Bloat after pneumonia treatment

[Sofia99]

Hi, I used to have an account here before 6 years for my Guinea pigs , you’ve helped me a lot back then and thank you for that ! My Guinea pig Ratisilaos passed at 7 years old from pneumonia before 12 days , and my other piggy taco survived from pneumonia (6years old). After antibiotics my piggy Taco was bloated , he had a big belly but still eating hay and everything ,also constipation ... When we went to the vet again for check up for pneumonia ,he had also parasites and got a treatment, vet said to cut veggies and start syringe feed critical care if he don’t want to eat it on his own , (he wasn’t very bad when we went to the vet just a bigger belly ,but eating hay normally). The next days he became worst ,not all day but some parts of the day ,he start having like spasms ,and not eating at all(for a few hours), but whenever I was syringe feeding him with water and critical ,then he was becoming better again after a while ,(Also I have to mention that he wanted to eat his veggies but i couldn’t give him ). The problem is that because of my sadness and anxiety I started getting sick too , and even if I was trying my best the syringe feed was a nightmare, couldn’t do it right even if I know how to do it ,I was scared that I will choke him , so I wasn’t able to give him the amounts of water and food he needed.. I am far from the vet like 2hours (come and go)and I’m not driving ,so it was really hard for me to take him to the vet I had to make my father take him with the car I was there too , but believe me it wasn’t easy to convince him to take him, we’ve went one time to the vet for pneumonia ,then after a few days we’ve went again for check up .. And yesterday we’ve went again for the third time for bloat, he had an injection and then rehydrated him ,after rehydration he became a lot better ,vet put him Timothy hay and he was eating again.. I think because of me that I couldn’t feed him right the water he got dehydration (he was never drinking a lot of water ,more water was from his veggies,but when we cut him veggies ,I needed to give him water with syringe). Vet said that he has gut movement,there is no blockage. We’ve decided to keep him on the clinic,and now I feel super guilty for that ,but I trust the vet ,also my piggy is comfortable with the vet . Vet suggested to keep him because I was in bad situation, I hadn’t eat a proper meal for 12 days ,and sadness and anxiety had killed me,so I wasn’t taking great care of him even if I was trying all day,also it’s far if I have to visit the vet all the time . He is at the vet’s clinic from yesterday night.. We’ve talked today and She told me that she hadn’t see him have any spasms like home or that he is in pain but he could hide it, also she told me that he is eating hay but not all the time (he relaxing a lot anyway after the age of 4). Theyre keeping him hydrated and trying to maintain his weight .. She will call me again when he will have his pain medication .. I don’t know if I did the right thing to leave him there , but I wasn’t taking good care of him on my own ,I was struggling with syringe feeding , the vet is doing it very easy ,but I don’t know why I don’t .. I feel guilty for not taking him home ,but I also feel like what I was doing for him wasn’t enough .. I will take him home from clinic in two days ,if he will be better .. I see on the internet ,that all the piggy owners ,trying their best to do at their home, while me I am not so good for that, and that makes me feel a bad owner .. It’s not the first time that the vet is helping me ,more than a vet visit.. Sorry if you don’t understand my English

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Please do not feel bad that you are struggling, believe me I have been there! I also suffer with severe anxiety and OCD and in my three Rainbow piggies last days I struggled too. I found it difficult to keep up with everything so you are not alone.

It sounds to me like you have done the best thing for him and for yourself too. He really is in the best place. When we suffer with mental health issues it is so important that we get our rest and our diets on track and letting him have a stay at the vets is gonna allow you to try and get yourself back on track.

You are clearly not a bad owner and obviously love your little one so much. I really hope your piggie is ok and you are too. Keep us posted on how you both get on. The forum is always here for support when you need it

 

[Sofia99]

Hi and thank you ,I really appreciate your answer and that you are understanding my struggle! Mental issues are so hard , and sometimes I feel so lost.. Tomorrow taco is coming back home , he is not fine yet but probably better with the medication ,I don’t know how he will act at home .. I was supposed to be happy that my piggy will come back home ,but i am not because I am scared and super anxious of how he will be .. I am a little bit better tho ,because I’ve ate some food those two days that he was with the vet ,and I am not feeling so dizzy and sick anymore ,I hope I will be able to take better care of him now.. I am sad that you are are struggling with almost same mental problems as me , I know that sometimes we don’t enjoy moments of our life because of anxiety , depression etc, and I wish that things will get better for you too .But on the other side I am happy that you can understand me ,sometimes that’s what we need.. Thank you

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

I know exactly what you mean by feeling lost, I also feel completely alone at times. I think having a mental illness is the worst thing a person can deal with and it completely tires you out. It's also the hardest thing to get over once you have it, I sometimes think I won't ever feel normal again.

