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Think my piggy may be dying. How do I know?

Hnrpiggies

Hnrpiggies

Junior Guinea Pig
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Location
York, England, UK
She’s booked in at the vets in themorning. I can’t get her there any earlier.

she’s been consistently losing weight over the past year and has been to the vets who said she seemed healthy. She now weighs 716g. For a 3 year old pig. If it goes down another 50-60g she’ll have lost half her body weight gradually over the last year. You can literally see her bones. So she’s obviously not ok.

she’s still eating and still leaving plenty of poo everywhere. I think the poop looks ok? When I put her in the cage she walks around eating the hay and sniffing for treats but she’s just not herself. I think she’s still drinking and peeing but I haven’t seen her drink today. She has just peed on me though. There’s no blood in it. I’ve tried syringe feeding her water but she refused it.
she’s still pushing my hand away if I put it on her head and she seems to be breathing ok.
She keeps chattering her teeth and I don’t know why. She just seems miserable and tired. And she just doesn’t look healthy.
I'm terrified I’m going to lose her over night.
I’d check her temperature but I don’t know how She feels fine to touch. Eyes are clear like no crust but look dull, nose is clear, mouth is clear, coat is fine, normal. She’s not hiding or anything she just doesn’t seem right. I’m gonna attach a pictures to see if you can see something I can’t. The lump on her back is literally her bones. She still runs away when I tickle her stomach, she’s never liked that. But she doesn’t bite me when I touch under her chin anymore. She hated that.
I don’t know what I should do for the night. Keep her separate from the others, let her be with them. I don’t know how I can get her through the next few hours until her vets appointment.
She’s walking around and sniffing and climbing on me right now. Sniffing as in smelling things. I'm so sad. She is literally my baby.
Does it sound like she’s dying or just unwell.
 

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Oh gosh she really doesn't sound well. I would get her straight to the emergency vet personally
 
Lady Kelly said:
Oh gosh she really doesn't sound well. I would get her straight to the emergency vet personally
Click to expand...
I literally can’t. I have no way of getting there. I don’t drive and buses don’t run through the night. And to get her to an emergency vet will cost £200 pound more than a regular appointment just for the checkup. I’m making £100 a week thanks to COVID and £85p/week is going on bills currently so I’ve literally got nothing and I’m having to borrow parents money.
If I could I would
 
Are you syringe feeding her food? Syringing water alone isn’t enough in a piggy who is losing so much weight
 
Piggies&buns said:
Are you syringe feeding her food? Syringing water alone isn’t enough in a piggy who is losing so much weight
Click to expand...
She’s been eating completely fine. Hay, pellets, fruit, veggies, oat stick things. She won’t take anything from a syringe or pellets mixed with water. I’ve given her cucumber to get some water in her and keep offering her the syringe. But she just won’t drink anything
 
As she is losing weight and looks so desperately thin, then she either isn’t eating as much hay as you think - hay being 80% of their food intake so any drop in intake makes a difference more than veg does but you cannot judge hay intake by eye and what is going on with her weight is the only indicator of hay intake - or there is another medical condition causing such great weight loss despite seemingly eating well, obviously only a vet can diagnose that.
Have you tried proper recovery feeds rather than just mushed pellets? At 50g sudden weight loss or 100g gradual weight loss is when you step in and syringe feed/see a vet. You have to be firm and confident when syringe feeding as some piggies dont like it but stopping her weight loss is so important. If she has lost half her body weight then she urgently needs help.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Weight - Monitoring and Management
 
If she's been losing weight slowly but consistently over a year and yet she's been eating/pooping in a 'normal' way you have to consider the possibility of something like a cancer. Unexplained weight loss can be as the cancer grows using up the energy the food gives or, depending on where it is, affects the efficiency of digestion. Fatigue would be another symptom. In people with her symptoms this is one of the things doctors would consider. Have a go at the syringe feeding by all means but if she's had enough appetite to eat enough hay to keep her teeth down for months on end I'm not sure it would turn her around. You might find that if you feed her syringe foods you see her eating less on her own as her eating is actually matching her appetite - you'll have to decide on the balance by how she responds.

