Medications taking new guys to vet, other set is on antibiotics already - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Tessa Bea** · #1 11-06-09, 09:20 pm

Yes, the new guys are in quarantine, but I live in a one bedroom apartment so their cage really isn't all that far from my piggies, who I've moved to my bedroom. Hugo, Snidely, and Boris are in the living room, which is out my bedroom door and just to the right. I worry about how effective this is, mainly because Kimi, Tahiri, and Leonidas are on anti-biotics right now and I really don't want to end up with everyone circling illnesses back and forth! They started their set this past Monday... it's supposed to be a ten day cycle of antibiotics- how easily could they pick something up from the new guys?

I ask this because all three new dudes have tiny crusties in their eyes, and Hugo and Boris have crusty noses. I washed their coats and removed all crusts as soon as I got them home a couple days ago, but they're back today. I called my vet and left a message to make an appointment for Monday, I have work this weekend so I can't take them. Should I try to get more meds from the vet for another cycle?

**piggiecrazy** · #2 11-07-09, 04:47 am

Sorry to hear your crew is sick. Hope the new guys dont get it. Glad you are taking them to the vet on Monday.
Don't have any advice about another round of antibiotics, other than it couldn't hurt to make sure. Let us know what the vet says.
Hope all are better soon.

**Tessa Bea** · #3 11-07-09, 08:23 pm

I meant to say that they're in the dining room...

But I think these guys were sick before they got here, my babies are getting better with the meds that they're on, but Hugo had some nasty nose junk that I washed off in the bath but it's back now (with less of a vengeance). I'm more worried about them reinfecting Tahiri, Kimi, and Leonidas.

I left a message with my vet, but she isn't in on weekends but once a month.

**Paula** · #4 11-07-09, 08:29 pm

It will definitely help that your current pigs are already on ABs in fighting off anything they might pick up from the new boys.

True quarantine is really hard to achieve, so I wouldn't worry too much that they are in close proximity. It might not be a bad idea to extend the AB treatment for the girls and Leonidas to 14 days, that way they'll have been on them a week or so after the new boys start their round. I'd think that should be a reasonable plan of action, but get your vet's opinion on it too.

eta - it definitely is a good idea to wash your hands and change at least your shirt between handling sets of pigs, though.

**Tessa Bea** · #5 11-07-09, 08:34 pm

Paula- I agree with everything that you've suggested for the ABs- I think I may have enough medicine to extend to 14 days without another prescription, but I'm not sure. I have been washing my hands, arms, and face/neck and changing clothes when I change rooms, I've even washed off the poo vacuum in between uses.

**piggiecrazy** · #6 11-08-09, 04:01 am

Wow you are way thorough. Good thinking on the vacuum. Quarentine is the hardest part of having new piggies. Just keep thinking how in a few weeks this will all seem like long ago. You'll be on to new and better times with all your piggies.
Hope they're doing okay. I dont know if this is wise to do or not, but do you have enough abs to start the new boys on? Just so you dont have a chance of them getting too sick. Just a thought, dont really know it right or not though.

**Tessa Bea** · #7 11-08-09, 10:26 pm

I've thought about that, since my budget right now is really tight and I'm going to have to just about empty my savings to take them to the vet... I'd have to do some math to see if I had enough. Also, I don't know if it's safe/legal/etc? I know with humans you aren't supposed to share meds...

I would like to give them an overall checkup at some point. It'd be more convenient if it were next week, but I'm pretty sure that the timing needs to be now before it becomes a circle of illness.

**piggiecrazy** · #8 11-09-09, 12:52 am

I know about the budget thing, right now there isnt even anything to budget with.
I meant that maybe you could get the boys started on something if you really thought they were sick. You would still have to take them to the vet and get more meds, it was just a thought. I have done that before for a uti two of my pigs had around the same time. Doctor just gave me more meds to cover the full course.
Let us know how things go at the vet monday. Sending you healthy wishes.

**Tessa Bea** · #9 11-09-09, 08:03 pm

Vet actually hooked me up just like you suggested, we had enough antibiotics for both but not probiotics so she let us just buy another set of those. I'll be taking them in for a checkup later on. :)

**piggiecrazy** · #10 11-10-09, 01:16 am

Excellent! So glad she was able to help you. I would have hated to see the boys get sicker. The probiotic wont be too much money. Glad to hear things worked out.
I am always trying to think of ways to conserve. LOL
Let us know how they are doing.

**Tessa Bea** · #11 11-10-09, 01:56 am

They HATE taking medication! Poor Hugo is terrified of the big medicine giving syringe thing, he squeaks in terror every time it comes close (sounds way different than his other squeaks). Boris moves his mouth every time that I get close, making me get meds all over his cheeks, and Snidely spits it back out. Argh!

I get it in there though, it just takes longer than my other trio.

**piggiecrazy** · #12 11-10-09, 10:20 pm

Obviously they were never given medicine before!
Poor little guys. I wish I had some tricks to give, but I dont. My two that have needed meds before took it like champs,so I didnt need to bribe.
Hope things get better. You cant afford to have meds wasted and need to get more.
Just give them lots of extra lovins.
How are you giving the meds to the boys? Do you squirt it to the side of their mouth?That makes a big difference, plus it doesnt take a chance of aspirating. Just for thought.

**Tessa Bea** · #13 11-10-09, 10:32 pm

I try to go to the side, but a lot of times they move around and buck their heads so it's a little tough.

"Thank you, Paula, for this useful post," says:
Tessa Bea (11-07-09)

"Thank you, piggiecrazy, for this useful post," says:
Tessa Bea (11-10-09)