Sick guinea pig - please help.

[Wiebke]

Hey guys,

Bill+Ted - he's actually currently on the Emeraid critical care - he hates it - I think someone might have force fed him with that too hard when he was getting in treatment because I tried again with it today and he was just utterly depressed all day. He's never like that on the pellets. But I've heard all other piggies love it too!
Merab's Slave - I have this too, but I did get the aniseed flavour which I've heard piggies don't really like - do you think I should try the banana flavour? And thank you - I'm worried if I put any in his cage, his cage mate will eat it all immediately as he's a very greedy little pig (not so little tbh)
Wiebke - I thought not - I did wonder if he'd just had a little 'time' with himself and maybe immediately pooped on it - but will call vet in the morning to check it out.
Sunnyandbutch - thank you, I'll try that - the only thing he'll willingly eat is grass - so it could definitely help - it's just a shame the grass in my garden is so poor after the Winter.

Thanks all again for your kind wishes. He's given me a couple of scares tonight - falling asleep and being very still but I think he's just exhausted - we just went outside to have a night grass picnic (I made him a little jumper out of a tea towel) and he's perked up a bit again. His Dad will hopefully be home within the next 48 hours which I'm thrilled about - it's so hard doing this on your own.

HUGS

It can be very difficult to get food into an uncooperative piggy. Have you considered mixing and trying other stuff like adding baby puree (no potato content) in order to cover up the recovery food taste? At this stage, it's basically anything that works goes, as keeping the gut going and the weight as stable as possible takes precendence.

 

[artcasper]

Aww your poor boy... i hope be is feeling better really soon...

I couldn't get the the syringe feeding mix right so I used to feed mushed up cc and pellets from a spoon - game changer!

All the best xx

 

[Sunnyandbutch]

I feel bad for the poor fellow. Don’t feel guilty if he crosses the rainbow bridge your doing the best you can and that’s what matters most. Your very brave to Aid him in his battle if you need in further support/assistance don’t be afraid to ask.

 

[VickiA]

I feel bad for the poor fellow. Don’t feel guilty if he crosses the rainbow bridge your doing the best you can and that’s what matters most. Your very brave to Aid him in his battle if you need in further support/assistance don’t be afraid to ask.

@Sunnyandbutch There is absolutely no suggestion that he is about to cross to the Rainbow Bridge - please do not make comments of this nature. They aren’t helpful and just serve to upset people unnecessarily. This section is manned by experienced volunteers with health and illness issues.

 

[annaandpigs]

I made a weird cocktail of nuggets, critical care and an apple puree that I made at home - it seemed to definitely work for his morale - he ate a fair amount (he's up to 45ml today at the moment) and he's suddenly very talkative - long may it continue Oh and I think the poo soup really helped too.

 

[Sunnyandbutch]

That’s great to hear! Did he enjoy his grass picnic

 

[Wiebke]

I made a weird cocktail of nuggets, critical care and an apple puree that I made at home - it seemed to definitely work for his morale - he ate a fair amount (he's up to 45ml today at the moment) and he's suddenly very talkative - long may it continue Oh and I think the poo soup really helped too.

That is great! What is important is that he gets his fibre in to keep the gut from going dysbiotic - veg and fruit purees should be used as last ditch flavouring effort but not as full on syringe feed because the gut microbiome is laid out for digesting grass fibre in two runs through the gut and not for digesting a mainly veg and fruit based diet.

Good old 'poo soup'! Because it mimics natural behaviour in recovering guinea pigs and because it transfers (if done correctly and quickly to make sure that you translive live biome) exactly the 'right stuff' whereas probiotic powder contains generic probiotic bacteria. It is one of the relatively few old time home cure tips that has actually stood the test of time. To be honest, I have stopped using probiotics - but then I am never short on suitable donor piggies...

I sincerely hope that this marks the turning point and that life becomes a lot easier if you can feed more in less sessions and get a night's sleep yourself. Keep encouraging him to eat a little fresh food in the middle of a syringe feeding session because that is often when the natural feeding reflex kicks in first again with a piggy that is starting to feel better in themselves.

