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Emergency Help/Advice Needed To Save Vinnie

chlover

chlover

New Born Pup
Joined
Jan 9, 2023
Messages
14
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42
Points
130
Location
South Wales
Hi, this is my first post here however I've been looking at these forums every day for the past 2 weeks trying to critically care for my 1 year old guinea pig, Vinnie. We found out she had tooth problems two weeks ago and booked her into the vets as she couldn't eat or drink for herself anymore.

She had her front teeth trimmed and we were told to see how she went. I live in Newport, South Wales and access to specialists is limited and very expensive

Four days later she was dropping weight and still looked to be in pain so I rushed her to the vets again. They took a look in the back of her mouth this time and could see that her molars had overgrown and were trapping her tongue.

We had her booked in for 3 days time, reluctantly as she was losing weight rapidly day by day, to go under GA to have her molars filed down.

She recovered from the GA and has since showed signs she's in a lot less pain and more willingly wants to eat. However, her weight has still been dropping and I work full time and can't get leave right now to be able to feed her regularly throughout the day. I have not eaten or slept properly throughout this as every minute I have at home I'm attempting to feed her and give her as much water as i can. Since the last op, her will to voluntarily eat came back but she still can't pick up food / bite / chew or swallow. I saw her once take a swig from the cage bottle which I took to be a good sign as she hadn't done this since it all started.

The vet asked for a call back today to check in on her progress, we told them she's still not eating voluntarily. I thought maybe her front teeth had been clipped too far so that's why she was having issues, the vets only informed me today that they had done her molars towards the front but could not treat her back molars which were still overgrown. I had no idea that this was the case.

She's the lowest weight she's ever been at 683 grams, when this started she was 748, which was still a shock to us as she has always been at her food and hay and was big only a month ago. I have fought every day to keep her going and I do not want to give up. However, the vet said our only options are to take her to a specialist for scans and treatment which they anticipate will cost a small fortune that I do not currently have though I will call today for an estimate. I'm also worried about her going under GA again. Or to put her down.

We don't have a way to travel far for specialist help as the cost of trains is so high also, does anyone know of any specialists who might consider helping to save her from being put down or anything I can do as I feel totally lost and do not want to give up on her

Thanks
 
Aw I’m so sorry 😞 Considering she is so young; this could be genetic. The same thing happened to my Enoch.

I’m afraid to say that the only specialists in the U.K. is Simon and Kim Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit care clinic is Northamton. @furryfriends (TEAS) runs a guinea pig sanctuary for guinea pigs with dental problems and sometimes offers boarding for guinea pigs who need dental treatment from Simon or Kim who live far away

I’m sorry I don’t have better news
 
I know it’s a long way away but as Claire W says Simon or Kim Maddock are the only dental specialists for piggies in the UK. It’s all done consciously and takes around 10 minutes with little breaks in between if needed using tiny files.
If she is not able to pick up food then it does sound like her incisors have been cut too short, thry will grow back but in the meantime her back teeth really need urgent care.
We used to travel from Cornwall a 600 mile trip with one of our piggies who has a dental molar spur growing into his cheek, it was worth travelling every mile. If you can get there you won’t be disappointed and you will get a proper assessment and any work will be done there and then.

Debbie does offer boarding for piggies that needs more than one treatment to get their mouths working properly.

CAT AND RABBIT CARE CLINIC | Northlands Vets
 
Hi everyone, I'm not sure if this is how I respond to your messages (I'm bad with forums haha) thank you so much for your advice, we're taking the leap to get her to TEAS and Simon & Kim, she's booked in for Monday for her consultation which was the soonest we can and we have a lift all sorted to get there now! Even if I don't sleep at all the next few days I'll be by her side to keep on hand feeding and hopefully get her weight up in preparation - does anyone has any tips for how to help pack on weight during hand feeding? We're averaging 80ml of food a day in total; critical care, mushed pellets, some guinea safe ingredients ellas kitchen at the top of the syringe when shes not taking to it too well, before and after work which takes about 6 hours total and doesn't seem to be enough as she's steadily dropping down. We do force feed but I like to give her the option to take a break between feeds as much as I can, I'll also be adding some oomph the next few days trying to stay up even later than I do now. We always offer the option of fresh veg and hay to see if she'll take to it too but of course that hasn't been the case so far. Any tips for car journeys would also be a lifesaver, thank you all❤ I'm keeping everything crossed 😊
 
All the best for Monday. As for packing on weight, I don’t think you can do much more than you’re already doing. Does she have a cage mate? If so, I suggest you take her cage mate too to the appointment to keep her company.

