Pig_mum
New Born Pup
Hi Everyone,
In early November 2020, we sadly lost our guinea pig Primrose to what we suspect was a complication with bladder stones. A few weeks later, we adopted a baby sow as a companion for our older sow, Nancy. We got the baby sow from a local rescue in Peterborough called PinnyGigs (which has since closed down) and we named her Willow.
After a few weeks had passed by, Willow starting dry sneezing and was prescribed antibiotics by our vet. Shortly afterwards, Nancy developed respiratory issues, so she also went on antibiotics. Long story short – after weeks of going back and forth to the vet with both pigs and trying different antibiotics, Nancy's condition worsened and we sadly had to euthanise her in February 2021. During this time, Willow had also developed a temporary head tilt, which went away after having antibiotics – but the sneezing came back.
Wanting to get to the bottom of this respiratory issue, our vet suggested we could get Willow a CT scan at a Cambridge Radiology Referrals Clinic for a more detailed look at what might be going on internally. Willow had her scan earlier this week (Monday 15th March). It took a total of two weeks to get referred by our vet and book an appointment for the scan, which, as you can imagine, was quite an anxious time as we all know guinea pigs can deteriorate very quickly.
Willow didn't respond very well to the anaesthetic and took a good 30+ hours to start eating by herself and acting somewhat 'normal' again (we obviously syringe fed her Critical Care during this time). Anyway, she seemed to be improving until this morning, when we noticed she hadn't touched her food all night and had lost weight. After trying her with Critical Care, it was clear that she wasn't well and we booked an emergency appointment with our exotics vet.
Despite being told that our vet would receive the full report from the Radiology Clinic within 48 hours, it turns out they still haven't received the full report because the Radiologist is very busy. Our vet has now told us that it could take several days – if not, weeks, to receive it. Had we have known this CT scan process would take several weeks from start to finish, we wouldn't have gone ahead with it. As always with guinea pigs – time is of the essence and so much can change so quickly.
What we did find out on the day of the scan was that Willow's nasal passage looked narrow. Today, our vet did mention something about potential pus build up in the ear bulla and lesions on the lungs. But once again, she can't say for certain without having the full report back from the Radiology Clinic.
I'm so confused and frustrated at this point. We thought we were doing the right thing by getting Willow a scan, but it feels like we've gone backwards as we still don't know what the underlying issue is and whether it's treatable. Previously, our vet has also speculated that it could be something like chlamydia caviae.
So, Willow is now back on antibiotics, pain relief and another medication to help her gut. I feel so bad for her having to go through all of this at 5.5 months of age. It doesn't seem fair.
I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with their guinea pigs before? I'd really appreciate any advice.
Many thanks
In early November 2020, we sadly lost our guinea pig Primrose to what we suspect was a complication with bladder stones. A few weeks later, we adopted a baby sow as a companion for our older sow, Nancy. We got the baby sow from a local rescue in Peterborough called PinnyGigs (which has since closed down) and we named her Willow.
After a few weeks had passed by, Willow starting dry sneezing and was prescribed antibiotics by our vet. Shortly afterwards, Nancy developed respiratory issues, so she also went on antibiotics. Long story short – after weeks of going back and forth to the vet with both pigs and trying different antibiotics, Nancy's condition worsened and we sadly had to euthanise her in February 2021. During this time, Willow had also developed a temporary head tilt, which went away after having antibiotics – but the sneezing came back.
Wanting to get to the bottom of this respiratory issue, our vet suggested we could get Willow a CT scan at a Cambridge Radiology Referrals Clinic for a more detailed look at what might be going on internally. Willow had her scan earlier this week (Monday 15th March). It took a total of two weeks to get referred by our vet and book an appointment for the scan, which, as you can imagine, was quite an anxious time as we all know guinea pigs can deteriorate very quickly.
Willow didn't respond very well to the anaesthetic and took a good 30+ hours to start eating by herself and acting somewhat 'normal' again (we obviously syringe fed her Critical Care during this time). Anyway, she seemed to be improving until this morning, when we noticed she hadn't touched her food all night and had lost weight. After trying her with Critical Care, it was clear that she wasn't well and we booked an emergency appointment with our exotics vet.
Despite being told that our vet would receive the full report from the Radiology Clinic within 48 hours, it turns out they still haven't received the full report because the Radiologist is very busy. Our vet has now told us that it could take several days – if not, weeks, to receive it. Had we have known this CT scan process would take several weeks from start to finish, we wouldn't have gone ahead with it. As always with guinea pigs – time is of the essence and so much can change so quickly.
What we did find out on the day of the scan was that Willow's nasal passage looked narrow. Today, our vet did mention something about potential pus build up in the ear bulla and lesions on the lungs. But once again, she can't say for certain without having the full report back from the Radiology Clinic.
I'm so confused and frustrated at this point. We thought we were doing the right thing by getting Willow a scan, but it feels like we've gone backwards as we still don't know what the underlying issue is and whether it's treatable. Previously, our vet has also speculated that it could be something like chlamydia caviae.
So, Willow is now back on antibiotics, pain relief and another medication to help her gut. I feel so bad for her having to go through all of this at 5.5 months of age. It doesn't seem fair.
I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with their guinea pigs before? I'd really appreciate any advice.
Many thanks
