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Sneezing/pneumonia/lousy vet

raining.ashes

raining.ashes

Junior Guinea Pig
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So far I have spent nearly twelve hundred dollars at this vet's office trying to clear my two guinea pigs of what the vet said was streptoccal pneumonia. She also said the tests claimed the bacteria was tested not to be resisted to the antibiotics she gave me. After two rounds of antibiotics in one month, I took in another culture and gran stain. When I called the vet later to get the results, she hurredly explained that the guinea pigs might not even have the pneumonia she was treating AND that the bacteria in their lungs was actually resistant, and either that there was a misprint before or something had changed. Last time I went into the office with an emergency, she started treating my one guinea pig for gas, even though she also had "pneumonia". After that she tried to convince me that they were probably just still sneezing bc of allergies. It seems like every time I speak with this vet there is another complication, or a different diagnosis. She works with exotic animals, but is technically an avian specialist. Not only are the bills getting to high, but my oldest guinea pig also just had a surprise pregnancy, and now I have babies to worry about. I really don't know what to do, and my grandma thinks this vet is scamming me. What I do know is that to the best of my knowledge she is the only exotic animal specialist near me and even if I could find another one, I don't think I can afford it. I go away to college next year and I already blew half of my savings from work trying to cure these guys using meds that don't even seem to work.

I have two sick guinea pigs, one of which is a nursing mom, and both of which are under 7 months. They are nonstop sneezing and the two month old throws up every so often. Is it worth taking them back to the same vet, am I just being too harsh? Does anyone have any "at home" solutions or recommendations for further treatment?
 
(Not to mention the vet has offered me some pretty odd tips, such as warning against feeding alfafa hay/pellets to young and nursing guinea pigs, or not seperating the sick guinea pig from the other one right away, ehich is why I think they both have it now)
 
Hello! My two guinea pigs are sick with some form of bacterial infection of the lungs, and I am not quite satisfied with the vet's care. You can look at my other posts for my reasons why, and yes, yes, yes I know pneumonia isn't something that you can magically cure at home, but I am honestly open to any suggestions. The antibiotics they have been on for a month are not working at all, and bc they are under 6 months old the vet says they don't have hardly any options for other anitbiotics.

With this in mind, is there anything I can do to boost their immune system so that they can fight this on their own? (Spefically ones that are safe for both a 2 month old and a nursing sow)

Their symptoms include: sneezing, some heavy breathing (specially while sniffing for food), occasional vomit from the 2 month old

However, they are both eating well, 1 cup of veggies a day and a mixture of baby/alfafa pellets and Timothy pellets and Timothy hay.
 
Hi I have merged your two threads so that all information is in one place as it makes it easier for those reading and advising.

I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation but we do not recommend home remedies on the forum, mostly because they don't do anything other than delay appropriate treatment. Your piggy does need to see a knowledgeable vet in order to get to the root of the problem and get the right medication to help them.

I do agree with your vet about not separating the piggies. Majority of the time the healthy pig will have already been exposed to the infection before separation so there is a high chance they would have both become ill but it would have been more stressful for them separating them. One of my own pigs previously would not even try to eat while she was away from her cage mate which adds further complications.

If you are not happy with your vet you need to seek a second opinion. If you cannot afford the vets treatments then I am concerned that your piggies will become seriously ill and be suffering. Are there any rescues near you? Perhaps they can recommend a localish vets or maybe they can take in the pigs for you to get them the right treatment?
 
Lady Kelly said:
Hi I have merged your two threads so that all information is in one place as it makes it easier for those reading and advising.

I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation but we do not recommend home remedies on the forum, mostly because they don't do anything other than delay appropriate treatment. Your piggy does need to see a knowledgeable vet in order to get to the root of the problem and get the right medication to help them.

I do agree with your vet about not separating the piggies. Majority of the time the healthy pig will have already been exposed to the infection before separation so there is a high chance they would have both become ill but it would have been more stressful for them separating them. One of my own pigs previously would not even try to eat while she was away from her cage mate which adds further complications.

