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Dog bitten guinea pig

W

wiggles10

New Born Pup
Joined
Oct 1, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
25
Points
75
Location
Buckingham
Hello,
Based in Buckingham, Bucks.

Sadly a dog broke in to my guinea pigs Hutch grabbed my guinea pig, I heard the squeal and ran out and the dog dropped the guinea pig. I took him straight to the vets and they said until he calms down they will give him pain killers and check him over the following day, until then encourage eating and syringe critical care every 2 to 3 hours. I took him the following day and he was clearly in pain and making a noise with every breath, I have got stronger painkillers for him now and he has stopped making noises with every breath. He's clearly in pain and refusing critical care where he can. I saw on a forum about the Simon Maddock cat and rabbit care clinic just now so going to call them in the morning, I have an app booked with my vetinary centre tomorrow already but thought I would give this one a shot. I think its his jaw as when he does eat you hear a grinding noise and I think perhaps his back. He isn't paralysed but seems to in pain to move much. I was just wondering what position you think would be most comfortable for him in this instance, he keeps lifting his head slightly as if uncomfortable. I want to help so badly but not sure what is physically best, vet said to encourage movement every few hours but if something is broken I am not so sure that is the best idea now. It will cause him more pain, I also have a medication to help the gut move which I gave him in the night when his stool was very small and very dry. Sadly his friend died 2 weeks ago of kidney failure so the vet suggested getting some guinea pigs in a cage next door to keep him company. I have him in a c and c cage indoors most of the time so have put two girl pigs in one next to him, borrowed from a friend. He ate on and off for 2 hours then which gave me hope! That was yesterday evening.
 
You poor thing. Didn’t want to read and run but how frightening. It sounds like he needs an X-ray to find out what’s really going on. Simon is one of the best so I would get an emergency appointment tomorrow. Sending many healing vibes. Xx
 
I'm so sorry for your awful experience and the injury to your piggy (and also the death of your other pig). I do hope your piggy is able to recover, you are certainly doing your very best for him.
If you can get him to Cat&Rabbit, you will certainly get the very best advice etc. Please note, you need to phone on the dot of 8am for a same day appointment, they go very rapidly.

Wishing you and your pig all the best xx :hug:

PS do you have metacam for him now and if so, what dose is it?
 
Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry for your tragedy. What a huge shock for you.

I second the advice from @Qualcast&Flymo . Please have your boy seen in Northampton tomorrow by a guinea pig expert as an emergency if at all possible. It is likely that your boy could have internal injuries/bleeding since dogs shake their prey.
CAT AND RABBIT CARE CLINIC | Northlands Vets

Here is our one stop emergency and bridging care advice collection in case of a sudden deterioration: Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Please keep in mind that over three quarters of what a piggy eats in a day is hay and that you cannot control it by eye. You will need to weigh him on your kitchen scales ideally first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison and then step in with the appropriate feeding support. The fact that he is still interested in food is very encouraging.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Here is a relatively stress-free and minimal handling way of weighing your boy - you may have to pick him up initially but you do not have to handle him during weighing: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)

And here is some help for yourself. Feelings of guilt are always so much stronger after an accident or attack even if it wasn't your fault. Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Think about the future once you know that your surviving boy is out of the woods. There are plenty of boars of all ages looking for a new home in rescues.
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
 
I'm so sorry,that must've been such a shock 😔.I agree with @Qualcast&Flymo that if you want to see Simon or his wife Kim (she's also brilliant) then ring as soon as it's 8 o'clock for an emergency appointment.I really hope you can get in and they can help.You'll be in the best hands xx
 
Guinea Slave said:
You poor thing. Didn’t want to read and run but how frightening. It sounds like he needs an X-ray to find out what’s really going on. Simon is one of the best so I would get an emergency appointment tomorrow. Sending many healing vibes. Xx
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to respond ro me. Wish I had found this site sooner!
Will call on the dot 8am and see if I can get in! Am I right in thinking they have a few centres over Northampton way?

Many thanks,
Molly x
 
Gem789 said:
I'm so sorry,that must've been such a shock 😔.I agree with @Qualcast&Flymo that if you want to see Simon or his wife Kim (she's also brilliant) then ring as soon as it's 8 o'clock for an emergency appointment.I really hope you can get in and they can help.You'll be in the best hands xx
Click to expand...
I wish I knew about them sooner! Thanks for replying, I can't believe I have had 5 guinea pigs over years and not known about cats and rabbits!
Fingers crossed they can help in time!
x
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry for your tragedy. What a huge shock for you.