Teeth chattering can be a sign of stress of pain... if she suddenly seems to chatter for no reason I would be looking at the vet for a painkiller to see if that makes a difference. Will post this then add something else in second post...
 
...because I can't seem to help waffling on and on, sorry.

If they have pain for any reason it can suppress the appetite - not just a cancer pain but other pain too. Metacam is the usual first choice and if you've not had it before the short message is that stronger 'dog' metacam can be prescribed according to bodyweight and given twice a day. Cat metacam is a 1/3 of the strength and some brands are now actually licensed for piggies but many of us here have used the 1.5mg/ml dog version with no ill effects for some years. And it tastes nice so they like to have it. I would press the vet for some to see if it makes a difference. If pain is supressing her appetite she may start to gain weight - if it turns out to be a cancer it will help her as she approaches her end. Now there obviously might be other things they can do - I'm not a vet - but this doom and gloom is so you might prepare for what they tell you. That amount of weight loss is obviously serious but at the same time those are some healthy looking poops to be proud of.

One more thing - metacam isn't the only painkiller - a recent post has ended up with a discussion about an injection of an opioid painkiller which is prescribed to piggies sometimes. It is very strong and apparently effective but the side effects are alarming to see - the piggies are completely stoned and don't behave normally until it wears off. And mine stopped eating for hours (whether she passed her stone in that time or not we don't know!)

If she's happy in with her friends and they aren't bullying or stopping her eating I would leave her there where she can get comfort from her companions. Personally I take a piggy companion to the vets with my 'patient' so they feel more settled on the journey - not everyone does though. Label which is which on the box though because we can't go in with them at the minute because of covid.

Good luck - she is a beauty and I hope the vet can give you some answers x
 
Free Ranger said:
...because I can't seem to help waffling on and on, sorry.

If they have pain for any reason it can suppress the appetite - not just a cancer pain but other pain too. Metacam is the usual first choice and if you've not had it before the short message is that stronger 'dog' metacam can be prescribed according to bodyweight and given twice a day. Cat metacam is a 1/3 of the strength and some brands are now actually licensed for piggies but many of us here have used the 1.5mg/ml dog version with no ill effects for some years. And it tastes nice so they like to have it. I would press the vet for some to see if it makes a difference. If pain is supressing her appetite she may start to gain weight - if it turns out to be a cancer it will help her as she approaches her end. Now there obviously might be other things they can do - I'm not a vet - but this doom and gloom is so you might prepare for what they tell you. That amount of weight loss is obviously serious but at the same time those are some healthy looking poops to be proud of.

One more thing - metacam isn't the only painkiller - a recent post has ended up with a discussion about an injection of an opioid painkiller which is prescribed to piggies sometimes. It is very strong and apparently effective but the side effects are alarming to see - the piggies are completely stoned and don't behave normally until it wears off. And mine stopped eating for hours (whether she passed her stone in that time or not we don't know!)

If she's happy in with her friends and they aren't bullying or stopping her eating I would leave her there where she can get comfort from her companions. Personally I take a piggy companion to the vets with my 'patient' so they feel more settled on the journey - not everyone does though. Label which is which on the box though because we can't go in with them at the minute because of covid.

Good luck - she is a beauty and I hope the vet can give you some answers x
Click to expand...
She was always the mum of the group. Looking after the other 4. When I took her to the vets they gave her a week of anti inflammatory that seemed to help her a bit. They said she had some pain in her spine and that’s what they gave me. I’ve been up all night watching her and she seems in pain. Like she won’t lay down or rest her head at all. I haven’t been given any pain killers for her or any of my other pigs before. I’ve honestly considered everything but the vets said beside the pain she was healthy. Healthy poop, healthy appearance, healthy behaviours. So I don’t know what to expect when I take her in today.
This is the same vets I took a past rescue guinea pig to because he wasn’t well from severe neglect and I was told he was fine and he died literally a week or two later.
 
