URI and lung problems - survival and what to expect

[Nanimorgan]

Hey guys,

A week ago I noticed my gpig Benedita (Bennie) was having a somewhat more laboured breathing and seemed a bit more lethargic than usual. I took her to the vet within hours and got prescribed a 5 day course of antibiotics. Frankly I didn’t feel like the vet reacted like it was something to be worried about - he almost didn’t give her meds was it not for the fact she lives in a herd and there is risk of contagion. He said he couldn’t hear much in her lungs and she didn’t present any eye / nose secretion
- but his reaction didn’t match any of my research on URIS on gpigs, the usual urgency we must have with these animals that don’t tend to show symptoms until they are VERY unwell, and just what I know Bennie to normally be like.

On the 5th day of medication I took Bennie to see an exotic vets who did pay more attention to her breathing and ran a CT of her heart / body / lungs. The exam cost a LOT (£350) but I must say it was absolutely worth it… as it turns out her lungs are not looking too good, even though she seemed better and responded well to the initial 5 day treatment.

So now we’ve put Bennie on a longer course of antibiotics combining the initial one with another, plus a nebuliser treatment twice a day and probiotics to help her with digestion. I noticed she is acting a bit funny again but it could well be the response to the new meds, hard to say… I’ve seen her eat and drink and still walk around the cage which makes me hopeful…

I’m looking for people to share their experiences… honestly I just want to have realistic expectations about her life and recovery.. I’m obviously doing everything I can but most things you look up online are not very happy stories of people who have lost that piggies if this is you, or if you have a piggie that did survive, I would love to hear it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear she is unwell.
Hopefully the new treatment will be effective.

It is important that you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh her daily. The need to breathe comes first and in piggies who are struggling to breathe they can reduce hay intake. Eating some is not the same as eating enough.

Fingers crossed for a good recovery.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Deleted member 151640]

I’ve had my fair share of guinea pigs with lung illness’s/breathing issues from pneumonia to URI’s.

Mostly have been positive but obviously not everything goes well. It can cost a lot of money and a lot of time. Please don’t spend hours worrying, we can all tell you’re doing the best for your wee girl, good job.

Hopefully this new treatment goes well, I don’t know if you already have but i recommend keeping critical care at home to be able to step in for your guinea pig if their health declines.

Daily weight checks are a good way to see if she is eating enough on her own and can help you and your vet decide how their progress is going.

Wishing you and bennie all the luck and keeping you both in my thoughts x

 

[mackenziejanetaylor]

Hey just want to know if Bennie is better? My little Charles has had an X-ray and shown stuff in his lungs
He’s on antibiotics until the swab test returns to find out what bacteria is causing the build up.
He is sneezing and coughing a bit as well as wheezing when he wheeks.
So worried about him. Just praying he recovers. He is eating fine and his weight hasn’t dropped which is good.

 

[Nanimorgan]

Hey just want to know if Bennie is better? My little Charles has had an X-ray and shown stuff in his lungs
He’s on antibiotics until the swab test returns to find out what bacteria is causing the build up.
He is sneezing and coughing a bit as well as wheezing when he wheeks.
So worried about him. Just praying he recovers. He is eating fine and his weight hasn’t dropped which is good.

Hey dear!
So Bennie pulled through!
After the scan they gave her more antibiotics for a 3 week course. Honestly it was a bit of a struggle on the first two weeks as she developed a GI due to the medication, so I had to syringe feed her on the clock and make sure she had continuous care while I was away at work (left her at the vets for supportive care, which helped a lot).
On the third week she perked up and started eating and exploring again.
Now she is back with the herd and acting completely normal.
I do plan on getting another CT to see how her lungs have healed, just can’t afford to atm.
Hope all goes well for Charlie! Rooting for him

 

[ceciliaxdee]

Hey dear!
So Bennie pulled through!
After the scan they gave her more antibiotics for a 3 week course. Honestly it was a bit of a struggle on the first two weeks as she developed a GI due to the medication, so I had to syringe feed her on the clock and make sure she had continuous care while I was away at work (left her at the vets for supportive care, which helped a lot).
On the third week she perked up and started eating and exploring again.
Now she is back with the herd and acting completely normal.
I do plan on getting another CT to see how her lungs have healed, just can’t afford to atm.
Hope all goes well for Charlie! Rooting for him

Hello! I’m going through a similar ordeal with my piggie currently who is at the vets receiving supportive care for a lung infection/pneumonia (she had pneumonia in January too and recovered but this second round is struggling) and wondering how your piggie Bennie recovered a few months on? What antibiotics did you use? Thank you