Guinea pig is ill and brother is lonely, any advice?

[ozzyandtrevorGP]

My guinea pig Ozzy became ill around 2 weeks ago and we have taken him to the vet twice since, the first time seemed to be a poorly leg and as soon as he had some medicine for a week he seemed to be fine. However, something seemed wrong 2 days after he didnt need medicine anymore so we took him back to an exotic vet to find out he has a poorly foot still and something wrong with his gut meaning that he cannot walk, barely ever poops, needs around 3 different medicines a day and needs to eat liquid food. He seems to be eating his medicine and liquid food well but doesnt seem to be getting better but worse. He always leans to one side whilst sitting down and today I noticed that he had something on the surface of his eye and some sort of snotty nose. Unfortunately he must be put behind bars from his very attached brother Trevor who is getting very stressed out and even tries to break down the cage Ozzy is in so I'm worried he may get depressed, I have doctors advice but does anyone know how to make Trevor feel less lonely, what the thing on the surface of his eye is and his runny nose may be caused by? He is 1 year old and I'm celebrating his got-you-day on the 31st of May so I'm upset he wont be able to join in as far as I know. I'm not sure what breed he is but I think some sort of crowned? Thank you for taking the time to read and I am excited to hear peoples advice. I've left some pictures below if that may help
Thanks again
-Max

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig Ozzy became ill around 2 weeks ago and we have taken him to the vet twice since, the first time seemed to be a poorly leg and as soon as he had some medicine for a week he seemed to be fine. However, something seemed wrong 2 days after he didnt need medicine anymore so we took him back to an exotic vet to find out he has a poorly foot still and something wrong with his gut meaning that he cannot walk, barely ever poops, needs around 3 different medicines a day and needs to eat liquid food. He seems to be eating his medicine and liquid food well but doesnt seem to be getting better but worse. He always leans to one side whilst sitting down and today I noticed that he had something on the surface of his eye and some sort of snotty nose. Unfortunately he must be put behind bars from his very attached brother Trevor who is getting very stressed out and even tries to break down the cage Ozzy is in so I'm worried he may get depressed, I have doctors advice but does anyone know how to make Trevor feel less lonely, what the thing on the surface of his eye is and his runny nose may be caused by? He is 1 year old and I'm celebrating his got-you-day on the 31st of May so I'm upset he wont be able to join in as far as I know. I'm not sure what breed he is but I think some sort of crowned? Thank you for taking the time to read and I am excited to hear peoples advice. I've left some pictures below if that may help
Thanks again
-Max

Hi!

You need to urgently see a vet to have the eye checked, in case it is ulceration from an infected eye injury (gunk) or whatever else it is. Eye injuries can deteriorate very quickly but heal usually fairly well if attended to promptly. In the UK, they are usually seen by a vets as a priority.
Your Vet also needs to make sure that he can still clean the eye and may need to check whether he may have had a stroke and whether the nasal discharge is connected to that or not. Your poor boy sounds rather ill. Unfortunately, we are none of us vets and can certainly not diagnose just from a vague description.

I am very sorry about the separation. I am sure that Trevor is upset, feeling that his companion is not well. Not every piggy is dealing well with being separated. If possible, piggies should be kept together; there has been and is still a re-think on that score going on. However, you can't just stick two piggies back together in a cage without a formal intro on neutral ground. Ozzy seems to have something rather serious going on so I am really not at all sure whether he is well enough for that and the ensuing dominance behaviour as the group is re-established. It may be best to keep them next to each other until you know what is really up.

You have got a crested piggy.

It would really help us if you please added your country to location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar), so we can tailor any recommendations to what is relevant and available where you are. We are having members and enquiries from literally all over the world and very different backgrounds, climates, vet access, medical brand names etc. The less we know, the more general any answer of ours will be by necessity. Thank you.

 

[Swissgreys]

I am so sorry your piggy is so poorly.
It would help a lot of you could tell us what medication he is taking and how often.

Also you mention liquid food - are you syringe feeding him or just putting it in his cage?
Are you monitoring his weight daily to make sure he is getting enough to eat?

