Sick piggie:(

[emilyandmissbillie]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum & really just looking for some help.
My 4 year old guinea pig, Billie, is a happy and sassy girl most of the time. I left for work yesterday at 10am & she was happy munching on her hay. When I came back at 6pm I noticed she was rarely moving in the cave & was choosing to lay in her litter box, giving herself a mess on her front side. I gave her a bath & noticed she is having more liquified but still formed poops. Her eyes are also a bit sunken & tired looking. I’ve looked up her symptoms and they all lead to sickness & possible death so I have now scared myself.
I cant get to a vet today since it is a holiday in Canada & they are closed & I don’t have the money to bring her to the emergency vet as i’m a university student who works minimum wage & i need to pay rent this week.
If she is still like this on Tuesday I’m bringing her to the vet.
Is there anything I can do for her to help her possibly get better? Or if this is a possible case of her passing away is there anything I can do to make her more comfortable? I work again from 10-6 & i’m hoping things will look up when I get home.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Sorry to hear about your girl. Unfortunately she does need to see a vet as a matter of urgency if she is lethargic with changes in droppings, behaviour and appetite.

 

[Claire W]

I am sorry to hear that Billie isn’t well It isn’t necessarily a sign that she is dying but she does need to see a vet as a matter of urgency. Sadly I don’t think it will wait until tomorrow. Could you borrow the money from family or friends until you get paid?

 

[Free Ranger]

It might be something quickly and simply treated with antibiotics (and painkiller) - as long as you can catch it in time. Can you try and make a mush of her pellets with water to syringe feed to her to keep up her strength? If she has liquified poops she will quickly be getting dehydrated and if her guts stop moving they will not start again, even if she gets over this problem. If she is lying in her own mess it is serious. Rather than bathe try just wiping the area with a damp cloth or cotton pads. The sooner the better for the vet - if you wait an extra day you might be paying for treatment that comes too late. We understand the costs in different countries, honestly we do. We cannot make this financial choice for you, I'm so sorry x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum & really just looking for some help.
My 4 year old guinea pig, Billie, is a happy and sassy girl most of the time. I left for work yesterday at 10am & she was happy munching on her hay. When I came back at 6pm I noticed she was rarely moving in the cave & was choosing to lay in her litter box, giving herself a mess on her front side. I gave her a bath & noticed she is having more liquified but still formed poops. Her eyes are also a bit sunken & tired looking. I’ve looked up her symptoms and they all lead to sickness & possible death so I have now scared myself.
I cant get to a vet today since it is a holiday in Canada & they are closed & I don’t have the money to bring her to the emergency vet as i’m a university student who works minimum wage & i need to pay rent this week.
If she is still like this on Tuesday I’m bringing her to the vet.
Is there anything I can do for her to help her possibly get better? Or if this is a possible case of her passing away is there anything I can do to make her more comfortable? I work again from 10-6 & i’m hoping things will look up when I get home.

Hi and welcome

Here is our one-stop emergency, crisis and bridging care guide link, which takes you to all the necessary information until you can see a vet. Please take the time to read the information that applies to you (Canada sadly doesn't have out-of-hours cover) in terms of care at home, especially support feeding care: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Please step in with feeding and watering support. We have included tips on how you can improvise in a pinch with what you have at home or easily available, how you monitor the food intake by weighing daily on your kitchen scales etc because emergencies never happen at a good time and not everybody has instant vet access.

Keep in mind what piggies are eating by far the most of is hay (80% of the daily food intake), which you cannot control by eye and which most owners are sadly not aware of. Piggies can't fast, so you need to keep that constant support with fibre up whenever they stop eating; mushed up pellets will do for now until you can see a vet at the very earliest.
Your good round the clock (if necessary) home care can make a difference in keeping your piggy going until any medication can kick in and gradually get to work. You can find all the practical how-to details and tips via the green guide link above.

Fingers crossed!

 

[emilyandmissbillie]

Thank you everyone who had helped me, unfortunately Billie had some bad health issues & she passed away last night. I kept her in my room with me & woke up to her peaceful. I did contact a vet but unfortunately they were full until this morning. My dad is coming to help me build her a little box so I can bury her. Her sister, Muffles is a little confused but i’m making sure to watch her for any signs of sadness. She’s helping herself to some kale & strawberries(her favourite). Now to make sure she is doing okay so she doesn’t pass of a broken heart. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Again, thank you to anyone who took the time to give me tips & tricks.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry for your loss.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you everyone who had helped me, unfortunately Billie had some bad health issues & she passed away last night. I kept her in my room with me & woke up to her peaceful. I did contact a vet but unfortunately they were full until this morning. My dad is coming to help me build her a little box so I can bury her. Her sister, Muffles is a little confused but i’m making sure to watch her for any signs of sadness. She’s helping herself to some kale & strawberries(her favourite). Now to make sure she is doing okay so she doesn’t pass of a broken heart. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Again, thank you to anyone who took the time to give me tips & tricks.

HUGS

I am so very sorry that Billie has not made it; I have been afraid that she would not last long enough.
We have got a Rainbow Bridge section for those members that would like to remember their piggies at some point, if you feel that a little tribute to Billie would help you.

Below are our guide links with practical step-by-step tips what you can do for Muffles right now and in the coming days and weeks and what you can do for yourself as you go through your greiving process. We cannot repeat it all in every post; I hope that you can understand that.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

I hope that this will help you?