If you are not happy with your vet you need to seek a second opinion. If you cannot afford the vets treatments then I am concerned that your piggies will become seriously ill and be suffering. Are there any rescues near you? Perhaps they can recommend a localish vets or maybe they can take in the pigs for you to get them the right treatment?
Click to expand...
There is a rescue a few hours away but I have not heard back from them since calling. I would have agreed about not seperating the younger guinea pig from the old until Pippa stopped eating and started breathing heavily. I rushed her to the vet right away and we both agreed seperation would be best. Since the seperation and additive meds, Pippa has been eating much better and gaining wait. The vet is being unclear as to what treatment we should pursue further, bc she says that the retesting showed that they have something else entirely from what she has been treating for the past month, and that they are both too young for any other meds. While I am looking for a second opinion, it's starting to look like home remedies and natural healing are their only options for the mean time.
 
I would be finding a different vet too and also demanding my money back for the mistake on the vets side. A 'missprint' is still their fault and you have paid for treatment which wasn't ever going to be effective.
 
I have posted alot about Vivi's pneumonia already, and right now the vet isn't giving me anything for her but probiotics since the bacteria in her lungs is resistant to the pup safe antibiotics, but I was wondering how high the chance is of her pups getting it.
 
My nursing sow has lost about 40 grans in the last week (20 a few days ago and then another 20 last night) should I be worried?
 
Given that I can panic easily over my girls I always work on the basis of any concern go to the vet.
If you are worried then get her vet checked.

The pregnancy experts will probably give better guidance
 
Hiya. I didn’t think guinea pigs could vomit so I’m afraid I’m a bit confused. Are you finding what looks like a pile of vomit or have you seen it be unwell & look like it’s being sick?
Also if you have a surprise pregnancy & a nursing sow are the babies ok? And has the boar been seperated from the sows (to prevent any further surprise pregnancies)
Sorry for so many questions, just trying to help xx
 
@raining.ashes it is possible depending on what she actually has.

How old are the babies? Has the vet given you any indication on when to separate or when your girl will be treated?
 
Hi I’ve just answered you on your merged threads, sometimes it gets confusing when more threads are added for the same problem. I’ll ask admin to merge your threads again xx
 
raining.ashes said:
So far I have spent nearly twelve hundred dollars at this vet's office trying to clear my two guinea pigs of what the vet said was streptoccal pneumonia. She also said the tests claimed the bacteria was tested not to be resisted to the antibiotics she gave me. After two rounds of antibiotics in one month, I took in another culture and gran stain. When I called the vet later to get the results, she hurredly explained that the guinea pigs might not even have the pneumonia she was treating AND that the bacteria in their lungs was actually resistant, and either that there was a misprint before or something had changed. Last time I went into the office with an emergency, she started treating my one guinea pig for gas, even though she also had "pneumonia". After that she tried to convince me that they were probably just still sneezing bc of allergies. It seems like every time I speak with this vet there is another complication, or a different diagnosis. She works with exotic animals, but is technically an avian specialist. Not only are the bills getting to high, but my oldest guinea pig also just had a surprise pregnancy, and now I have babies to worry about. I really don't know what to do, and my grandma thinks this vet is scamming me. What I do know is that to the best of my knowledge she is the only exotic animal specialist near me and even if I could find another one, I don't think I can afford it. I go away to college next year and I already blew half of my savings from work trying to cure these guys using meds that don't even seem to work.

I have two sick guinea pigs, one of which is a nursing mom, and both of which are under 7 months. They are nonstop sneezing and the two month old throws up every so often. Is it worth taking them back to the same vet, am I just being too harsh? Does anyone have any "at home" solutions or recommendations for further treatment?
Click to expand...
So far Vivi has lost 90 grams since she last gave birth a week and a half ago. Is this normal? I texted the vet but she hasn't gotten back to me.
 
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