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Opinions please -- extremely poorly bloated and lethargic guinea pig

Danielle Smith

Danielle Smith

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Whitehaven, Cumbria
I woke up yesterday morning and my spayed lady Hope had one of the worst cases of bloat I've ever seen. It came on very quickly overnight. We took her to the vet straight away where she was given cisapride and metaclopramide, as well as metacam, all by injection.

We took her home to massage and syringe feed her and while she managed the first two feeds, she wasnt able to swallow the last one. She hasn't pooed in 12 hours and has gotten progressively weaker and it's at the point now where she can't move herself. I think she is going to pass away today.

I'm here to ask what to do -- should I make the journey to the vets to end her suffering or let her pass away in familiar surroundings at home. She hates being out of the cage, and I've found she only moans in pain if she's moved, otherwise being very quiet. I know bloat is painful but I fear that moving her will make things even worse.
 
Please please get her to the vet as a matter of emergency - for a check rather than putting her to sleep. Unfortunately bloat is one of the really bad ones. Call the vets as soon as they’re open and see when you can get her in. In the meantime you really have to try and syringe feed her to keep her gut going. Poo output is 1-2 days ago so she wasn’t eating enough hence not pooing for 12 hours. I’ll tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns
I hope you can get her in very soon. Let us know ❤️
 
Vets often have someone in 24/7 even if they don't advertise such so I wouldn't wait till 'opening hours' to call. My heart is with you for today. ❤
 
Thank you. She was at the vet yesterday and is booked in for a check up today. I syringe fed her the entirety of yesterday as soon as I noticed the bloat, but I cannot syringe feed her any longer as she's stopped swallowing... She just holds it in her mouth and I have to flush it out. She's so weak she can't lift her head any more and I'm stuck whether to take her to the vet half an hour away, the journey will cause her considerable pain...
 
Is she taking the metacam or not swallowing that either? Is this other vet different? I would call them to see if you can move the appointment forward.
 
She can't swallow anything, not even water. This other vet is the same -- they are my trusted exotics vet. They didn't appear to think the bloat was too bad yesterday as she was still pooing.
 
Okay. Get her seen as soon as possible with which we vet you can get her in to. I’ve got everything crossed for you and hope you can turn it around. But do be prepared given her lethargy and inability to swallow.
 
I'm so sorry to hear this.
Not being able to swallow anything is worrying as without food she is just going to get weaker.
Were you given medication to give her at home or was it just the injections at the vet that she was given?
You really do need to call the vet
 
Hope just passed away peacefully in her cage, 10 minutes before we were due to leave for the vet. Thanks all for the advice.
 
Danielle Smith said:
I woke up yesterday morning and my spayed lady Hope had one of the worst cases of bloat I've ever seen. It came on very quickly overnight. We took her to the vet straight away where she was given cisapride and metaclopramide, as well as metacam, all by injection.

We took her home to massage and syringe feed her and while she managed the first two feeds, she wasnt able to swallow the last one. She hasn't pooed in 12 hours and has gotten progressively weaker and it's at the point now where she can't move herself. I think she is going to pass away today.

I'm here to ask what to do -- should I make the journey to the vets to end her suffering or let her pass away in familiar surroundings at home. She hates being out of the cage, and I've found she only moans in pain if she's moved, otherwise being very quiet. I know bloat is painful but I fear that moving her will make things even worse.
Click to expand...

Hi!

BIG HUGS

I am extremely sorry. Severe bloat or a blockage is a very nasty thing. I have lost several piggies to them over the years. :(
It is the speed and the sheer suffering that really whack you because they are terryfying.
 
The speed was astonishing @Wiebke, I've had a bloat prone pig before but this was something else.

I can't believe our luck, the local rescue has a spayed sow we can try with Blackjack, Hope's husboar she left behind. I'm thinking let him grieve for a day or two and then go through the bonding process.

In the meantime he has a herd of three to talk to. He's very quiet right now but eating (the black blob hiding in the hay) and I'll make sure to keep an eye on him.IMG_20201106_122051.webp
 
I've luckily not had to experience the loss of a piggy yet. But I would say if the opportunity is there then grab it with both hands. Piggies usually 'recover' quicker than us slaves. Hope the trial goes well for your Blackjack.
 
Lucky you indeed! I hope that they'll take to each other. In my experience it takes around 4 days on average for deep mourning for a piggy. You will know when Blackjack is ready when he is no longer quite as withdrawn and is picking up his normal life again, if without his previous sparkle.

Severe bloat, a major blockage or a twisted gut is something else; and a very devastating experience. I do not wish it on any piggy or owner.
Be kind on yourself in the coming days; especially when you hit the adrenaline blues at some point, once the adrenaline rush is running out and leaving you feeling very hung over and grappling with the reality of your loss in all the small, unthinking ways.
You did all you could; it is just one of these things you don't have any control about and can never brace for.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
I'm so sorry for your loss.its very devastating.i have lost 3 piggies to bloat ,despite prompt treatment from an exotic vet.so pleased you have found a friend.:hug:
 
Thank you all for your kind words. We're going to pick up the soon-to-be-renamed Twinkle tomorrow as Blackjack seems to have bounced back surprisingly quickly. This is the second cagemate he's lost (both to bloat, though for Rolo it was a longstanding problem), poor lad.
 
Everything crossed for Blackjack and Twinkle! ❤ and i'm so, so sorry for the loss of Hope
 
All the best with the bonding. Paws and fingers crossed here.
 
All the best for the intro. If you have never done a cross gender bonding before, you may find our bonding guide helpful: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Glad that Blackjack has bounced back pretty quickly. The second time round they usually have a better idea. Like with us humans, it doesn't hurt any less but they know the moves...
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope the new bonding goes well x
 
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