Respiratory problems

[gpigz123]

Hi, my 5 year old female piggy recently had a respiratory infection which i first noticed due to her breathing being a bit laboured. then the next day she looked a bit lethargic so we took her straight to the vets, so she was on antibiotics (oral and then injectable) for over a week and soon got back to her usual self, except her breathing hasn’t changed. not better, not worse (still laboured and quite fast). i’m wondering if this a permanent thing now? has anyone else noticed their piggy’s breathing not getting better after a respiratory infection? she’s completely fine in herself now, all except her breathing. thanks for any advice

 

[Claire W]

I would have her re seen by the vet as she may need longer on the antibiotics or a different antibiotic. She shouldn’t still have laboured breathing x

 

[Piggies&buns]

If her breathing isn’t right, then she definitely needs to be seen again

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

They don’t permanently have respiratory stress following recovery from a URI. Definitely another vets trip needed. Hope you can get her seen and that she starts to improve soon

 

[Siikibam]

What has her weight been like during this period she was on antibiotics? Also, what antibiotic was she on and what was the dosage?

Hope you can get her seen soon.

 

[gpigz123]

she’s been on baytril, 0.36 ml injectable once a day. i’ll definitely carry on with baytril and meloxycam, but i’ve heard a bit about nebulisers? does anyone have any experience with these? i hate her having the injections every day, so can you put the medication in a nebuliser?

 

[Piggies&buns]

she’s been on baytril, 0.36 ml injectable once a day. i’ll definitely carry on with baytril and meloxycam, but i’ve heard a bit about nebulisers? does anyone have any experience with these? i hate her having the injections every day, so can you put the medication in a nebuliser?

You should only use a nebuliser under veterinary instruction, and some medications cannot be used in a nebuliser. Definitely discuss this with your vet first

 

[gpigz123]

we know an exotics vet who suggested we use one, so i’ll contact her again about it

 

[Siikibam]

May I ask why they decided on injectable rather than oral antibiotics?

 

[gpigz123]

the oral was putting her off her food as she hates the taste so much as soon as she was on injectable her eating was fine again

 

[Siikibam]

That’s generally the case with most of them. The taste is revolting (not that you should try it!) and owners usually have to be forceful or learn some tricks to counteract it.