You may find the following link helpful for travel advise Travelling with guinea pigs x
 
Sorry your little one has dental problems, it's great that you can take her to be seen at Cat & Rabbit though.
If she is willing to eat, have you tried leaving a shallow dish of critical care or pellet mash in the cage for her to eat for herself? She might like some oats too. When my dental piggy is having difficulty picking up food, I cut his veg into fine strips and leave them for him in an egg cup, and hand feed him stalky herbs and grass.
 
I've tried a spoon to see if she preferred it from something that wasnt a syringe but she didnt look quite sure what to do haha, I'll certainly try a dish and the egg cup tip! Can i ask what type of oats you use? Thanks so much😊
 
Sorry to hear your little one isnt well! Just bog Standard porridge oats are what you want.
It might also be with trying her with different recovery foods, when my Pepper was poorly we found he got bored of Ox bow CC I got him the burgees dual care and emeraid mint flavour from Amazon and he absolutely goes nuts for emeraid as do a lot of piggies!
 
chlover said:
I've tried a spoon to see if she preferred it from something that wasnt a syringe but she didnt look quite sure what to do haha, I'll certainly try a dish and the egg cup tip! Can i ask what type of oats you use? Thanks so much😊
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Just ordinary Porridge oats, I give my 2 oldies a large pinch with a small dish of critical care once or twice a day. They are eating hay etc fine for themselves, but they both lost a significant amount of weight last year so I'm trying to build them up a bit.
 
I just wanted to add that maybe fresh food cut into long, thin strips might help.
I use a carrot peeler to prepare all sorts of veg, and being long this helps them move them towards the back of their mouth.
I guess the real issue is that if she is having trouble with her molars she still might not be able to chew them.
Well done for getting her in to see Simon and Kim.
You really are giving her the absolute best chance possible.
 
Welcome to the forum.
Sorry that you’re going through such a tough time.
Mine love the Oxbow Aniseed flavour Critical Care and I usually add a small piece of mashed banana to it as well.
I may have missed it but has someone suggested shredded veggies ?
Hope all goes well on Monday.
Holding you in my thoughts
 
Brilliant news she's got an appointment with Simon and Kim, you're a fabulous owner I can see it's long way for you! It takes us a couple of hours each way from the Midlands but it's so worth it, not just for dental but for anything a bit odd, Simon and Kim really are brilliant! Best of luck, she'll feel so much better when those molars are taken back. It's a bit naughty of your vet not to tell you they hadn't managed to sort the very back ones out! 😑
 
Hi everyone, just a quick update now i'm home this evening

Vinnie is really fighting me not to eat her syringe food tonight and i'm at a loss as to why because she is usually hungry and ready to go when I come home. I've set down hay, pellets and fresh veg which she sticks her face in happily to attempt to eat, I even remembered I have small condensed bales of fine, chopped up hay which seemed like it might work in this case and whilst she's tried to nibble it shes not moving her mouth much and nothing goes in. I've tried mushier fruit like some banana, she was taking that happily so ive gotten 16mls of a critical care/pellet mixture in top loading the syringes but its been almost 3 hours and thats all she's managed which is very scary to me - does anyone know why she would be doing this? She has definitely experienced gut stasis during this which I've worked very hard to reverse with gripe water, fibreplex, pro-c, the vets gave cisapride, nothing seems to have worked for that as I've not found any poops in my lap in all the hours ive been feeding her over the past two weeks. With such a short way left to go until we can hopefully fix her issue for good I am so desperate😔
 
chlover said:
Hi everyone, just a quick update now i'm home this evening

Vinnie is really fighting me not to eat her syringe food tonight and i'm at a loss as to why because she is usually hungry and ready to go when I come home. I've set down hay, pellets and fresh veg which she sticks her face in happily to attempt to eat, I even remembered I have small condensed bales of fine, chopped up hay which seemed like it might work in this case and whilst she's tried to nibble it shes not moving her mouth much and nothing goes in. I've tried mushier fruit like some banana, she was taking that happily so ive gotten 16mls of a critical care/pellet mixture in top loading the syringes but its been almost 3 hours and thats all she's managed which is very scary to me - does anyone know why she would be doing this? She has definitely experienced gut stasis during this which I've worked very hard to reverse with gripe water, fibreplex, pro-c, the vets gave cisapride, nothing seems to have worked for that as I've not found any poops in my lap in all the hours ive been feeding her over the past two weeks. With such a short way left to go until we can hopefully fix her issue for good I am so desperate😔
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I spoke too soon, I've found a few tiny poops! So something is moving but not much maybe because she's not had enough substance
 
Poops are good.
Have you tried leaving a small dish of Critical Care in the cage where she can easily access it?
I did that when I was syringe feeding to help encourage independent eating.
I usually added a dish of raw oats mixed with grated carrot or sweet potato.

