Syringe feeding problems 12/2/22

[Thorhawkloki]

Please help!
What am I looking for to make sure our very poorly Guinea pig is taking his syringe fed CC food?
We are currently at the stage where he isn’t moving his mouth at all and I’m petrified of him chocking.

We returned from an emergency vet appointment this morning and this is his 2nd 3hourly feed from return.

I was hoping both the Emeprid and the metacam would have kicked in? (Diagnosed with gut statis at the vets)
I’m worried he’s now not moving his mouth that his CC food will just block his airway.

What else can I do to help him?

 

[Wiebke]

Please help!
What am I looking for to make sure our very poorly Guinea pig is taking his syringe fed CC food?
We are currently at the stage where he isn’t moving his mouth at all and I’m petrified of him chocking.

We returned from an emergency vet appointment this morning and this is his 2nd 3hourly feed from return.

I was hoping both the Emeprid and the metacam would have kicked in? (Diagnosed with gut statis at the vets)
I’m worried he’s now not moving his mouth that his CC food will just block his airway.

What else can I do to help him?

Hi and welcome

I am ever so sorry, having been up against GI stasis more than once myself.

Was the emeprid and metacam orally or by injection?

If a piggy has swallowing issues, you can only give about 0.1 ml at once and have to wait until that has gone down eventually before giving more. If he can still swallow a little, you are still in with a chance.

If your boy is no longer swallowing at all, then his body can unfortunately have started to close down and he is simply no longer able to process anything. Gut stasis can kill.
There is nothing you can do in this case; once this process has started, it is a one-way street only.

Here is our detailed care and support information:
The first guide contains all practical care advice for dealing with GI stasis.
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

This link will help you to work out which side of the line your boy is and what you can do for him if he has crossed it.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Fingers very firmly crossed! It is such an anxious and stressful situation when you are fighting for a life right on the edge of the cliff.

 

[Thorhawkloki]

Thank you so much for your reply. Unfortunately Beanie didn’t make it. We are absolutely devastated.

We sent him to the vet this morning expecting them to put him to sleep. The vet administered both medications orally.
My husband phoned to say that the vet thought he was strong enough to take back home and continue feeding with medication. We thought we may have had a chance. He belonged to my 8year old daughter and was only 9 months old. We are absolutely gutted.

Thank you so much for this forum, it got me through a very tough night.

 

[VickiA]

I am so very sorry for your loss. It sounds as though you were right up against it but you gave him the best chance. Sleep tight little Beanie.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for your reply. Unfortunately Beanie didn’t make it. We are absolutely devastated.

We sent him to the vet this morning expecting them to put him to sleep. The vet administered both medications orally.
My husband phoned to say that the vet thought he was strong enough to take back home and continue feeding with medication. We thought we may have had a chance. He belonged to my 8year old daughter and was only 9 months old. We are absolutely gutted.

Thank you so much for this forum, it got me through a very tough night.

BIG HUGS

I am so sorry. GI stasis is such a nasty thing to come down with - usually out of the blue, so you can't prepare for it. All you can do is hang in there, hope for the best (most piggies make a pretty quick recovery if the make it, unless they have underlying issues) and brace for the worst, which can happen at any age and to any piggy. I don't think that injections or a stay at the vet's would have made a difference in the outcome.

You have done all you could and should, and have not failed your boy in any way; so please do not feel guilty or let down. It's one of these things where you are either lucky or not; things have gone either way with mine with the same level of support, if that is any consolation for you. It's just what I call cosmic bad luck and nobody's fault... All you can do in that situation is to give your piggy a chance, which you have done.

You may find this link here helpful for your kids (we have tips for different ages, religious or non-religious access and further support and information links in a special chapter in our grieving guide) and also how to do deal with your own feelings and any piggy companions in the immediate and medium term.
If you feel that as a family you would like to post a tribute to your boy in our Rainbow Bridge section whenever it feels right for you as a family, then you are welcome. Formal rituals and gestures can help kids deal with a pet loss - but not all of them, so it is there as an option.
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
It sounds as if you did everything you possibly could have done.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry you have lost Beanie. It sounds like you did all you could. He had the best life with you. Even if it was a short life. Filled with love. I had a very young piggy pass. Only 4 months old. I cuddled him everyday I had him. Piggies don’t know how long life is. They measure it in happy days. Your boy had lots of happy days. Take care.