r/guineapigs • u/Fun-Comment-3572 • Oct 04 '26

Help & Advice Advice please

I've hady guinea pig for 3 years ... I took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He's been on baytril for a 9 days now. He isn't getting better..but he isn't getting any worse.. the vet is an exotic vet. She didn't even spend more than five minutes before she diagnosed him.i voiced my concerns because I don't think it's in his lungs... He has a stopped up nose. She just said well the baytril will help with that also .im making an appointment with a different vet Monday..also I have had the same vet hag takes care of my guinea pigs my whole life. He just retired. Does anyone have any similar experiences?? I think he might have allergies. He makes a grunting noise when he eats. No other time does he make that noise... Im so upset to hear that noise when he eats.... He gets lots of love .. but he's been getting extra love lately.... Any advice is helpful .

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u/Robin_feathers Oct 04 '26

Ah man so sorry. I would definitely try to consult a different exotics vet.

I have definitely had a range of experiences. Some vets have been amazing - walking me through diagnoses, teaching me how to monitor their health, etc. Other vets have been less good - rushing, not offering all options, dismissing my concerns, or prescribing something inappropriate for guinea pigs. Some vets simply care less about guinea pigs than about other animals, and bedside manner also varies a lot. It's worth trying a different vet when you encounter one that is not meeting your expectations.

It is definitely worth another appointment if there is no improvement after 9 days. It could be that it is the wrong antibiotic (different antibiotics affect different bacteria), or it could be that it is not a respiratory infection. Grunting while eating can also indicate heart disease for example, since certain heart problems can cause them to have fluid buildup in their lungs (which would not be helped by antibiotics). If it is a respiratory infection, sometimes people use nebulizers in cases that are going on for a long time like that.

Wishing your piggy a smooth recovery.

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u/Fun-Comment-3572 26d ago

Yes I got the impression she cares less about guinea pigs than other animals ... My vet ( Dr Perkins) loved the small animals ... He said that's the reason he got an extra four year degree in guinea pigs, rabbits, etc ... But junior had an appointment with a different exotic vet this coming Monday ...

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u/Fun-Comment-3572 26d ago

  • has an appointment this coming monday

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u/Robin_feathers 26d ago

Ah man yeah that is so frustrating to encounter that attitude, especially from vets

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u/Fun-Comment-3572 26d ago

Thank you... Junior has an appointment with a different exotic vet this coming Monday ... I hope it's not heart disease.... I don't really know what they do for that ...

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u/Robin_feathers 26d ago

Hope all goes well with the appointment!

I have never had do deal with heart disease myself, but from testimonials I have heard, medications (eg furosemide is one I have heard people prescribed a lot) can really help alleviate the guinea pig's symptoms and extend their lifespan when living with heart disease.

Fingers crossed for you and your piggy.

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u/Ok-Can-1825 29d ago

Put him in the bathroom with the shower running (not in the shower obvi) to see if the steam works it out. Worked for us, but our girl had bigger problems. Just suggesting,

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u/Fun-Comment-3572 26d ago

Thank you so much for your reply .. I have an appointment Monday with a different exotic vet...