Conditions Everyitng and Above - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**momof1kid3piggi** · #1 10-04-09, 10:17 am

So I took my Chipper to The vet Yesterday. I came down stairs yesterday Morning to hear an awful noise. It was Chip wheezing and shallow breathing. So right away I called the Vet, We went in. and found out that Chip has Acute bronchitis. The Vet Gave me Baby Vapor rub to put on the top of his cage to see if it helps (you cant cure Bronchitis With any meds) But anyways, We also go blood drawn. The Vet Called me this morning. From her house saying that the results where in and that I should hear them now, So right away I got worried, and Am very Sad and worried now! Chip happens to have a deadly Heart Rhythm Disorder, That they cant do anything for (other then implant a new heart) which was NEVER done on a guinea pig and no one knows of any Vet that will do it, or is Capable of doing such a thing. So the Vet said that He will die a slow and painful death, Probably in the next 6 months she said. There might be a chance that he would live longer, but she gives him 6 months he is around 4-5 years old. I Rescued him from a Vet Clinic, and they determined his age form being anywhere from 4-5 years. SO I guess he lived a happy almost 2 years with me, But I feel horrible, that there is nothing we can do.

**SushiBonzai** · #2 10-04-09, 10:20 am

Oh, momo, that is so sad! That sounds terrible! Can't they give him pain killers, or something, so that he won't be in so much pain?

**momof1kid3piggi** · #3 10-04-09, 10:24 am

Yes I'm getting pain meds tomorrow for him from the vet. They are not open today, So I have to wait till tomorrow. But I'm so worried that he wont even make it that long. He is still wheezing, but his breathing picked up some.

**SushiBonzai** · #4 10-04-09, 10:43 am

Oh, that's so sad! Give him loves of love and attention, k?

**Ama4884** · #5 10-04-09, 10:45 am

I hate to even say this, but maybe it would be better to put him down so that he wouldn't die a slow painful death? I don't want to sound mean, and I know this has to be hard. I definitely would be in pain if I was in your situation with Daisy. I just would want the best thing for them. I don't know if I could stand knowing they are suffering.

**princesspoppy** · #6 10-04-09, 10:50 am

Oh momo i'm sorry. All you can really do is give him extra tlc and keep him as comfortable as possible.

**Duffinvt** · #7 10-04-09, 10:51 am

I am so very sorry to hear this. Please keep us updated.

**momof1kid3piggi** · #8 10-04-09, 11:43 am

Yeah I thought of putting him down, I cant stand the sound that comes out of him, it makes me cry. I Do want the best for him, But I'm probably going to give it another week and if he dont seem to get any satisfaction form the pain meds, Then I most Likely would Put him down. I feel that I haven't gotten to spent enough time with him I know how he is (very playful and popcorns all day) But I feel that I haven't done enough with him. I gave him the Best home possible 2x4 C&C with a cage mate, till his cage mate beat him up, so now separated. But, I just feel that I have not done enough for him.

**Ly&Pigs** · #9 10-04-09, 01:21 pm

I'd find a new vet, one with more experience with guinea pigs and get a second opinion. Ditch the vapor rub as it will do more damage than good. There are heart medications that might help. If you haven't posted this over on gl, you may want to.

Did this vet put him on any antibiotics for the bronchitis? What was done besides blood tests to determine this heart condition? Any x-rays? Ultrasound of the heart?

**wheekypigs** · #10 10-04-09, 01:23 pm

Really sorry to hear this. I hope Chipper does not suffer too much, or for too long.

All the best.

**momof1kid3piggi** · #11 10-04-09, 01:38 pm

the vet i go to is a guinea pig vet, they specialize in Small animals. and the Vet told me to stick the container of Vicks on the cage, SO that they are not permanently inhaling it as if it was to be on him
And as far as an antibiotic they gave me Baytril but told me that it might not help, as much, Because its Bronchitis, and there isn't much they can do, Like in humans it has to go away on its own.

They did the blood work and a few x-rays, to determine the Heart Rhythm disorder.

I'm not sure if there is any heart medications for it, I'll have to look into it and hten ask my vet about it when i go pick up his pain meds tomorrow.

**Ly&Pigs** · #12 10-04-09, 02:29 pm

I'm just leery of any vet (exotic specialist or not) who would say to put vapor rub on or near a pig. Bronchitis can be either viral or bacterial. Bacterial infections need antibiotics so glad your vet put him on Baytril. Bronchitis can also turn into Pneumonia.

A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier would be a better option than vapor rub. Talk to your vet about albuterol nebulizer and lasix. Albuterol is safe in pigs and is a med that will help open up the lung passages making it easier for him to breathe if he's congested due to the bronchitis. Lasix is a medication that will help rid excess fluids.

Did the vet say what type of heart rhythm disorder (there are many)?

**momof1kid3piggi** · #13 10-04-09, 04:16 pm

Yes I got a booklet about What bronchitis can turn into. I'll talk to my Vet about the Albuterol nebulizer. It sounds better then lying Vicks on the cage, I feel that it isnt doing anything for him anyways. He is Still Wheezing A lot and He breaths Slow and heavy and then normal for a while.

The type of Heart disorder he has is called Ventricular Tachycardia (VT. Which makes his Heart beats faster then normal Because the only chamber that is working is the aorta which then slows down the other chambers that flow blood to the brain. and can be Life-threating with the wrong heart medications.

**piggiewiggies** · #14 10-04-09, 06:30 pm

im sooooo sorry!!! Give him some extra tlc for me!!! :(

"Thank you, Ly&Pigs, for this useful post," say these 2 members:
NicholsS10 (10-04-09), Peggysu (10-04-09)