skin, and widely available.
 
Your vet is not very good. She should have given you at least double the dose of baytril (0.4 ml for adult guinea pigs) and some painkiller on request; especially as Iris has stopped eating from the pain!

Biolapsis is OK; it's been mentioned on the boards. It should help with her appetite!

Make sure you syringe the cranberry juice (which has vitamin C as well!), as much as she'll take. It works especially well with bladder problems, even in humans. You can get syringes in any pharmacy. My guinea pigs wouldn't touch the water bottle when I added some more cranberry juice, but they take the vitamin C, and Llewi is drinking well.

Perhaps some body else can tell you how to get hold of some painkiller and get a better vet/competent advice. Where are you living?

Best vibes for poor Iris!
 
CCC4 said:
You could email Chrissie at Gorgeous Guineas and see what she suggests - one of her lotions may be useful. Alternatively, Bepanthen (baby nappy rash cream) could also be used, it's a good one for soothing and protecting the skin, and widely available.
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Ohhh! I completely forgot about gorgeous guineas! I'll email her now...

I'm not sure about human creams, shes been licking her bits and such so i dont want her to ingest it. Thanks for that though :)
 
Sorry, you were all posting while I had to nip outside and hold posts for my OH.

Try how the current treatment works, and if it doesn't clear, book with the specialist. It pays to wait a day, if necessary, to get the proper help if you need more treatment.
 
Vickyt said:
Your vet is not very good. She should have given you at least double the dose of baytril (0.4 ml for adult guinea pigs) and some painkiller on request; especially as Iris has stopped eating from the pain!

Biolapsis is OK; it's been mentioned on the boards. It should help with her appetite!

Make sure you syringe the cranberry juice (which has vitamin C as well!), as much as she'll take. It works especially well with bladder problems, even in humans. You can get syringes in any pharmacy. My guinea pigs wouldn't touch the water bottle when I added some more cranberry juice, but they take the vitamin C, and Llewi is drinking well.

Perhaps some body else can tell you how to get hold of some painkiller and get a better vet/competent advice. Where are you living?

Best vibes for poor Iris!
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I'm in south Wales, I said in my last post that I'm going to ring the lady at the rescue from which i got my girls, she'll know a good one.
If Iris needs to go back to the vet then i'll take her to a different one. Iris is still eating though, little and often and I'm going to make sure shes washed everyday and i might syringe her some water as well as the cranberry juice because I'm concerned at the lack of drinking.
Could her daughter/cagemate catch cystitus from her?
 
No, cystitis is a bacterial infection and not contagious.

I'm glad that Iris is eating. That means she is feeling better in herself already! She'll catch up with the weight as soon as she is over the worst. Having washes and creams will make her feel a lot better as well.

I was lucky enough that I cought Llewi's infection early, before he got the pees - but then, I knew the signs only too well.

By all means, try and see if you can find a piggy savvy vet; they are worth their weight in gold!
 
currently my Boris doesnt drink water and i have managed to keep him hydrated on watermelon and cucumber for 3 weeks, anything thats got a reasonable amount of water in it should help, and both cucumber and watermelon are very tempting for piggys hope i helped in some wayxx>>>xx>>>xx>>>sending healing hugs to you and little Irisxxxxxx
 
PLEASEHELPSAVEboris said:
currently my Boris doesnt drink water and i have managed to keep him hydrated on watermelon and cucumber for 3 weeks, anything thats got a reasonable amount of water in it should help, and both cucumber and watermelon are very tempting for piggys hope i helped in some wayxx>>>xx>>>xx>>>sending healing hugs to you and little Irisxxxxxx
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Thank you. I am in bits over her, poor little lady. Hope your boris gets well soon too :)
 
"cystitis is a bacterial infection "
In the interests of accuracy, cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. The cause is not always an infection. It can also be caused by trauma eg a stone.
 
thanx my Boris is in a splint 100% fine he just can't drink out of a bowl because his splint will get wet and hates water bottles lol just a fussy boy
i hope that it works for your little one also have you tried to puree favourite herbs thats usually very temptingxx>>>xx>>>
 
For humans with sore private parts caused by various infections a warm bath with salt in it is very soothing. About one tablespoon of salt to a 3 inch deep bath. I found this out from family.

