Pouch full of air under chin

[Kellie]

Good evening

We've had a traumatic week with our baby Gandolph (he's 1 year old) he developed a sniffly and cough on Thursday last week OOH vet trip resulted in the usual prescription of Baytril. Saturday came and we noticed large lump under his chin another OOH vet trip for a possible abscess the vet told us she had aspirated it and it was 30ml of air no abscess and no puss. Recommended surgery the following day I received an abrupt call from a vet out of our area and was told they had scheduled Gandolph in for surgery - I panicked and said I wanted a second opinion. Luckily we managed a exotic vet trip on Monday (after declining surgery) to be told he wouldn't of made it through surgery he has a bad chest infection and mouth and throat are clear he said maybe a communication issue causing air to the under side of his chin.

Thank fully this very cavvy savvy bet prescribed marboycl for 2 weeks along side metacam and emeprid once daily and cisapride twice daily (he was so kind spent an hour with Gandolph really getting to know him) suggested continue critical care feed and medicine for 2 weeks.

Good news is Gandolph has been opening his bowel (around 10 very small poos) today and yesterday. We've managed to get around 60/70mls of critical care into him each day but weighing tonight he's lost 10g.

I will ring the vet again on Monday as they had asked for an update but wanted opinions on whether I need to be worried about a 10g weight loss in the last week?

He has tried to eat some hay but just tends to drop it, absolutely happy to continue to syringe feed but concerned if he will become reliant and not want to eat himself?

Has anyone else had this experience syringe feeding at all? Or has anyone had a GP with an air pocket that was not initially seen as an abscess?

Attached a picture of (shaved ) air pouch

Thank you in advance

Kellie, Steve Elmo & Gandolph

 

[Wheekallweek]

Wow, I've never heard of this before! I suppose the surgery would be to find the source of the air leak and close it?
Glad he's pooping again though, I wouldn't worry too much about a 10g loss considering.
I think 50g is where you would start to be concerned?
Have you tried offering him some tasty herbs like parsley, basil, dill, coriander? Maybe some fresh grass?
Best of luck to you both

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this.

10g loss in a weight isn’t concerning.
Definitely keep up with the syringe feeding to keep his weight stable. He will not become reliant on it - a piggy who is well enough to eat independently will eat and will refuse to be syringe fed. Don’t worry about that.

 

[Kellie]

Wow, I've never heard of this before! I suppose the surgery would be to find the source of the air leak and close it?
Glad he's pooping again though, I wouldn't worry too much about a 10g loss considering.
I think 50g is where you would start to be concerned?
Have you tried offering him some tasty herbs like parsley, basil, dill, coriander? Maybe some fresh grass?
Best of luck to you both

Hi

Thank you so much for your reply we have had piggies for 2 years and never known of an air pouch. I asked for a second opinion as I was concerned that our baby had been "pencilled" in for surgery by someone that had never even seen him and he was so weak last week feeding every 2 hours that I think the worst may of happened

The air pouch is reducing with the antibiotics so our exotic vet did wonder if it was an abscess lower down.

We've tried to entice with his usual favourite blueberries and tomatoes but he hasn't wanted it. Neither of the boys have had herbs as such before they can be quick picky and I was a bit worried but shall certainly give that a go to see if the smell entices him a bit more

Thank you so much

 

[Kellie]

I’m sorry to hear this.

10g loss in a weight isn’t concerning.
Definitely keep up with the syringe feeding to keep his weight stable. He will not become reliant on it - a piggy who is well enough to eat independently will eat and will refuse to be syringe fed. Don’t worry about that.

Hi

That's great thank you so much he has sort of tried to refuse the syringe tonight we will leave spinach and kale in his bed tonight (will seperate the c&g cage slightly) so we can see if he's eaten his and not his brother.

Thanks for the reassurance about his weight

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

In over 15 years on this forum with literally tens of thousands of piggies passing through we have to my knowledge never come across an air pouch under the skin anywhere on the body. Something more unusual must have happened or still be going on.

