Struggling to eat food?

[Elephonty]

I wondered if anyone has any experience with pigs suddenly having difficulty eating, woody has started to almost gag and really struggle to chew his food this morning.

I have booked him into the vets for the first available appointment which is this afternoon and he is still eating it's just he is struggling.

He normally eats his food super fast but it took him 3 times as long and he had to spit out some to chew it again whilst looking panicked.

His front teeth are absolutely fine and it didn't look like there was anything stuck in his mouth but it's obviously hard to see the back of his mouth so I'm not sure if there's anything there that I have missed!

Thanks

 

[Claire W]

Sadly unable to chew food / gagging / spitting food out could be a dental issue most likely with the molars. If he can’t eat for himself especially hay, you will need to syringe feed him, I’ll add the syringe feeding guide All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures please weigh him daily and if he is losing weight, you will need to increase the syringe feeding

It’s good that you have a vet appointment booked but please be aware that not all vets are clued up on guinea pig dentistry. I’m not sure where you are located but Simon Maddock at the cat and rabbit care clinic in Northampton is the best vet in the UK for anything teeth related. There’s also the guinea pig vet Ellie Whitehead in Matlock

See what your vet has to say first but please make sure they check the back teeth and not just the front ones

Of course, it could be something entirely different x

 

[Wiebke]

I wondered if anyone has any experience with pigs suddenly having difficulty eating, woody has started to almost gag and really struggle to chew his food this morning.

I have booked him into the vets for the first available appointment which is this afternoon and he is still eating it's just he is struggling.

He normally eats his food super fast but it took him 3 times as long and he had to spit out some to chew it again whilst looking panicked.

His front teeth are absolutely fine and it didn't look like there was anything stuck in his mouth but it's obviously hard to see the back of his mouth so I'm not sure if there's anything there that I have missed!

Thanks

Hi

With the front teeth looking normal (meaning that dental overgrowth at the back is unlikely) and the gagging coming on very suddenly and out of the blue, I rather suspect that there is either something stuck or there is a blockage or swelling of somewhere in the gastro-intestinal tract, starting at the back of the mouth and throat.

Good that you have got an emergency slot for today. Only a thorough examination can tell you what is going on.

Fingers very fimly crossed!

 

[Elephonty]

Hi

With the front teeth looking normal (meaning that dental overgrowth at the back is unlikely) and the gagging coming on very suddenly and out of the blue, I rather suspect that there is either something stuck or there is a blockage or swelling of somewhere in the gastro-intestinal tract, starting at the back of the mouth and throat.

Good that you have got an emergency slot for today. Only a thorough examination can tell you what is going on.

Fingers very fimly crossed!

Thank you both for your advice!

I haven't had time to update until now, woody has chipped his back right molar a tiny bit.

He is going in on Friday for anaesthetic to flush his mouth to get a clear and good look at his mouth along with taking some x-rays to rule out any other causes but we suspect it's from biting his cage for attention and treats! (I am now going to baby proof the cage even further!)

He is already on gabapentin and metacam but the vet also advised that for less than 5 days if he looks particularly uncomfortable I can also give a small amount of Calpol as it hasn't been shown to have any adverse affects but he seems to be ok for now

 

[Claire W]

Poor boy but I’m glad he’s on some pain medication now, that should help.

All the best for Friday, I hope he hasn’t caused too much damage x

 

[Elephonty]

Woody update: my vet believes it is thankfully just the chipped back right molar from the examination and x-rays but she is sending them off to the rvc for them to take a look just in case!

He is home and still loopy from the anaesthetic but a shake of his nuggets and he came out for a good munch

 

[Wiebke]

Woody update: my vet believes it is thankfully just the chipped back right molar from the examination and x-rays but she is sending them off to the rvc for them to take a look just in case!

He is home and still loopy from the anaesthetic but a shake of his nuggets and he came out for a good munch

All the best for a good recovery and plenty of appetite!

 

[weepweeps]

I hope Woody is soon on the road to recovery.

 

[Elephonty]

Just got Woody's x-rays back and I can never look at him the same The pictures are quite unsettling to look at for such a cute animal