I second the advice from @Qualcast&Flymo . Please have your boy seen in Northampton tomorrow by a guinea pig expert as an emergency if at all possible. It is likely that your boy could have internal injuries/bleeding since dogs shake their prey.
CAT AND RABBIT CARE CLINIC | Northlands Vets

Here is our one stop emergency and bridging care advice collection in case of a sudden deterioration: Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Please keep in mind that over three quarters of what a piggy eats in a day is hay and that you cannot control it by eye. You will need to weigh him on your kitchen scales ideally first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison and then step in with the appropriate feeding support. The fact that he is still interested in food is very encouraging.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Here is a relatively stress-free and minimal handling way of weighing your boy - you may have to pick him up initially but you do not have to handle him during weighing: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)

And here is some help for yourself. Feelings of guilt are always so much stronger after an accident or attack even if it wasn't your fault. Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Think about the future once you know that your surviving boy is out of the woods. There are plenty of boars of all ages looking for a new home in rescues.
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
Click to expand...
Wow, your message is so thoughtful and informative thank you so much! It's been a brutal 38 hours! I wish I knew about this forum sooner and about this vet! I hope I can get an appointment and get on the right track for the poor little guy. Going to tell fellow guinea pig owners I know about this vet too!
I will update you tomorrow with hopefully positive news x
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
I'm so sorry for your awful experience and the injury to your piggy (and also the death of your other pig). I do hope your piggy is able to recover, you are certainly doing your very best for him.
If you can get him to Cat&Rabbit, you will certainly get the very best advice etc. Please note, you need to phone on the dot of 8am for a same day appointment, they go very rapidly.

Wishing you and your pig all the best xx :hug:

PS do you have metacam for him now and if so, what dose is it?
Click to expand...
I have been given reumacam which is apparently similar on a dose of 1.3ml every 24 hours then gabapentin every 12 hours 0.06ml. Then baytril 0.5ml morning and night to help with risk of assesses. Then to keep the gut moving if needed casipride which I had left from previous pig and asked the vet if needed it if he doesn't move and she said if he isn't passing stool very much or often then yes but focus on pain relief and anti b.

The trouble is it hurts hime to try and get the syringe in the corner of his mouth and it ends up going around his mouth and I have to try and wipe it away so it doesn't dry.

I will call c as ts and rabbits at 8am and hopefully get an appointment.

Many thanks again, you support and kinds words have helped, I have been helpless and in emotional agony over it x
 
Guinea Slave said:
You poor thing. Didn’t want to read and run but how frightening. It sounds like he needs an X-ray to find out what’s really going on. Simon is one of the best so I would get an emergency appointment tomorrow. Sending many healing vibes. Xx
Click to expand...
Thank you will get xrays done tomorrow and hope for the best x
 
wiggles10 said:
Will call on the dot 8am and see if I can get in! Am I right in thinking they have a few centres over Northampton way?

Many thanks,
Molly x
Click to expand...
Cat and Rabbit Clinic is part of a group of practices with several clinics in the Northampton area, but the clinic itself is the only one that specialises and is where Simon and Kim Maddock work. So you need to call the right number (01604 478888 in case the list is wrong) first time. The slots reserved for same-day urgent care appointments really do get taken within minutes.

I hope your boy is still doing OK tonight x
 
wiggles10 said:
I have been given reumacam which is apparently similar on a dose of 1.3ml every 24 hours then gabapentin every 12 hours 0.06ml. Then baytril 0.5ml morning and night to help with risk of assesses. Then to keep the gut moving if needed casipride which I had left from previous pig and asked the vet if needed it if he doesn't move and she said if he isn't passing stool very much or often then yes but focus on pain relief and anti b.

The trouble is it hurts hime to try and get the syringe in the corner of his mouth and it ends up going around his mouth and I have to try and wipe it away so it doesn't dry.

I will call c as ts and rabbits at 8am and hopefully get an appointment.

Many thanks again, you support and kinds words have helped, I have been helpless and in emotional agony over it x
Click to expand...
Yes rheumocam is the same active ingredient, just a different manufacturer. Sorry, missed that in your first post on first reading. That's good. Given the trauma your poor boy has suffered, the gabapentin is probably a good idea too. My old boy Squeaks 🌈 was on it for bad arthritis in his last months. Simon or Kim will be able to ensure you've got the best doses.
Most pigs love the taste of metacam etc and will happily take it from a syringe, though probably not gabapentin. I hope you can find a way to give him his meds which works without being painful for him.
Good luck for the morning 🍀
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
Cat and Rabbit Clinic is part of a group of practices with several clinics in the Northampton area, but the clinic itself is the only one that specialises and is where Simon and Kim Maddock work. So you need to call the right number (01604 478888 in case the list is wrong) first time. The slots reserved for same-day urgent care appointments really do get taken within minutes.

