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Very sick piggie - please help!

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babybear

hey,

I've been a lurker for a while but this is my first post.

My poor piggie Toffee is very ill.

She had a trip to the vet about 2 weeks ago and had a cyst on her back drained. She also had very runny eyes so I asked vet to check her teeth and they told me they would have to put her to sleep to file down her teeth.

Turns out her teeth were not that bad but her front ones are still very long and uneven but was told there were ok and nothing they could do.

That was just over a week ago - she's been quiet but seemed to be getting better but has suddenly started losing weight and stopped eating.

Back to the vet tonight for antibiotic injection - she's very underweight so have recovery powder and anti biotics to treat her and also some syringes for water etc.

Have also been givng her .2ml of Metatone tonic for past few days but tonight she is really bad.

Anything else I can do for her?

Any replies greatly appreciated!

K
 
I'm sure someone with a bit more experience will be along to help you soon....sorry I can't help :) S xx
 
Hello, welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear Toffee is unwell - sounds like you're doing everything you can. How long has she not been eating for? What did the vet say? how old is she? (sorrry for all the questions!)

There's a lot of knowledgable people on here that should be along soon to help -fingers crossed for you

Sophie
x
 
Hi, I've sent a message to one of the Mods to see if they can help - I have to go for a minute, hopefully when I come back you'll have received lots of advice!

:)
 
Toffee is approximately 3 years old.

She's not been herself for about 3 weeks now - started with sore, crusty eyes and not other real problems - things seem to have gotten worse since visiting the vet and getting the teeth done and I still don't think they have been done properly - front teeth are very long and as I mentioned uneaven - the barely meet at the top but despite the number of times I point the out vet says it isnt' the problem.

They seem to think she has a tumor or cyst in her abdoman - I don't expect it is a tumor as I know they can be rare.

Really reluctant to have her operated on again or pump her full of anti biotics at that seem to contribute to my last piggies death.
 
I'd get a second opinion.
I would think if here teeth are very long she would not be able to pick up food, and therefore would be unable to eat.
 
Hi Babybear,
So sorry to hear about Toffee - how often are you giving her water?
One of my pigs stopped eating when he was on antibiotics - I forget what its called but maybe you need to give her something to soothe her tum? Arrgh, whats the word?!
 
Your vet doesnt sound very knowledgeable to be honest. It does sound like the incisors are giving trouble. Can you tell us which area of the country you are in and we can try to advise a good piggy vet, or have you heard of the CCT ? Vedra does dentals without anaesthetic :)

What antibiotics has he given, has he given probiotic to counter balance the effect of the ab`s, what did he do to the cyst? Did you have to flush it?
 
sammy said:
Maybe time to get a second opinion....
Click to expand...

Unfortunatley I've yet to find a vet who can deal with piggies.

She's been seen by 4 different vets at my current practice who have all pretty much said the same.

TBH looking at her now I'll be amazed if she lasts the night - she can barely move and cannot hold her weight on her front legs so is just slumped nose down in the cage with very rapid but shallow breathing. :(
 
What area are you in...then maybe we can look for a different vet for you...or someone may be near you to who has a good one :)
 
Poor little love :( She could well be in pain too and this would affect her eating. Have you been syringe feeding her? try her with some very thinly sliced veg and give her some water. You may need to syringe feed her every couple of hours.
 
lavenderjade said:
Your vet doesnt sound very knowledgeable to be honest. It does sound like the incisors are giving trouble. Can you tell us which area of the country you are in and we can try to advise a good piggy vet, or have you heard of the CCT ? Vedra does dentals without anaesthetic :)

What antibiotics has he given, has he given probiotic to counter balance the effect of the ab`s, what did he do to the cyst? Did you have to flush it?
Click to expand...


I'm just outside Glasgow.

I'm going to give her water every couple of hours during the night - had been doing it 3/4 times per day.

She's been given Baytril but no probiotic to balance it.

Cyst was drained and seems to be fine.
 
