URI

[Popcorn bby]

Hello! My guinea pigs Popcorn and Pumpkin recovered from a URI about a month ago, and since then have been all healthy. On Monday (today is Friday) I noticed one of them had a sneeze attack, but days went by and neither of them were showing any other symptoms, so I decided they did not have anything. However yesterday, on Thursday, the same guinea pig, Pumpkin, was having a horrible sneeze attack. The sneezes were not normal, they sound more like she was sneezing air. I picked her up, and while I was getting her to my bed I think I could hear the other guinea sneezing multiple times the same way. I carried her on my lap for about five minutes, and noticed she was breathing a bit louder than usual. It wasn't a wheeze though, more just like air. She's not breathing that loud anymore, but she was and still is making a crackling noise. It sounds like when you give a Piggie simethicone and you can hear the gases, although this is louder and I've given her no simethicone. On my lap, she also does a very soft hooting noise every once in a while. From her cage I cannot hear it. They are both still sneezing today, although my other piggie is sneezing less than Pumpkin. My mother believes that they do not have a URI, but obviously I know these symptoms say otherwise. I'm going to have to convince her really bad, but she's incredibly stubborn and I'm afraid that it'll get worse if they don't get treatment soon. My first question, is how early do you think this URI is? They are still eating fine, especially vegetables. And they are still active as well. Do you think it's early or more developed? My second question is, would Baytril knock it out this time, or would trying another one work better? The antibiotic they had to treat their last URI was Baytril, but since it's back a month later, should we try a different one? Thirdly, do you think they can go to the vet tomorrow rather than today? I don't know if I'll be able to convince my mother. Someone please answer! Thank you

 

[pig in the city]

Hello! My guinea pigs Popcorn and Pumpkin recovered from a URI about a month ago, and since then have been all healthy. On Monday (today is Friday) I noticed one of them had a sneeze attack, but days went by and neither of them were showing any other symptoms, so I decided they did not have anything. However yesterday, on Thursday, the same guinea pig, Pumpkin, was having a horrible sneeze attack. The sneezes were not normal, they sound more like she was sneezing air. I picked her up, and while I was getting her to my bed I think I could hear the other guinea sneezing multiple times the same way. I carried her on my lap for about five minutes, and noticed she was breathing a bit louder than usual. It wasn't a wheeze though, more just like air. She's not breathing that loud anymore, but she was and still is making a crackling noise. It sounds like when you give a Piggie simethicone and you can hear the gases, although this is louder and I've given her no simethicone. On my lap, she also does a very soft hooting noise every once in a while. From her cage I cannot hear it. They are both still sneezing today, although my other piggie is sneezing less than Pumpkin. My mother believes that they do not have a URI, but obviously I know these symptoms say otherwise. I'm going to have to convince her really bad, but she's incredibly stubborn and I'm afraid that it'll get worse if they don't get treatment soon. My first question, is how early do you think this URI is? They are still eating fine, especially vegetables. And they are still active as well. Do you think it's early or more developed? My second question is, would Baytril knock it out this time, or would trying another one work better? The antibiotic they had to treat their last URI was Baytril, but since it's back a month later, should we try a different one? Thirdly, do you think they can go to the vet tomorrow rather than today? I don't know if I'll be able to convince my mother. Someone please answer! Thank you

If they are just sneezing with no other symptoms it could be irritation from something in the environment such as wood shavings, dusty or mouldy hay, or chemical fumes.
A vet check is a good idea especially if their breathing is affected

 

[Popcorn bby]

If they are just sneezing with no other symptoms it could be irritation from something in the environment such as wood shavings, dusty or mouldy hay, or chemical fumes.
A vet check is a good idea especially if their breathing is affected

Thank you for the reply. As I said, Pumpkin is also having some crackling noises. My mother absolutely refuses to take them to the vet since we were there less than a week ago for a checkup. She is certain that they are free of URI, but she doesn't know anything about the health of a guinea pig. She's also breathing loudly too. Not wheezing, but loud "airy" breaths

 

[pig in the city]

Thank you for the reply. As I said, Pumpkin is also having some crackling noises. My mother absolutely refuses to take them to the vet since we were there less than a week ago for a checkup. She is certain that they are free of URI, but she doesn't know anything about the health of a guinea pig. She's also breathing loudly too. Not wheezing, but loud "airy" breaths

I think your mum is wrong. Piggies can get unwell in less than a day, never mind a week. Noisy breathing is abnormal. Please try and get them checked by a vet

 

[VickiA]

I’d definitely get her back to the vets as any noisy breathing is abnormal. URI and pneumonia can start very suddenly. In my own piggies I have had ones who were fine at bedtime and had a URI by morning or who had been fine when I left for work and not when I returned. The earlier your treat the better the outcome. So please ask your mum to reconsider. Are you able to get a part time job to help contribute to any vets bills?