I hope your boy is still doing OK tonight x
Click to expand...
Just tried to give him medical care as gently as I could without moving him and he kept moving his head away which hurt him then squealed with pain to walk to the other corner of the cage... I think got a few light squeezes in but mostly out, it is causing him so much stress. Thanks for the number I will be ready at 7.59 x
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
Yes rheumocam is the same active ingredient, just a different manufacturer. Sorry, missed that in your first post on first reading. That's good. Given the trauma your poor boy has suffered, the gabapentin is probably a good idea too. My old boy Squeaks 🌈 was on it for bad arthritis in his last months. Simon or Kim will be able to ensure you've got the best doses.
Most pigs love the taste of metacam etc and will happily take it from a syringe, though probably not gabapentin. I hope you can find a way to give him his meds which works without being painful for him.
Good luck for the morning 🍀
Click to expand...
Aww I was surprised to hear guinea pigs with arthritis live for quite a while with the correct pain relief, its good to know. Poor guy isn't wanting anything syringed into his mouth right now x
wiggles10 said:
Hello,
Based in Buckingham, Bucks.

Sadly a dog broke in to my guinea pigs Hutch grabbed my guinea pig, I heard the squeal and ran out and the dog dropped the guinea pig. I took him straight to the vets and they said until he calms down they will give him pain killers and check him over the following day, until then encourage eating and syringe critical care every 2 to 3 hours. I took him the following day and he was clearly in pain and making a noise with every breath, I have got stronger painkillers for him now and he has stopped making noises with every breath. He's clearly in pain and refusing critical care where he can. I saw on a forum about the Simon Maddock cat and rabbit care clinic just now so going to call them in the morning, I have an app booked with my vetinary centre tomorrow already but thought I would give this one a shot. I think its his jaw as when he does eat you hear a grinding noise and I think perhaps his back. He isn't paralysed but seems to in pain to move much. I was just wondering what position you think would be most comfortable for him in this instance, he keeps lifting his head slightly as if uncomfortable. I want to help so badly but not sure what is physically best, vet said to encourage movement every few hours but if something is broken I am not so sure that is the best idea now. It will cause him more pain, I also have a medication to help the gut move which I gave him in the night when his stool was very small and very dry. Sadly his friend died 2 weeks ago of kidney failure so the vet suggested getting some guinea pigs in a cage next door to keep him company. I have him in a c and c cage indoors most of the time so have put two girl pigs in one next to him, borrowed from a friend. He ate on and off for 2 hours then which gave me hope! That was yesterday evening.
Click to expand...
Update:

Hey everyone, thanks for all your input and kind words, sadly he passed away on the way to our 9.30 appointment, think the car journey was the last straw, I pulled over because i heard him struggling around and held him and he passed away after a few last breaths on me. We will never know quite what got him the worst but his breathing has been laboured from the off so potentially internal damage. I just have to remember the good times and try not to sink under the guilt and anger I feel towards the situation.

I don't think I can face this agony again so putting a hold on owning guinea pigs for now. Or any pets for that matter.

Think it's been nearly 10 years and most have not been from babies but single adult bores needing a home.

He was my youngest pig bar one other I got at the beginning of my guinea pig journey to comfort my first adult bore.

I adore guinea pigs and take my hat off to all of you, I will recommend this forum to everyone I know that has them and also the specialist vet! @catsandrabbits, Nothampton.

Thanks again everyone.

Lots of love x
 
Oh I am so sorry! I do feel for you :hug::hug:

Please don't feel guilty, you did everything you could do help him. If some selfish dog owner didn't keep their animal under control that is most definitely their fault, not yours. Hopefully the medicines you were able to give him were enough to give him some relief. He would have known you loved him and cared for him. He is out of pain now.

Take care of yourself, I hope you can remember the good times with him and your other piggies more than the sad soon.

Popcorn free little one x🌈
 
Oh dear, how sad 😢😞
You did everything you could and gave him every chance - he is no longer suffering and will know how much you love him.
RIP little fella, over the Rainbow Bridge 🌈❤️
 
That’s such sad news. At least he knew he was loved to the end. I hope time will be a great healer and another Guinea needing a wonderful home will meet you again sometime. Sleep well little fella. x
 
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