URI...but not!? TWICE!?

[Jatango]

Bug has really thrown me for a loop with this URI thing. She's sniffly in the morning, and sometimes a little snotty and sounds congested. I take her to the vet, and tada! Instant healthy-as-a-horse hog! ::grumbles:: This has happened twice. Granted, the vet hasn't been able to get the greatest read on her because she's a huff monster, but it would be decently obvious if she were really sick. So what the heck? I just ordered her a HEPA filter last night, so we'll try that. Is her cage too poorly ventilated maybe? She's in a Sterilite with a screen-covered lid. There aren't any holes in the bin though...hmmm....

[Nancy]

Is she on liners or a loose bedding like shavings, carefresh etc? If the lid has normal window screen then I would say she isn't getting enough ventilation and the dust from the bedding could be bothering her. If she is on liners, try changing your laundry detergent and double rinse.

There are many different types of things you can use for ventilation. Either metal or plastic hardware cloth gives far better air ciruculation. The metal has 1/4" openings and the plastic has 1/2" openings.
If you have any of the cube panels, you know the ones that join together to make C&C cages. The panels can be attached to the lid for ventilation also.

The problem with URI's is they can seem to be just a little snuffly it very quickly turns to pnemonia. I would try and get her cage modified or ASAP and see if that helps. :)

[Jatango]

She's on liners, perfume/dye free detergent, double rinse. I'll try and get some hardware cloth and fix things today. Do I need to drill holes in the sides of the tub, or should the lid be enough?

I keep close tabs on her weight and her breathing. My vet is great and humors me when I come in for every little sneeze. ;) I know, i'm a paranoid mum. Bug was a runt, so my vet has suggested that maybe it was something congenital...she has other malformations, so that is a possibility. If the snifflies continue after the HEPA and fixing the cage, we're going to put her under, do some x-rays and try to figure out what's going on.

Can anyone suggest anything else? :)

[paris26]

Was she put on an antibiotic and if so, what kind? Also, if she was on an antibiotic, was she given it for the recommended period of time?

[Jatango]

Nope, never been treated with antibiotics in her life actually. Yay for sort-of healthy! I think...