Piggies&buns said:
As she is losing weight and looks so desperately thin, then she either isn’t eating as much hay as you think - hay being 80% of their food intake so any drop in intake makes a difference more than veg does but you cannot judge hay intake by eye and what is going on with her weight is the only indicator of hay intake - or there is another medical condition causing such great weight loss despite seemingly eating well, obviously only a vet can diagnose that.
Have you tried proper recovery feeds rather than just mushed pellets? At 50g sudden weight loss or 100g gradual weight loss is when you step in and syringe feed/see a vet. You have to be firm and confident when syringe feeding as some piggies dont like it but stopping her weight loss is so important. If she has lost half her body weight then she urgently needs help.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Click to expand...
I haven’t heard of recovery pellets. Where can I get them? I just meant she is constantly in the hay eating it. I’ve been up all night watching her and she seems in pain or uncomfortable. She won’t lay down or rest her head down. I’m gonna make sure she gets an X-ray because I was told she was healthy beside some spinal pain that we were given anti inflammatory medicine for.
I feel awful for forcing her.
She has been drinking though. In the past few hours but I’m having to hold one of their bottles up to her so she will drink
 
She is drinking now. But what does healthy Guinea pig pee look like? She has just done a really cloudy one. Like solid yellowish/cream/white colour (it was on a black pillow) and now I’m questioning if that’s normal.
 
Hnrpiggies said:
I haven’t heard of recovery pellets. Where can I get them? I just meant she is constantly in the hay eating it. I’ve been up all night watching her and she seems in pain or uncomfortable. She won’t lay down or rest her head down. I’m gonna make sure she gets an X-ray because I was told she was healthy beside some spinal pain that we were given anti inflammatory medicine for.
I feel awful for forcing her.
She has been drinking though. In the past few hours but I’m having to hold one of their bottles up to her so she will drink
Click to expand...

Its not pellets, its a powder that you mix with water to syringe feed to them, or just put in a bowl and let them eat it from the bowl.
The link below details the different brands available
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

When is your appointment at the vet?

Hnrpiggies said:
She is drinking now. But what does healthy Guinea pig pee look like? She has just done a really cloudy one. Like solid yellowish/cream/white colour (it was on a black pillow) and now I’m questioning if that’s normal.
Click to expand...

Cloudy pees can be the excretion of excess calcium. The occasional one is fine but if it is more regular and/or feels gritty when its dried then it can be she is taking in too much calcium which is a risk factor for the formation of bladder stones.
 
Keep Strong . Really try and get some critical care into her. .
It's a very good sign she's eating. know you care and your piggie is lovely. Write things down and ask vet everything when you there.
Sending you lots tlc and tell piggie to munch cc as it's good.
 
Is your vet experienced with treating guinea pigs? I think if she’s so small you can feel her bones then it’s certainly not a healthy weight and they should pick up on that. Wishing you all the best and hope you can get to the bottom of it.
 
If she has pain she might not be comfortable lifting her head to the bottle so maybe try some water in a bowl too. They may have tried you on a week of anti-inflams in case she had an injury rather than something more long term. They can get things like arthritis which makes them stiff to move about. Have you got a bit of fleece/ fabric you can fold into a soft cushion that she might be able to settle into? You can be on some painkillers long term...

Have a look at the links at the top of the page to see if there is an alternative vet near you - or if there is a rescue nearby give them a call and ask them which vet they use because they'll have see a lot of pigs. The critical care stuff is made for piggies to get guts going and bulk up the weight and it's really useful but it's not a 'cure' as such. My vet gives us a similar thing but always says "if they won't eat it just try mushed up pellets". My healthy pigs have always been keen to get a mouthful of either so it's horses for courses.

Wouldn't worry too much about the pee at this point but if she can get through this crisis think about her diet and the water hardness in your area.
 
Has her behaviour changed in any way? And what time is your appointment?
 
Huge hugs. I'm so sorry this virus has had such a big impact on you. I hope that the vet can get to the bottom of it today. Let us know how it goes
 
Everything crossed. I hope your girl will be okay and they figure it out. Hugs to you.
 
Hnrpiggies said:
She’s booked in at the vets in themorning. I can’t get her there any earlier.

she’s been consistently losing weight over the past year and has been to the vets who said she seemed healthy. She now weighs 716g. For a 3 year old pig. If it goes down another 50-60g she’ll have lost half her body weight gradually over the last year. You can literally see her bones. So she’s obviously not ok.

she’s still eating and still leaving plenty of poo everywhere. I think the poop looks ok? When I put her in the cage she walks around eating the hay and sniffing for treats but she’s just not herself. I think she’s still drinking and peeing but I haven’t seen her drink today. She has just peed on me though. There’s no blood in it. I’ve tried syringe feeding her water but she refused it.
she’s still pushing my hand away if I put it on her head and she seems to be breathing ok.
She keeps chattering her teeth and I don’t know why. She just seems miserable and tired. And she just doesn’t look healthy.
I'm terrified I’m going to lose her over night.
I’d check her temperature but I don’t know how She feels fine to touch. Eyes are clear like no crust but look dull, nose is clear, mouth is clear, coat is fine, normal. She’s not hiding or anything she just doesn’t seem right. I’m gonna attach a pictures to see if you can see something I can’t. The lump on her back is literally her bones. She still runs away when I tickle her stomach, she’s never liked that. But she doesn’t bite me when I touch under her chin anymore. She hated that.
I don’t know what I should do for the night. Keep her separate from the others, let her be with them. I don’t know how I can get her through the next few hours until her vets appointment.
She’s walking around and sniffing and climbing on me right now. Sniffing as in smelling things. I'm so sad. She is literally my baby.
Does it sound like she’s dying or just unwell.
Click to expand...

Hi!

I am ever so sorry

Can you contact an out-of-hours vet? You should find services in your area via googling or listening to the message on your regular vet's phone.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment (first chapter)

If you really can't, you may find the last chapter in our emergency guide and this guide link here helpful: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
 
Hi,
They said she seems healthy. Good skin, hair, mouth, teeth, nose, eyes. No obvious pain. He said it’s a mystery why she’s lost so much weight.
They’ve put her back on anti inflammatory medicine/ pain killer for three weeks to see if that helps and then i have to take her back and if she hasn’t gained any weight they’re gonna do a blood test.
He said she doesn’t need an X-ray. And it’s hard to get blood from a piggy so he wants to wait and see if it’s pain first.
 
Hnrpiggies said:
Hi,
They said she seems healthy. Good skin, hair, mouth, teeth, nose, eyes. No obvious pain. He said it’s a mystery why she’s lost so much weight.
They’ve put her back on anti inflammatory medicine/ pain killer for three weeks to see if that helps and then i have to take her back and if she hasn’t gained any weight they’re gonna do a blood test.
He said she doesn’t need an X-ray. And it’s hard to get blood from a piggy so he wants to wait and see if it’s pain first.
Click to expand...

I am very sorry. How frustrating for you! :(

Is your piggy drinking more than usual?
 
This must be so frustrating watching her fade away and vet not helping much. I mean, obviously something is wrong. I know it must be pain finding different vet, but I would look for some that would at least xray her to rule out tumors and then ask if it could be parasites?
 
I’m so sorry you didn’t get any answers. I don’t know how you feel about getting a second opinion. Was this your usual vet or an emergency one?

Wishing you all the best. I think if she’s still losing after a week and not improving I would take her back sooner. You’re doing the best for her that you can ❤️
 
Thinking of you bith, I wish you could find answers to her weight loss x
 
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