Hard belly

[Popcorn bby]

Hi, I haven't posted on here for a while but I figured maybe someone could help with the current situation. My guinea pig Popcorn has struggled with chronic gas episodes for years, but this gas episode has become odd. She was having it for over a month or so, but it became worse and now isn't going down at all despite the constant medications she's been on for it. Yesterday, however, I noticed on her left side it was especially hard. usually, gases are hollow and can be poked at, but the gassy part on her belly is hard and does not feel hollow. When i touch it it's firm, heavy, and can''t really be fully pushed so the gases go to the right side (which I can always do with gases). It's on her side but also towards her hip/lower belly. It does not seem to hurt her when I touch at it. I'm starting to suspect it might not be gases, but it doesn't fully seem like a lump either. It looks completely like gas until you touch it, plus it isn't exactly its own shape. Another guinea pig who recently passed away did have a lump on her bottom side that turned out to be an extremely swollen kidney, so I am not sure if perhaps it could be a similar situation, I really hope it's not. She is still being herself and eating/pooping well. The earliest vet appointment we could get is three weeks from now, but I am stressed and wondering if that's too long wait. If anyone could offer thoughts I would really appreciate it.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes three weeks is too long to wait. Can you call round another vet?

 

[Popcorn bby]

Yes three weeks is too long to wait. Can you call round another vet?

that is unfortunately the only vet we can go to who specializes in guinea pigs. i believe there is one appointment two weeks from now but that still might be too long.

 

[Siikibam]

Where are you located? I would call them and tell them it’s urgent. Ask them to call you if there is a cancellation.

 

[Popcorn bby]

Where are you located? I would call them and tell them it’s urgent. Ask them to call you if there is a cancellation.

Unfortunately I am in the US, exotic vets are pretty rare here. We are going to call them again tomorrow and I am much more determined to try and tell them how serious it is (although they always say that if she's eating and being herself it should be fine). Thank you so much for caring,

 

[Siikibam]

Have you had a look at the vet locator?
Guinea Lynx :: GL's Vet List

 

[Wiebke]

Unfortunately I am in the US, exotic vets are pretty rare here. We are going to call them again tomorrow and I am much more determined to try and tell them how serious it is (although they always say that if she's eating and being herself it should be fine). Thank you so much for caring,

Hi!

Please see a general vet as soon as possible TODAY as a life or death emergency and ideally for an x-ray to see what is going on. She may have a blockage or a twisted gut.
Here is more information on bloat and bloat related issues: Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

 

[Popcorn bby]

Hi!

Please see a general vet as soon as possible TODAY as a life or death emergency and ideally for an x-ray to see what is going on. She may have a blockage or a twisted gut.
Here is more information on bloat and bloat related issues: Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

We tried calling early today to come in immediately for a same day appointment, but all of their emergency appointments are booked and this vet isn't open tomorrow either. We are going to have to go in two days. I was wondering, is it possible for a guinea pig to have blockage even if they are still pooping? Also, I remember reading that guinea pigs with twisted gut are in severe pain and don't last long, but she's had this for at least three days and is not showing signs of severe pain. However, the feeling of the belly being hard as cement in twisted gut cases is most similar to our case.

 

[Wiebke]

We tried calling early today to come in immediately for a same day appointment, but all of their emergency appointments are booked and this vet isn't open tomorrow either. We are going to have to go in two days. I was wondering, is it possible for a guinea pig to have blockage even if they are still pooping? Also, I remember reading that guinea pigs with twisted gut are in severe pain and don't last long, but she's had this for at least three days and is not showing signs of severe pain. However, the feeling of the belly being hard as cement in twisted gut cases is most similar to our case.

It sounds more like severe bloat, which can be just in one part of the belly. I didn't think it would be a twisted gut as that progresses very quickly. I have lost piggies to a twisted gut and to blockage over the years - my Myfina over Christmas Day, so I really sympathise with your problems. These things always tend to happen at the most inconvenient of times.

Please follow the tips in the guide. It has been proof-read by a very experienced long term guinea pig keeping exotics nurse. We have collected all the tips we have tried and tested ourselves to try our best to get piggies through serious bloating as much as possible.

PS: From my experience with Myfina, a blocked piggy will still move out any food that is on the conveyor belt below the blockage, especially in slowly developing one. But they will most strongly refuse to take on any food once they can no longer process it. But her belly gassed up/swelled very noticeably in just one part of the gut so I wanted to keep my options open since I don't have direct access to yout piggy.

How much painkiller are you giving (dog or cat metacam)?

 

[Popcorn bby]

It sounds more like severe bloat, which can be just in one part of the belly. I didn't think it would be a twisted gut as that progresses very quickly. I have lost piggies to a twisted gut and to blockage over the years - my Myfina over Christmas Day, so I really sympathise with your problems. These things always tend to happen at the most inconvenient of times.

Please follow the tips in the guide. It has been proof-read by a very experienced long term guinea pig keeping exotics nurse. We have collected all the tips we have tried and tested ourselves to try our best to get piggies through serious bloating as much as possible.

PS: From my experience with Myfina, a blocked piggy will still move out any food that is on the conveyor belt below the blockage, especially in slowly developing one. But they will most strongly refuse to take on any food once they can no longer process it. But her belly gassed up/swelled very noticeably in just one part of the gut so I wanted to keep my options open since I don't have direct access to yout piggy.

How much painkiller are you giving (dog or cat metacam)?

Thank you. It is very true that these things happen at the worst times. I am trying to do as much as I can from the guide including giving her massages. I am giving her .3 mLs of dog metacam every 12 hours, although sometimes I give her half of that six hours apart instead. I am keeping a close eye to make sure that she continues pooping/eating and being herself. I am not sure if I should give her cisapride though.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. It is very true that these things happen at the worst times. I am trying to do as much as I can from the guide including giving her massages. I am giving her .3 mLs of dog metacam every 12 hours, although sometimes I give her half of that six hours apart instead. I am keeping a close eye to make sure that she continues pooping/eating and being herself. I am not sure if I should give her cisapride though.

If you have got cisapride at home for her, try 0.1 ml every 12 hours. Cisapride is not the best replacement for zantac, but it is the only one we have currently got, unfortunately.

All the best! It is a worrying time. All you can do is hanging in there for the weekend and hoping for best.

 

[Popcorn bby]

If you have got cisapride at home for her, try 0.1 ml every 12 hours. Cisapride is not the best replacement for zantac, but it is the only one we have currently got, unfortunately.

All the best! It is a worrying time. All you can do is hanging in there for the weekend and hoping for best.

Thank you. While I was massaging her today, I noticed that now her belly feels more fluid-filled rather than completely hard. I am really hoping that it isn't blockage, as I believe there is no treatment for blockage. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's just gas rather than something that can't be treated.