++天竺鼠的樂園++(知識庫)

【譯者Cecilia，整理MiKi】

Upper Respiratory Infections

上呼吸道感染

URIs are deadly bacterial infections that can result in death if untreated.

上呼吸道感染是致命的細菌感染，若未經治療，會造成死亡

Bacterial respiratory infections are a common problem among pet store pigs (a good reason to adopt your pet instead of purchasing one from a pet store). New pet owners are often unaware of how quickly guinea pigs can go downhill and how vital prompt veterinary care is to the health of your new pet.


細菌性呼吸道感染在寵物店的天竺鼠間是很常見的問題（是你以領養天竺鼠取代從寵物店購買的好理由）。新手飼主常常沒有意識到，天竺鼠會惡化的很迅速，沒有立即地讓獸醫治療會造成你的新寵物死亡。

Untreated URIs are almost always fatal. Cavies do not get cold viruses.
沒有受到治療的上呼吸道感染通常總是會造成死亡。天竺鼠不會感染感冒病毒。

Allergies are very rare, though they may produce similar signs.
過敏現象是很少見的，但它也會出現類似的徵狀。

Signs of a URI:
上呼吸道感染的症狀：
    Refusal to eat or drink (anorexia)

    拒絕吃或喝(厭食症)
    No feces (as a result of not eating)

    沒有大便 (不吃東西的結果)

    Labored breathing, wheezing
    呼吸困難、喘息

    Sneezing, coughing

    打噴嚏、咳嗽
    Crusty eyes, eyes that are almost sealed shut

    眼睛濕潤，眼睛幾乎閉上
    Discharge from eyes or nose (read about normal Eyes)

    眼睛或鼻子不適 (查看有關  正常眼睛 的網頁)
    Dull and/or receding eyes

    眼睛無神、渙散
    Rough or puffed-up coat

    皮毛粗糙或者是豎立
    Lethargy, hunched posture

    昏睡、縮成一團的姿勢


See a vet immediately if you see any of these signs. Because URIs are so deadly and fast moving, it is imperative that the vet rules out a URI before considering the possibility of an allergy.

如果你發現以上的任何徵兆，馬上去看獸醫!因為上呼吸道感染是非常致命而且惡化地很快。獸醫必須很緊急地在認為可能是過敏前，就發現是呼吸道感染。

WHAT YOUR VET MAY DO

你的獸醫應該做的事

    The vet will check for hydration.

    獸醫應該檢查水分
    A stethoscope can be used to listen to the lungs and heart.
    用聽診器聽肺部和心臟

    An x-ray may be taken to check for fluid in lungs.

    照X光確定肺部有無積水
    The vet may culture the bacteria to help determine which antibiotics are most effective.

    獸醫可能會培養細菌來決定哪種抗生素最有效

TREATMENT

治療

A vet will prescribe a safe antibiotic like Bactrim or Doxycycline to treat these bacterial infections. Baytril, another frequently prescribed medication, is usually not given to young guinea pigs because it can cause arthropathies (bone abnormalities) although it can be an effective treatment.
獸醫會開立安全的抗生素，像是Bactrim 或 Doxycycline來治療這些細菌感染。Baytril,是另一種常見被開立的藥物，通常不會被用在年輕的天竺鼠，因為它會造成arthropathies (骨骼異常)。
Unknowledgeable vets may prescribe medications like Amoxicillin that can be deadly to your pet so be sure to review the Dangerous Medications list before seeing your vet.
沒有知識的獸醫可能會開立像是Amoxicillin的藥物，那對你的寵物是致命的。所以在看你的獸醫之前，確定你看過 危險藥物  的網頁

And if your guinea pig is not eating, you must hand feed to keep your pet alive while the antibiotic works. Get a scale and follow the guidelines on the hand feeding page.
如果你的天竺鼠不吃東西，你一定要灌食，當抗生素在發揮作用時確保你的寵物活命。全面讀過並且遵從 灌食 網頁的指示。

Be sure to ask your vet how long it will take for the antibiotics to work. Call your vet if you see no improvement in the specified time period (generally a day or two). Read the advice about giving antibiotics. 
確定你問過你的獸醫抗生素要多久才會發揮作用。如果你在一段時間內(通常是一到兩天)沒有發現任何進展，馬上打電話給你的獸醫。

查看 服用抗生素的建議。