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Advice please - Piggy eating slowly and not fully

He still spends his time in the hidey and is still refusing to go anywhere near his hay. I tried hand feeding some but without luck. I am relying on the syringe feeds but its a battle, then I feel guilty as I feel I am being cruel to him :( I am hoping tomorrow he will start eating.
 
munchmonster said:
He still spends his time in the hidey and is still refusing to go anywhere near his hay. I tried hand feeding some but without luck. I am relying on the syringe feeds but its a battle, then I feel guilty as I feel I am being cruel to him :( I am hoping tomorrow he will start eating.
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Hey. How’s things? X
 
I wish I knew :( He had put on 20g by Monday morning but today he had lost it again. He isn't interested in hay or fresh grass so back on critical care syringe feeds. He has just eaten a tiny piece of celery but then went back into his hidey. He has an appt with Ellie in Matlock on Friday.
Hope you are ok x
 
Aw sorry just caught up! Hope Wilbur picks up soon x
Sending healing vibes, is there anyway you could get to the Cat and Rabbit? Is he on a good dose of painkillers i.e. Metacam/Loxicom
Simon and a Kim are on holiday at half term
 
Bill & Ted said:
Aw sorry just caught up! Hope Wilbur picks up soon x
Sending healing vibes, is there anyway you could get to the Cat and Rabbit? Is he on a good dose of painkillers i.e. Metacam/Loxicom
Simon and a Kim are on holiday at half term
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I would say the same, its good to keep the critical care for weight but as guinea pigs teeth never stop growing they need grasses/hay to grind their teeth down. The symptoms sound exactly as my piggy.. if you google dental disease/mosculation in guinea pigs its interesting and will guard you with the right questions if you cant get to cat and rabbit (I know it's a long way and not possible for all!).
 
Sending lots of good vibes. Hope the appointment goes ok on Friday.
 
Tonight I have reached the stage where I don't know what to do any more. Work has become so pressured that every single person in the department is short tempered, the weather doesn't help.... then there is poor Wilf. He has lost weight when I weighed him this morning so tonight I sat him on my lap, gave him his medication then put his favourite snacks in front of him, plus hay and had some Critical Care and syringe at the side of me. He ate a 1cm cube of celery and that was it. I tried to fill 3 different syringes but all they drew up was air, so found a larger one in the cupboard which also did the same so I filled it from the other end, then put the plunger in, but he put up a fight and after 1/2hr it was all over me, the blanket and, the sofa .I don't want to lose him, and am sorry for ranting, but I am crying as I type this as I have run out of ideas.
 
munchmonster said:
Tonight I have reached the stage where I don't know what to do any more. Work has become so pressured that every single person in the department is short tempered, the weather doesn't help.... then there is poor Wilf. He has lost weight when I weighed him this morning so tonight I sat him on my lap, gave him his medication then put his favourite snacks in front of him, plus hay and had some Critical Care and syringe at the side of me. He ate a 1cm cube of celery and that was it. I tried to fill 3 different syringes but all they drew up was air, so found a larger one in the cupboard which also did the same so I filled it from the other end, then put the plunger in, but he put up a fight and after 1/2hr it was all over me, the blanket and, the sofa .I don't want to lose him, and am sorry for ranting, but I am crying as I type this as I have run out of ideas.
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I can‘t be of any help but I just wanted to send you a big hug. You‘re doing everything you can for Wilf and you‘re doing great. I know it‘s hard but don’t forget yourself in everything! I‘m thinking of you and your little man & sending lots of healing vibes. I hope things will be looking up soon x
 
munchmonster said:
Tonight I have reached the stage where I don't know what to do any more. Work has become so pressured that every single person in the department is short tempered, the weather doesn't help.... then there is poor Wilf. He has lost weight when I weighed him this morning so tonight I sat him on my lap, gave him his medication then put his favourite snacks in front of him, plus hay and had some Critical Care and syringe at the side of me. He ate a 1cm cube of celery and that was it. I tried to fill 3 different syringes but all they drew up was air, so found a larger one in the cupboard which also did the same so I filled it from the other end, then put the plunger in, but he put up a fight and after 1/2hr it was all over me, the blanket and, the sofa .I don't want to lose him, and am sorry for ranting, but I am crying as I type this as I have run out of ideas.
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Am so sorry to hear you are having such a rough time at the moment. Unfortunately I have no advice, but wanted to say you are doing an amazing job looking after poorly Wilf and you are doing everything you can for him. Stay strong and sending lots of positive vibes and big hugs 🤗 x x x
 
I’m so sorry. It’s a really stressful and lonely time when a piggy is poorly.
I always take the plunger out and when I’ve mixed my critical care I spoon it into a freezer bag and tie it off and then put a small hole in it and pipe it into the syringe and then put the plunger back. I just find it quicker and easier. I have always used the supreme recovery support syringes too, I have found them invaluable.
Sending love. X
 
munchmonster said:
Thank you stef.trg, only piggie people really understand x
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And that‘s why we‘re all here to support you. Have you tried making the critical care a bit more appetising for Wilf? My Pewter will only take CC if it‘s mixed with a bit of mashed banana and some oats. And I‘m sure I‘ve read somewhere on here that grated sweet potato is anothe piggy favourite. Hang in there x
 
If you wanted to try and get an appointment with either Simon or Kim Maddock, I offer boarding for their long distance clients, at a rate of £25 per week. This includes all supportive care that the guinea pig needs, as well as transport to their vet appointments x
 
munchmonster said:
I have never given a piggy banana but I will try anything at this stage. Thanks x
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Mine don‘t usually get banana, I only ever add it to CC. The piggies seem to fight me less and, since it mashes well, it doesn‘t make syringing any harder. Good luck, my fingers are firmly crossed that you get some into him x
 
The appointment isnt far away and you are doing all you can so dont be hard on yourself. Sorry to hear work etc is horrible, it all always comes at once it seems, but you will get there with Wilf and everything else, its just a short patch that has an end where things get better x
 
Wild continues to be a mystery to me :( He is still not eating very much and I am trying hard to syringe feed him, so I am even more puzzled now as I have just seen him pull up the corner of the vetbed and pull some plastic of the puppy pad underneath and eat it! I covered it back up, the he started pulling at the vetbed and munch on that too. In addition to all that, Annie is in season and is chasing him around and mounting him. Has anyone else's piggie ever done this?
 
Try popping a toilet roll cardboard tube in.. daisy wasn't eating but would happily eat some newspaper & someone suggested to pop a tube in.. it helps with their tummies I think when they are not right... xx
 
munchmonster said:
Wild continues to be a mystery to me :( He is still not eating very much and I am trying hard to syringe feed him, so I am even more puzzled now as I have just seen him pull up the corner of the vetbed and pull some plastic of the puppy pad underneath and eat it! I covered it back up, the he started pulling at the vetbed and munch on that too. In addition to all that, Annie is in season and is chasing him around and mounting him. Has anyone else's piggie ever done this?
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Hi!

Please try to give him more 'poo soup' (i.e. live healthy gut microbiome transfer); if he is digging around for rough fibre, then it is a sign that he is desperate to rebalance his gut microbiome in the way of an illness. 'Poo soup' is one of the few home care tips that have stood the test of time because it mimics natural behaviour.
You can find the 'recipe' for how to make it with practical tips in this link here to ensure that as much of the microbiome arrives in the gut still live. if done properly, it is much more effective than probiotics as it contains all the right stuff tailor made for a piggy gut: Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Sows can get strong seasons and hormone spikes at any age:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
 
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