I have used a salt bath - 1 level teaspoon of salt to a washing up bowl of warm water - on Columbine when she had cystitis. It was obviously soothing and felt good to her. I could tell from the chuckling and the way she relaxed into the water. She doesn't normally like baths!

After the first bath in the washing up bowl we moved to bathing her in a pan and simply dunking the rear end as it were, so only part of her got soggy. I'm certain it helped with the soreness and made her more comfortable. It was only a bit of salt in warm water in the pan.
 
Well Iris seems to have perked up a little today. Shes eating little bits and ive given her some watermelon. Although she still isnt drinking from her water bottle! Theres no wee on her belly anymore either and no smell. She has been pooping and eating some of them which is good. Shes still not that much better though. Poor little mite, i hope she gets better soon.
 
Well today she is the same. I gave her a little bath earlier. She seems to have like rough dry poo on her bits but its like very very thin a dry layer thats doesnt come off. I think I'm going to take her back to the vets but i'm going to take her to a guinea pig savvy one.
I'm so so worried about my girl, everything seems to be going dreadfully wrong in my life and now my precious piggie is ill. I'm sure someones out to get me! 8...
 
Poor Magpie - there are those times...

I'm so sorry that Iris is not much better. Unfortunately, cys**** can be very persistent and I'm not sure whether she has the right dose of baytril (which is quite rough on the digestive system - which doesn't help with the appetite)!

But she has your love and your care; and that is making her feel better. It is worth a lot if you can find a vet that loves pigs; best luck with the search!

And give poor Iris a cuddle from me and tell her to give you one back!
 
Vickyt said:
I'm so sorry that Iris is not much better. Unfortunately, cys**** can be very persistent and I'm not sure whether she has the right dose of baytril (which is quite rough on the digestive system - which doesn't help with the appetite)!
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0.2mnl twice daily is the ultra conservative "recommended" dose. Usually given either when "I can't find a specific problem, let's give some antibiotics and see what happens", or "Baytril is brilliant, this is the dose the little Baytril card says I should give". *Up to* 0.4ml twice daily isn't unusual depending on the size of the piggie.

*However*

In my opinion and experience Baytril is simply not as effective on UTIs as Septrin. And as already mentioned, it's really not that kind to the digestive system, whereas Septrin is a lot less harsh in that respect. The common dose of Septrin (paediatric solution) is between 0.3ml and 0.6ml twice daily, depending on the vet and the size of the piggie. In both cases a probiotic is an exceedingly good idea, vital with Baytril and most certainly wise with Septrin.

Aside from the antibiotics, 0.1ml once a day of dog metacam (cat is 1/3 the strength, so nicer to measure doses, but dog seems the most common prescribed) per kilo of body weight is very helpful. Getting plenty of fluids to help flush the bladder and reduce the pH (piggie urine is very alkaline, which is highly corrosive though normally not an issue in a healthy bladder/ tract) is most beneficial, pearl barley water can be a lot of help, and cranberry juice works very well. I tend to buy pure cranberry juice from a health food shop (about £4 a bottle) and dilute just enough for the piggie to take it without spitting it back in my face.
 
Just for interest/completeness I have never used a probiotic when giving any antibiotic.
Is there any published evidence to support the use of probiotics when giving Baytril?
 
I always use a pro-biotic if they're on Baytril, as I believed it was good practice, but would be interested to know if any facts to prove whether it makes any difference or not!

Have certainly had some upset tummies with Baytril and felt that extra fluids and pro-biotics did seem to help - I guess if it can't do any harm then I would rather give it in case it does help

Sophie
x
 
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