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Guinea pig struggling to eat/ eating weirdly

H

helennaomi

New Born Pup
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Whitstable, Kent
Hello,
My five year old guinea pig has taken a downward turn recently. Essentially she is struggling to eat, lost weight and looks like she's in pain. She's been to the vets and although she's been on painkillers and antibiotics for a few days, she doesn't seem to have improved much.
I've been monitoring her closely and it seems like she's struggling to eat and chew her food, although she is trying. When we was eating some grass it seemed like she was gagging on her mouthful, and with the lettuce she kept shaking it around to try and rip it up but it didn't seem like she was actually getting any food in.

I'll try and attach two videos to show you what I mean.

Her poops are also really small and extremely dehydrated, and I can feel all her ribs. I cuddled with her for a few hours on Saturday and she didn't need to have a wee once, which is unusual for her.

I've never seen this before with a guinea pig and I'm quite worried. If anyone has any ideas or knowledge on this then I would be really grateful if you could share

x
 
So sorry your little piggie is having problems eating. The gagging and strange movements you describe typically sound like teeth problems to me. Did your vet check her teeth? Sometimes it can be a dental spur or over grown teeth bridging and stopping them from swallowing down their food
You must start syringe feeding her now and also weigh her daily, this will give you an idea of how much she is eating. if her weight goes down each day then she is not getting enough to eat.Keep a record of her weight, if it stabilises then you have reached a point that she is getting enough food.
There is a wonderful pair of vets that treat around 40 guinea pigs a week with dental problems of all kinds they are Simon and Kim Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Clinic, people travel from all over the country for their amazing expertise. They use conscious dental method so the Guinea does not have to have anaesthetics so no nasty side effects with amazing results. I know it’s a long way but you would get a thorough assessment and any work done there and then

You can get syringes and recovery food from your vet or off the internet or the vet, soaked mushed pellets can be given too as a substitute plus still encourage her to eat grass and tiny morsels of veggies etc. A bowl of dry plain porridge oats can be given too

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
Bill & Ted said:
So sorry your little piggie is having problems eating. The gagging and strange movements you describe typically sound like teeth problems to me. Did your vet check her teeth? Sometimes it can be a dental spur or over grown teeth bridging and stopping them from swallowing down their food
You must start syringe feeding her now and also weigh her daily, this will give you an idea of how much she is eating. if her weight goes down each day then she is not getting enough to eat.Keep a record of her weight, if it stabilises then you have reached a point that she is getting enough food.
There is a wonderful pair of vets that treat around 40 guinea pigs a week with dental problems of all kinds they are Simon and Kim Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Clinic, people travel from all over the country for their amazing expertise. They use conscious dental method so the Guinea does not have to have anaesthetics so no nasty side effects with amazing results. I know it’s a long way but you would get a thorough assessment and any work done there and then

You can get syringes and recovery food from your vet or off the internet or the vet, soaked mushed pellets can be given too as a substitute plus still encourage her to eat grass and tiny morsels of veggies etc. A bowl of dry plain porridge oats can be given too

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Click to expand...
Hello,

Thank you so much for getting back to me.
Yeah I suspected it was a tooth issue too but the vet investigated her mouth and didn't see anything... although he admitted that he couldn't properly assess the back of her mouth.
That's some great advice, thank you. I'll get her some critical care mis and syringe feed her. I wish I knew how to upload videos on here to show you exactly what I mean... do you know how do to that?
I'm now visiting my parents so I think I may try their local vets to see if they have a different opinion.

Thank you so much! x
 
Sorry to hear your piggy is unwell.

Video has to be uploaded to YouTube and then a link to it posted here.
I can see you have tried to add some videos but it is showing as unavailable
 
helennaomi said:
Hello,

Thank you so much for getting back to me.
Yeah I suspected it was a tooth issue too but the vet investigated her mouth and didn't see anything... although he admitted that he couldn't properly assess the back of her mouth.
That's some great advice, thank you. I'll get her some critical care mis and syringe feed her. I wish I knew how to upload videos on here to show you exactly what I mean... do you know how do to that?
I'm now visiting my parents so I think I may try their local vets to see if they have a different opinion.

Thank you so much! x
Click to expand...
So I think you have to load a video onto Utube and copy the link onto here
Hope you get more answers soon 🤞
 
Do the front teeth all look nice and straight? If they are wonky that can indicate a problem with their back teeth. Good luck. I hope you get some answers soon.

Please step in with syringe feeding now so your piggy can be fit enough for any procedure they may need.
 
I do think this sounds like a dental issue! I hope you get some good news with your second vet 👍
 
Hello everyone, thank you so much for your kind words and advice. I have a sad update I'm afraid; Pebble didn't make it, she passed away in my arms this morning. I did take her to the vets again for a second opinion, they looked in her mouth and couldn't see anything wrong. I spent the evening trying to feed her critical care mix but she was struggling to take it. This morning she seemed a lot worse and sadly passed while I was cuddling her. I don't really know what she had wrong with her, but she was really poorly and at least she isn't suffering anymore now
😔
 
Oh I'm so sorry. At least she was with you safe and warm having a cuddle. RIP Pebble, over the Rainbow Bridge 🌈❤️
 
I am so sorry to read your sad news, sending hugs :hug:You did everything you could have done, she will have known just how much you cared and loved her, take care x

Sleep tight little Pebble 🌈
 
I’m so sorry to hear this. Popcorn high at the bridge Pebble. Take care ❤️
 
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