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Zithromax and loss of appetite

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Mercs

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Hi, I just wanted to ask for some advice as very hard to get a vet to actually see us during covid19.

our 18 month old Louis started acting weirdly two weeks ago. Via video conference I was advised to try metacalm. The next day he started showing signs of a uri. He was breathing like an actual pig and looked poorly. Another call and I was prescribed a 7 day dose of antibiotics. It didn’t seem to be doing a great deal so I stressed on Tuesday to see a vet.

louis had lost 80g since his last weigh in and it sounded really bad. the vet said there didn’t appear to be any problems with lungs and heart, and moved us to a 90ml dose of Zithromax.

the breathing improved instantly. Fantastic. However he’s got no appetite. Even when ill you could get him to munch on some carrot, cucumber or parsley. Now he has zero interest.

we started feeding him critical care but it’s a fight as he’s super angry and resisting. I have also noticed he’s obsessed with eating newspaper...something he’s never done before.

we are worried as we don’t want him to continue to lose weight, he appears to be over the worse of the uri but wondering if he’s developed another problem or side effect.

we have a weeks worth of this medicine and a follow up on Tuesday, but I am wondering if anyone has had any issues with this medication that could explain the behaviour
 
Some piggies do find antibiotics tough on their stomach and a lack of appetite can be the result.
The fact he is eating cardboard show he doesn't feel great, but take heart this is only temporary.

A good place ot start is with a pro-biotic or some poop soup to try and support his gut bacteria.
More info on that here:
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

And keep offering lots of different types of hay to try and tempt him.
Small amounts of fresh (as long as he is used to them) can sometimes tempt them too.
But you really need to step up and be aggressive with making sure he gets plenty of syringe feeds to keep his gut moving.

When Ruby went through this I found she liked toilet rolls ot chew and large piles of mixed hay to hide in an nibble.
But ultimately it was round the clock syringe feeding that got her through a prolonged course of antibiotics.
 
Mercs said:
Hi, I just wanted to ask for some advice as very hard to get a vet to actually see us during covid19.

our 18 month old Louis started acting weirdly two weeks ago. Via video conference I was advised to try metacalm. The next day he started showing signs of a uri. He was breathing like an actual pig and looked poorly. Another call and I was prescribed a 7 day dose of antibiotics. It didn’t seem to be doing a great deal so I stressed on Tuesday to see a vet.

louis had lost 80g since his last weigh in and it sounded really bad. the vet said there didn’t appear to be any problems with lungs and heart, and moved us to a 90ml dose of Zithromax.

the breathing improved instantly. Fantastic. However he’s got no appetite. Even when ill you could get him to munch on some carrot, cucumber or parsley. Now he has zero interest.

we started feeding him critical care but it’s a fight as he’s super angry and resisting. I have also noticed he’s obsessed with eating newspaper...something he’s never done before.

we are worried as we don’t want him to continue to lose weight, he appears to be over the worse of the uri but wondering if he’s developed another problem or side effect.

we have a weeks worth of this medicine and a follow up on Tuesday, but I am wondering if anyone has had any issues with this medication that could explain the behaviour
Click to expand...

Hi!

Many piggies have no problem with zithromax, but when they have a negative response, then it is usually quite bad.
Zithromax is a very strong last ditch antibiotic and the strongest one you can give to guinea pigs.

Try to split the dose and give half every 12 hours. this has done the trick for a couple of my piggies with appetite issues.
Otherwise you have to push through it with syringe feeding support; it is worth it - I have had to do this with piggies through two rounds of zithromax as the only alternative to pts/euthanasia. You have my full sympathy; it is hard work! But it has meant that I have so far been able to keep all piggies on it; a couple of them very much against the odds.

If you have got another healthy piggy, try 'poo soup' (transfer of live healthy guinea pig gut microbiome) and also fibreplex to help support the affected gut microbiome on which the antibiotic is also working.
You can find more information in these links here:
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

All the best!
 
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