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Piggo Barely Eating

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Bekialice

Bekialice

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hiya,

I have 4 guinea pigs and one of the eldest recently caught an infection and spent a night at the vets. she's five and a half.
She came back to me on boxing day and she's currently taking antibiotics twice a day, painkillers twice a day and an anti inflam once a day.

I've seperated her from the rest and she doesn't really move much and spends a lot of time sat staring.

She's eating small amounts infrequently, she won't eat her favourite vegetables but she'll nibble some hay every now and then and I've managed to get a few leaves of spinach in her.
I've not seen her try and drink from her bottle once, so I'm syringe feeding water.

I started hand feeding and she was taking it really well and starting to get a bit of energy back. my problem now is that she's kicking off with me every time I syringe her anything. she kicks and squeels and tries to bite. I don't want to stress her out by doing it, but I'm afraid that if I don't her digestive system will shut down?

The vets usually say to contact them if she stops eating entirely, they don't seem too concerned because she is still eating a small amount on her own.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks,
Beki (and wilma)
 
Hello Beki

Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear Wilma is poorly :(

Could you tell me the drugs she is currently on please and doses?
 
What is the infection also? Respiratory?
 
Bekialice said:
Hiya,

I have 4 guinea pigs and one of the eldest recently caught an infection and spent a night at the vets. she's five and a half.
She came back to me on boxing day and she's currently taking antibiotics twice a day, painkillers twice a day and an anti inflam once a day.

I've seperated her from the rest and she doesn't really move much and spends a lot of time sat staring.

She's eating small amounts infrequently, she won't eat her favourite vegetables but she'll nibble some hay every now and then and I've managed to get a few leaves of spinach in her.
I've not seen her try and drink from her bottle once, so I'm syringe feeding water.

I started hand feeding and she was taking it really well and starting to get a bit of energy back. my problem now is that she's kicking off with me every time I syringe her anything. she kicks and squeels and tries to bite. I don't want to stress her out by doing it, but I'm afraid that if I don't her digestive system will shut down?

The vets usually say to contact them if she stops eating entirely, they don't seem too concerned because she is still eating a small amount on her own.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks,
Beki (and wilma)
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

It is important that you keep syringe feeding and watering her, little but often. You may find the tips in our step-by-step guide helpful. Please weigh her once daily at the same time to Monitor her weight/Food intake. Up to 80% of the Food intake is hay, but it is often the first Food Group that is being dropped. Many General vets are not familiar with Guinea pigs and the importance of keeping the guts going. Please only give as much as she can swallow in one go, 0.3 ml, but if she is very weak, it can be less.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

You may want to help bolster the guts by adding probiotics (usually available in a pet shop if necessary) and even syringing poo soup, made from soaking fresh Poos from a healthy piggy in a Little water, which you then Syringe to help re-stock the intestines with the "right stuff". (more info on that in the Syringe feeding guide)

Could you please give us more Information what your Guinea pig is being treated for, the medication brands and dosages, so we can tailor our advice better and give you some more tips on how you can care for her better at home. Antibiotics can cause loss or near loss of appetite; it is generally recommended to Switch to another brand.
 
Hiya,

Yeah I've had trouble finding a decent guinea pig vet in the past. I go to a specialised exotic pet one now.

I was thinking about poop soup but my partner looked at me like I'd lost it. I'll try that today with her sister.

She's on metacam antibiotic 0.4mls twice a day for 7 days
Engemycin 0.3mls once per day for 7 days
Vetergesic 0.1ml twice a day
She's on day 3 now.

