Buttercup and Toffee

[pigsforlife]

Buttercup and Toffee are sick again, their discharge has re-appeared and Buttercup is sneezing and sounds congested. They are going to the vet at 4pm today.

A quick summary:
- Noticed that Buttercup had developed a clear discharge
- Vet prescribed 2 courses of Bactrim
- Toffee developed a milder version of the discharge
- Buttercups discharge worsened
- Vet did nothing
- Butter cup developed a red/brown crust around her eyes and was wheezing
- Rushed her to the "normal" vet
- "Normal" vet prescribed baytril and a probiotic (prodexin I think)
- Both girls improved fully (this was about a month ago)
- Yesterday I noticed that both girls discharge had re-appeared and they were sounding congested, Buttercup was sneezing

Their GL thread can be found here Guinea Lynx :: Topic - Advice needed for my girls

I am really worried. I have an inkling feeling that Buttercup if not both girls have heart problems of some sort, it would explain the re-occuring URIs. If you have any advice it would be much appreciated, as would support.

 

[pigsforlife]

I have just got back from the vets.

T'was a bit frustrating, Buttercup seemed alot better for the appointment but sneezed on the way home. Both girls are back on baytril.

I explained to the vet that re-occuring URIs are a sign of heart problems and that I was worried that this was the case. So he used the stethoscope and said that both girls had no heart murmurs and no fluid in their lungs. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but dont you have to be a exotic specialist with many years experience in guinea pigs to be able to detect a murmur/fluid in lungs using a stethoscope?

Now this guy is from the "normal" vet, he isnt the lady I saw last time and was the least bit helpful. I am very reluctant to go back to the exotic specialist as she refused to do anything unless the discharge changed, and as a result Buttercup got worse and worse. If I hadnt of taken her to the normal vet she would have died, I am sure. So I am really at a loss of what to do.

 

[pigsforlife]

I am currently treating the girls for mites with ivomec, is it ok to continue treating them whilst Toffee and Buttercup are on baytril?

 

[suzilovespiggie]

I am so sorry to hear your girls are sick again! How scary. I don't know the answer to your questions, but I just wanted to offer my support.

 

[pigsforlife]

Yes it has been scary Suzi. I think I will ring up the exotic vet and instead of asking I will order her to do a x-ray. I know that may seem harsh but I dont know what else to do.

Did they not prescribe her an probiotic in addition to the antibiotic?

No they didnt. I do have prodexin (which is a probiotic) with me but I have found it hard to find ways to get it into them. I have been on acidophilous pills for my own problems and so have decided to pop a pill once a day and spread it over a leaf of cos lettuce. Would it be ok if all pigs ate this? The reason behind me making a pellet mash is to get their appetites back up, which have dropped somewhat since becoming sick again. I read that pureed pumpkin (for babies) is the healthiest so I might go up to the deli tomorrow and get some of that. If I can get some sleep it would be an added bonus.

I dont know, perhaps I am over-reacting.

 

[clotho]

I am sorry your piggies are sick again!!! You are well within your rights to order your vet to do the xray you want done. Don't feel bad at all about that!!! If we don't stand up for our babies - who will?!! I know it can be frustrating if you have to deal with vets who aren't willing to work with you.

I buy plain canned pumpkin in the grocery store - it comes in a big can - ED Smith is the brand name that comes to mind here in Canada, but there are obviously other brands. It's in the baking aisle - people use it to make pumpkin pies - just make sure you don't get the kind that already has spices added - just plain old pure pumpkin.

Acidophilus is a good probiotic and I have put it on food before that was for more than just the piggie who was on antibiotics and it was fine. You could ask that on guinea lynx just to be sure, but I can't see how it would hurt them.

Are you weighing them regularly? That will be the best way to see if they are eating enough.

I totally understand how you must feel - it's SO worrying to have your babies sick!!!!

Here's wishing Buttercup and Toffee a speedy recovery and keep pushing for diagnostic tests so you can find out what's really behind these recurring URIs.

You might try convincing your vet to try a trial course of heart meds to see if things improve. I've heard of people doing that. Good luck!