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5week old guinea unable to eat

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lunapigcavies

lunapigcavies

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Hello everyone

I am desperately hoping that people on here will be able to offer me advice. I have a 5 week old homebred rex boar. A couple days ago I found him with drool all down his tummy, I rushed him to the emergency vets thinking he had something stuck in his throat. They couldnt find anything, all his teeth are normal and there are no wounds in his mouth. He was given a shot of anti inflammatory, but it hasn't made much difference. He is very bright in himself and is wanting and trying to eat, but it seems like he can't use his front teeth or something. After trying to eat he then goes and sucks on a toilet roll tube :s he lives with his brother and his brother has no problems. This has developed very quickly and I just don't know what to do he is such a fabulous little boy.

I would be so grateful if anyone can offer advice, I just don't know how to help him :( he is managing a very small amount of food and is still pooing, but is losing weight and drooling

Lou x
 
Hi and welcome to you and your little piggie :)
I'm no vet but it really does sound like it could be his molars? I know you said his toofies had been checked, BUT did they check his back ones?
Where abouts are you? I'm sure whee can perhaps advise a vet to visit.
Meanwhile feed him mushed up pellets and don't forget water, he might eat some small pieces of hay also. Offer veggies but cut up into strips.
He really does need to see a cavy savvy vet pronto !
Please keep us updated,

GOOD LUCK XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x
 
First things first... He needs food in him...
Did the vets give you something called critical care...?
If not you need to crush up some pellets and make up a sloppy food to syringe or spoon feed him...
There is obviously something going on with him and he needs medical care urgently... If it doesn't seem to be dental... They could be jaw related...
Concentrate on getting some food and water in him and then come back on here and someone will advise you further...
x
 
If he is not eating for himself he will need supplimentary food, in the form of critical care etc, but dont try to syringe unless you know what your doing (or untill someone experienced comes along and explains it to you)

It SOUNDS like a teeth problem, and i know its a rude question, but how confident are you in your vet? If you are totally confident, then looking at other possible causes is obviously the way forward, but i would recomend getting a second opinion from a very experienced vet.

RE feeding, try offering some pellets soaked in boiling water (obviously leave to cool before putting in the cage) as these are soft (if he manages these fine, this again indicates teeth issues)

However i hope more experienced people will be along to help more soon!

(more experienced people clearly beat me too it :) )
 
He is eating and drinking little bits on his own, but I have been stringing him the recovery food too. I am very confident in my vet, although not a rodentologist, she is very thorough and spent a good time investigating his mouth. He seems able to chew with his molars, but can't bite or gnaw with his front teeth. The front teeth line up well and look healthy :s its a total mystery. I am located in hartlepool, North east England.
Thank you for all your advice so far xx
 
Well done for syringe feeding him... And that's great that you trust your vet...
I'd be concerned that this was something to do with his actual jaw as you said his mouth was clear and his teeth looked good...
Has your vet mentioned anything about his jaw...?
When you say he's struggling to eat what exactly do you mean...?
Is he mouthing food...? Or spitting bits out as he eats... Etc...

I'd be going back to the vets and getting an x-ray done...
If your vet is stumped for reasons behind his inabity to eat then I would ask to be refered to a exotics specialist... Sometimes it's worth doing that...
My vets that treat all my rescue animals and I trust completely... Have referred me to specialists before...
But I would recommend you get him to the vets first thing tomorrow morning... Let them know it's an emergency...
x
 
He digs through is food bowl and tries picking up bigger bits of food but can't so munched a bit on the little pieces. When he tries to eat dandelion leaves he doesn't chew them in like spaghetti(if that makes sense) he just makes little dents in the leaf. He loves chewing toilet roll tubes butt he tries to gnaw on them and it just ends up wet and crinkled :( when syringe food into his mouth he uses his molars to chew it. He is using water bottle too. I was wondering if he could have an abscess in an incisor? I bred this little boy so I know he hadn't had any problems up until this :(
I used to work as a veterinary nursing assistant for my vets so I do trust them and tbh I wouldn't take a stuffed toy to the rest of the vets in this area let alone a live animal :( if anyone can recommend a specialist or rodentologist up here I would be very grateful :) xx
 
