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Specialist Nursing Guinea Pig & Sneezing & Pneumonia

raining.ashes

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2 months ago, my friend's guinea pig gave birth to three little cavies. My friend could no longer care for them, so I took in the mother and one of the daughters. Two months later, it turns out, my friend did not seperate the mother and father in time and now I have 4 baby guinea pigs as well. Besides being a new guinea pig owner, the two guinea pigs that I already had were diagnosed with Streptococcal Pneumonia and are on their 2nd of trimethoprim antibiotics. I don't want the babies to get sick, but I can't afford to take all six guinea pigs to the exotic vet, and the mom likely got the pneumonia from giving birth last time. Although we haven't retested them yet, the vet believes that there is another source to the sneezing and that the pneumonia infection should have cleared up by now. I have tried changing detergents for my fleece bedding, and getting rid of the carefresh bedding that I used for the litter but nothing has worked. Is there anything that I can do to either help cure the pneumonia or get rid of other possible factors that could cause allergic reactions? Also, the vet had pretty mixed feelings about keeping the mom on antibiotics. Does anyone know if trimethoprim is safe for newborns/nursing sows?
 
I am so sorry to hear this! Getting rid of bedding stopped my boy from sneezing besides the day I clean their cage. I use this. I put a few drops on a vitamin c tablet and he doesn't sneeze anymore.
 

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Hi! Babies can survive with mothers on antibiotics.

Have you checked for hay dust, high pollen count, dry air from air conditioning, air fresheners, personal care perfumed products, scent sticks etc.

Would your vet consider a lab test to find out which antibiotic would work best? I know that it is not cheap, but it may be the most efficient way forward.

Pneumoccal infection can kill, so it is a testament to your prompt care that mum and babies are still around.
Respiratory infections can often take more than one lot to clear. A frail sow of mine is currently on her second lot. While the crackling is only audible when she is eating, it is still not fully gone yet unfortunately. :(

For pregnancy care, inlcuding baby care, see this link here: Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide

Since we have got members and enquiries from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details so we can always tailor any advice to what is relevant and available where you are straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to account details and then down to location. This makes it appear with every post you make and saves everybody time. Thank you!

@Abi_nurse @helen105281 @Jaycey
 
Hi! Babies can survive with mothers on antibiotics.

Have you checked for hay dust, high pollen count, dry air from air conditioning, air fresheners, personal care perfumed products, scent sticks etc.

Would your vet consider a lab test to find out which antibiotic would work best? I know that it is not cheap, but it may be the most efficient way forward.

Pneumoccal infection can kill, so it is a testament to your prompt care that mum and babies are still around.
Respiratory infections can often take more than one lot to clear. A frail sow of mine is currently on her second lot. While the crackling is only audible when she is eating, it is still not fully gone yet unfortunately. :(

For pregnancy care, inlcuding baby care, see this link here: Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide

Since we have got members and enquiries from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details so we can always tailor any advice to what is relevant and available where you are straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to account details and then down to location. This makes it appear with every post you make and saves everybody time. Thank you!

@Abi_nurse @helen105281 @Jaycey
Alright, thank you! We did a test to see which antibiotics work, but the ones I have been using don't seem to be doing the trick.
 
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