Sick pig- advice needed urgent

[Sweetpiggums]

Our 3 1/2 year old guinea pig seems to be suffering from a really bad cold. symptoms are: very runny nose, sneezing, has not been eating great the last few days and this morning he had totally stopped eating. After visit to the vet today, where they gave antibiotics, metacam and critical care feed, things have not improved.
I have attempted several times to syringe feed (I have done this before for another pig, so I was confident in doing this), he will not swallow the food and instead keeps it in his mouth and it even comes out his nose when he sneezes. After the latest attempt to syringe feed he is wheezing heavily and occasional twitching and he seems exhausted.
he has lost weight and we know it is important that he eats, but he won’t eat his food. He has also been syringe fed water. We need advice, what should we do next as the food won’t go down no matter how much we try.

 

[PigglePuggle]

You need to get straight back to the vet, this sounds like an emergency. If the piggy wont swallow the syringe feeds then their guts may go into stasis, also if the food is coming down his nose then some could also have gone into his lungs... hope piggy will be ok but I think he needs to see an emergency vet now, to check he hasnt breathed in any recovery food, to make sure his throat isnt blocked if he can't swallow, and then to maybe get a gut stimulant to keep him going. Hoping for the best but without constant food intake then piggies go downhill very fast x

 

[Piggies&buns]

I absolutely agree, you need to see a vet urgently

 

[GPTV]

Sorry to hear he's having problems
Its good that u got to the vets, the antibiotics will probably take a few days to take effect.
Did the vet check his mouth & teeth too?
it's possible he could have oral thrush (damp dishcloth smell) or a tooth problem too if he's not eating at the moment.

Pain & respiratory problems can affect a Guineas eating habits&appetite. If he has a URI he is probably concentrating more on breathing than eating.
Please go very careful if syringe feeding & he's struggling to swallow. As the chances of aspirating him are significantly increased

Keep him warm but not too hot, try feeding him individual gratered/strips of veg or hay/grass by hand, it might be easier for him to take.

Try putting some olbus oil on a kitchen towel near the cage/hutch but out of his reach, see if this clears his sinuses. Or have him in a humid bathroom/near a steaming bowl of water to try & help his breathing.

Offer mushed pellets on a spoon if he'll lick it off himself,safer than syringe feeding too.
(use the powdery pellet bits at the bottom of the bag&pour boiling water on it, leave to cool so that it's tepid & Guineas often find this more appetising than cold pellets or some recovery foods.

Keep a close eye on him & go back to the vet immediately if he deteriorates.
Is your vet good with guineas?

Healing vibes being sent your way for your little man.
Xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

Great advice above. I hope your boy picks up soon x

 

[Sweetpiggums]

Sorry but it’s bad news. My beautiful boy just passed away......we are devastated.
He was truly loved and passed away in my daughter’s arms.

 

[ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig]

I am so so so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you ❤

 

[PigglePuggle]

I'm so sorry, often when they stop eating even recovery food it is already too late and they are going into multiple organ failure, you did everything you could and were there at the end to keep him comfortable and let him know he was loved x