 

[Sunnyandbutch]

@Wiebke I have had piggies with on and off stomach issues. If you don’t mind explaining how exactly do you make it? I have pigs that could easily make contributions to that recipe.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I find a pinch of dried herbs have helped make critical care more palatable and a much better/healthier alternative to adding purees. I certainly wouldn't use baby food though I have once used the Ella's kitchen pouch for a seriously ill degu who needed to gain weight. This brand is solely fruit/veg based and not packed full of the crap additives they tend to put in baby food. The problem with baby food isn't how natural the ingredients are but how they are processed. It's like us deciding to have a piece of fruit but take out most of the good stuff and just leave the sugary pulp behind. They tend to rot babies teeth pretty quickly as a result so I really wouldn't want to give it to a small animal.

 

[annaandpigs]

He lost another 30 grams over night sadly - I did a night feed and thought that would be sufficient as he'd had 60ml that day in total and some grass - now I think he needs 100ml or more, I'm really stressed out about getting it into him. He's still alert and with it, and wants his cuddles - I booked a vet appointment this afternoon - maybe he needs his pain meds upped to get him through. Will let you guys know what they say. Honestly, I'm happy to pay for him to go somewhere overnight again as long as I know he's being looked after and he's not too stressed out. Last time he came back worse (as I mentioned) so I'm a bit anxious about doing it again. I'm also in the middle of a complaints procedure with my emergency vet (where he stayed before) so it feels quite awkward - although I suppose at least they'd be on their best behaviour with him?

@Wiebke I'm definitely going with tiny bits of fruit - he's mainly on the CC and some nuggies - he doesn't want it at all - but isn't fighting so hard just having a hint of apple. I tried feeding him half way through as you suggested and it worked, he took some cucumber which I was very happy about.

 

[Two_Wheeks]

I know it's a long way from you, but is there any way you could get him to the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton? People go there from all over the country - they are amazing - lots of forum members travel to them, too.

I really hope he starts a constant improvement for you soon. It's probably just he got over excited feeling a little better and then has crashed a little bit while he tries to recover. I'm sure we've all been there!

Sending all the super-healing vibes out to him x

 

[annaandpigs]

@Two_Wheeks - I looked them up online and they seem like an amazing vets - I'll definitely take him there if he doesn't improve. It's only 2.5 hours from here by car so if he can make the journey without getting too stressed it's not too bad.

Shockingly, this afternoon he seemed to make another huge improvement - he took some veggies by himself that he wouldn't eat before and had a fair amount of grass time without any bloat- he's even started cleaning himself again and telling me off when I annoy him. I honestly think it might be the Fiberplex I started today - but maybe he was getting better anyway.

The vet has lessened some of his medication as they think it's taking his appetite away and have told me to syringe feed him his 5ml every other hour (instead of every hour) and just keep trying veg and hay for the other one. They're not yet overally concerned by the weight loss as they think he's just been through a lot and will need time to build up his strength. I won't be laid back about the syringe feeding though and will make sure he still gets it every other hour. Anyway, I'm really hopeful - but trying to be pragmatic as he's taken me on a rollercoaster ride so far.

Thank you again for all your help - it was so nice to speak to other piggie people whilst I was feeling so anxious and low.

 

[Wiebke]

@Two_Wheeks - I looked them up online and they seem like an amazing vets - I'll definitely take him there if he doesn't improve. It's only 2.5 hours from here by car so if he can make the journey without getting too stressed it's not too bad.

Shockingly, this afternoon he seemed to make another huge improvement - he took some veggies by himself that he wouldn't eat before and had a fair amount of grass time without any bloat- he's even started cleaning himself again and telling me off when I annoy him. I honestly think it might be the Fiberplex I started today - but maybe he was getting better anyway.

The vet has lessened some of his medication as they think it's taking his appetite away and have told me to syringe feed him his 5ml every other hour (instead of every hour) and just keep trying veg and hay for the other one. They're not yet overally concerned by the weight loss as they think he's just been through a lot and will need time to build up his strength. I won't be laid back about the syringe feeding though and will make sure he still gets it every other hour. Anyway, I'm really hopeful - but trying to be pragmatic as he's taken me on a rollercoaster ride so far.

Thank you again for all your help - it was so nice to speak to other piggie people whilst I was feeling so anxious and low.

Fingers crossed that the poo soup and gut support will continue to help with the recovery.

 

[annaandpigs]

@Wiebke thank you! I was feeling happy about things but also a bit worried as I wasn't sure if the crystals / blood in his pee was a symptom of not eating and generally being run down or the cause - but this evening I was trying to give him some veggies in his cage and I noticed that he was fishing for hay that had fallen in his water bowl - he hasn't touched hay in weeks - so I soaked some for an hour and washed it in filtered water before giving it to him and he's gorging himself on it.

So now, I think the real root cause of all of this drama and illness is his little teeth. It makes total sense, since he has started eating over the last 24 hours he only wants soft veggies and grass. He was checked out by the vet and they said his teeth were fine but I'm convinced. Do you think it's okay to feed him soaked hay for a couple of days until I can get a referral to a new exotic vets on Monday? I'm aware that it won't wear his teeth down but as he wasn't eating really any hay at all before I think it's worth it. I'll change it every couple of hours to avoid mould. I just want to try and build up his strength and weight before more traumatic vet visits. What do you think? I'm sorry for all the questions and endless posts, I will eventually stop (when he's well

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke thank you! I was feeling happy about things but also a bit worried as I wasn't sure if the crystals / blood in his pee was a symptom of not eating and generally being run down or the cause - but this evening I was trying to give him some veggies in his cage and I noticed that he was fishing for hay that had fallen in his water bowl - he hasn't touched hay in weeks - so I soaked some for an hour and washed it in filtered water before giving it to him and he's gorging himself on it.

So now, I think the real root cause of all of this drama and illness is his little teeth. It makes total sense, since he has started eating over the last 24 hours he only wants soft veggies and grass. He was checked out by the vet and they said his teeth were fine but I'm convinced. Do you think it's okay to feed him soaked hay for a couple of days until I can get a referral to a new exotic vets on Monday? I'm aware that it won't wear his teeth down but as he wasn't eating really any hay at all before I think it's worth it. I'll change it every couple of hours to avoid mould. I just want to try and build up his strength and weight before more traumatic vet visits. What do you think? I'm sorry for all the questions and endless posts, I will eventually stop (when he's well

If that is what he likes and what goes down best, then keep trying offering him both; they more he eats by himself, the better.

 

[annaandpigs]

@Wiebke Amazing - thank you! I googled whether soaked hay was okay for them and couldn't find anything so just wanted to check

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke Amazing - thank you! I googled whether soaked hay was okay for them and couldn't find anything so just wanted to check

It's not how hay is normally fed but of your boy likes it better this way and is encouraged to eat more by himself, then you play along. It is a good sign that he has interest in food again.

I would however have his back teeth checked in case it is something to with them next time he is being seen.

You are doing a great job. I sincerely hope that you are not too exhausted. Please make sure that you get enough sleep and rest to keep ticking over yourself and make sure that you look after yourself, too.

 

[Two_Wheeks]

Well done being such a great piggy mum!

Simon and Kim in Northampton are experts a piggy dental work - they can do it without anaesthetic, so if you can get there, that's where I'd go to get his teeth checked!

 

[annaandpigs]

@Wiebke @Two_Wheeks Thanks guys - I just wish I'd worked it out earlier! He's gained 50g from yesterday and it an eating machine His Dad's back tomorrow night so then I can rest up. My other three little boys will be thrilled too, I think they're feeling a bit neglected if their squeaks are anything to go by.

I'll definitely take him to Northampton, I was trying to do some research on local extoic vets who might do dental exploration / work without GA and couldn't find any - I don't want to put him through one again.

Anyway, hopefully this will be my last post on this topic - I'm beyond happy - I really thought I might lose him but now he's back to his normal self - and feeling very sassy.

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke @Two_Wheeks Thanks guys - I just wish I'd worked it out earlier! He's gained 50g from yesterday and it an eating machine His Dad's back tomorrow night so then I can rest up. My other three little boys will be thrilled too, I think they're feeling a bit neglected if their squeaks are anything to go by.

I'll definitely take him to Northampton, I was trying to do some research on local extoic vets who might do dental exploration / work without GA and couldn't find any - I don't want to put him through one again.

Anyway, hopefully this will be my last post on this topic - I'm beyond happy - I really thought I might lose him but now he's back to his normal self - and feeling very sassy.

He will hopefully also go back to eating normal hay again. I would personally ease gradually off syringe feed and see whether he is supporting himself on his own again. if he is able to eat hay normally, then there is no reason to worry about his teeth, of course.