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Guinea pig pear shaped

P

Peanuttheghost

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I don't know if this is normal it's the first time i have ever had a female guinea pig. She is a rescue and I was told she is around 8 years old. She is really pear shaped and her stomach is kind of hard but when you pick her up she feels almost hollow.1530718582490484625802.webp
 
Peanuttheghost said:
I don't know if this is normal it's the first time i have ever had a female guinea pig. She is a rescue and I was told she is around 8 years old. She is really pear shaped and her stomach is kind of hard but when you pick her up she feels almost hollow.View attachment 90414
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Hi! Please have her seen by a vet ASAP as an emergency for acute and severe bloat! While adult sows do have a pear-shaped figure, their bellies should be soft and they should definitely NOT sound hollow!
Bloat, Gi Stasis ( No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Always have a new piggy vet checked anyway. Links to recommended vets in several countries can be found at the bottom of our new owners's guide collection but in an emergency, a local vet will do.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Sadly I was told I can't get in until sometime next week :( but I'll keep everyone posted :)
 
Have you told your vet it's an emergency and your piggy needs to be seen immediately? My vet always keeps appointments free for emergencies. I have also been told to "just come and sit and wait and you will be seen at some point but be prepared as it may be a long wait".
 
Yes I told them what was going on and the vet I normally see is on holidays and not many people where I live will see guinea pigs :(
 
Just had another thought ... Can you contact the rescue that she came from and ask which vet they use?
 
Sadly no I rescued her from a bad home and they never took her to the vet from what I know of :(
 
Where are you based? We have a list of UK vets which might be useful and also can link to guinea lynx for their list of some overseas countries. Plus we have members from all over the world who might be able to give suggestions
 
I would also advise seeking a vet as soon as possible. Bloat is a dangerous scenario in piggies and needs to be treated quickly. In the meantime make sure she is comfortable and I'd gently massage her stomach (I believe this can help but is by no means a permanent solution). Is she eating? Drinking? When did she last go to the toilet? A piggies digestive system needs to be constantly going and shows when something is not going right. A decline in appetite and no faeces is a sure sign something is wrong ( though the hollow belly and enlarged stomach is of course moe prominent signs).

Is there a rescue nearby you could contact? They may have experience in Bloat or even know of some out of hours vets?
 
I agree with everyone else, this can't wait til next week or even tomorrow. Ring around every vet near you, there has to be one that will see her as an emergency.
 
Jesse's pigs said:
I would also advise seeking a vet as soon as possible. Bloat is a dangerous scenario in piggies and needs to be treated quickly. In the meantime make sure she is comfortable and I'd gently massage her stomach (I believe this can help but is by no means a permanent solution). Is she eating? Drinking? When did she last go to the toilet? A piggies digestive system needs to be constantly going and shows when something is not going right. A decline in appetite and no faeces is a sure sign something is wrong ( though the hollow belly and enlarged stomach is of course moe prominent signs).

Is there a rescue nearby you could contact? They may have experience in Bloat or even know of some out of hours vets?
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She does everything fine which is why I'm confused she walks a little funny like with her but up in the air is that normal for a female ?
 
Do the pear lumps on her sides feel like hard bubbles? She may be pregnant. If they don't feel like that see a vet immediently! Call any vets nearby and see if they'll look at her or even local shelters even if it doesn't explicitly say they'll see her. Bloat is one of the main causes of death in guinea pigs. There are plenty of other threads on this site speaking of types of guinea pigs gas drops that can help and dosages. If it's gas, massage her belly (yes! it really does help! I've helped many rabbits and piggies with this method). If it's babies don't put pressure on the belly, make sure any pigs with her are sows, and just give her some space. She will be moody. Take her to the vet for a checkup and keep a vet on call when she goes into labor
 
kailaeve1271 said:
Do the pear lumps on her sides feel like hard bubbles? She may be pregnant. If they don't feel like that see a vet immediently! Call any vets nearby and see if they'll look at her or even local shelters even if it doesn't explicitly say they'll see her. Bloat is one of the main causes of death in guinea pigs. There are plenty of other threads on this site speaking of types of guinea pigs gas drops that can help and dosages. If it's gas, massage her belly (yes! it really does help! I've helped many rabbits and piggies with this method). If it's babies don't put pressure on the belly, make sure any pigs with her are sows, and just give her some space. She will be moody. Take her to the vet for a checkup and keep a vet on call when she goes into labor
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I don't think she is pregnant she was alone when I got her and I keep her separated from my other piggies. The only male pet she has contact with is my rabbit. She used to have bumps on her belly but a vet (not the one I normally see) said she was fine and they did go away on their own
 
Please take her to see a vet regardless as all of the symptoms ring alarm bells. Guinea pigs shouldn’t have contact with rabbits as they can pass on diseases. Only a vet can diagnose the problem.
 
EJMA82 said:
Please take her to see a vet regardless as all of the symptoms ring alarm bells. Guinea pigs shouldn’t have contact with rabbits as they can pass on diseases. Only a vet can diagnose the problem.
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I had asked my vet because I had heard that as well but she said it was fine for them to be together :)
 
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