URI Questions

[kourt1313]

Long story short, Matisse had a URI and gave it to Shelby. Now both pigs are on meds (and I thought rescue pigs were supposed to be healthier?!).

Anyway, I'm starting to strongly dislike exotic vets. She put Matisse on Baytril and Doxycycline, and Shelby only on Baytril. Matisse is showing vast improvement whereas Shelby is still sneezing. My theory is the two antibiotics seem to be working better than the one alone but she says Shelby is too young for Doxycycline (he is 4 months). This is interesting to me as all research I've done says Doxycycline is safe for all pigs except pregnant ones in their last 3 weeks and newborns in their first month. I had my regular vet request the medical charts and am waiting on a call back from him. Not only that but I noticed dandruff on the table at the exotic vet's office from Matisse. I was told to "keep an eye on it" (why is this always the damn response from exotics?!). Well two days later and Matisse has this big ol' bald spot right on his chin. Without seeing him, she prescribed me Revolution. Will this even work? What if it's mange mites? I am so fed up I can scream. It seems the vet I use for my dogs is more knowledgable and up to date on caives than these exotic vets are.

[Kayleigh]

I would suggest treating for mites using ivermectin just to be safe. As for hair loss, is the area of skin pink and healthy looking? You can use a savalon cream or athletes foot cream if its fungal. I would suggest using the athletes foot cream for a few days to see if it clears up. If you pull at the hair around the balding area does it just come out?

Vets can be very very stressful and want to use this and that and do this and that. When its not really needed.

I personally would rather use ivermectin than revoloution. Its not got the greatest track record with pigs.

This should help you out alot

www.guinealynx.info/antiparasitics.html

Kayleigh

[oliversmommy]

Omg it's like u pay 200$ dollars just so they can tell you to keep an eye on that. The vet I work for even does this with our rabbits and sends them off with a pat On the back a rabbit whoose condition hasn't changed and a stinking vet bill for eighty bucks I hope everything works out for you guys and all that bs about doxycycline is just that- bs Shelby is perfectly of age if he needs it we had baby bunnies on it for heavens sake!!!! I hope this all works out and yes rescue pigs are supposed to be healthier but my rescue pig albert died four months after I got him from some unknown cause!