It is great news Taco will soon be home. When he comes home, take a deep breath and look after him at your own pace. I believe everything happens for a reason and he is coming home because you can care for him, you can do this

Make sure to take time for yourself too and keep on track of your eating and rest, I know it's hard but you will feel better looking after yourself aswell as him. He needs you to be strong for him to grow stronger.

I feel the same, my life is just a constant misery at times because of my anxiety and even more so my OCD, it really is destroying my life. I know, it is nice when we talk to others in a similar situation as it shows we are not on our own. Can I ask if there's anyone who can help you with Taco? With syringe feeding etc? I really struggled with my piggies too.

A trick can be to get a towel and wrap Taco up like a burrito. If you know what I mean? Put him in the middle of a towel, fold the bottom over his bottom and back then fold the sides over him so he is wrapped up. Then pick him up like you would usually, one hand under his bottom and the other around his tummy/chest area. This may make feeding him a little easier x

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Hi. How is Taco and how are you managing? Hope all is well.

 

[Sofia99]

Hi. How is Taco and how are you managing? Hope all is well.

Hi I was almost all day at the vet yesterday ,that’s why I didn’t answer to your reply .. I really don’t know how he is ,he doesn’t look so good he is not his real self ,but he wants to eat veggies (I don’t give him ) he is eating a little bit hay too, he doesn’t look like he is in pain like the other days ,but he doesn’t look comfortable either, just sitting on an edge,and for sure he is still bloated ,and not pooping,just a few mushy poops. I am starting thinking of putting him down.. Not yet,I will keep trying but if this situation don’t improve ,I will.. I feel devastaded I don’t know what to do .. Your advice with the blanket helped me a lot with the feeding thank you I appreciate it

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Did the vet give you any medication for the bloat such as emeprid? You could try giving him gripe water and massaging his tummy to get the gas moving. I have a massage pillow that vibrates and sit my piggies on that. Anything really such as an electric toothbrush under his tummy.

I would also give him probiotics in his syringe feed and this will help his gut. This was a lifesaver for my piggies when their tummys were upset. I would give him more time to see if he begins to recover, the fact he doesn't seem in pain anymore and is pooping a little is a good sign.

Is he on any medications? I am pleased the towel advice has helped.

 

[Sofia99]

Did the vet give you any medication for the bloat such as emeprid? You could try giving him gripe water and massaging his tummy to get the gas moving. I have a massage pillow that vibrates and sit my piggies on that. Anything really such as an electric toothbrush under his tummy.

I would also give him probiotics in his syringe feed and this will help his gut. This was a lifesaver for my piggies when their tummys were upset. I would give him more time to see if he begins to recover, the fact he doesn't seem in pain anymore and is pooping a little is a good sign.

Is he on any medications? I am pleased the towel advice has helped.

He was on emeprid before but not anymore. Omg now he has diarrheia. Most of the medicines and probiotics you have ,we don’t have them in Greece .. He started acting more normal but now he has diarrheia.. He started having diarrheia after I syringe feed him water .. I don’t know what to do .. i feel so bad right now

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

He was on emeprid before but not anymore. Omg now he has diarrheia. Most of the medicines and probiotics you have ,we don’t have them in Greece .. He started acting more normal but now he has diarrheia.. He started having diarrheia after I syringe feed him water .. I don’t know what to do .. i feel so bad right now

I am going to try and tag a few more members that may be able to offer you more advice, I have no idea how to tag but here it goes, @Wiebke , @Swissgreys , @Piggies&buns

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

He was on emeprid before but not anymore. Omg now he has diarrheia. Most of the medicines and probiotics you have ,we don’t have them in Greece .. He started acting more normal but now he has diarrheia.. He started having diarrheia after I syringe feed him water .. I don’t know what to do .. i feel so bad right now

I've done it I hope. Please don't feel bad you are doing your best. Try not to worry x

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Is he on any painkillers? Metacam, loxicom, rheumacam?

 

[Swissgreys]

He was on emeprid before but not anymore. Omg now he has diarrheia. Most of the medicines and probiotics you have ,we don’t have them in Greece .. He started acting more normal but now he has diarrheia.. He started having diarrheia after I syringe feed him water .. I don’t know what to do .. i feel so bad right now

Firstly take a deep breath.
It is clear you are doing everything you can for Taco and are a very loving and devoted owner.
He is lucky to have you.