You are in a hard place trying to care for Vinnie but hold onto the fact that she is in excellent hands with you and we are here supporting you
 
Merab's Slave said:
Poops are good.
Have you tried leaving a small dish of Critical Care in the cage where she can easily access it?
I did that when I was syringe feeding to help encourage independent eating.
I usually added a dish of raw oats mixed with grated carrot or sweet potato.

You are in a hard place trying to care for Vinnie but hold onto the fact that she is in excellent hands with you and we are here supporting you
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Hi! Yes I popped a little dish under her nose earlier on after the recommendation here and she took nicely to that for a little bit but soon stopped, I've gotten her carrier out in line of sight so she has a break from me holding her to calm down, she's been very angry about all the handling, and have popped a dish of critical care and oats in. The oats are new to her so hopefully she's intriuged! I'll keep watch for a few and see what happens before I go back in for more syringing, and thank you so much! all the support has been so encouraging😊
 
Simon and Kim saved my Peppers life last summer. They are amazing. I’ll had to travel two hours each way but it was worth it. I hope they can help Vinnie. 🤞🏻. Just keep doing what you are doing. You’re doing a great job. ❤️
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
When struggling to get through until I can get piggies seen by Simon/Kim, I find veg based baby food usually goes down well. View attachment 217902
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Thank you! she loves the fruity baby food which i try to limit and maybe she's having another bout of upset tummy because of it - I'm going to go straight back to the veg based ones i have stored this next attempt at feeding! fingers crossed 🤞
 
chlover said:
Thank you! she loves the fruity baby food which i try to limit and maybe she's having another bout of upset tummy because of it - I'm going to go straight back to the veg based ones i have stored this next attempt at feeding! fingers crossed 🤞
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Hang in there, just keep on giving her syringe food until you get to see Simon, you are doing a great job
 
Hi everyone, its been a tough night and morning as she has fought against me for nearly every moment of feeding, the house looks like a war zone with food, veggies, syringes and towels everywhere. At weigh in this morning she's only 670 grams (she was 683 yesterday which is so devastating), I feel like I'm failing and I hate the fact that I have to leave her for work today (I kicked myself when I saw the date - I'm big on superstition). Please send lots of hugs and healing, I'm keeping everything crossed still as I know she's a tough cookie but she can only fight so hard. I'll be racing home this afternoon to keep powering on, I just need her to get through the day and I can spend every moment with her on the weekend. Thank you all for all of your help and advice, it's really helped me feel not so alone right now. There's a lot I would have done differently if I could turn back the clock and lots of hard lessons learned but I'm still keeping hope in my heart for her and she's surrounded by her guinea sisters at home who love her so that's some small comfort
 
Hugs, prayers and wishes coming your way... She's got her guinea girlfriends with her which she will find very comforting x
 
chlover said:
Hi everyone, its been a tough night and morning as she has fought against me for nearly every moment of feeding, the house looks like a war zone with food, veggies, syringes and towels everywhere. At weigh in this morning she's only 670 grams (she was 683 yesterday which is so devastating), I feel like I'm failing and I hate the fact that I have to leave her for work today (I kicked myself when I saw the date - I'm big on superstition). Please send lots of hugs and healing, I'm keeping everything crossed still as I know she's a tough cookie but she can only fight so hard. I'll be racing home this afternoon to keep powering on, I just need her to get through the day and I can spend every moment with her on the weekend. Thank you all for all of your help and advice, it's really helped me feel not so alone right now. There's a lot I would have done differently if I could turn back the clock and lots of hard lessons learned but I'm still keeping hope in my heart for her and she's surrounded by her guinea sisters at home who love her so that's some small comfort
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You are doing an amazing job and it is clear just how hard you are trying.
Be kind to yourself - nursing an ill guinea pig can be an exhausting and thankless task. :hug:
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
How is she doing this evening? x
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We got home at about half 5 tonight after work and she is actually looking pretty chipper! Still very skinny so I know I have my work cut out for me tonight but I decided to try to feed her with her free roaming around the cage at first to avoid getting her angry with handling straight away and she wolfed down almost 20ml of food in one sitting😄 hoping she keeps that up!😊
 
chlover said:
We got home at about half 5 tonight after work and she is actually looking pretty chipper! Still very skinny so I know I have my work cut out for me tonight but I decided to try to feed her with her free roaming around the cage at first to avoid getting her angry with handling straight away and she wolfed down almost 20ml of food in one sitting😄 hoping she keeps that up!😊
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Fantastic news! Keep getting better little piggy 😍
 
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