Bean has something going on and I don't know what

[AwkwardDuck]

A few days ago bean started showing pain signs. He will squeal when held if gentle pressure is applied around his chest. He has become slower and seems tired. He gets agitated easily if his cagemate is within a foot of him. I did call the vet and they thought it was pain and prescribed him metacam. Which he has had now for two days. Now I have noticed his bottom has and unusual smell, a sour smell and his last poop I saw is about half the size as normal. He also seems to be struggling to push poops out. His back legs seem a lot weaker than normal and he hovers one of his feet. (He gets plenty of vit c) he still seems to I seems to be eating and drinking. Any ideas of what it could be? I am think of calling the vet back and asking to have him seen in person (last appointment was a phone appointment due to current state of covid)

 

[Piggies&buns]

If his poop is half the size as normal then that can indicate he isn’t in fact eating as normal.
It would also be a good idea for you to step in and syringe feed him to ensure his food intake is sufficient. Switch from weekly weighing to daily weighing as it is the only way for you to gauge his food intake ( independently eating hay and whether you are syringe feeding him enough).
Please do have him seen by a vet - I think he needs a physical examination. The strong smell could indicate a bladder problem/infection

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Swissgreys]

It sounds like he has something more complicated going on and really needs a hands on examination by a vet.
I would call and request an appointment asap.

Also how cavy say is your vet and how much Metacam did they prescribe.
Guinea pigs have fast metabolisms and can need quite a high dose which many less experienced vets are not aware of.

But either way I think he really needs to be seen in person.

 

[AwkwardDuck]

It sounds like he has something more complicated going on and really needs a hands on examination by a vet.
I would call and request an appointment asap.

Also how cavy say is your vet and how much Metacam did they prescribe.
Guinea pigs have fast metabolisms and can need quite a high dose which many less experienced vets are not aware of.

But either way I think he really needs to be seen in person.

The syringe they gave us is marked in kg, so unsure what that is in ml. It's metacam for cats so 0.5 and 7kg for first day then 3.5 for following days. I'm not sure how cavy savvy they are. We use the PDSA though.

 

[AwkwardDuck]

If his poop is half the size as normal then that can indicate he isn’t in fact eating as normal.
It would also be a good idea for you to step in and syringe feed him to ensure his food intake is sufficient. Switch from weekly weighing to daily weighing as it is the only way for you to gauge his food intake ( independently eating hay and whether you are syringe feeding him enough).
Please do have him seen by a vet - I think he needs a physical examination. The strong smell could indicate a bladder problem/infection

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

We have an appointment for 4:30 I will update when we are back home from it.

 

[AwkwardDuck]

If his poop is half the size as normal then that can indicate he isn’t in fact eating as normal.
It would also be a good idea for you to step in and syringe feed him to ensure his food intake is sufficient. Switch from weekly weighing to daily weighing as it is the only way for you to gauge his food intake ( independently eating hay and whether you are syringe feeding him enough).
Please do have him seen by a vet - I think he needs a physical examination. The strong smell could indicate a bladder problem/infection

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

We weighed him and he has lost 30g since Tuesday. We have an appointment at 4:30 so will update when I'm back. Winston (the black and white pig) is concerned about him and trying to watch him constantly.

 

[Rivervixen]

Best of luck at the vets x

 

[Swissgreys]

The syringe they gave us is marked in kg, so unsure what that is in ml. It's metacam for cats so 0.5 and 7kg for first day then 3.5 for following days. I'm not sure how cavy savvy they are. We use the PDSA though.

Well done for getting an appointment - hopefully they can get to the bottom of it for you.

 

[Ginger19]

Best of luck, I loved to see the othe piggy watching for him. Keep us update ASAP please!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Best of luck, hope it’s nothing that can’t be easily sorted out. My boy has a UTI at the moment, they are a worry aren’t they x

 

[Wiebke]

The syringe they gave us is marked in kg, so unsure what that is in ml. It's metacam for cats so 0.5 and 7kg for first day then 3.5 for following days. I'm not sure how cavy savvy they are. We use the PDSA though.

One small 10 kg metacam syringe full is comparable to a 1 ml syringe in volume.

A strong urine smell is generally the sign of an infection somewhere in the urinary or reproductive tract. I would also ask to have your piggy additionally checked for bladder stones or sludge.

 

[AwkwardDuck]

They think it's an old joint injury playing up and that was causing stress. He was acting normal at the vets. We have some critical care.

 

[Siikibam]

Continue with weighing daily and adjusting your syringe feeding accordingly. Hopefully he will pick up soon. If not (still continuing to lose weight) I would return to the vet

 

[AwkwardDuck]

Continue with weighing daily and adjusting your syringe feeding accordingly. Hopefully he will pick up soon. If not (still continuing to lose weight) I would return to the vet

Will do! He's taking his feed ok. He seems happier after I fed him