Probitotic is very important as it restores the gut flora. Bio lapis is one made especially for small animals. If she is still with you tomorrow, get some from your vets. Give as often as you can, but 2 hours after antibiotic. Thistle cavies guinea pig rescue is in Scotland, but not sure where, They would know a good piggy vet though as they would be sure to have one they use. May be phone them tomorrow?
 
Afraid you are right,this does not sound good.All you can do is keep her warm.Do you have any rehydration powder in the house?,if so,make it up as per instructions on the packet and give little and often by syringe.I think she def,.has dental problems.
 
Liquorice Dimension
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Re: Recommended Vets
« Reply #64 on: September 27, 2007, 12:20:25 pm » Reply with quote
I happened to find an excellent vet in Glasgow if anyone is interested, his name is Julian and he works at the Una McLean surgeries -

137 High Street, Glasgow, G1 1PH - 0141 553 2555

13 Queen's Crescent, Glasgow, G4 9BL - 0141 332 1934

I saw him at the High Street practice, but he specialises in guinea pigs and rabbits. He clearly knew his stuff and was thrilled to see a pair of piggies in his surgery. If my pigs needed any more veterinary attention, I'd definitely take them to him.
 
lavenderjade said:
Probitotic is very important as it restores the gut flora. Bio lapis is one made especially for small animals. If she is still with you tomorrow, get some from your vets. Give as often as you can, but 2 hours after antibiotic. Thistle cavies guinea pig rescue is in Scotland, but not sure where, They would know a good piggy vet though as they would be sure to have one they use. May be phone them tomorrow?
Click to expand...

Thanks I will try them if she's still going
 
maryh said:
Afraid you are right,this does not sound good.All you can do is keep her warm.Do you have any rehydration powder in the house?,if so,make it up as per instructions on the packet and give little and often by syringe.I think she def,.has dental problems.
Click to expand...

I've only got that recovery powder and am syringing water every couple of hours.
 
sammy said:
Liquorice Dimension
New Born Pup
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Gender: Female
Posts: 13




Re: Recommended Vets
« Reply #64 on: September 27, 2007, 12:20:25 pm » Reply with quote
I happened to find an excellent vet in Glasgow if anyone is interested, his name is Julian and he works at the Una McLean surgeries -

137 High Street, Glasgow, G1 1PH - 0141 553 2555

13 Queen's Crescent, Glasgow, G4 9BL - 0141 332 1934

I saw him at the High Street practice, but he specialises in guinea pigs and rabbits. He clearly knew his stuff and was thrilled to see a pair of piggies in his surgery. If my pigs needed any more veterinary attention, I'd definitely take them to him.
Click to expand...


Thank you so much for this - another one to try! :)
 
hello babybear,
really hoping toffee gets better for you. i know how frustrating it is when a vet knows very little about piggies. it is the same here in australia. :tickedoff: :tickedoff: sending prayers and hugs to you and sweet little toffee and hoping the love pulls through. i would definately get a second opinion! if you is in scotland my OH will be over as he loves scotland it is where his ancestors come from and he just loves those damn bagpipes. i like the sword dancers and the pole tossing but never the bagpipes! hugs and cuddles to you and toffee. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Sadly she seems to be getting worse - it now appears that she's had some kind of a stroke? Her mouth is shut tight and I can barely open it and she can't walk.

Here are a couple of pics i've just taken - one shows the state of her teeth which according to 4 vets are fine,
toffee.jpg


toffeeteeth.jpg
 
She looks like she's feeling very sorry for herself right now. Pity you're not a wee bit closer... my vet hospital is super (it's in Stirling). I've never known a vet that would look at incisors like that and just leave them.

Are you managing to get the recovery/water into her?
 
Oh dear, her teeth do look bad. What an idiot vet >:(
Poor little thing, she is so lovely. You are doing all you can, try your best and give her cuddles :smitten:
 
Just to let you know I am thinking of you both...big hugs. sammy xx
 
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