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Specialist emergency help

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larson

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi guys,
My guinea pig lost alot of weight in 1 week so plus he’s like losing balance and fighting to get back up. He’s eating but he keep on falling and still lost several weight ... he’s like bones ....
I also took him to the best vet we have locally.. she told me that she really don’t know whats wrong .. she also tried a deworming vaccine and have me multi vitamins but told me not to expect miracles...
Please help I m not ready to let him die ... hes such a playful baby .. Today its like he got dizzy leaned on the right side and like wiggled till me got back up.. i took like 3 seconds in total.. Any help from any professionals please ?
 
You need to step in with syringe feeding him regularly to help him take in enough food. He may still be eating but it doesn’t sound like he is eating enough. Syringe feed him mushed up pellets. The guide below will help you with further information Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
I don’t think deworming and vitamins is going to solve this. He really needs to see a cavy savvy vet and have further checks done. If you could tell us your location, if you are in the uk we have the vet locator at the top of the page which are all cavy savvy member recommended vets.
 
Unfortunately I am from Malta ;( any we dont have alot of savy vets ;( so everything is against me :(
 
My question is how is he eating like crazy but still losing weight ?
 
larson said:
My question is how is he eating like crazy but still losing weight ?
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he isn’t eating the correct amount of hay. You cannot gauge how much hay they eat by eye. You can only do it by weighing them regularly and if he is losing weight, then it suggests his hay intake has dropped - the underlying illness can affect the appetite
The underlying medical issue is causing the weight loss. This obviously is not something we can help with. Only a vet is going to be able to diagnose such an issue and treat appropriately
 
I agree with @Piggies&buns that multivitamins and dewormer are unlikely to be appropriate treatments, and you need to step in with syringe feeding either recovery food or mushed up pellets and please try find a more experienced vet. Piggies very rarely get worms...
The losing balance and falling over might suggest an ear infection or a neurological problem. Only a good vet can help with this. Best of luck for your piggy, keep us posted x
 
Also his eye is like whitey and a little crusty
 
The eyes produce a white fluid when they are cleaning and if the piggy is not cleaning it away it will crust. It's quite common to see crusts in weak and ill piggies. How old is he?

Is he displaying any other symptoms apart from his balance and weight loss? Louder or crackly breathing? Hunching up? Squeaking or losing blood when urinating or pooping?

@Abi_nurse @furryfriends (TEAS)
 
PigglePuggle said:
I agree with @Piggies&buns that multivitamins and dewormer are unlikely to be appropriate treatments, and you need to step in with syringe feeding either recovery food or mushed up pellets and please try find a more experienced vet. Piggies very rarely get worms...
The losing balance and falling over might suggest an ear infection or a neurological problem. Only a good vet can help with this. Best of luck for your piggy, keep us posted x
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I instantly thought ear infection. Sounds like it. I think it's wrong of the vet to say don't expect miracles, she's clearly a dog and cat vet.
 
I've marked your thread as specialist for any of our health and illness advisors given your location and having no access to cavy savvy vets. I have tagged a couple of our more experienced members who might be able to give some ideas on tests your vet can carry out to try and get to the source of the problem so that he can be treated
 
It sounds neurological. It may be an infection of the middle ear and it would definitely be worth treating with an antibiotic. A course of Panacur would be worth giving too, just in case it's e cuniculi (which is more common in rabbits, but can affect guinea pigs). Step in with syringe feeding, but when you say he is eating lots, what sort of thing is he eating lots of? When the appetite is huge but there is weight loss, it can be hyperthyroidism, but this doesn't fit with the balance issues.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
It sounds neurological. It may be an infection of the middle ear and it would definitely be worth treating with an antibiotic. A course of Panacur would be worth giving too, just in case it's e cuniculi (which is more common in rabbits, but can affect guinea pigs). Step in with syringe feeding, but when you say he is eating lots, what sort of thing is he eating lots of? When the appetite is huge but there is weight loss, it can be hyperthyroidism, but this doesn't fit with the balance issues.
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I was going to mention, finding out the best antibiotic that people have used before with guinea pig ear infections and then asking the vet for that. Desperate situation right? Or is this breaking forum rules. I would be worried though, that an average vet is going to only want to sell baytril
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
We can advise on which antibiotics we have found most useful, for sure, but it will be up to the vet to make a decision as to what is used.

Our vet uses the antibiotic Zithromax for ear infections and we have had excellent results with it.
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I think this is what is be doing right now, next thing is hoping they don't give an antibiotic that's on the danger list if they don't go with zythromax.
 
Just incase I dont find Zithromax localy is there any other medicine ? I'm taking matters into my own hands .. I m willing to do everything to safe my little guy :) Thanks to you
 
larson said:
Just incase I dont find Zithromax localy is there any other medicine ? I'm taking matters into my own hands .. I m willing to do everything to safe my little guy :) Thanks to you
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@furryfriends (TEAS) . Don't go too far with you're own hands though, incase you go wrong. I tagged in teas to see what she knows. You may want to take a look at the dangerous antibiotics for guinea pigs list

Make sure you keep syringe feeds up. If you Havnt any critical care powder. Use pellets soaked in warm water and mush it up then syringe that. Control his weight the best you can, and then get hold of a correct antibiotic. I think that's youre best shot if you can't find a Guinea pig knowledgeable vet.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
larson said:
Just incase I dont find Zithromax localy is there any other medicine ? I'm taking matters into my own hands .. I m willing to do everything to safe my little guy :) Thanks to you
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I forgot to mention, you won't get hold of zyrhromax without a consultation fee with a vet first
 
I dont have a plan really ... i literally tried the best vet locally ... so I'm trying to predict what is the problem with you help guys and of course try to buy medicine to counter it ..
 
No point going to buy the medicine separately. It's prescription only and even then you need the correct dose working out. Perhaps write down the options, tell your vet about this website and what has been suggested and maybe even see if they are willing to reach out to a more knowledgeable vet in the UK. If they are then I'm sure Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton would be willing to give them some guidance
 
larson said:
I dont have a plan really ... i literally tried the best vet locally ... so I'm trying to predict what is the problem with you help guys and of course try to buy medicine to counter it ..
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I think and others think at an educated guess based on what you described, and online at that, it's could possibly be an ear infection. Try what lady Kelly as mentioned, and see if that gets you anywhere, it should, if you have time on youre side
 
Best of luck and please keep us updated. Most of the vets I have met that don't know a lot about guinea pigs do want to learn and are open to getting information and trying suggestions so I hope your vet is one of these
 
1 eye is a little white and he seems to be getting a little bit more fatty .. this is normal tho right ?9AF1A44C-FA06-40ED-AC84-6608E682FD0A.webp
 

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