Scared about Heart Disease

[Wizzy]

My guinea pig Pepper is on Baytril for 3 weeks because of a uri that won’t go away. Her symptoms are whistly breathing and a runny nose and eyes. The Whistling is on and off but happens throughout the day. She seemed to get better( before she was hooting and coughing and sounding very congested) but the whistling breathing remained so the vet suggested more antibiotics. My other guinea pig Rexy is also being treated for a uri as she has a persistent runny nose and crusty eye. Rexy has improved a little bit but Pepper is yet to, and i’m terrified that it’s a heart issue. The vet explained the possibility of it but said it would be a very rare case as my other guinea pig has a uri, and similar symptoms. The vet also said her heart sounded fine, but i’m still paranoid. Pepper has lost a little bit of weight and is squeaking less, but i put that down to the effect of baytril, and also she tends to squeak less if i give her constant attention, which i have been doing because of them both being ill. She isn’t lethargic but comes up to the cage door less. I’m so scared about heart issues!

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig Pepper is on Baytril for 3 weeks because of a uri that won’t go away. Her symptoms are whistly breathing and a runny nose and eyes. The Whistling is on and off but happens throughout the day. She seemed to get better( before she was hooting and coughing and sounding very congested) but the whistling breathing remained so the vet suggested more antibiotics. My other guinea pig Rexy is also being treated for a uri as she has a persistent runny nose and crusty eye. Rexy has improved a little bit but Pepper is yet to, and i’m terrified that it’s a heart issue. The vet explained the possibility of it but said it would be a very rare case as my other guinea pig has a uri, and similar symptoms. The vet also said her heart sounded fine, but i’m still paranoid. Pepper has lost a little bit of weight and is squeaking less, but i put that down to the effect of baytril, and also she tends to squeak less if i give her constant attention, which i have been doing because of them both being ill. She isn’t lethargic but comes up to the cage door less. I’m so scared about heart issues!

Hi!

Please take a deep breath! It sounds rather like a rhinitis or something infectious. You haven't mentioned any of the key symptoms for heart disease (which can be managed medically by the way, as several members are doing with their own piggies).

Please check that you aren't using any potential irritants, which can also include perfumed skin and care products in very sensitive piggies: Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

 

[Wiebke]

If you are using air conditioning, please always make sure that the full blast is not directly aimed at the cage; it can cause URI or symptoms like you are decribing.

The fumes from pine based bedding and in some cases dusty hay can also cause respiratory issues although with hay it is more often sneezing.

 

[Wizzy]

Hi!

Please take a deep breath! It sounds rather like a rhinitis or something infectious. You haven't mentioned any of the key symptoms for heart disease (which can be managed medically by the way as several members are doing with their own piggies, by the way).

Please check that you aren't using any potential irritants, which can also include perfumed skin and care products in very sensitive piggies: Irritants to Avoid Around Guinea Pigs

Thank you, and i am sorry for the endless questions. Peppers sister passed away at a very young age of 2 a few years ago and it was quite traumatic so it makes me extra paranoid! A few more things i’ve noticed are:
- the whistling seems to start after she’s eaten hay, and she sneezes a lot whilst eating.
- her breathing has gotten a bit more laboured which does concern me
- she has become a bit more lethargic in the past 24 hours and has lost a little bit of weight. She has been on Baytril for over 2 weeks with 2 and a half more weeks to go so i’m not sure if that might be affecting her?
- She seems to get quite a bit better, and then worse again

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, and i am sorry for the endless questions. Peppers sister passed away at a very young age of 2 a few years ago and it was quite traumatic so it makes me extra paranoid! A few more things i’ve noticed are:
- the whistling seems to start after she’s eaten hay, and she sneezes a lot whilst eating.
- her breathing has gotten a bit more laboured which does concern me
- she has become a bit more lethargic in the past 24 hours and has lost a little bit of weight. She has been on Baytril for over 2 weeks with 2 and a half more weeks to go so i’m not sure if that might be affecting her?
- She seems to get quite a bit better, and then worse again

If you suspect that they hay is impacting on her breathing, try to switch the brand. the quality of dust extracted hay can vary quite a bit between brands.

Keep in mind that you hear any little obstruction in the airways as noise since piggies aren't really mouth breathers. It is very normal that this becomes even more noticeable during eating when swallowing and breathing have to time share between them.

How much weight loss is a little loss? since the normal weight swing over the course of 24 hours is about 30-40g, we are talking about weight loss only from 50g/2 oz onward.

If you notice more lethargy, then please contact your vet.

 

[Wizzy]

If you suspect that they hay is impacting on her breathing, try to switch the brand. the quality of dust extracted hay can vary quite a bit between brands.

Keep in mind that you hear any little obstruction in the airways as noise since piggies aren't really mouth breathers. It is very normal that this becomes even more noticeable during eating when swallowing and breathing have to time share between them.

How much weight loss is a little loss? since the normal weight swing over the course of 24 hours is about 30-40g, we are talking about weight loss only from 50g/2 oz onward.

If you notice more lethargy, then please contact your vet.

So, when we took her to the vet on Wednesday, 2 weeks after her first visit, the vet said her weight had increased by 70g. Peppers weight has always gone back and forth quite a bit which is a bit confusing. I weigh weekly but i noticed this morning she looked smaller and felt a little bit lighter when i picked her up. So yes i’d say more than 50g, she is still quite heavy though so not a massive amount. I’m hoping the lethargy is just because of the continued use of Baytril, but if she’s still the same tomorrow i will give the vet a ring. Thank you for your help

 

[Wizzy]

She seems to be doing a bit better today. She isn’t lethargic anymore and is eating normally. She still has a crusty eye, a runny nose and whistly breathing. She doesn’t look like she’s lost any more weight since yesterday, which calms the nerves a bit. She doesn’t squeak as much anymore, but other than that she’s behaving normally. Does long term Baytril use have a bad effect on digestion? As this morning i was noticing smaller poos, which concerned me a little bit. I really hope this clears up soon as it’s honestly driving me insane with worry!