Antibiotics

Question
Hello. I have a guinea pig with a pretty bad URI. I went to the vet and got antibiotics. I am a complete idiot, and didn't read the instructions closely. I haven't been refrigerating the antibiotics, or shaking them prior to giving them to my piggie. I've been giving him the antibiotics for 3.5 days now, and he doesn't show any signs of improving. I feel horrible for not realizing my mistake sooner!

I've now refrigerated and will shake prior to use. I'm suppoed to give him the antibiotics for 14 days. Do you think this is OK? Should I go back to the vet?  

Answer
Helo Becca,

Call your vet and ask his advice. He may want you to come pick up new antibiotics. It's unlikely they will hurt him they just may no longer be effective, but call the vet to be sure. As for the symptoms not improving, usually with URIs they do get worse before better even with treatment so it's possible he's still getting better it just doesn't seem like it. Also, you'll want to pick up some acidophilus (a supplement near the vitamins at the drug store) to replace the good tummy bacteria the antibiotics will kill off. Check with your vet to be certain, it may still be ok. We all make mistakes sometimes. Don't feel too awful about it, just try to get it fixed. Good luck.

-kkat
http://www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs