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Urgent skinny pig help

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unibunny

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Hello, went to check on my pigs (4 guinea 1 skinny) about 1.5 hrs ago and my skinny was having trouble standing and eating. Quickly gave her some EmerAid and took her to the vets. The vet was quite unhelpful and barely looked at her, said she must have had a seizure and he could put her down. I said I couldn't do that right now and wanted to take her home. In the past hour she has eaten about 12 romaine leaves, half a pepper and has taken about 7 syringes of EmerAid. She is continuing to twitch constantly but still eating and sometimes makes little squeaks/grunts. Has anyone experienced this before? If she has had a seizure, is this something that, with time and care she can get past? Should I take her for a second opinion? I'm lost with what to do. It feels wrong to PTS when shes eating normally?
 
Welcome to the forum, I'm sorry it's in bad circumstances. I'm afraid I have no experience but I'm certain another member who does will be along with some advice soon.
 
unibunny said:
Hello, went to check on my pigs (4 guinea 1 skinny) about 1.5 hrs ago and my skinny was having trouble standing and eating. Quickly gave her some EmerAid and took her to the vets. The vet was quite unhelpful and barely looked at her, said she must have had a seizure and he could put her down. I said I couldn't do that right now and wanted to take her home. In the past hour she has eaten about 12 romaine leaves, half a pepper and has taken about 7 syringes of EmerAid. She is continuing to twitch constantly but still eating and sometimes makes little squeaks/grunts. Has anyone experienced this before? If she has had a seizure, is this something that, with time and care she can get past? Should I take her for a second opinion? I'm lost with what to do. It feels wrong to PTS when shes eating normally?
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BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for the unsympathetic vet.

It is impossible for us to tell what exactly is going on since neurological issues in guinea pigs are kind of a black hole in what little and far too late research into the species is going on. Vets have to extrapolate from other species.
You can find what little is out there in this link here: CBS (Calcified Bulla Syndrome) and Neurological Problems - Symptoms and Care

All you can do for the moment is to support her with feeding and good care and see how far that is going to take you. All the best for your trip to the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic. you will at least get a proper and considered examination there and can hopefully make a more informed decision on how you want to go on.
 
Oh goodness how scary for you. It sounds like you have done the right thing going for a second opinion. Perhaps the first vet was not too knowledgeable on guinea pigs. It can be so hard when we have no option but to put all our trust into a professional who may, or may not, be able to give answers. I would have also been unwilling to consider PTS without a better understanding of why it was being recommended and the likelihood that it was something untreatable/uncurable
 
How awful for both you and your piggy. The Cat and Rabbit clinic are very good vets. Hope they can help.xx
 
Update.. Simon at the cat and rabbit clinic is amazing! 100% recommend it!

They kept her in to monitor her, she had some gabapentin (anti seizure I believe) and a fluid scan. The scan came back perfect apparently. Simon advised that they could do some more investigations using a blood test etc but it's quite invasive due to her size and may still not give any answers.. or we could continue with the gabapentin for a few days and monitor. We decided to bring her home and continue with the medicine. She has stopped twitching and is eating like a trooper! Snuggled up with our other piggies now.

Now I have had time to process, I'm so upset over the first vets response! He barely examined her, just took one look and said to PTS. I don't think he'd ever seen a skinny pig before as he commented on how she looked as if it was wrong. Glad I listened to my gut and am giving her a chance!
 
So pleased that your piggy is doing better. Fingers crossed that she continues to improve.x
 
Sending your girl healing vibes. I hope she pulls through whatever is wrong. Simon is amazing. I’m so sorry your first vet was so unhelpful. Good luck.
 
Fantastic and well done for doing the right thing for your piggy 💕 You're right to feel angry if they don't know they should at least say so and offer advice as to where to go instead not just advise PTS, you should be proud of yourself 💐
 
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