 

[Popcorn bby]

I think your mum is wrong. Piggies can get unwell in less than a day, never mind a week. Noisy breathing is abnormal. Please try and get them checked by a vet

Good news! We have a vet appointment tomorrow at 5:30 pm. They are still sneezing, but the crackling has gone down a bit. Also it seems I forgot to clarify a bit, my bad! Pumpkin was breathing a bit louder when I picked her up last night, but after that I've only heard a few hoots here and there, but nothing consistent. It's basically just constant sneezing and a bit of crackling noise. I know they are going to get better for a fact, though! My main question now though is if I should ask for an antibiotic other than Baytril now? Since they just healed from a URI (that was treated with Baytril) a month ago, would it still be effective now?

 

[Popcorn bby]

I’d definitely get her back to the vets as any noisy breathing is abnormal. URI and pneumonia can start very suddenly. In my own piggies I have had ones who were fine at bedtime and had a URI by morning or who had been fine when I left for work and not when I returned. The earlier your treat the better the outcome. So please ask your mum to reconsider. Are you able to get a part time job to help contribute to any vets bills?

Thank you! I do love my mom but it would be helpful if she could understand that guinea pigs' health can change very quickly. I hope your piggies recovered already btw! I'm still TOO young to have a part time job, but my dad has helped pay for these last two vet visits, which I'm rlly grateful for. As I said in my other post, we have a vet appointment tomorrow at 5:30 pm, so yay! I know my babies are going to get through this

 

[pig in the city]

Good news! We have a vet appointment tomorrow at 5:30 pm. They are still sneezing, but the crackling has gone down a bit. Also it seems I forgot to clarify a bit, my bad! Pumpkin was breathing a bit louder when I picked her up last night, but after that I've only heard a few hoots here and there, but nothing consistent. It's basically just constant sneezing and a bit of crackling noise. I know they are going to get better for a fact, though! My main question now though is if I should ask for an antibiotic other than Baytril now? Since they just healed from a URI (that was treated with Baytril) a month ago, would it still be effective now?

Obviously it's up to your vet, the Baytril may still be effective, although perhaps they will need it for a bit longer this time. Or alternatives such as Doxycycline may be preferable. It's always best guess with piggies I'm afraid xx

 

[Popcorn bby]

Obviously it's up to your vet, the Baytril may still be effective, although perhaps they will need it for a bit longer this time. Or alternatives such as Doxycycline may be preferable. It's always best guess with piggies I'm afraid xx

Update: She said she didn't hear something really noticeable or severe, but based on their symptoms, she gave us Baytril just to be on the safe side. They've been on it for a day now, and one Piggie is starting to poop pretty small. I've given her simethicone for a bit of gases but was wondering if I could give her cisapride if her gut starts to slow? Or if it would clash with the Baytril? She's eating veggies and hay reall well, as well as pellets and she drinking water well too.

 

[pig in the city]

Update: She said she didn't hear something really noticeable or severe, but based on their symptoms, she gave us Baytril just to be on the safe side. They've been on it for a day now, and one Piggie is starting to poop pretty small. I've given her simethicone for a bit of gases but was wondering if I could give her cisapride if her gut starts to slow? Or if it would clash with the Baytril? She's eating veggies and hay reall well, as well as pellets and she drinking water well too.

Yes you can give cisapride and also consider some probiotics or fibreplex.

 

[Popcorn bby]

Yes you can give cisapride and also consider some probiotics or fibreplex.

We have benebac which we are giving two hours after each dose. The Piggie that wasn't showing much symptoms has started making crackling noises today. Hopefully that goes away quickly ( I know it will). My babies are gonna get through this thank you for replying