For supplies in Greece you do have Zooplus (but only in Greek - I am not sure what languages you speak).
Violet www.viovet.co.uk driver to Greece, but it might take a while although they do offer a lot of things like probiotics and recovery foods.

But in the short term offer him unlimited hay and you can use his regular pellet food soaked in water to create a much for syringe feeding.
It is good he is pooping - can you ask at the vet for a probiotic to help with the mushy poops?

But above all be kind to yourself - sometimes we try our absolute hardest and things go well, and sometimes they don't.
Any decision made with love is never wrong.
We are all here to support you and Taco.

 

[Sofia99]

Did the vet give you any medication for the bloat such as emeprid? You could try giving him gripe water and massaging his tummy to get the gas moving. I have a massage pillow that vibrates and sit my piggies on that. Anything really such as an electric toothbrush under his tummy.

I would also give him probiotics in his syringe feed and this will help his gut. This was a lifesaver for my piggies when their tummys were upset. I would give him more time to see if he begins to recover, the fact he doesn't seem in pain anymore and is pooping a little is a good sign.

Is he on any medications? I am pleased the towel advice has helped.

I winr

I've done it I hope. Please don't feel bad you are doing your best. Try not to worry x

Thank you very much really ,you were the first one who tried to help me and cared about our situation .. He is not on painkillers but vet gave me metacam , we thought that he was better so we stopped pain killers

 

[Sofia99]

Firstly take a deep breath.
It is clear you are doing everything you can for Taco and are a very loving and devoted owner.
He is lucky to have you.

For supplies in Greece you do have Zooplus (but only in Greek - I am not sure what languages you speak).
Violet www.viovet.co.uk driver to Greece, but it might take a while although they do offer a lot of things like probiotics and recovery foods.

But in the short term offer him unlimited hay and you can use his regular pellet food soaked in water to create a much for syringe feeding.
It is good he is pooping - can you ask at the vet for a probiotic to help with the mushy poops?

But above all be kind to yourself - sometimes we try our absolute hardest and things go well, and sometimes they don't.
Any decision made with love is never wrong.
We are all here to support you and Taco.

Thank you , it needs more than 7-10 days to come to my place from the internet .. Now he has DIARHEIA,no just mushy poops! Diarheia started after I syringe feed him with water (10ml) … Please tell me something I can do .. We are going to vet all the time ,i can’t go to the vet every 3 days First pneumonia,then Bloat ,and now Bloat and diarheia

 

[Piggies&buns]

This is our guide which details what to do when a piggy has bloat and diarrhoea.

If it is full liquid diarrhoea then he does need to see a vet as severe diarrhoea is considered urgent due to the risk of dehydration.
Make sure you weigh him every day so you can gauge that he getting enough syringe feed (mushed pellets) to keel his weight stable.

If he is still bloated, then he still needs the medications including pain meds. Bloat is very painful for them.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

I winr
Thank you very much really ,you were the first one who tried to help me and cared about our situation .. He is not on painkillers but vet gave me metacam , we thought that he was better so we stopped pain killers

You are welcome . I know what it's like caring for a sick piggie when we are not well ourselves. Do you still have some metacam?

 

[Sofia99]

This is our guide which details what to do when a piggy has bloat and diarrhoea.

If it is full liquid diarrhoea then he does need to see a vet as severe diarrhoea is considered urgent due to the risk of dehydration.
Make sure you weigh him every day so you can gauge that he getting enough syringe feed (mushed pellets) to keel his weight stable.

If he is still bloated, then he still needs the medications including pain meds. Bloat is very painful for them.

Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Yes it is liquid diarrhea.. But vet will be there on monday..What can I do for tomorrow ? I am not giving him veggies, he is on critical care(should I stop cc and just give him mushed pellets?) ,I am cleaning his butt , what else I can do ? After syringe feeding him with water ,he has more diarrheia

 

[Sofia99]

You are welcome . I know what it's like caring for a sick piggie when we are not well ourselves. Do you still have some metacam?

It’s so bad .. i already know that I will wake up in the morning super scared to go to his cage .. Yes I have metacam ,but the problem now is the diarrheia,he don’t look anymore in pain like the other days ,I’m scared to give him meds with diarrheia

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

It’s so bad .. i already know that I will wake up in the morning super scared to go to his cage .. Yes I have metacam ,but the problem now is the diarrheia,he don’t look anymore in pain like the other days ,I’m scared to give him meds with diarrheia

All I would do if he doesn't seem in pain is carry on with critical care food and water. Your right, if he has diarrhea the metacam could make him worse.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please continue to syringe feed critical care. It is so important that he has it reguladly if he isn’t eating hay. Please also speak to your veg.
Also ensure you keep up with the daily weight checks to ensure you are giving enough syringe feed to keep his weight stable.

