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Emergency, Piggy been sick for a long time, losing weight and vets getting tired of me ringing

pumba.timon.mushu.dobby

pumba.timon.mushu.dobby

New Born Pup
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Hi there,

I’ve got 4 guinea pigs all boys and one of my boys Pumba has been unwell on and off for a while now. He will lose weight, gradually stop eating then go to the vets where they will give pain meds, he improves and eats well until pain meds finish then the cycle starts again. They said it’s not his teeth and referred us to a specialist who did bloods and X-ray but results aren’t back until next week and with no pain meds I’m very worried. He’s all puffed up and when I syringe feed him most of it spills out from his mouth. I don’t know what to do I’m at a loss. I’ve rang vets tonight and they said “just feed him his favourite veg if he will eat that” and I’m just thinking how are they not seeing how serious this is, he’s in pain and losing weight rapidly. I’m so worried about my baby boy. He means the world to me I’m so scared to lose him.
 
One of our health experts will be along soon. Sorry you're having problems with Pumba.
 
I'm so sorry your piggy is unwell, was the person you spoke to on the phone a vet or a member of the reception team? Sometimes those on reception aren't well versed in each individual species and do not understand the urgency of a guinea pig not eating as it wouldn't be massively urgent for a cat or dog.
Sometimes we have to be a pain in the backside to advocate for our little family members and keep calling, don't be afraid to ask for what you want, request the person on the phone take the time to speak to a vet when they're free to see if they could possibly put some more medication aside for you to come collect, explain to them that a guinea pig who isn't eating is an emergency situation etc.
If he improves with pain meds then the cause will be pain, even if you don't currently know from what, so prescribing more pain medication until the results of the bloods and xrays come back shouldn't be something they will be against.

Fingers crossed for the little guy, I hope he is feeling better soon!
 
Eriathwen said:
I'm so sorry your piggy is unwell, was the person you spoke to on the phone a vet or a member of the reception team? Sometimes those on reception aren't well versed in each individual species and do not understand the urgency of a guinea pig not eating as it wouldn't be massively urgent for a cat or dog.
Sometimes we have to be a pain in the backside to advocate for our little family members and keep calling, don't be afraid to ask for what you want, request the person on the phone take the time to speak to a vet when they're free to see if they could possibly put some more medication aside for you to come collect, explain to them that a guinea pig who isn't eating is an emergency situation etc.
If he improves with pain meds then the cause will be pain, even if you don't currently know from what, so prescribing more pain medication until the results of the bloods and xrays come back shouldn't be something they will be against.

Fingers crossed for the little guy, I hope he is feeling better soon!
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Hi thank you so much for replying. The lady I spoke to on the phone was a nurse. They said they won’t prescribe more pain meds until they know what’s wrong. I just hate seeing him suffer😔
 
pumba.timon.mushu.dobby said:
thank you so much for replying. The lady I spoke to on the phone was a nurse. They said they won’t prescribe more pain meds until they know what’s wrong. I just hate seeing him suffer😔
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That’s awful, I feel so sad for you and for him they are happy to leave him in pain until they get a diagnosis.
I can only agree with Eriathwen, and suggest you keep calling until you get pain meds.

Is this your normal surgery? Do they cover their own out of hours emergencies or do they hand it off to another practice? I’m just wondering whether if it’s a different practice out of hours whether they may be more helpful given he is clearly in pain?
 
Hi everyone,

Just got a bit of an update from the nurse and she said she didn’t know much but that Pumba has high creatinine, high urea and high white blood cells but she couldn’t say why or what treatment he would need so we are waiting on a call from the vet to explain. I’ve read kidney failure when I looked it up on here and I’m scared and need some reassurance :(
 
I hope the vet calls you very soon with the correct diagnosis and a treatment plan for Pumba. Sending you a hug 🤗 and healing vibes to Pumba.
 
pumba.timon.mushu.dobby said:
Hi @Wiebke , we got results today that Pumba has kidney disease. Do you have any experience/advice? Thank you 😔
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Hi

HUGS

Unfortunately, there is not a lot you can do in guinea pigs.

Any special medication is very expensive and won't buy you any significant amount of time so it is very much a matter of keeping comfortable (pain medication) and quality of life. Don't worry about meloxicam at dog strength etc. - the benefits outweigh any medical concerns by far, even in high dosages so please make sure that you get appropriate analgesics to allow him to enjoy whatever time he has left as much as possible.

You may find the chapter on terminal illness care very helpful because you have still got so much to win and so much to lose depending on how you deal with the results. Time is relative; every new day is a special gift.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
 
Hi guys,

I’m just back from the hospital myself so I have a sicky me and a sicky Guinea pig. Anyway, they’ve given Pumba - karidox, gabapentrin and vitamin b liquid. Anyone used any of these? Will they help?
 
pumba.timon.mushu.dobby said:
Hi guys,

I’m just back from the hospital myself so I have a sicky me and a sicky Guinea pig. Anyway, they’ve given Pumba - karidox, gabapentrin and vitamin b liquid. Anyone used any of these? Will they help?
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Hi

HUGS

I am so sorry that you are not well at all either! Make sure that you take care of yourself, too.

Gabapentin is a painkiller that has been recently proven to work well for guinea pigs, too.
Karidox contains the antibiotic doxycycline, which can be prescribed for guinea pigs.
And the vitamin B is there to help the digestion and general wellbeing, I assume.

I hope that this helps you?
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

HUGS

I am so sorry that you are not well at all either! Make sure that you take care of yourself, too.

Gabapentin is a painkiller that has been recently proven to work well for guinea pigs, too.
Karidox contains the antibiotic doxycycline, which can be prescribed for guinea pigs.
And the vitamin B is there to help the digestion and general wellbeing, I assume.

I hope that this helps you?
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Hi, thank you so much that makes sense. He seems a bit brighter since starting the meds yesterday. Fingers crossed.
Lots of cuddles for Pumba and his cage mate is so attached to him right now. He won’t leave pumba side💛
 
Just seen your thread. I’m sorry it wasn’t the news you were hoping for, but it’s good to hear that he has perked up a bit since starting the meds. I hope that you can keep him comfy and that he has many more happy days with you.
 
VickiA said:
Just seen your thread. I’m sorry it wasn’t the news you were hoping for, but it’s good to hear that he has perked up a bit since starting the meds. I hope that you can keep him comfy and that he has many more happy days with you.
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Thank you. He’s a little warrior. I guess when we gets these diagnoses it’s scary but it makes you realise that everyday is special and that if love could keep guinea pigs alive forever I think all of our piggies would be immortal 💛
 
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