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Food Stuck/vomit? Advice Pls.

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debbierudd

debbierudd

Junior Guinea Pig
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hi guys,
I wondered if anyone has experienced a piggy gagging almost and food coming out like vomit/liquid?
My little lady Sookie who is 7 yrs old had a bit of a funny turn just now, it lasted about 10 mins.
It seemed like she had some food stuck on her mouth or throat as she seemed to be retching and a little bit of goo came out. All of her chin is wet underneath. She was trying to eat more hay but almost couldn't keep it in her mouth.
She is an elderly pig who has been to the vets recently with some issues which can't be diagnosed because it would require anaesthetic and potentially surgery. As healthy as she is for her age I don't think she would recover so along with the cavy savvy vet she sees we are treating her symptoms with metacam and medical food while making sure she is not suffering (which she isn't).
Anyway, she seemed to be in pain throughout this turn/episode so I gave her some Meticam and a couple of mls of water. She then ate some hay and a tiny bit of coriander and is now sleeping.
I will continue to monitor her obvs, but what if it happens again? It isn't dental as the vet checked her teeth a couple of weeks ago.
Any advice greatly received.
Debbie & Sookie
 
I am very sorry! Guinea pigs don't have a vomit reflex, so it sounds like she had problems with swallowing or food stuck.

Please switch to syringe feeding and watering very slowly and in small quantities to make sure that one lot has gone down before you have syringe more. Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
I am now wondering if it could be dental. She is struggling with her fresh veg and isn't interested in her pellets while they are dry. But when I syringe feed her she happily and enthusiastically takes the same pellets.
I will take her to the vet in the morning to check but in the mean time, do you know if piggies back teeth can be fixed without anaesthetic?
 
debbierudd said:
I am now wondering if it could be dental. She is struggling with her fresh veg and isn't interested in her pellets while they are dry. But when I syringe feed her she happily and enthusiastically takes the same pellets.
I will take her to the vet in the morning to check but in the mean time, do you know if piggies back teeth can be fixed without anaesthetic?
Click to expand...

Simon and Kim Maddock in Northampton can; they see guinea pigs from all over Britain on a near daily basis and have saved lives that have been given up by other vets (even exotic vets). If it is a dental issue, then it is worth travelling the distance.

But before you do, I would strongly recommend to see a vet more closely to home to know what is going on. Until then, please syringe feed asap. The guide I have given you the link to also has a section on the care of dental piggies as well as wha you can do with what you have got at home in an emergency. Here is the link again: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
The best vet care won't help if your girl doesn't get enough food down to keep her guts going.
 
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