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Supporting a guinea pig after a stroke

GuineaGirl479

GuineaGirl479

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Hi everyone,

My 6 and a half year old guinea pig Luna went off her food very suddenly yesterday. She will not take any solid food, and although she has attempted to eat hay she has not been able to. We have been syringe feeding her a recovery food mixture and keeping her hydrated as best as we can through syringes of water. Other than that she is moving normally, and although she has taken to hiding away a lot she is still interested in her surroundings when brought out.
We took her to the vets earlier today and they told us she has likely suffered from a stroke as her face has fallen slightly on her right side and her right eye appears 'sunken'.
She has received an injection of Metacam, and we have also been given a tube of lubricant for her eye as she has lost her blink reflex. We will likely be taking her to the vets tomorrow for further treatment.
In the meantime is there anything more we can do to support her? I am concerned she is completely unable to eat for herself and she has lost almost 100g since she was last weight-checked about a week ago.
We lost our last guinea pig to a succession of strokes and I am now worried we will also loose Luna the same way. Is it likely she will suffer from more strokes and is there anything else we should be discussing with our vet to boost her chances of recovery?

Thank you in advance. 🙂
 
GuineaGirl479 said:
Hi everyone,

My 6 and a half year old guinea pig Luna went off her food very suddenly yesterday. She will not take any solid food, and although she has attempted to eat hay she has not been able to. We have been syringe feeding her a recovery food mixture and keeping her hydrated as best as we can through syringes of water. Other than that she is moving normally, and although she has taken to hiding away a lot she is still interested in her surroundings when brought out.
We took her to the vets earlier today and they told us she has likely suffered from a stroke as her face has fallen slightly on her right side and her right eye appears 'sunken'.
She has received an injection of Metacam, and we have also been given a tube of lubricant for her eye as she has lost her blink reflex. We will likely be taking her to the vets tomorrow for further treatment.
In the meantime is there anything more we can do to support her? I am concerned she is completely unable to eat for herself and she has lost almost 100g since she was last weight-checked about a week ago.
We lost our last guinea pig to a succession of strokes and I am now worried we will also loose Luna the same way. Is it likely she will suffer from more strokes and is there anything else we should be discussing with our vet to boost her chances of recovery?

Thank you in advance. 🙂
Click to expand...

Hi

I am so very sorry about the stroke. The risk of another stroke is unfortunately rather high initially. There is very little you or your vet can do.
Here is our information on strokes and stroke care:
Wiebke

Thread 'Contagion - Inter-species transmission and pet care during owner illness/pregnancy (incl. Covid)'

1 Covid and Monkey pox Tansmission Risk Assessment re. Guinea Pigs
- Covid
- Monkey pox
2 Ill owners: Contagion and Transmission Risks
3 Human Pregnancy or Immuno-depression and Guinea Pig Care
4 Transmission of Illnesses Between Guinea Pigs and Other Pet Species (Zoonosis)
- Ringworm (multispecies)
- Bordetella (from dogs or rabbits)
- E.cuniculi (from rabbits)
- Fly strike (eggs/maggots from...
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Please keep her quiet and comfy. Warm but not hot, with a chance of moving away from any source of heat if she starts feeling uncomfortable.
Wiebke

Thread 'Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility'

Introduction
1 Why can guinea pigs stop moving around?
- Animal attacks, severe illness or pain
- Back leg paralysis with list of potential causes
- Post-op, sudden illness or acute pining after bereavement
2 Adapting the living space
- Bedding and cosies
- Everything within reach
- Warmth and stable conditions
3 Weight monitoring and feeding support
- Weighing...
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You will also need to keep checking the eye on the affected side; she may no longer be able to clean it and it needs hydrating ideally with some carbomer based tear gel (better than drops) from online or a pharmace three times a day (6 times with drops).
Wiebke

Thread 'First Aid: Immediate Care Measures and Non-medication Products'

1 Important Proviso
2 First Aid Kit
- General Items
- Comfort
- Useful to have in stock
3 Illness and Recovery First Aid Tips
- Accessing vet care and when it is too late for help
- Loss of appetite and weight (Feeding support, Recovery foods, digestive aids and rehydration)
- Accident, bites and injury (Wound disinfection and bleeding)
- Eyes and ears
- Breathing
- Acute heart and circulation failure
-...
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Please weigh daily first thing in the morning and step in with feeding support if or to the degree needed. Keep in mind that over three quarters of the daily food intake is hay, the silica in which is what grinds down the all important premolars and molars.
Keep an eye on her incisors - if the edges grow slanted, it means that the chewing is one-sided and that spurs are developing on the side she cannot use.
Wiebke

