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Took him to vet no diagnosis

Ginger8587

Ginger8587

Junior Guinea Pig
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Roseburg, Oregon
My piggy had stopped eating so i took him to the vet but, they checked him over his heart and lungs were good but, they didn't diagnosis him but, they gave me some antibiotics, a gut stimulator, and some Emeraid IC Herbivore critical care food i am having a lot of trouble syringe feeding him any tips?
 
Good luck. I hope he improves soon. Syringe feeding takes a bit of practice so keep trying. 😃
 
I dont know what to do he seems so sad i dont know if I'm getting enough in him. I am worried he may not make it.
 
I’m sorry to hear this

Please ensure you switch from routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him once every day, at the same time each day. Those daily weight checks are essential as they are the only way to know he is getting enough - if his weight remains stable he is getting enough, if he loses weight then he needs to be syringe fed more.
The less he takes per sitting, the more sittings you will need to do each day

Of course without a diagnosis you don’t really know what you are up against. Did they check his teeth at all?
 
Sorry you’re going through this.
Syringe feeding isn’t fun.
The guide that @Hope4gem has linked for you is very good. It helped me a lot.
You may want to supplement the syringe feeding by adding a small dish of it into the cage. Any other pig in the cage will help eat it, but it’s there as an extra.
A small dish of grated sweet potato or carrot with raw oats is also popular and can help with weight gain.

Mine prefer the Oxbow aniseed flavour critical care and if I mix in a small chunk of mashed banana as well it goes down a treat.

Has your vet suggested Fibreplex as well?
I, too, have a sick piggy who isn’t gaining weight well so Fibreplex was suggested for her.

Hope your piggy recovers soon
 
The first time I had Critical Care to syringe in to a piggy I got more of it over me than in the piggy. But we persevered and it didn't take long to get the knack of it.
That was one of my first pigs and he was very unwell - we never did find out what happened to him but I syringe fed him for 6 weeks before he started eating on his own again (and he lived for another year and a bit after that). So please don't give up all hope.
 
Sue and Smartie said:
The first time I had Critical Care to syringe in to a piggy I got more of it over me than in the piggy. But we persevered and it didn't take long to get the knack of it.
That was one of my first pigs and he was very unwell - we never did find out what happened to him but I syringe fed him for 6 weeks before he started eating on his own again (and he lived for another year and a bit after that). So please don't give up all hope.
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Thank you so much, do you know how to use a kitchen scale the one i got goes by grams.
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m sorry to hear this

Please ensure you switch from routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him once every day, at the same time each day. Those daily weight checks are essential as they are the only way to know he is getting enough - if his weight remains stable he is getting enough, if he loses weight then he needs to be syringe fed more.
The less he takes per sitting, the more sittings you will need to do each day

Of course without a diagnosis you don’t really know what you are up against. Did they check his teeth at all?
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His teeth are good, hes going to the vet again tomorrow at 11 and getting a radio graph i think thats what its called i dont think i have been feeding him enough cause it feels like I'm hurting him i feel like he hates me i need prayers for piggy fats thank you for responding. 20220405_101601.webp
 
Have you been weighing him daily? That is the only way to know whether he is getting enough
You aren’t hurting him but being fed enough is essential.
The guides I linked in explain how to syringe feed

Best wishes at the vet
 
Good luck with the vet - it is great you are having him seen again.
As for weighing it is fine to do it in grams.
Just put him on the scales (in a bowl so he can't jump out) once a day at the same time and write down the number.
All you are looking for is that the number stays the same or gets bigger.
 
Thank you everyone i just don't get why the vet didn't do tests last time! I couldn't be there so my mom took him to vets and she told me the vet said he had a painful spot on his tummy area when she was checking him out. I don't get why she the vet didn't give him pain meds cause it is obvious he is hurting. Its almost like they wanted to make us come back to get more money off of us.
 
Its not good i dont think the vet is possibly incompetent cause she found a lump on the x ray and was thinking it was a kidney but then she told me. The growth is near his liver and it is outside his intestines but, hes lost so much weight 100 g in a week. I asked her maybe it was cause i havent been feeding him enough and i asked her. How. Much i should feed him in a 24 hr period and she said 1 ml to 1/2 ml every two hours and i know that theres no way thats right. That would be even less than ive been giving him i have git up to 30 ml in a24 period but obviously its. Not enough
 
I dont know what to do I am a piece of for not feeding my piggy fats more,i feel so helpless it feels like I'm hurting him when i force him to eat. Its not good i dont think the vet is competent cause she found a lump on the x ray and was thinking it was a kidney but then she told me the growth is near his liver and it is outside his intestines but, hes lost so much weight 100 g in a week. I asked her maybe it was cause i havent been feeding him enough and i asked her. How. Much i should feed him in a 24 hr period and she said 1 ml to 1/2 ml every two hours and i know that theres no way thats right. That would be even less than ive been giving him i have gaven up to 30 ml in a24 period but obviously thats not enough. Piggy has some sort of lump, tumor, growth and because the vet didn't care about the fact that he was in pain and had a sore spot on his belly area and she made it out he wasn't eating because of "STRESS" i mean the "STRESS" made his abdomen sore in one spot ok obviously because iam poor she dont give a about One of Gods 'little creatures suffering now. Because of her heartless ass hes to weak and he probably wouldn't survive surgery. How did i have a premonition of something exactly like. This happening please pray for. Piggy fats
 

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Sending Piggy Fats prayers and healing vibes. It's so stressful when they are ill. I'm linking in the syringe feeding guide which tells you how much to feed etc. I am afraid the vet you saw sounds as if she doesn't know about piggies, is it possible you can get a second opinion. (See vet list below, there maybe someone recommeded in our area).
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

Guinea Lynx :: GL's Vet List
 
Thank you so much for your help and advice I'm in Oregon and there are not many good vets around here in the last month i have spent like almost. 900 on vets and none of them have done much at all and i am outta money for vets for a month or so i dont know what I'm gonna do i might if he gets worse if i cant come up with any money i may have to surrender him to the local animal shelter saving grace id rather let him go than watch him suffer they have vets there and they are a no killl shelter and they are very good to animals. I love him but i will surrender him if it comes down to it.
 