I've read through the syringe feeding guide and I just feel so sorry for her when she's squeeling and kicking to get away from the syringe

Thank you
Beki and wilma
 
I'm not sure what the infection was, it's something to do with a wound on her leg. It's not respiratory. I thought she'd broken it at first but x rays showed that she hadn't. they think one of the others might have bitten her or she caught it on something in the cage.
She's seperated now, there was no signs of squabbles or anything out of the ordinary though, it was really strange and out of the blue on Christmas day.
I'm just focused on getting her better right now and then I'll think of a solution to the cagemate situation

Ta
 
Duel care and critical care was thew best for my Lupin when he lost a lot of weight.
When I was syringe feeding him he would have tantrums about it.
Just stay patient and take things slow keep talking to your piggy to settle them I would have lots of cuddles in between to sweeten him.
Keep up the good work x
 
She is on serously good pain relief and the anti inflammatory is pain relief too. So pain should not be the issue. Maybe the antibiotic causing disturbance, this can happen - I am not familiar with that one at all @Adelle @helen105281 @Abi_nurse @Elwickcavies @furryfriends (TEAS) any ideas. Piggies can react badly to certain ones

I personally would speak to the vet asap about trying another antibiotic.

I have just had a search - The only things (adding more as i find them for info) I could find on the forum related to the antibiotic was on this thread need advice for chesney please and Uri Antibiotics Advice Please and Freddie's Leg :( I would speak to the vet ASAP regarding the Antibiotic to make sure it is okay for guineas and Wilma isn't having reaction to it. There are other types that can be prescribed.
 
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after reading these members experiences with this antibiotic ,i would ring the vet and ask for another antibiotic if it is likely to cause a reaction.I hope Wilma improves,maybe get a second opinion if you are not sure,but i would clarify this with your vet.:)
 
Yasmin Marie said:
Duel care and critical care was thew best for my Lupin when he lost a lot of weight.
When I was syringe feeding him he would have tantrums about it.
Just stay patient and take things slow keep talking to your piggy to settle them I would have lots of cuddles in between to sweeten him.
Keep up the good work x
Click to expand...

I've ordered her some critical care, I'm going to Tey her with that tomorrow
 
Oh wow, after reading those threads I'm 100% taking her off engemycin and getting them to change it. Poor piggies

She's had a bit of spinach today and nibbled a small bit of hay. No change but I'll phone the vets tomorrow. I'm glad I'm off work at the moment to keep an eye on her.

Thanks for all your help everyone
Xx
 
Please let us know what the vet says. It will be vital to get another Antibiotic because of the infection. Sending Wilma lots of healing vibes

Have you tried guinea pig pellets mushed up as a syringe feed?
 
I'm not sure what to do today, I've rang the vets multiple times but I don't think it's open today or tomorrow.

Only Wilma could get sick over Christmas when everywhere has reduced opening hours

After reading about the antibiotic she's on, I really don't want to give her another dose. especially since she's walking around and eating by herself more today. But I can't just take her off an antibiotic if she needs it...?

What's the best thing to do? completely stop for 2 days and see how she goes or carry on with a possibly dangerous one and risk hurting her..?
 
I'm giving her mushed pellets through a syringe, water, and poop soup from the healthy ladies. I've given her 1ml of unsweetened cranberry juice too to boost her vit C.
She's eating more hay today and trying to move around her section of the cage more. I think the poop soup has really helped
 
I would stop the antibiotic and get an appointment as soon as you can when they reopen. I wouldn't usually advise stopping but these are exceptional circumstances due to the antibiotic they have prescribed.
 
helen105281 said:
I would stop the antibiotic and get an appointment as soon as you can when they reopen. I wouldn't usually advise stopping but these are exceptional circumstances due to the antibiotic they have prescribed.
Click to expand...

I've stopped giving her the antibiotic now, she's just on her painkillers. She seems a hell of a lot happier
 
I think you have your answer until you get in touch with the vets. Pleased she has improved, love to Wilma x
 
Just to say I have been thinking if Wilma all day. I think you are doing an amazing job with her. We are all here for you
 
Update: I've mixed her with her original cagemate Betty, she's encouraging her to eat a little more. So she's eaten some hay, dried guinea pig flower mix, spinach and lettuce.
She's had cuddles and love and is making a very very small improvement day by day. She looks sleepy and sad but she's been taken off her antibiotics and finished her course of painkillers.
I'm going to see how she goes tomorrow and phone the vets about her
Xx

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