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Worried, please help. (URI/Syringe feeding)

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Spoink

Teenage Guinea Pig
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My piggy is breathing quite fast, she was making soft vocal noises with the out-breath but that has stopped now.
She is not breathing as fast as she was when I noticed it (she is sat on my lap wrapped in her blankie).

She has been through quite a lot recently and I'm at my wits end, especially with the vets. I know it is not their fault directly but it's hard not to want to place blame when all I want is my princess to feel better. I am so scared for her, I'm a very anxious person as it is when it comes to my animals as they are my life.

So, if you haven't read my previous post I will summarize but feel free to check it for details, I will link it below.
Syringe Feeding Details.

My Princess was diagnosed with a URI, we were given Baytril and Loxicom - she has finished the course of Baytril but were advised to still give Loxicom as a painkiller and given Metachlopromide and Rantadine to help with her stomach as she had stopped eating. We also began syringe feeding.

This now, I feel, has caused an issue with her teeth - so we took her back to the vets to see about filing her teeth. The vets said that they want to wait a week longer to see if her appetite picks up from being off the antibiotics (even though, she won't eat with her teeth and syringe feeding for a further week like they suggested is going to make them worse?!?!) ARGH. They did check her back teeth and confirmed they were slightly overgrown... I feel like banging my head into a brick wall, I really do.

I just don't know what to do anymore I don't actually know what I'm looking for - be it advice or just kind words of encouragement. I just need help.
We have been calling all the vets in the area, all of them. I can't really afford an out of hours service as we have already taken her to the vets around 7 times in the past month and I have recently quit my job due to personal reasons.

I don't know I'm just incredibly emotional, anything you can offer is welcomed.
 
Take a deep breath.
Don’t panic.
It’s easy to get very stressed when a pet is unwell.

I’m not a health expert so I won’t comment on the specific issues, but please know that you are supported here.
Some tips I picked up from the forum when I’ve had poorly piggies who struggle to eat is add a bit of mashed banana to the feed - most piggies love it and so don’t fight the syringe.

Shred veggies finely so they are easily eaten if it is a tooth problem - this is what I’ve been doing for Jemimah this week as she gets over a dental procedure.

Green oat grass is also a very tempting treat for piggies

Holding you in my thoughts
 
Sorry I can only offer words of support, but @furryfriends (TEAS) will have a better idea I'm sure, she's the dental guru on here :tu:

Have you tried feeding thin strips of veg, hay or grass to try & get her appetite back & grind down her teeth of her own accord through chewing?

Big hug for you & healing vibes
x
 
Merab's Slave said:
Take a deep breath.
Don’t panic.
It’s easy to get very stressed when a pet is unwell.

I’m not a health expert so I won’t comment on the specific issues, but please know that you are supported here.
Some tips I picked up from the forum when I’ve had poorly piggies who struggle to eat is add a bit of mashed banana to the feed - most piggies love it and so don’t fight the syringe.

Shred veggies finely so they are easily eaten if it is a tooth problem - this is what I’ve been doing for Jemimah this week as she gets over a dental procedure.

Green oat grass is also a very tempting treat for piggies

Holding you in my thoughts
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Thank you so much, sweetie.

I'm such a mess, what with lack of sleeping through monitoring her, loss of wages spending a few days off with her and each time we go to the vets I feel like it's something else.

It's driving me up the wall I just always fear the worst.. especially since I don't actually know how old she is. When we adopted her from my workplace, she had been there for a year but they were given her, and we have had her for over a year now.

My other half is going out to get some bananas now, thank you for the tip I will try anything.
I have tried cutting up her favourite vegetables into thin strips and she will eat maybe one strip if she feels like it. It's so frustrating I feel like all her problems would be solved if she would just eat!
 
GPTV said:
Sorry I can only offer words of support, but @furryfriends (TEAS) will have a better idea I'm sure, she's the dental guru on here :tu:

Have you tried feeding thin strips of veg, hay or grass to try & get her appetite back & grind down her teeth of her own accord through chewing?

Big hug for you & healing vibes
x
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Thank you so much, and thank you for the tag I'm so grateful.

I have tried the thin strips and she will eat maybe one small strip if she feels like it - I've been out and bought her 5 different kinds of hay, and again I have caught her nibbling maybe a strand or two but very rarely.

I'm worrying that the syringe has affected her teeth because I offered her a tomato as a treat as she loves them, she took one bite and almost recoiled. So straight away, I said to my other half it's her teeth I think that was uncomfortable. We went straight to the vets and they hit us with "wait another week" oh okay, so we'll make her teeth even worse before you'll help. Fab!

Thank you, I'm in serious need of it. :luv:
 
Sending you a hug it's such a worrying situation to be in.
When mine won't eat I've found grass to be tempting for them. I had a piggy up until a few days ago who had been on syringe feeds for a month and his teeth had slightly over grown. The vet explained to me that although the syringe food has fibre in it it doesn't grind the teeth down like hay does. Rusty is now eating normally for himself and his teeth are looking like they are going to be okay. Hopefully your piggy will start eating lots of hay again once she is off the antibiotics.
 
piggieminder said:
Sending you a hug it's such a worrying situation to be in.
When mine won't eat I've found grass to be tempting for them. I had a piggy up until a few days ago who had been on syringe feeds for a month and his teeth had slightly over grown. The vet explained to me that although the syringe food has fibre in it it doesn't grind the teeth down like hay does. Rusty is now eating normally for himself and his teeth are looking like they are going to be okay. Hopefully your piggy will start eating lots of hay again once she is off the antibiotics.
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Thank you, hun. I really appreciate it.

I will have to try that, where do you purchase your grass from can I ask?

