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Episodes of Gut Stasis Related to Dental Issue?

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Trish B

Junior Guinea Pig
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Just looking for a bit of advice from all you piggie owner experts on here if possible?

My nearly 7 year old pig Felix developed gut stasis 10 days ago and I got him to the vets at once. No tumour felt, no blood in wee, weight good at 1035g.
The vet said his incisors were too long (really? No obvious sign imo) and promptly clipped the lower pair. Sent me home with emeprid.

He was unable to grip food at all so I had to hand feed and syringe feed for 5 days. Continued with emeprid, metacam and fibreplex. Fuming...

Thought he was over the worst but then he developed gut stasis again on Friday night...Got some more emeprid and have another appt tomorrow with a different vet. He appears fine now, plenty of droppings etc. Do you think I should insist that his molars are checked (they weren't before) or could it be more of a chronic stasis issue at his advanced age (1st time this has happened). Is there anything I should be drawing the vet's attention to?

Thank you in advance for any words of experienced wisdom!
 
I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with stasis, it is a horrible illness!

Gut stasis can be quite nasty, so perhaps look into getting more medication, especially in a older piggy. Painkillers and gut stimulants are the essentials, so it is good you have been given Emeprid and painkiller. Fibreplex is also a great one, especially since piggies seem to love the taste!
Only thing I could suggest in that area is Cisapride. Another gut stimulant but it works on a separate part of the gut.

Are you support feeding? Support feeding can be essential to keep/start the gut moving.
Have you been weighing him daily? This can help you keep track on his progress. For example if he is losing weight you need to start/up his support feed and vice versa.

One thing I will mention is with gut stasis, don't let your guard down too fast. As someone who has dealt with gut stasis multiple times, it can be a long and tough journey, with loads of ups and downs. When I first started dealing with it, I would relax my support feeding whenever piggie started looking a bit better, just to wake up the next morning to find a piggy who could hardly move! Not that that is what is happening, but just something to be aware of.

In the cases I have personally dealt with, it has always been the teeth causing the issue, but that is not the case for all. If I was in your position, I would continue with the medicine, maybe look into Cisapride and start/keep on with support feeding. If you can get him over that initial "hump", investigative surgery may not be needed.My only thought is that with his age, there can be a greater risk with GA/investigative surgery.
I assume your vet has looked at the teeth while he was conscious, with a scope? Or is that what you were mentioning in your post?
Although it is good to be aware that in your average clinic the full extent of what is going on with the mouth can not be seen/told without general anaesthetic.

Good luck, I will attach a couple guides I think you will find helpful to read through!
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
 
Well done for getting another appointment with a different vet. The new vet should check his molars, if he doesn't ask! Whenever I take mine to the surgery I use the vets always do a complete health check including all the teeth as part of the visit.
 
Thank you both so much for your very helpful advice and expertise. I intend to get the molars checked with some mild anaesthesia if needed and an otoscope? I've got a good supply of emeprid and metacam and will keep both going. Of course it the issue is the molars then a dental will improve things but I have plenty of critical care and emeraid sustain to maintain support feeding!

Will report back after my appt this morning! Thank you so much again! I am quite "used" to managing gut stasis in rabbits but I'm a novice with guinea pigs fortunately!
 
Am back from the vets...The molars were checked with an otoscope and don't appear overgrown. Heart and lungs fine, no blood in urine and not gassy or in obvious pain when palpated.

The vet apologised about the clipping of the incisors..She was apparently a locum and the regular vets use a dental burr. The vet I saw today didn't think his teeth were the problem but there is an option for an exam under sedation if this continues. At the moment he is stable..

Came away with a stash of emeprid and metacam. They don't generally prescribe propulsid but we'll see how the prolonged emeprid works out. I'll weigh him religiously!

Thank you again.
 
Are you support feeding at this time? Or is he comfortable enough to eat on his own.

Fingers crossed he makes a quick recovery x
 
Back to the vet's tomorrow as another gut stasis episode today... Exam under sedation this time. Supportive feeding, metacam and emeprid till then.

Not feeling too hopeful but mustn't be pessimistic.
 
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