Bloat Recovery

[jfpj91]

My guinea pig, Gaia, has been diagnosed with bloat. This was a little less than 2 weeks ago. She started to get better, and then she began dropping weight. At this point I was calling the vet daily with updates, so they could advise if they needed to see her. I took her in last Thursday, and they decided to keep her for a couple of nights. They released her to me today.

She has been hungry for her greens during all of this, but of course I was advised to switch to a hay only diet at first to help reduce gas. When they kept her Thursday and put her in a tank she immediately began eating hay and the spring mix they gave her. I got her home and I haven't seen her eat her hay, especially not going to town on it like she was at the vet's. They hay I have is greener and I give fresh hay several times a day to avoid them having to eat soiled hay. Why is she not wanting to eat her hay much at home? I'm pretty sure it isn't because of the other pigs for two reasons. 1. I tried separating her from the others, and she wouldn't eat then either. 2. She is fine around the other pigs, sleeping in the pig barns with them, interacting with them, etc.

For now she's good, the X-Rays are looking better and her demeanor is better. She's on an antibiotic and pain med for another 3 days. I don't mind giving her the greens, but I don't want her to stop eating hay and then wind back up in the hospital next week. I can't call my vet about this until Monday when they reopen.

Does anyone have any advice?

Also, does anyone know how often or much Pedialite to give a pig recovering from bloat to keep her fluid level up? They told me to give it to her but I forgot to ask specifics.

 

[jfpj91]

I guess I should also say she is constantly near the other pigs' butts trying to eat their poop. She was doing that before the vet and she isn't doing it as much now, but she is still doing it frequently. I'd it possible she is just getting full and getting her hay intake from the poop she is eating?

 

[Piggies&buns]

No the poop eating isn’t filling her up.
Are you syringe feeding her a recovery feed or mushed pellets?

 

[jfpj91]

No the poop eating isn’t filling her up.
Are you syringe feeding her a recovery feed or mushed pellets?

I have critical care which she refuses. The vet didn't tell me to continue looking it because at the office she was eating her hay just fine there. She is still eating her veggies here. I haven't given her much, but she is still eating those. I managed to get some hay in her by throwing it at the door of her pigloo every 15 minutes until I saw her eat some. She isn't eating it rabidly like her veggies, but she did get some in her.

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig, Gaia, has been diagnosed with bloat. This was a little less than 2 weeks ago. She started to get better, and then she began dropping weight. At this point I was calling the vet daily with updates, so they could advise if they needed to see her. I took her in last Thursday, and they decided to keep her for a couple of nights. They released her to me today.

She has been hungry for her greens during all of this, but of course I was advised to switch to a hay only diet at first to help reduce gas. When they kept her Thursday and put her in a tank she immediately began eating hay and the spring mix they gave her. I got her home and I haven't seen her eat her hay, especially not going to town on it like she was at the vet's. They hay I have is greener and I give fresh hay several times a day to avoid them having to eat soiled hay. Why is she not wanting to eat her hay much at home? I'm pretty sure it isn't because of the other pigs for two reasons. 1. I tried separating her from the others, and she wouldn't eat then either. 2. She is fine around the other pigs, sleeping in the pig barns with them, interacting with them, etc.

For now she's good, the X-Rays are looking better and her demeanor is better. She's on an antibiotic and pain med for another 3 days. I don't mind giving her the greens, but I don't want her to stop eating hay and then wind back up in the hospital next week. I can't call my vet about this until Monday when they reopen.

Does anyone have any advice?

Also, does anyone know how often or much Pedialite to give a pig recovering from bloat to keep her fluid level up? They told me to give it to her but I forgot to ask specifics.

Hi

Please weigh your piggy daily at the same time to monitor her daily food intake; kitchen scales are perfectly OK. Step in with syringe feeding support with recovery formula or - in a pinch - mushed up pellets (although you will have to cut off the tip of the syringe just below where it widens to allow the rougher pellet fibre to pass through. It is vital that your piggy is getting her fibre to keep the gut going and as balanced as possible. Keep in mind that around 80% of what your piggy is eating in a day should be hay. Fresh veg only makes about 15%.

The problem with bloating is that it can be primary (i.e. the digestive process derails) or it can be secondary as a complication to an underlying problem; usually a source of pain or pressure in the body. Severe bloat comes in waves and can take weeks to settle down again.