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Ginger8587 said:
Thank you so much for your help and advice I'm in Oregon and there are not many good vets around here in the last month i have spent like almost. 900 on vets and none of them have done much at all and i am outta money for vets for a month or so i dont know what I'm gonna do i might if he gets worse if i cant come up with any money i may have to surrender him to the local animal shelter saving grace id rather let him go than watch him suffer they have vets there and they are a no killl shelter and they are very good to animals. I love him but i will surrender him if it comes down to it.
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piggieminder said:
Sending Piggy Fats prayers and healing vibes. It's so stressful when they are ill. I'm linking in the syringe feeding guide which tells you how much to feed etc. I am afraid the vet you saw sounds as if she doesn't know about piggies, is it possible you can get a second opinion. (See vet list below, there maybe someone recommeded in our area).
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre

Guinea Lynx :: GL's Vet List
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Do you see the picture of him do you have any idea why his eyes are wide open like that?
 
I’m so sorry you are going through this. I’m sending you a hug and healing vibes to Piggy Fats. His eye look ok to me. If he has a tumor and he’s not eating what was the plan from the vet?
 
His eye looks alright to me, it's hard to tell from a photo. Thinking of you, it's such a difficult time deciding what to do for the best.
 
Sending healing vibes to piggie Fats I’m so sorry you are in this situation. If you have to surrender him which is very sad that might be the best option for him to get treatment?
 
What a loving and caring owner you are.
You sound as if you have done everything possible and clearly made a financial sacrifice for Piggy Fats.
The fact that you are even considering surrendering him so he can the care he needs shows the depth of your love and also courage.
I don’t have answers for you, only hugs 🤗 and prayer 🙏🏼
 
weepweeps said:
I’m so sorry you are going through this. I’m sending you a hug and healing vibes to Piggy Fats. His eye look ok to me. If he has a tumor and he’s not eating what was the plan from the vet?
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The vet made him worse a week ago. When i. Took. Him in he was actually eating a little on his own but the vet
weepweeps said:
I’m so sorry you are going through this. I’m sending you a hug and healing vibes to Piggy Fats. His eye look ok to me. If he has a tumor and he’s not eating what was the plan from the vet?
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The vet is a total heartless egotistical b#@@h she made him worse till he may die now. Because of what was done, not done. I was not able to take. Him the first vet visit my mom did but, my mom told. Me that the vet felt his abdomen area and said he had a sore spot anyways she wrote him not eating and not drinking or pooping on stress which if it was stress why would his gut hurt in a certain area? She for some reason prescribed Baytril when he didnt appear to have an Infection. Now Piggy is. Almost dead he lost 100g and the fact that the dumb vet didnt give him pain meds and gave him Baytril which made him not eat even more. She wouldn't let me Talk and tried to tell Me That 1/2 to 1 ml of critical care. Food. Is enough every hour and i know that is wrong she told. Me. He is to weak to do. Surgery and that if he doesn't get better in a week should put him down she is a heartless and mean no compassion vet and i wont be taking him near there again he was kinda starting to nibble on his grass and carrots but I'm pretty sure the Baytril made him get worse. There is a ton more ithings i could post about what the vet did and the vet got all money i could afford this month almost 900 dollars for more harm than goood
Bill & Ted said:
Sending healing vibes to piggie Fats I’m so sorry you are in this situation. If you have to surrender him which is very sad that might be the best option for him to get treatment?
[/QUgooodHe is desd i should have never took himto that vet after they prescribed baytril for no. Reason. Its my fault i should have looked baytril he was even nibbling. A Little grass he had been at a steady weight of a little over 2 lbs after the vet had in on baytril he lost 100 gs in less than a. Week. They didn't even diagnosis him with Infection i believe they deliberately gave him baytril cause it makes them not eat. I am stupid. For believing a so called vet because of me hes gone he started twitching and gagging and this morning piggy is gone it hurts as much as when my brothers' died a yesr and a half apart a few years ago
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Other than not eating, were there any other symptoms?
Giving a gut stimulant and antibiotic would be a routine course of action to deal with any potential infection which may be reason why a piggy stops eating in the first place.
Baytril is the go to antibiotic but it’s not always the right antibiotic for every infection. If they don’t get better with one antibiotic, then its normal to try a different antibiotic if the vet still suspects an infection.
It’s also a potential side effect for an antibiotic to cause a reduction in appetite or digestive upset as they can kill off the gut good bacteria as well as the illness causing bacteria. To combat this giving a probiotic and syringe feeding is the normal route to take.
The vet did not give you good advice when telling you to only feed 1ml of critical care though, and if doesn’t sound as if she has good communication skills
 
I’m so sorry you have had such a bad experience with your vet. Can you take him to another one and they may let you pay in instalments?
 
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