Piggydreams
New Born Pup
My male guinea pig (about 2 years old) has been coughing once in a while over the past few days. No signs of mucus but he would just cough once really loudly and then go back to behaving as usual. He's had this type of infection before and was treated with a course of antibiotic. I meant to take him to the vet for this but hadn't been able to find the time.
Today morning we noticed he had been shaking visibly everytime he breathed, and wasn't eating much or moving around like he usually does. All of this wasn't happening till last night. We took him to the vet in the afternoon, who said it was a lung infection and could have turned into pneumonia had we came in late. He prescribed him antibiotics (enrofloxacin), benadryl and probiotics. While we were coming back I noticed he had also started wheezing/squeaking with every breath.
We gave him his meds about 5 hours ago but he's still not eating AT ALL or moving around much at all. Just constantly wheezing and his head keeps bobbing while breathing and looking super uncomfortable even while resting. i also noticed his lips are constantly parted which he doesn't usually do. We syringe fed him pellets with a bit of water and he only took only about 4-5 ml of it. Vet suggested giving him glucose as that can help him get his energy back.
I just want to know is this normal and to be expected with lung infection? My piggies have had cold and cough before but I've never realty with something like this. he was behaving completely fine yesterday and today he got so sick so quickly?
Also, how soon should I expect the meds to start working? If there's anything else I should do for him to get better soon please let me know! I I thought about keeping a hot bowl of water next to his cage so that he might get some steam but it's really hot here (35° C) so I'm not sure if that would be a good idea.
Any suggestion is welcome! Thank you
Today morning we noticed he had been shaking visibly everytime he breathed, and wasn't eating much or moving around like he usually does. All of this wasn't happening till last night. We took him to the vet in the afternoon, who said it was a lung infection and could have turned into pneumonia had we came in late. He prescribed him antibiotics (enrofloxacin), benadryl and probiotics. While we were coming back I noticed he had also started wheezing/squeaking with every breath.
We gave him his meds about 5 hours ago but he's still not eating AT ALL or moving around much at all. Just constantly wheezing and his head keeps bobbing while breathing and looking super uncomfortable even while resting. i also noticed his lips are constantly parted which he doesn't usually do. We syringe fed him pellets with a bit of water and he only took only about 4-5 ml of it. Vet suggested giving him glucose as that can help him get his energy back.
I just want to know is this normal and to be expected with lung infection? My piggies have had cold and cough before but I've never realty with something like this. he was behaving completely fine yesterday and today he got so sick so quickly?
Also, how soon should I expect the meds to start working? If there's anything else I should do for him to get better soon please let me know! I I thought about keeping a hot bowl of water next to his cage so that he might get some steam but it's really hot here (35° C) so I'm not sure if that would be a good idea.
Any suggestion is welcome! Thank you
Unfortunately, guinea pig respiratory infections can intensify really quickly. They are good at hiding illnesses, so sometimes by the time they appear sick, they are really acutely sick. The last pig we lost to a respiratory infection also passed within a day of seeming ill, even with vet treatment. Gentle ((HUGS)) as you grieve.