Please take the time to read through the very helpful practical information in these guide links here:

Crisis support care information:
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

 

[jfpj91]

Hi

Please weigh your piggy daily at the same time to monitor her daily food intake; kitchen scales are perfectly OK. Step in with syringe feeding support with recovery formula or - in a pinch - mushed up pellets (although you will have to cut off the tip of the syringe just below where it widens to allow the rougher pellet fibre to pass through. It is vital that your piggy is getting her fibre to keep the gut going and as balanced as possible. Keep in mind that around 80% of what your piggy is eating in a day should be hay. Fresh veg only makes about 15%.

The problem with bloating is that it can be primary (i.e. the digestive process derails) or it can be secondary as a complication to an underlying problem; usually a source of pain or pressure in the body. Severe bloat comes in waves and can take weeks to settle down again.

Please take the time to read through the very helpful practical information in these guide links here:

Crisis support care information:
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Any tips on how to force feed her the critical care since she keeps turning her nose up at it (literally and figuratively)?

 

[Wiebke]

Any tips on how to force feed her the critical care since she keeps turning her nose up at it (literally and figuratively)?

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
See picture in the guide. The link to the syringe feeding guide was available via the links in my previous post. If you have a partner, ask them to hold your piggy; then it is a bit easier or try to wrap her up.

 

[jfpj91]

Just an update. Since some of you'll took the time to respond and offer me advice, the least I can do is offer you a conclusion to what transpired.

Gaia has passed. She was hospitalized last week, they gave her fluids, an antibiotic, a pain med, and a laxative. Once she got home she was fine, but she started to deteriorate daily. Less appetite, smaller stool, etc. She had some up and down days in regards to lethargy and pain. She had blood on her vulva, so we took her in on Wednesday. They wanted to perform surgery on Thursday for a pyometra. When the head doctor came in Wednesday and they did another ultrasound to try and confirm the pyometra they saw it looked worse than they thought and performed surgery immediately. Once the doctor was in there he saw a very pale liver and he took a biopsy for pathology. He considered putting her down, but went ahead and spayed her and finished the operation. She was alert that night and early in the morning when the doctor checked on her, but once he got there to open for the day she was fading and eventually passed away.

 

[Princess_Harriet]

So sorry. Devastating.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry for your loss. You did the best for her that you could, that’s what matters. As well as your happy memories.

Popcorn free Gaia.

 

[Wiebke]

Just an update. Since some of you'll took the time to respond and offer me advice, the least I can do is offer you a conclusion to what transpired.

Gaia has passed. She was hospitalized last week, they gave her fluids, an antibiotic, a pain med, and a laxative. Once she got home she was fine, but she started to deteriorate daily. Less appetite, smaller stool, etc. She had some up and down days in regards to lethargy and pain. She had blood on her vulva, so we took her in on Wednesday. They wanted to perform surgery on Thursday for a pyometra. When the head doctor came in Wednesday and they did another ultrasound to try and confirm the pyometra they saw it looked worse than they thought and performed surgery immediately. Once the doctor was in there he saw a very pale liver and he took a biopsy for pathology. He considered putting her down, but went ahead and spayed her and finished the operation. She was alert that night and early in the morning when the doctor checked on her, but once he got there to open for the day she was fading and eventually passed away.

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry that Gaia's story hasn't got a good ending.
Pyometra (infection of the womb lining) is very often fatal in the advanced stages. It is always very difficult with make or break operations - but your vets have given her a chance. It is often not easy to work out what has caused what but it sounds like something serious was going on that has impacted on the gut and lowered the immune system.

Please try to take consolation that you have done everything for her that you could. Be kind with yourself in the coming days as you go through the grieving process.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[Piggies&buns]

I am so sorry for your loss

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry for your loss.

 

[jfpj91]

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry that Gaia's story hasn't got a good ending.
Pyometra (infection of the womb lining) is very often fatal in the advanced stages. It is always very difficult with make or break operations - but your vets have given her a chance. It is often not easy to work out what has caused what but it sounds like something serious was going on that has impacted on the gut and lowered the immune system.

Please try to take consolation that you have done everything for her that you could. Be kind with yourself in the coming days as you go through the grieving process.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

I read through that link. I bought the piggie in heaven book to help my daughter cope when she comes and visits this spring (she's 9) and maybe it'll help me.