Help for my little girl.....

[Crickett Master]

I have two guinea pigs at least 6 years old. The female suddenly lost weight. I took her in and they filed her teeth although I've never had to do this in 3 years (I am their second rescue). They get Small Pet Select guinea pig pellets, Small Pet Select Timothy Hay, lots of fresh organic lettuce mix and spinach, all kinds of vegetables, tomatoes, etc. No changes in habitat or food.

She got Metacam for pain and inflammation, and Oxbow Critical Care but she still didn't eat unless I manually fed her. She began to poo but didn't pee. So then I got an X-ray which showed GI statis, and got a special GI statis compound (Metoclopramide). She is active and going to the bathroom poo and pee, but isn't keen on food and is losing weight. She sniffs at her regular food and even sits down in it, but no go for aggressive eating as in the past.

I also gave her Ivermectin in case of parasites. 2nd treatment 1st day and 5th day. She started at 880g and is down to 700kg.

I am in the U.S.

I've been to two vets so far. Don't know what to do.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry to hear your girl is unwell. Which teeth were filed down - incisors or molars? What did the vet say was wrong with them? And what else did they check aside from the teeth and the x ray?

One thing to help piggies who have had dentals is to cut the veg into matchsticks. That makes it easier for them to pick it up.

Over what time period has she lost that weight and is it still a downward trend? How much top up has she been taking over a 24 hour period (roughly)?

As she’s not eating enough hay, please switch to syringe feeding her regularly - every two hours - throughout the day. You’re aiming to get at least 40ml of recovery food into her in a 24 hour period. Give her as much as she will accept at each sitting. Also switch to weighing her once daily (preferably in the morning) so you can see what’s happening with her weight. You’re aiming to help her stabilise her weight.

I would please review their diet. Spinach is high in calcium and should only be given occasionally - one leaf each a week Fruits are also high in sugar so should only be given occasionally as a treat. Tomatoes are also acidic and can cause mouse sores if given too regularly.

The other thing is you shouldn’t treat preventatively. Unless the vet has said they have parasites then you should hold off.

What you don’t want to do is to have them build up immunity to the meds. The other thing is that you don’t want to give a dosage that’s not correct. I wouldn’t give any further treatments for this.

I know that experienced vets are fewer in the US than here. I would consider having her looked over for a third opinion if there is a vet (see list below) that is quite near you. Did they book a follow up appointment for your girl at all?

Sorry for so many questions, they can (hopefully) give a better picture of what’s going on with her. Mystery weight loss is one of the more difficult things to figure out. But fingers crossed she will start to perk up soon.

Guinea Lynx :: GL's Vet List
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Merab]

Just adding support for you.