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4.5 Year Old Boar, Weight Loss, Sunken Eyes & Loss Of Appetite

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AliW

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Hello!
One of our two boars has become very ill very suddenly, for no apparent reason. He lives with his brother who is absolutely fine. We took Crunchie to the vets 2 days ago and they couldn't find anything wrong with him, other than saying he had lost weight - almost 300g, was dehydrated and to continue syringue giving him water as we had been before we got an appointment. They gave him an injection of painkiller but didn't give us any medications to take home. He's a beautiful 4.5 year old Abyssian and it's breaking my heart (all our hearts to be honest) to see him like this. He's eating a little mushed up pellets but only if we soak them and put them in his mouth but when he came back from the vets, after the painkiller, he was straight in the food bowl eating them.
I've been cutting parsley and grass from the garden but he only eats one or two bits then turns his nose up at them, the same with cucumber, pepper, carrots, all his favourite things.
We really don't want to loose him but it's looking less likely he'll survive this. Our children who don't remember life pre guinea pigs will be devestated. Any tips greatly appreciated.
 
AliW said:
Hello!
One of our two boars has become very ill very suddenly, for no apparent reason. He lives with his brother who is absolutely fine. We took Crunchie to the vets 2 days ago and they couldn't find anything wrong with him, other than saying he had lost weight - almost 300g, was dehydrated and to continue syringue giving him water as we had been before we got an appointment. They gave him an injection of painkiller but didn't give us any medications to take home. He's a beautiful 4.5 year old Abyssian and it's breaking my heart (all our hearts to be honest) to see him like this. He's eating a little mushed up pellets but only if we soak them and put them in his mouth but when he came back from the vets, after the painkiller, he was straight in the food bowl eating them.
I've been cutting parsley and grass from the garden but he only eats one or two bits then turns his nose up at them, the same with cucumber, pepper, carrots, all his favourite things.
We really don't want to loose him but it's looking less likely he'll survive this. Our children who don't remember life pre guinea pigs will be devestated. Any tips greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Please start syringe feeding any guinea pig off its food asap! The longer you don't the higher the risk of the guts slowing down and then closing down just be sheer lack of food. Unlike predators, prey animals on a grass/hay besed diet cannot afford to wait for a few days. In order to stay alive, any guinea pig needs to get the equivalent 40-60 ml in syringe feed or solids into it over the course of 24 hours. The less in one go, the more often round the clock. A healthy guinea pig at the peak of its life will eat the equivalent of 120 ml in a day. Please never give more than he can swallow easily (between 0.1 - 0.3 ml). Our guinea will show you how to prep a syringe, pellets, hold a piggy and how much/how often to feed. Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

If your boy is already too weak to swallow or struggles far too much for his weakened state in order to get away, then it is sadly too late and he is no longer able to process food. In that case, you may want to consider to have him put to sleep as the last loving gift you can make him. :(

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can help you better, especially with finding a more piggy savvy vet if that is possible? Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. We have got members from all over world. Thank you!
 
Hi!
I've been back onto our vets asking for recovery liquid food and more syringes and have discovered that they have opened a new specialist branch dealing with exotics and small furries just round the corner from the practice we visited on Tuesday evening.
We've made an appointment for Crunchie to be seen there tonight but I'm furious they didn't point us in that direction to begin with. The receptionist couldn't understand why we weren't advised to go there in the first place.
Crunchie's eating small amounts and still poohing, although they are much smaller than before, he's also weeing.
 
Hi!
I've been back onto our vets to ask for some rehydration, liquid food and some more syringes and discovered that they have opened a new exotics and small furries practice just round the corner from the practice.
I'm furious they didn't point us there in the first place, the receptionist I spoke to couldn't understand why we weren't seen there on Tuesday. We're taking Crunchie in there later.
He is eating, but only very small amounts, he's still poohing and weeing.
 
AliW said:
Hi!
I've been back onto our vets asking for recovery liquid food and more syringes and have discovered that they have opened a new specialist branch dealing with exotics and small furries just round the corner from the practice we visited on Tuesday evening.
We've made an appointment for Crunchie to be seen there tonight but I'm furious they didn't point us in that direction to begin with. The receptionist couldn't understand why we weren't advised to go there in the first place.
Crunchie's eating small amounts and still poohing, although they are much smaller than before, he's also weeing.
Click to expand...

Fingers VERY firmly crossed that you can pull Crunchie through!

Weigh him daily at the same time to monitor his food intake and make sure that he is getting enough in until he has regained a good amount of his weight again. You will find the tips in our syringe feeding guide helpful.

It is a very encouraging sign that Crunchie is still eating and that his guts are still working. The poo size reflects how much has gone into him a day or two earlier.

All the best for tonight! Glad that your HAVE found a more piggy savvy vet close by, but I share your frustration that you have not been sent there two days ago straight away when your general vet couldn't come up with a diagnosis.

Please keep us updated via this thread.
 
Nothing to add over what Wiebke has said. Everything crossed that the exotics vet can get to the root of the problem and that you can help Crunchie get through this.
 
I really hope the exotic vet can get a diagnosis.sending positive thoughts.it is a very emotional time,and syringe feeding can be very exhausting for you and Crunchie.you are giving him the best possible chance.please let us know how you get on at the vets tonight.lots of support on the forum.:hug:s.
 
Hi!
We've been to the exotics/small furries vet and they too couldn't find anything actually wrong with him. Other than to say something has obviously knocked him out of kilter and we need to find a way of getting him back to his usual perky self! They have given us Metacam and Recovery Plus for him. He's happily taken 5ml of made up Recovery Plus and we've given him 0.9ml Metacam, thankfully they said he's no longer dehydrated. Keep your fingers crossed for him.
 
It sounds like you are doing everything you can for your boy - fingers crossed he turns the corner soon.
 
Glad u managed to find a better vet. Did they check his teeth for dental problems (burrs/overgrown teeth/broken teeth) or his mouth generally for signs of abcesses or oral thrush (damp dishcloth smelling breath)?
If he was eating better after the painkillers then it sounds like he still has an appetite just that he may have problems eating.

Although a pain issue anywhere could cause lack of appetite, which could then affect his dental health due to lack of eating etc.

Did the vet give you any painkillers to bring home &give after the initial dose has worn off?
Metacam/loxicom is a favourite either dog or cat strength. Piggies usually love the taste too.

Could u discuss with the vet if u can have painkillers if they feel he needs it. This could get him eating again &prevent gut stasis (gut stops working) &if u could hand feed him strips of stalky hay it may help wear his teeth down too.

Try feeding mushed up pellets in warm water then cooled, this way he'll have a familiar taste but nice &soft to swallow.

Fingers crossed for a full &speedy recovery xx
 
Hi!
I'm sorry to say that Crunchie died this morning.
 
I'm very sorry for your devasating news
Sweet Dreams Crunchie
:hug:s to you.
You did your very best,a very caring owner.
 
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