I am sure your vet has already been through all of this with you, but if we have more information we can offer you more specific advice and support.
Most of us have been through something similar and I know how draining nursing a sick piggy can be.

I hope your boy turns the corner and starts to feel better very soon.

 

[ozzyandtrevorGP]

Hi!

You need to urgently see a vet to have the eye checked, in case it is ulceration from an infected eye injury (gunk) or whatever else it is. Eye injuries can deteriorate very quickly but heal usually fairly well if attended to promptly. In the UK, they are usually seen by a vets as a priority.
Your Vet also needs to make sure that he can still clean the eye and may need to check whether he may have had a stroke and whether the nasal discharge is connected to that or not. Your poor boy sounds rather ill. Unfortunately, we are none of us vets and can certainly not diagnose just from a vague description.

I am very sorry about the separation. I am sure that Trevor is upset, feeling that his companion is not well. Not every piggy is dealing well with being separated. If possible, piggies should be kept together; there has been and is still a re-think on that score going on. However, you can't just stick two piggies back together in a cage without a formal intro on neutral ground. Ozzy seems to have something rather serious going on so I am really not at all sure whether he is well enough for that and the ensuing dominance behaviour as the group is re-established. It may be best to keep them next to each other until you know what is really up.

You have got a crested piggy.

It would really help us if you please added your country to location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar), so we can tailor any recommendations to what is relevant and available where you are. We are having members and enquiries from literally all over the world and very different backgrounds, climates, vet access, medical brand names etc. The less we know, the more general any answer of ours will be by necessity. Thank you.

Hi! Thank you for the advice, and I beleive I have added my country to my account. Unfortunately we took Ozzy to the vets again and our only option was to put him down on the 20th May 2021 as he was in so much pain and his medicine wasnt working, which I'm still trying to get over. Thank you for all of your concerns and advice
- Max

 

[ozzyandtrevorGP]

I am so sorry your piggy is so poorly.
It would help a lot of you could tell us what medication he is taking and how often.

Also you mention liquid food - are you syringe feeding him or just putting it in his cage?
Are you monitoring his weight daily to make sure he is getting enough to eat?

I am sure your vet has already been through all of this with you, but if we have more information we can offer you more specific advice and support.
Most of us have been through something similar and I know how draining nursing a sick piggy can be.

I hope your boy turns the corner and starts to feel better very soon.

Hi! Ozzy was taking 2 different medicines twice per day: anti inflammatory and some pain relief. He also took liquid food 4 times a day which was syringe fed, but no, we didnt weigh him daily which would be a good idea.
Unfortunately he was in so much pain we had no choice but to put him down on 20.5.21, which has been really hard for all of the family.
Thank you for all of your concerns-
Max

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Thank you for the advice, and I beleive I have added my country to my account. Unfortunately we took Ozzy to the vets again and our only option was to put him down on the 20th May 2021 as he was in so much pain and his medicine wasnt working, which I'm still trying to get over. Thank you for all of your concerns and advice
- Max

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss. It sounded to me like Ozzy was in a really bad way and you have done exactly the right thing. Sometimes the most loving and most heart-breaking gift we can make a pet in our care is to set them on their journey to the Rainbow Bridge. Give yourself time for your head and heart to come together again and be kind to yourself in the coming days.

You may find these two guides here helpful, both in terms of what you can do for Trevor now and in the coming weeks as well as what you can do for yourself and how you can make sense of your feelings as you go through the grieving process; including where to find help:
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

PS: Your closest recommended rescue is The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue in Kidsgrove/Stoke-on-Trent and maybe Milhaven Guinea Pig Rescue if they have changed their policy re. rehoming out of West Yorkshire. No need to hurry since Trevor while not happy is still grieving himself and will hold for a few weeks if necessary as long as he is eating; but being able to be active with enquiries on behalf of the surviving companion can sometimes help you feel better about yourself.
Rescue Locator

@VickiA (also fosters for The Potteries and may know more)