Metacam does not cause diarrhoea.

 

[Sofia99]

All I would do if he doesn't seem in pain is carry on with critical care food and water. Your right, if he has diarrhea the metacam could make him worse.

That’s what I’m doing but no improvement.. he didn’t poop at all today ,diarrheia stopped .. at least he stopped having diarrheia yesterday and he had some mushy poops later

 

[Sofia99]

Please continue to syringe feed critical care. It is so important that he has it reguladly if he isn’t eating hay. Please also speak to your veg.
Also ensure you keep up with the daily weight checks to ensure you are giving enough syringe feed to keep his weight stable.

Metacam does not cause diarrhoea.

Diarrheia stopped yesterday and he had some mushy poops later .. Today he didn’t have any poop .. It’s been almost 12 days like this that he is not okay, I don’t know if he will get any better .. I don’t want to let him live like this

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Please continue with the advice @Piggies&buns has given. This really is his best chance of survival. I know it's difficult to see him like this and sometimes letting him go is the kindest option but it is completely your decision. Try not to lose hope, I am for his recovery.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

How is Taco today and how are you? Hope you are both doing ok.

 

[Sofia99]

How is Taco today and how are you? Hope you are both doing ok.

Taco passed today .. He refused to syringe feed him and it was really hard to do it so he lost weight , he became really bad yesterday , and everyday was worst than the other .. Today we put him to sleep .. After the medication for bloat ,(gut stimulant etc) ,he started diarrheia ,and then constipation again and then pain ,at least I gave him painkillers yesterday .. His paws started to have problems too , couldn’t move his legs properly anymore ,and he developed problem with his skin in paws .. I don’t know if this was the right decision , I couldn’t see him like this anymore .. when he had his x ray before 2 weeks he had something I think called in English twisted gut .. He took medication and everything but didn’t improve just became worst .. After the lost of his friend he started getting sick .. I hope he don’t hates me now like how I hate myself for doing this ..

 

[Sofia99]

How is Taco today and how are you? Hope you are both doing ok.

I feel sick .. my heart is broken .. he was 6+ years old ,I thought he would make it for 1-2 more years.. I couldn’t syringe feed him so good the last days ,so he lost weight .. Maybe if I tried more when he refused that ,he would eat.. Or if I didn’t sleep sometimes and keep pushing him with the water and the food ,things would been different.. I still can’t understand in my mind that he is not alive now

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry to hear you have had to let Taco go. You did all you could for him, he was obviously very loved and he would have known that. Taco is no longer in pain, it really was the kindest thing to do for him.

 

[Sofia99]

I am so sorry to hear you have had to let Taco go. You did all you could for him, he was obviously very loved and he would have known that. Taco is no longer in pain, it really was the kindest thing to do for him.

Thank you .. I can’t believe that this happened.. I hope he will forgive me .. now he is next to his best friend .. It was a huge downfall for him after my other piggy died .. I can’t understand how taco was saved from pneumonia ,and couldn’t be saved now, or maybe we didnt save him

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Taco passed today .. He refused to syringe feed him and it was really hard to do it so he lost weight , he became really bad yesterday , and everyday was worst than the other .. Today we put him to sleep .. After the medication for bloat ,(gut stimulant etc) ,he started diarrheia ,and then constipation again and then pain ,at least I gave him painkillers yesterday .. His paws started to have problems too , couldn’t move his legs properly anymore ,and he developed problem with his skin in paws .. I don’t know if this was the right decision , I couldn’t see him like this anymore .. when he had his x ray before 2 weeks he had something I think called in English twisted gut .. He took medication and everything but didn’t improve just became worst .. After the lost of his friend he started getting sick .. I hope he don’t hates me now like how I hate myself for doing this ..

Oh no, I am so so sorry. Please don't be hard on yourself, you really did do your best. Life sometimes just is not fair. You were a loving, caring piggie parent and he was lucky to have you. Be gentle with yourself as you grieve. Sleep tight little one

 

[Sofia99]

Oh no, I am so so sorry. Please don't be hard on yourself, you really did do your best. Life sometimes just is not fair. You were a loving, caring piggie parent and he was lucky to have you. Be gentle with yourself as you grieve. Sleep tight little one

Thank you very much that you cared for me and taco .. I hope he is in a better place now with his best friend.. it’s very hard for me, but I have to move on with my life because I quit studying those weeks to take care of him, and now I have to focus again, and i can’t take my mind of him …I’m totally broken and sad I don’t know how I will move on You seem like such a caring person , I wish you and your piggies have the best life !