Please continue syringe feeding. Guinea pigs are prey animals that are deep wired to keep eating and drinking; they cannot afford to fast, unlike predatory pets. If they lose their appetite then it is usually because a problem with the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus (antibiotics can also impact on the digestive bacteria in the gut) or because there is a pain issue from the pouch in your case; the neck is a very sensitive area. Marbocyl (marbofloxcin) is a stronger antibiotic from the same class as baytril (enrofloxacin), which is well known for its impact on the gut microbiome.

I would recommend that you also supplement with probiotics and 'poo soup' (live healthy microbiome transfer - it is not quite as gross as it sounds) in order to support the gut microbiome. You find the relevant tips in a chapter in the syringe feeding guide, as well as some helpful information on weight monitoring.

Please take the time to read these two helpful and very practical guides:
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Weight - Monitoring and Management

All the best for getting to the bottom of it.

 

[Kellie]

Hi

In over 15 years on this forum with literally tens of thousands of piggies passing through we have to my knowledge never come across an air pouch under the skin anywhere on the body. Something more unusual must have happened or still be going on.

Please continue syringe feeding. Guinea pigs are prey animals that are deep wired to keep eating and drinking; they cannot afford to fast, unlike predatory pets. If they lose their appetite then it is usually because a problem with the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus (antibiotics can also impact on the digestive bacteria in the gut) or because there is a pain issue from the pouch in your case; the neck is a very sensitive area. Marbocyl (marbofloxcin) is a stronger antibiotic from the same class as baytril (enrofloxacin), which is well known for its impact on the gut microbiome.

I would recommend that you also supplement with probiotics and 'poo soup' (live healthy microbiome transfer - it is not quite as gross as it sounds) in order to support the gut microbiome. You find the relevant tips in a chapter in the syringe feeding guide, as well as some helpful information on weight monitoring.

Please take the time to read these two helpful and very practical guides:
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Weight - Monitoring and Management

All the best for getting to the bottom of it.

Hi

Thank you so much we thought it was very strange and was expecting puss from a point but he has been drained in 4/5 different places we thought perhaps emphysema but vet said his chest is clearing with the antibiotics he's not struggling to breathe it's a very odd situation however appears to not be bothering him too much rather the residue chest infection is with the slightly blocked nose.

Thank you for the guides we will certainly read through them. We are due to call vets on Monday and have a further visit for Wednesday for x-rays if the "pouch" does not go down we've been keeping an eye and it has definitely shrunk in size just wish we had answers for Gandolph and are trying our best to support him he's still enjoying his cuddles and allowing his brother to wash him.

Thank you for advice regarding syringe feeding he does enjoy the critical care I was just worried he may become reliant but very kindly another member reassured me this wouldn't happen


Kindest regards

Kellie Steve Elmo & Gandolph

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

Thank you so much we thought it was very strange and was expecting puss from a point but he has been drained in 4/5 different places we thought perhaps emphysema but vet said his chest is clearing with the antibiotics he's not struggling to breathe it's a very odd situation however appears to not be bothering him too much rather the residue chest infection is with the slightly blocked nose.

Thank you for the guides we will certainly read through them. We are due to call vets on Monday and have a further visit for Wednesday for x-rays if the "pouch" does not go down we've been keeping an eye and it has definitely shrunk in size just wish we had answers for Gandolph and are trying our best to support him he's still enjoying his cuddles and allowing his brother to wash him.

Thank you for advice regarding syringe feeding he does enjoy the critical care I was just worried he may become reliant but very kindly another member reassured me this wouldn't happen


Kindest regards

Kellie Steve Elmo & Gandolph

All the best. Piggies don't become reliant on it quickly but please take it as a very good sign that he is eating willingly and is not fighting the syringe.

 

[Merab]

Holding you in my thoughts