What does URI recovery look like?

[spookypercy]

My piggy Percy is on day ten of Orbax for a URI (it’s not in his lungs, just his nose). He’s young - probably around 6 months - and has so much of his energy back, but is still dealing with some congestion. He’s also lost weight (I just picked up a digestive supplement and am going to give him an appetite stimulant to help - he’s eating pretty well but figured the stimulant used in extreme moderation wouldn’t hurt). I don’t know when he got sick - I got him in May and he was sneezing a lot then, but he was completely fine otherwise so I thought maybe that was just normal for him. About ten days or so ago (when I took him to the vet - maybe a few days before) I started to notice he was lethargic, puffed up, and sneezing. Vet didn’t seem too concerned with his infection and said he’d recover with the antibiotics.

I’ve had guinea pigs on and off for ten years but never had one get a URI, so I feel a little lost. I also have a lot of anxiety around my pets’ health, and I’m really scared of messing up or missing something and him suffering. I posted this in another thread, but he’s been back to the vet once just to double check things since starting antibiotics. She initially prescribed him 7 days, but extended it to 14 when I called and said he was still congested. I’ve scheduled a follow up for this Friday in case he’s still showing symptoms. She’s the only vet in my area that sees guinea pigs and seems capable of caring for him, but then again, I thought it was weird she only prescribed him a week of antibiotics when I’ve seen others talk about it taking two weeks.

I’m just nervous I’m doing things wrong or missing something, and I’m struggling not to be overly anxious that he’s not going to recover. I love him to death and just want to see him feeling 100% better.

I guess I’m just looking for encouragement that he’ll be fine in all likelihood, or just some tips on what is/isn’t normal regarding how long recovery takes. Like I said, he’s on day ten of antibiotics and is doing so much better energy wise, but he’s still congested and is sneezing occasionally. I did attempt to bring him in the bathroom while I took a bath tonight, but I think the heat bothered him and he was incredibly restless in his box.

 

[Siikibam]

Sometimes they do need a longer course of antibiotics. And sometimes they may need a different one to tackle the infection. It’s good you’ve booked a review.

Please do not medicate your piggy without consulting a vet. What is the gut stimulant you are speaking of? Another thing to bear in mind is that antibiotics can kill the good bacteria and kill their appetite. So it’s advisable you give a probiotic either an hour before or after the antibiotic. And weigh daily and top up. You can use his pellets soaked in warm water for now until you get the probiotic etc through.

 

[spookypercy]

Sometimes they do need a longer course of antibiotics. And sometimes they may need a different one to tackle the infection. It’s good you’ve booked a review.

Please do not medicate your piggy without consulting a vet. What is the gut stimulant you are speaking of? Another thing to bear in mind is that antibiotics can kill the good bacteria and kill their appetite. So it’s advisable you give a probiotic either an hour before or after the antibiotic. And weigh daily and top up. You can use his pellets soaked in warm water for now until you get the probiotic etc through.

It’s critical care - my vet actually recommended I use it. I ordered a probiotic and it should be here within the next few days (nowhere local had probiotics safe for guinea pigs). With wetting his food - what’s the reason to do that? Does that make it easier for him to eat? He’s been eating veggies and everything; I just want to give him whatever will be best on his stomach/best for his recovery.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Critical care isnt a gut stimulant medication (a gut stimulant is a prescription medication a vet will give to help kick start the digestive system), its a fibre rich recovery food which is used as a syringe feed to piggies who are not eating enough hay on their own. 80% of the diet is hay so when a piggy doesn't eat enough you syringe feed the critical care to replace the hay they aren't eating themselves. They need enough critical care to be given to them as is necessary to maintain their weight during an illness where they aren't eating enough hay. This can be in excess of 60ml in a 24 hour period (perhaps syringe feeding every 2 hours). A piggy who is losing weight isnt eating enough hay. Eating veg doesn't count (its only 15% of the daily food intake) as if they aren't eating any or enough hay then their food intake is too low hence weight loss.
Mushing pellets with water and syringe feeding that to them is the emergency version of critical care, and can be used when a person doesn't have critical care in their supplies.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[spookypercy]

Critical care isnt a gut stimulant medication (a gut stimulant is a prescription medication a vet will give to help kick start the digestive system), its a fibre rich recovery food which is used as a syringe feed to piggies who are not eating enough hay on their own. 80% of the diet is hay so when a piggy doesn't eat enough you syringe feed the critical care to replace the hay they aren't eating themselves. They need enough critical care to be given to them as is necessary to maintain their weight during an illness where they aren't eating enough hay. This can be in excess of 60ml in a 24 hour period (perhaps syringe feeding every 2 hours). A piggy who is losing weight isnt eating enough hay. Eating veg doesn't count (its only 15% of the daily food intake) as if they aren't eating any or enough hay then their food intake is too low hence weight loss.
Mushing pellets with water and syringe feeding that to them is the emergency version of critical care, and can be used when a person doesn't have critical care in their supplies.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Ah, gotcha. I think someone may have referred to it as an appetite stimulate once, so that was why I was confused. He’s definitely eating hay but if the weight loss is a sign he isn’t eating enough, I can continue with the critical care.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes weight loss is a sign of reduced hay intake - as 80% of daily food is hay, as soon as they stop eating enough, the weight loss will be seen which is also why weekly weight checks are done as routine as it helps you spot a problem sometimes before other symptoms become obvious. Veg and pellet intake reduction doesnt have quite such a dramatic effect as veg and pellets are simply snacks. Its good he is still eating some hay, but to lose weight he isnt eating enough. It can happen when a piggy is on antibiotics. Antibiotics kill the gut bacteria which is why a probiotic (or poop soup made from the poops of a healthy companion) is given alongside a course of antibiotics as it can help settle the tummy.
Weigh him daily so you can know how much critical care to give. The amount required can vary depending on how much hay is a piggy is still eating - complete loss of appetite then you could be feeding 90ml in a 24 hour period, feeding every 2 hours day and night. Or right through to the other end of the spectrum when they are eating a good amount of hay but just need a couple of top up feeds per day to give them a boost.