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Post dental surgery care

R

Rozz

New Born Pup
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My little piggie Claude had dental surgery on Thursday. When I first got him home I could hand feed him, but the last two days, I can't. He is managing very small amounts of carrot and cucumber, but nowhere near enough. I'm trying to syringe feed him, but he is getting so distressed each time and won't let us give it to him, we managed a little bit this morning. He is on pain relief and gut medication to try and keep things moving as they should. I'll be calling the vets tomorrow, but just wondered if anybody has any advice in the meantime please? I don't want to be causing more pain /stress for him 😟
Thank you
 
Cutting veg into very thin match stricks can help but it is not the vegetable intake you really need to worry about - It is hay intake (80% of daily food intake) which syringe feeding is replacing.
Are you using a recovery feed or mushed pellets?

Make sure you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him daily so you can ensure he is getting enough syringe feed in each 24 hour period to keep his weight stable - a minimum of 40-60ml per day.
It’s not always easy syringe feeding a piggy but you need to be firm to ensure he is getting enough.

What pain relief is he on? Cat or dog metacam? How often is he having it?

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
 
Thank you for your response.
Ive been cutting the veg up into tiny pieces, but he still can't manage to eat it. Will keep trying to hand feed him.
I've tried both in the syringe, as wasn't sure if it was the recovery food he was struggling with.

There is no way I can hold his head still enough by myself to do it. When I have help, we can manage just about, but otherwise I cannot find a way to hold him still enough.

He is on metacam for cats & Guinea pigs and has it once daily.

Thank you again
 
Rozz said:
Thank you for your response.
Ive been cutting the veg up into tiny pieces, but he still can't manage to eat it. Will keep trying to hand feed him.
I've tried both in the syringe, as wasn't sure if it was the recovery food he was struggling with.

There is no way I can hold his head still enough by myself to do it. When I have help, we can manage just about, but otherwise I cannot find a way to hold him still enough.

He is on metacam for cats & Guinea pigs and has it once daily.

Thank you again
Click to expand...

I know it can be hard to syringe feed them. The guide I linked in may help you with tips.

When I’m trying to get anything into any of my piggies, I sit on the floor with piggy on my outstretched legs. I use one forearm to create a barrier and use that hand to hold piggy’s head. The syringe is in the other hand
Are you weighing him? That is the only way to know he is getting enough food.

What dosage is he on?
Once a day pain meds for piggies isn’t usually enough. Piggies have fast metabolisms, pain meds are metabolised in around 10-12 hours so they need pain meds twice a day.
Dependent on what dosage he is being given, cat metacam (which is weaker than dog metacam) and at once a day, it’s possible it’s not helping much. And a piggy in discomfort will be reluctant to eat

Is the vet piggy savvy? Particularly piggy dental savvy?
 
Thank you for the tips, I've tried doing it that way, but will try again an see what happens. I'm not , the vets have been, he was last weighed on Friday and the vet wasn't worried. But I will start doing.

He's on 0.2ml, and I asked the vet if that would be enough and they said it's what Guinea pigs are licensed to have. He is trying to eat, but his teeth have been filed so that they don't meet yet. I don't if it's pain from trying or frustration that he can't do it properly that is stopping him.

Yes, the vet has a lot of knowledge surrounding piggies
 
Rozz said:
Thank you for the tips, I've tried doing it that way, but will try again an see what happens. I'm not , the vets have been, he was last weighed on Friday and the vet wasn't worried. But I will start doing.

He's on 0.2ml, and I asked the vet if that would be enough and they said it's what Guinea pigs are licensed to have. He is trying to eat, but his teeth have been filed so that they don't meet yet. I don't if it's pain from trying or frustration that he can't do it properly that is stopping him.

Yes, the vet has a lot of knowledge surrounding piggies
Click to expand...

Definitely start weighing him yourself at home. Daily weight checks are essential during a period of illness or recovery. Knowing the exact amount of food going in according to the weight checks is essential in getting them through the illness/recovery.
You can switch to routine lifelong weekly weight checks once piggy is better.

Unfortunately since cat metacam was licensed for piggies, it is something we are finding more on here - the amount prescribed isn’t usually enough in reality for piggies. It’s fine for cats but piggies can take and usually need much higher doses.
Cat metacam at once a day at 0.2ml is probably just cosmetic rather than actually touching any pain he may be experiencing.

Piggy knowledgeable vets would know to dose twice a day. Some will also still prescribe dog metacam, rather than cat, as it is stronger.

Which teeth were filed?
Hopefully they will grow back in soon and he can start eating enough again
 
Rozz said:
Thank you for your response.
Ive been cutting the veg up into tiny pieces, but he still can't manage to eat it. Will keep trying to hand feed him.
I've tried both in the syringe, as wasn't sure if it was the recovery food he was struggling with.

There is no way I can hold his head still enough by myself to do it. When I have help, we can manage just about, but otherwise I cannot find a way to hold him still enough.

He is on metacam for cats & Guinea pigs and has it once daily.

Thank you again
Click to expand...

Hi
I am very sorry. Will he take some mushed-up pellets or does he struggle to swallow?

How is he with taking water from a syringe (never squirt it into the mouth with full force, just let drink from the tip as much as they want to). This may help you assess his swallowing ability.