Thread 'All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures'

Introduction
1 Choosing the right place to medicate/feed your piggy
2 Guinea pig whispering and asserting your authority
3 Recovery products and emergency improvisation
4 Syringe recommendations
5 Weight monitoring: your biggest ally
6 Weight loss guidelines and when to step in with feeding
7 Syringe feeding amounts/frequency advice
8 Practical medication and syringing tips
9 Medicating and feeding cooperative guinea pigs (videos)
10 Medicating and feeding uncooperative guinea pigs (hold pictures and tips)
11 The line between life and...
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My fingers are crossed for your little one!
 
Thank you both for your comments and help. 🙂
Luna is continuing to show an interest in the hay and has tried nibbling at several pieces. Unfortunately these bits are just becoming stuck in her mouth at the moment so she hasn't been able to eat anything solid yet. We are getting her out every few hours to attend to her eye and feed/hydrate her. Other than that we are leaving her to rest and relax in her house.
We fear her age is against her with this but are trying to remain positive and hopeful that she will recover.
 
GuineaGirl479 said:
Thank you both for your comments and help. 🙂
Luna is continuing to show an interest in the hay and has tried nibbling at several pieces. Unfortunately these bits are just becoming stuck in her mouth at the moment so she hasn't been able to eat anything solid yet. We are getting her out every few hours to attend to her eye and feed/hydrate her. Other than that we are leaving her to rest and relax in her house.
We fear her age is against her with this but are trying to remain positive and hopeful that she will recover.
Click to expand...

Please step in with syringe feeding and watering asap.

Wiebke

Thread 'How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency'

1 Feed
- Important crisis management resources
- When is improvising necessary?
- Which food group am I replacing with my feeding support?
- How much and how often should I feed and water?
- What can I use that I have already got at home?
- Other possible easily available foods with their pros and cons
- How do I prep a syringe for rougher pellet fibre?
- What can I do without a syringe?
- The role of lukewarm water
2 Probiotics
- Probiotic products...
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Wiebke said:
Please step in with syringe feeding and watering asap.

Wiebke

Thread 'How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency'

1 Feed
- Important crisis management resources
- When is improvising necessary?
- Which food group am I replacing with my feeding support?
- How much and how often should I feed and water?
- What can I use that I have already got at home?
- Other possible easily available foods with their pros and cons
- How do I prep a syringe for rougher pellet fibre?
- What can I do without a syringe?
- The role of lukewarm water
2 Probiotics
- Probiotic products...
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Click to expand...
Will definitely continue to do this. How many times a day would you recommend we take her out to check/feed her? At the moment, although she is not overly stressed with syringe feeding she is evidently uncomfortable, so we've been using the little and often approach to keep her calm and not pull her around too much.
 
Continue syringe feeding every few hours to keep her digestion going. Syringe feeding may be a bit stressful, but the alternative is worse. Digestive problems can be fatal really quick.
To support a guinea pig after a stroke, you can supplement B-vitamins in high doses to help with the recovery from neurological damage. Definitely consult with your vet about this, they may also be able to give her an injection.
All that said, if there is permanent damage preventing her from eating by herself, it may unfortunately be kinder to let her go.
All the best for you and Luna. This is tough, I really hope she recovers!
 
Here's a great resource on neurological problems from this forum:
Wiebke

Thread 'CBS (Calcified Bulla Syndrome) and Neurological Problems - Symptoms and Care'

Introduction
1 General information and practical advice on CBS
- What is the difference between a syndrome and a symptom?
- What is CBS (calcified bulla syndrome)?
- How can CBS be diagnosed?
- What is causing CBS and how can I minimise the risk?
- Vet care and customer rights with newly bought guinea pigs
- Support and care information resources
- Leaflet with list of CBS symptoms and comparison x-ray pictures
2 Other common neurological...
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I'm heartbroken to say that Luna passed away today. She was comfortable and calm, and was being stroked and comforted by all of us as she slipped away. Thank you all for your kind words and advice which helped us to provide her with the best possible care right up until the end.

We will now treasure the 6 years of special memories made with our magical girl.
Sleep well Luna, you will always be our precious happy girl. X

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I’m so sorry Luna has crossed over the rainbow bridge. I’m pleased she passed peacefully surrounded by your love. ❤️
 
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