That is amazing, I am so happy for you and Rusty. Well done, sweet boy. :luv:

For my Biscuit, she has been relying on us syringe feeding her and we have for over a week now and she came off the antibiotics on I think it was Wednesday, so granted it was only 3 days ago. When should it be out of her system?
 
I'm not a health expert so I can't comment on how long it would take the antibiotics to be out of her system. Has your piggy been having probiotics?
Thank you, I am so relieved he has turned the corner and is looking so much better.
I cut grass for them from the garden. I very rarely have to mow my lawn! I also buy grass seed and grow it in pots in sheltered corners of the garden so I have some to pick in Nov/Dec when it doesn't grow quick enough in the lawn. My guinea pigs have a mostly hay and grass diet, I cut it everyday unless the weather is exceptionally bad.
 
Just a small update.

I have just finished having a panic attack. My other half has taken Biscuit to the emergency vet as while syringe feeding her, she did a string of poops on my leg that appeared to have blood on them.

Please send us every single drop of hope and prayer you have, my heart is absolutely shattered.
 
She is back.

We have been given Baytril, again.

They said her heart is healthy, the poops are expected from Recovery feed and the red was more than likely the strawberry we tempted her with.
They said her lungs are wheezing, and they want her back for x-rays.
 
All the best! Stay strong and make sure that you get some rest yourself. Caring round the clock for a very ill piggy off their food is very draining.

PS: There are other stronger antibiotics that can be safely given. If her lungs are sounding congested, then a diuretic will help to drain them and to ease the breathing. There is still all to play for. ;)
 
Wiebke said:
All the best! Stay strong and make sure that you get some rest yourself. Caring round the clock for a very ill piggy off their food is very draining.

PS: There are other stronger antibiotics that can be safely given. If her lungs are sounding congested, then a diuretic will help to drain them and to ease the breathing. There is still all to play for. ;)
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Thank you, I’m definitely finding it very stressful as it seems to be one thing after another. But one thing is for sure, she is worth it all and more.

Okay great! Will that be something the vet will prescribe after the x-rays? She is booked in for Monday morning. ☹️

Right now she had just had a feed and plenty of mummy cuddles in her blankie.
C5F021AE-755F-460A-8D8E-870AF7B431C5.webp
 
Spoink said:
Thank you, I’m definitely finding it very stressful as it seems to be one thing after another. But one thing is for sure, she is worth it all and more.

Okay great! Will that be something the vet will prescribe after the x-rays? She is booked in for Monday morning. ☹

Right now she had just had a feed and plenty of mummy cuddles in her blankie.
View attachment 133049
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Yes, that will to discuss with your vet after the x-rays which will show if there is a fluid build up either in the lungs or in the chest cavity or whether something else is going on.

Hang on in there!
 
Wiebke said:
Yes, that will to discuss with your vet after the x-rays which will show if there is a fluid build up either in the lungs or in the chest cavity or whether something else is going on.

Hang on in there!
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Thank you so much for your advice, I’ll definitely discuss it with the vet. I’m hoping and praying for the best. ❤️ I’ll always do right by my sweet girl.

Thanks again. :luv:
 
Oh look at her!.... What a gorgeous sweetheart 💕

Try tempting her with dandelions or celery if you can get any, they're both meant to have diuretic qualities - so might help a little until her vet visit & prescription for diuretics if needed.

Is it any good putting her in the bathroom when you have a bath or shower, just wondering if the steam will help unclog her airways a bit?

If it's her chest clogged opposed to nasal passage it might not make any difference though - just a thought.

For nasal'y guineas in the past I have put 1-2drops of olbas oil on a tissue near their cage/hutch ***Do not let them get at the tissue, must be out of piggy reach! ***
As previously this probably won't make much difference if its a chesty rattle opposed to a nasal rattle.

Have you checked or changed her bedding recently? Dusty bedding can give them respiratory problems.

Healing vibes & good luck for the vets Monday.
Hopefully they can get to the bottom of it :D
Xx
 
It is with a broken, heavy heart that I inform you all that my sweet Biscuit has passed away peacefully in her sleep.


Sweet dreams, my princess.

All my other little darlings will be waiting for you over the rainbow bridge, I know it.
 
Oh I’ve just read this, I’m so so sorry to hear this news. I was hoping for a better outcome for you both, as we all were. You tried so hard and did so much, I really feel for you. I’m glad when it happened it was peaceful. Take care of yourself.
 
I am so sorry. No one could have done more for her than you did, she knew she was loved.
Run free over the bridge sweet Biscuit.
 
Thank you all for your kind replies, we are deeply hurting at this time as you can imagine - so it means the world to us.

I am trying to find solace in that we really did do all that we could do for our little girl, we were with her every step of the way.
I also find peace in that when I found her this morning, she looked so peaceful like she had just nestled down to sleep.

There is now another angel watching over us all, and my goodness was she the sweetest.

Sweet dreams, my darling girl.
What I wouldn't give for one more piggykissy. 💕
 
Oh no, I’m so sorry. Sounds like you did everything you could, I know it doesn’t help with your heartbreak though.
She was absolutely gorgeous.
Sleep tight little one xx
 
So very sorry to read this.
You did everything possible for Biscuit and she had so much love and care in her life from you.
Grief takes time so be patient and gentle with yourselves.
There is a bereavement help thread which has some good resources, and of course, we’re here to support you.
Holding you in my heart
 
Merab's Slave said:
So very sorry to read this.
You did everything possible for Biscuit and she had so much love and care in her life from you.
Grief takes time so be patient and gentle with yourselves.
There is a bereavement help thread which has some good resources, and of course, we’re here to support you.
Holding you in my heart
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Thank you, sweetheart. You always have the kindest words.

I have had a quick read through the guide as I’m trying to think for my bereaved, now single piggy.

Thank you again, it means the world. 💕
 
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