Need advice on Doxycycline !

[Bayberrybae]

Hey! Sarah again, you've probably seen me on here quite frequently lately. Disclaimer: I'm just looking for some advice from those who have experience with antibiotics with piggies, it's okay if you're not a vet!

So, two of my girls currently have URI's, and are both on the antibiotic Doxycycline, as prescribed by the vet. One of them, Zuma, has developed soft, stinky poop, and has slowly stopped having a desire to eat; the other Ruby, is quite lethargic, but is still eating. I know these are all bad signs.. I'm going to start syringe feeding Zuma, but I was wondering if anybody knew of any specific side effects of Doxycyline, as to where if it gets to a certain degree I should be worried? I mean as with all pig-related things, there are sure signs you can tell to see that they're really not doing well, but I mean with antibiotics (especially this one) specifically.

My other question was what probiotics any of you recommend! Especially for pigs with URI issues/stomach issues. I was thinking of getting critical care, but I wanted some opinions and advice first.

Thank you all so much! Your input is appreciated.

 

[Bayberrybae]

I can answer the probiotic question, I use fiberplex . It's in like a toothpaste tube but with a syringe handle on the end , and it has a measurement gauge so your all set up ready to syringe it . Or can use pro c in pets at home and syringe that in water . I put it in the drinking bottle and my pigs love it , but be careful because some don't like it much .

I'm pretty sure that's Bene-bac here, and I've heard great things about it! So definitely one I'm going to get if I can find it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Antibiotics kill off the good gut bacteria so loss of appetite and gut disturbances happens.

Please switch to weighing both of them daily. Syringe feed them both if they are not eating enough and start to lose weight - even if they are still eating something for themselves it may not be enough, and remove veg from their diet.

Give them both a probiotic - Bene-bac is the one most commonly found in the US I believe. Give it 1 hour before or 1-2 hours after a dose of antibiotic (just not at the same time as an antibiotic dose)

If they really have a bad reaction to an antibiotic, then please see a vet

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Weight - Monitoring and Management

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I've used doxycycline a few times and have found, on every occasion, it has always impacted the appetite, quite substantially. I prefer to use other antibiotics, that are less harsh on the gut.

 

[tabelmabel]

My baby pig born end of jan this year was on doxycycline for 4 weeks throughout may june time i think it was. Her appetite actually held up ok, though she didnt gain much weight whilst she was on it, she didnt lose any either.


I used bio lapis probiotic for her and she absolutely loved it. The vet said a small pinch twice a day but she was wolfing down a sachet a day no problem; she couldnt get enough of the stuff.


She held a weight of 620g the whole month she was on doxy.


She is now 5 months old and has been a month clear of any anti biotic and is up at 790g - the weight really went on once the doxy stopped.

A known side effect is yellow teeth staining. I havent noticed that on my piggy though

 

[Bayberrybae]

Antibiotics kill off the good gut bacteria so loss of appetite and gut disturbances happens.

Please switch to weighing both of them daily. Syringe feed them both if they are not eating enough and start to lose weight - even if they are still eating something for themselves it may not be enough, and remove veg from their diet.

Give them both a probiotic - Bene-bac is the one most commonly found in the US I believe. Give it 1 hour before or 1-2 hours after a dose of antibiotic (just not at the same time as an antibiotic dose)

If they really have a bad reaction to an antibiotic, then please see a vet

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Thank you all for the replies! I'm definitely going to get some Bene-bac/bio lapis for my girls and see how they do. So far no changes in weight, just the bad poop and a bit of not eating. I'll definitely keep this thread updated on how they're doing.

 

[speedmuncher25]

Hi Sarah, I hope Zuma is doing well now! I actually came across this thread because my guinea pig Biscuit is being treated with Doxycycline for a UTI. Her appetite along with her activeness has drastically decreased over the last 2 weeks since we began give her Doxycycline. I was going to ask my vet if I should halt the antibitoics for now as her appetite has very much changed, but after reading this thread I am considering giving bene-bac along with the antibiotics. How did Zuma respond to bene-bac once you started giving it her? Did her appetite and activeness increase immediately? If anyone else has also any suggestions that would be very much appreciated!

 

[Bayberrybae]

Hi Sarah, I hope Zuma is doing well now! I actually came across this thread because my guinea pig Biscuit is being treated with Doxycycline for a UTI. Her appetite along with her activeness has drastically decreased over the last 2 weeks since we began give her Doxycycline. I was going to ask my vet if I should halt the antibitoics for now as her appetite has very much changed, but after reading this thread I am considering giving bene-bac along with the antibiotics. How did Zuma respond to bene-bac once you started giving it her? Did her appetite and activeness increase immediately? If anyone else has also any suggestions that would be very much appreciated!

Hi! Yes, Zuma actually took extremely well to the Bene-bac, and within the first day or so of her taking it! She’s all better now The Bene-bac I got came in a syringe with the product ready to be used, so all I did was squirt some in her mouth (it’ll show you measurements on the syringe) after her dinner every night and I saw a huge increase in appetite. Luckily I don’t believe it’s flavored at all, so she didn’t have a fit about the taste or anything. I’ve also found it is quite thick, so giving them extra water to wash it down may help if your piggy has an issue with it. I hope Biscuit feels back to normal soon!

 

[speedmuncher25]

That's great to hear! I went and bought Bene-bac today, however only the gel form was available (and it doesn't indicate how much to give). Do you remember how much you had to give daily? Also did you usually give water through a syringe to Zuma right after the Bene-bac? Thanks so much!

 

[Bayberrybae]

That’s great! Personally, I did give Zuma extra water after (I just held her water bottle to her and she snatched right on), and I would say the measurement was about two pea sizes. And depending on how often you’re giving Biscuit the antibiotics will determine how often use the bene-bac. Most people do it 2 hours before or after giving them their antibiotic, but it all comes down to how badly your piggy needs it. Because Zuma was in a bad state when she first started the bene-bac, I gave it to her about an hour every time after she had her antibiotics.