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Post by PinkPortrait on Sept 19, 2013 23:53:53 GMT
Hey, so I adopted two new piggies and I'm concerned one of them has a respiratory problem. Now a little background. They haven't had fresh veggies in four months. Been on cedar bedding. And other things. Both have shown signs of scurvy but have been getting stronger. Today I took Cloud out and he was making weird noises. His breathing was labored and a sort of grunting sound but it was not a normal guinea pig sound.
Took him to the vet this morning not my normal vet because they weren't open. Was not super helpful. Of course on once I got him there he stopped doing it. So here is my question.
Could this still be from the cedar bedding they were in?
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fee
Junior Piggy
Panda the black & white
Posts: 63
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Post by fee on Sept 20, 2013 4:05:59 GMT
I'm not experienced enough to know... I would assume as you did that there is something wrong but I couldn't guess at how serious it might be. And yes, a history of not ideal conditions could have contributed to it, but once again just guesses. If you can take him to your normal vet when they are open again that would probably be best. Is he eating ok? A drop in eating and weight would indicate something bad.
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Post by PinkPortrait on Sept 20, 2013 5:13:33 GMT
I'm not experienced enough to know... I would assume as you did that there is something wrong but I couldn't guess at how serious it might be. And yes, a history of not ideal conditions could have contributed to it, but once again just guesses. If you can take him to your normal vet when they are open again that would probably be best. Is he eating ok? A drop in eating and weight would indicate something bad. He's been eating and drinking fine. They both were really fat so they are slowly losing weight now that they're on a good diet. I may end up taking him to my regular vet.
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Post by Orlaith on Sept 22, 2013 20:37:36 GMT
How is he now?
Some pigs have very sensitive lungs so stuff like cedar bedding gives them a sort of asthma reaction. Taking away the source of irritation can cause it to clear up within a few hours.
If it's persistent it might be worth going to the vet (and definitely go if he stops eating or pooping or becomes lethargic) to get either a course of steroids or antibiotics if necessary.
For what it's worth, two of my pigs suffer from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) which means they regularly get crackly lungs and little wheezes and they're fine. They have been diagnosed by a good piggy-vet and I have steroids to give them when it flares up but it doesn't affect their lives too much. Normally opening a new bag of hay or something like that will set them off.
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Post by PinkPortrait on Sept 25, 2013 2:45:38 GMT
How is he now? Some pigs have very sensitive lungs so stuff like cedar bedding gives them a sort of asthma reaction. Taking away the source of irritation can cause it to clear up within a few hours. If it's persistent it might be worth going to the vet (and definitely go if he stops eating or pooping or becomes lethargic) to get either a course of steroids or antibiotics if necessary. For what it's worth, two of my pigs suffer from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) which means they regularly get crackly lungs and little wheezes and they're fine. They have been diagnosed by a good piggy-vet and I have steroids to give them when it flares up but it doesn't affect their lives too much. Normally opening a new bag of hay or something like that will set them off. What was the COPD caused by originally? I'm bringing Cloud to the vet tomorrow. His appetite hasn't been great. And he's still breathing weird and fast. Also his brother Snow has started up a little bit with the same thing. Does anyone know if Pigs get seasonal allergies? I know my horse and some dogs and cats do.
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Post by PinkPortrait on Sept 27, 2013 4:45:15 GMT
He has kennel cough.
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Post by alexas on Sept 27, 2013 16:23:57 GMT
What are they treating him with? Poor guy
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Post by Orlaith on Sept 28, 2013 16:24:14 GMT
What was the COPD caused by originally? It's not really established what causes COPD in animals (in people it's usually cigarette smoke and pollution), but they think it might be allergic reactions to dust or mould and, like humans, it might also be caused genetically in some cases. I didn't know piggies could get kennel cough. How is he being treated?
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Post by PinkPortrait on Sept 28, 2013 21:07:25 GMT
He's being treated with baytril. His appetite hasn't been great. :/
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