Syringe feeding an unccoperative piggy can be a struggle but it is unfortunately necessary for survival. Please have a look at the relevant chapter in our new syringe feeding and medicating guide with some helpful tips.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
 
Hi, I find wrapping my piggies up in a towel helps, like a burrito, if you know what I mean? I place my piggie in the middle of a towel, fold the bottom of it over their bottom and back then fold the sides over their backs too, so they are wrapped up quite tight. I then just pick them up like I normally would, one hand under their bottom and other around their tummy/chest area and sit them on my knee. I find it keeps their movement a little more restrictive.
 
Perhaps try offering him syringe food or softened, mushed nuggets in a bowl? Hope he's eating well again soon! ❤️🤞
 
Popcorns & Wheeks said:
Hi, I find wrapping my piggies up in a towel helps, like a burrito, if you know what I mean? I place my piggie in the middle of a towel, fold the bottom of it over their bottom and back then fold the sides over their backs too, so they are wrapped up quite tight. I then just pick them up like I normally would, one hand under their bottom and other around their tummy/chest area and sit them on my knee. I find it keeps their movement a little more restrictive.
Click to expand...
I do this. Works really well when feeding solo
 
Thank you so much for your tips, unfortunately I have tried this multiple times and it still won't work. I have taken him into the vets this morning and he has been admitted, so hopefully they can work out what is happening and help him to be on the mend and maybe if he's less distressed, I can try this again ☺️
 
Wheekallweek said:
Perhaps try offering him syringe food or softened, mushed nuggets in a bowl? Hope he's eating well again soon! ❤️🤞
Click to expand...

Thank you for your suggestions, I have trying to do that and since the surgery, but unfortunately none of it has worked. I don't blame him, poor boy, must be so stressful for him. He's been admitted this morning, so hopefully things will improve for him ❤️
 
Wiebke said:
Hi
I am very sorry. Will he take some mushed-up pellets or does he struggle to swallow.

How is ve with taking water from a syringe (never squirt it into the mouth with full force, just let drink from the tip as much as they want to). This may help you assess his swallowing ability.

Syringe feeding an unccoperative piggy can be a struggle but it is unfortunately necessary for survival. Please have a look at the relevant chapter in our new syringe feeding and medicating guide with some helpful tips.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Click to expand...


Thank you so much for sending all of that. I read and tried, but unfortunately to no avail. He's been admitted this morning, so hopefully things will improve 🤞
 
Rozz said:
Thank you so much for sending all of that. I read and tried, but unfortunately to no avail. He's been admitted this morning, so hopefully things will improve 🤞
Click to expand...

I am very sorry and am keeping my fingers firmly crossed!
 
Is this your first time syringe feeding a guinea pig? It can be very difficult the first time. It may seem like the pig may not want it but it could be that the syringe feeding is not being properly done. I'm not accusing you of anything just trying to make sure that a proper attempt at syringe feeding is being made.
 
I just wanted to add my support too.
It is clear you are doing everything possible for your piggy.
 
He’s in the best place. Once he gets he hang of them feeding him it will hopefully be easier for you. It’s not an easy thing. Some pigs accept syringe feeding ok. Some definitely don’t. Good luck.
 
Sending support, sorry he's been admitted but hopefully it means they can get to the bottom of this and get him back on his feet. Syringe feeding can be so difficult no matter how experienced you are (not to mention exhausting)
 
So sorry for your little piggie. Has anyone mentioned Simon and Kim Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Clinic at Northampton? If anyone can get your piggies teeth corrected and eating properly they can and all done consciously. these two vets are the best in the UK for anything dental, people travel from all over the country with their guinea pigs. if you can travel then it’s worth you going to see them, you won’t be disappointed. They are really experienced guinea pig vets and don’t cost the earth as there is no nasty general anaesthetic to deal with afterwards and the whole procedure takes around 10 minutes and you will get a proper thorough assessment of what’s wrong and the work done there and then

Got my Ted eating hay before we even left the surgery

CAT AND RABBIT CARE CLINIC | Northlands Vets
 
I don't know if this will post to everybody that has posted on this thread, but I just want to thank every single one of you for your well wishes and advice for Claude. After Claude was admitted, they realised that he wasn't able to swallow and was holding food in his mouth, any fluids had just been coming back out . They had to put him under again to see what was happening.I didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but it was the only way to try and help him. We brought him home on Monday night and were told to prepare for the worst. We stayed up with him all night to try and syringe feed/medicate, but he still wasn't able to swallow and couldn't move by himself. It breaks my heart to say that yesterday morning, my beautiful baby boy had to be put to sleep. I'm sorry if any of the details are distressing to read, I just wanted to let everybody know what happened. I wish I could have done more, but I just hope he knows how much he was loved ❤️ Take care everybody and thank you again
 
I’m so sorry for your loss.
You tried so hard for him and showed him a lot of love.
Sleep tight Claude
 
So sorry you lost your beloved Claude. You clearly gave him much love and care. Hugs to you and sleep tight little Claude ❤️
 
So sorry you lost Claude. He was clearly very loved and you did all you could for him. Sometimes whatever we do the call of the Rainbow Bridge is just too strong and they have to go. You showed him your final act of love helping him cross over.
 
I’m am so sorry you lost him, sending bigs hugs, he will have known just how much you loved him :hug:

Sleep tight little Claude 🌈
 
Oh I’m so sorry to read this. You tried all you could but sometimes it’s just not enough. He felt your love for him. It’s the hardest but kindest decision to help them at the end. Popcorn high at the bridge Claude. Take care ❤️
 
I am so very sorry for your loss.
You gave Claude a wonderful life and the best possible care.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Holding you in my heart ♥️
 
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