Lethargic Guinea Pig

[anne.lorraine]

Hello! I'm in need of advice right now for my guinea pig.

We went to see the vet the other day for my guinea pig milo as he was squealing everytime he pees and poo, the vet said that he has a bladder stone and an infection which they prescribed him pain reliever and baytril antibiotics. after 10 days of him with the antibiotics, he stopped eating and is very lethargic and I've been syringe feeding him here and there so that he has something on his stomach.

Right now I can not honestly afford to take him to the vet since I am struggling financially even for myself, What should I do to make his appetite go back?

 

[Claire W]

I am very sorry to hear this I’m afraid that the only treatment for a bladder stone is surgery to remove it. They are very painful as the rough edges rub against the wall of the bladder and if it travels to the urethra, it can get stuck causing urine to back up towards the kidneys which is a medical emergency did your vet mention surgery? Antibiotics will not help

Guinea pigs hide pain very well and it sounds like Milo is in a lot of pain if he is not eating and is lethargic. You’ll need to step in with syringe feeding him to keep his guts moving. I’m sorry that money is tight but he really does need to see the vet asap. Is there a family member or friend who could lend you the money? I’m sorry I don’t have better news x

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I’m so sorry Milo has a bladder stone. The antibiotics can make them lose their appetite so it’s good you are syringe feeding him. Are you weighing him daily so you can see if he’s losing weight? If he is then you need to feed him more. If he is eating nothing at all on his own then you will probably need to feed him over 60ml of critical care in a day maybe even 100ml.

Pain meds will make him feel comfortable and the antibiotics will clear up any infection present but unfortunately the bladder stone won’t go away and it is unlikely (but not impossible) to pass through. So surgery will be needed.

I’m so sorry you are in this predicament.

Please read the green links above. They will give you all of the information you need.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this and of your situation.
I'm afraid I have to agree with Claire.

His appetite won’t come back while he is unwell - he needs the infection to be cured and the bladder stone to be removed.
A bladder stone won’t break down on its own, antibiotics wont help it and they just get bigger if left inside which will be very painful and cause other complications.
In boars bladder stones almost always need surgical removal - only an incredibly tiny stone can come out of a boars urethra. If a stone tries to come out itself and is too big it can unfortunately get stuck in the angle boars have in the urethra and I’m afraid that then becomes a life threatening emergency due to the blockage of urine backing up.

You need to ensure you weigh him every morning and syringe feed as much critical care as is necessary to keep his weight stable each day. This is a minimum of 60ml per day.

How much syringe feed are you getting into him each day?

I’m afraid he really does need to go back to the vet and rather urgently if he is now lethargic.

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[weepweeps]

Also do you have anyone who could help you pay for surgery? Or does your vets offer payment plans?

 

[Merab]

So sorry that you are dealing with this.
Holding you in my thoughts

 

[anne.lorraine]

Hello everyone, thank you for replying to my post. it was somehow helpful. Sadly, my baby Milo passed away yesterday while I was at work and did not even got to say good bye to him. I knew it was coming, I was just a bit in denial.

Thank you so much again for replying.

 

[anne.lorraine]

I am very sorry to hear this I’m afraid that the only treatment for a bladder stone is surgery to remove it. They are very painful as the rough edges rub against the wall of the bladder and if it travels to the urethra, it can get stuck causing urine to back up towards the kidneys which is a medical emergency did your vet mention surgery? Antibiotics will not help

Guinea pigs hide pain very well and it sounds like Milo is in a lot of pain if he is not eating and is lethargic. You’ll need to step in with syringe feeding him to keep his guts moving. I’m sorry that money is tight but he really does need to see the vet asap. Is there a family member or friend who could lend you the money? I’m sorry I don’t have better news x

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Hi Claire, thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate it. I didn't know that the rough edges could rub against the wall of their bladder.

Unfortunately, he passed away yesterday while I was at work, and didn't get to say good bye to him

 

[Claire W]

Hi Claire, thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate it. I didn't know that the rough edges could rub against the wall of their bladder.

Unfortunately, he passed away yesterday while I was at work, and didn't get to say good bye to him

Aw I’m so very sorry to hear your sad news It’s clear how much he was loved. Be kind to yourself as you grieve

Sleep tight Milo xx

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.