CalicoWitch
New Born Pup
Hello everyone,
I found my way to the forum while looking for information on weight loss in guinea pigs. There were/are no other signs or symptoms I could put a finger on. My instinct all along has been worms and/or internal parasites. I found a vet recommended by a local guinea pig rescue. Because of the lock down I had a telephone consult with a vet who told me guinea pigs don't get worms so if he didn't get any better he'd need to be seen as it was likely a dental problem. I made an appointment with the practice owner who, I was told, is very experienced with guinea pigs. My boy had a very thorough examination where the vet couldn't find anything that would cause the weight loss. He was booked in for the following day when he went through a more thorough examination, a scan to look for bladder stones, an x-ray, blood tests and urine tests. Nothing to cause weight loss showed up. He had a thyroid test too. He does have bladder stones but they're not large enough to cause enough pain to explain the weight loss. There was a microscopic amount of blood in his urine. I suggested worms to this vet as my boys live indoors but had started going out to their outdoor runs about three weeks or so before I noticed weight loss. I have a dog, there are neighbourhood cats, fox, hedgehogs, other small mammals and birds all use the garden. I always rinse/wash any dandelion or other bits I pick from the garden but have very probably now and then given them a handful of grass without washing it. I was told that it was extremely unlikely a guinea pig would get worms and if he did have them heavily enough to cause such significant weight loss I would have seen them in his pellets/poops/stools. He came home with Metacam and a 14 day course of Baytril. I should say that throughout all this he's been acting normally, eating normally, he's active and agile. He lives with two other boars, all entire, he's not behaved any differently with them and they haven't behaved any differently with him. After a few days vet asked me to stop his Metacam and take note to see how he was without it. No difference. Vet wants another report, and a weight, at the end of the Baytril course which will be Wednesday. His weight has gone up and down a little bit but he's no better than he was before we went to the vet. I've now noticed some hair loss around both eyes. At no time has he had sore eyes, no discharge or weeping. I'm wondering if this could be because he's now getting generally run down.
I found some posts dating back to 2009 which seemed to be very relevant. In very similar situations Panacur was mentioned as was Ivermectin. From what I gathered Panacur was for worms and Ivermectin was for external AND internal parasites. I feel like this is the way to go and would really appreciate any advice please. Should I try Ivermectin to treat internal parasites, does it kill worms too? AND because of the hair loss though there's no other bald or thinning places and no significant scratching. I believe it can be taken orally and that would treat both internal and external? Or should I try Panacur? I believe this treats worms but will it also deal with any other internal parasites? Or should I try one and after a certain length of time if there's no improvement try the other? I believe some owners use both regularly as a preventative but feel I need to check with experienced pig owners before I do anything. I intend talking to his vet and telling him what I'd like to do now and try and obtain any treatment/s from him. There isn't a plan in place to do anything at the end of the Baytril course. Vet has no thoughts on what else it's likely to be. I asked if it might be something sinister like cancer and he explained there was nothing along those lines suggested from the physical exam he did. Heart, lungs, kidneys, joints etc. all looked fine with no abnormal lumps, bumps or growths though it can't be ruled out. I think trying one or both of the internal parasite treatments is the next step.
Any information, help or advice would be very gratefully received please.
I found my way to the forum while looking for information on weight loss in guinea pigs. There were/are no other signs or symptoms I could put a finger on. My instinct all along has been worms and/or internal parasites. I found a vet recommended by a local guinea pig rescue. Because of the lock down I had a telephone consult with a vet who told me guinea pigs don't get worms so if he didn't get any better he'd need to be seen as it was likely a dental problem. I made an appointment with the practice owner who, I was told, is very experienced with guinea pigs. My boy had a very thorough examination where the vet couldn't find anything that would cause the weight loss. He was booked in for the following day when he went through a more thorough examination, a scan to look for bladder stones, an x-ray, blood tests and urine tests. Nothing to cause weight loss showed up. He had a thyroid test too. He does have bladder stones but they're not large enough to cause enough pain to explain the weight loss. There was a microscopic amount of blood in his urine. I suggested worms to this vet as my boys live indoors but had started going out to their outdoor runs about three weeks or so before I noticed weight loss. I have a dog, there are neighbourhood cats, fox, hedgehogs, other small mammals and birds all use the garden. I always rinse/wash any dandelion or other bits I pick from the garden but have very probably now and then given them a handful of grass without washing it. I was told that it was extremely unlikely a guinea pig would get worms and if he did have them heavily enough to cause such significant weight loss I would have seen them in his pellets/poops/stools. He came home with Metacam and a 14 day course of Baytril. I should say that throughout all this he's been acting normally, eating normally, he's active and agile. He lives with two other boars, all entire, he's not behaved any differently with them and they haven't behaved any differently with him. After a few days vet asked me to stop his Metacam and take note to see how he was without it. No difference. Vet wants another report, and a weight, at the end of the Baytril course which will be Wednesday. His weight has gone up and down a little bit but he's no better than he was before we went to the vet. I've now noticed some hair loss around both eyes. At no time has he had sore eyes, no discharge or weeping. I'm wondering if this could be because he's now getting generally run down.
I found some posts dating back to 2009 which seemed to be very relevant. In very similar situations Panacur was mentioned as was Ivermectin. From what I gathered Panacur was for worms and Ivermectin was for external AND internal parasites. I feel like this is the way to go and would really appreciate any advice please. Should I try Ivermectin to treat internal parasites, does it kill worms too? AND because of the hair loss though there's no other bald or thinning places and no significant scratching. I believe it can be taken orally and that would treat both internal and external? Or should I try Panacur? I believe this treats worms but will it also deal with any other internal parasites? Or should I try one and after a certain length of time if there's no improvement try the other? I believe some owners use both regularly as a preventative but feel I need to check with experienced pig owners before I do anything. I intend talking to his vet and telling him what I'd like to do now and try and obtain any treatment/s from him. There isn't a plan in place to do anything at the end of the Baytril course. Vet has no thoughts on what else it's likely to be. I asked if it might be something sinister like cancer and he explained there was nothing along those lines suggested from the physical exam he did. Heart, lungs, kidneys, joints etc. all looked fine with no abnormal lumps, bumps or growths though it can't be ruled out. I think trying one or both of the internal parasite treatments is the next step.
Any information, help or advice would be very gratefully received please.