They are on wood shavings and hay. He has been on this since birth with no problems till this xx
 
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lunapigcavies said:
He digs through is food bowl and tries picking up bigger bits of food but can't so munched a bit on the little pieces. When he tries to eat dandelion leaves he doesn't chew them in like spaghetti(if that makes sense) he just makes little dents in the leaf. He loves chewing toilet roll tubes butt he tries to gnaw on them and it just ends up wet and crinkled :( when syringe food into his mouth he uses his molars to chew it. He is using water bottle too. I was wondering if he could have an abscess in an incisor? I bred this little boy so I know he hadn't had any problems up until this :(
I used to work as a veterinary nursing assistant for my vets so I do trust them and tbh I wouldn't take a stuffed toy to the rest of the vets in this area let alone a live animal :( if anyone can recommend a specialist or rodentologist up here I would be very grateful :) xx
Click to expand...

Could he have had a fall...? Are they in a cage with a ramp or something...?
I'm wondering if his teeth might have been damaged...
It's a good sign that he is trying to eat as that means that he's got an appetite...
It's a shame your so far from me as my vets are pretty brilliant... :-/
It's nothing bedding related then...
x
 
He is in a plastic zoozone, they all live indoors, there was a small log hut for them to sleep in, but it was small, low and curved like a ramp on both sides. Other than that there is only food bowls and toilet tubes ever been in there. He has no sign of injury, swelling, bleeding or anything. They are handleda fair bit daily by me and my family so would have noticed an injury. The first day I saw the drooling he was quiet and a bit fluffed up, but since that first vet trip he is his normal bouncy, noisy self, only the drooling which is the very obvious symptom and then struggling with food when spend time watching him :( xx
 
lunapigcavies said:
He is in a plastic zoozone, they all live indoors, there was a small log hut for them to sleep in, but it was small, low and curved like a ramp on both sides. Other than that there is only food bowls and toilet tubes ever been in there. He has no sign of injury, swelling, bleeding or anything. They are handleda fair bit daily by me and my family so would have noticed an injury. The first day I saw the drooling he was quiet and a bit fluffed up, but since that first vet trip he is his normal bouncy, noisy self, only the drooling which is the very obvious symptom and then struggling with food when spend time watching him :( xx
Click to expand...

Well... I'm out of ideas...
I would be having his jaw looked at... I had two babies born in to rescue that had mild dental problems... Due to their jaw not being quite right...
I'd get him in the vets first thing and get him checked over again...
Good luck with him bab... And please keep us updated on how he is... I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you...
I'm off to bed now as I'm shattered...!
Xx
 
I would have to say i dont have much ideas to help you much I'm afraid. Drooling is a sign of dental problems which others have already mentioned and you say your vet has had a look at his teeth. I do agree with others that have mentioned if your vet really doesnt have a clue get your little one referred to an exotic specialist for a more comprehensive diagnoses and treatment. I understand he is eating a tiny amount but syringing some critical food or mashed up pellets into him will be your best bet. Ensure you also weigh him daily to check for any weight loss. I would get him seen by a vet tomorrow asap.

Also did he feed well off mum when he was younger? The only other thing apart from injury or dental problems i can think of is a cleft pallet. Ive not heard of it in piggies, but I'm sure it does happen from time to time.

Just to add, although this makes no difference to the amount of help we will give you, its a pro rescue forum on here, and people do not discuss breeding and do not advocate it because of the sheer numbers of unwanted piggies out there. But feel free to chat about your piggies, post pictures etc, we will welcome onto the forum no matter what.

x
 
I would suspect a injury or growth problem with upper or lower incisors. If it is a congenital growth problem it is unlikely to be a good outcome, sadly. However there are a couple of other possibilities.

Popcorning babies can hurl themselves around their cage pretty madly and he may have run into the house or landed on it awkwardly when playing. A break above the gumline is quite common in falls so it is possibly that - it does take a few days for the break to move out from the gum and the teeth to loosen or fall out. it would certainly account for the reluctance to nibble but still be able to chew with the molars.

Vitamin C deficiency can lead to growth problems which show in the teeth/gum formation - so checking the vit C level and condition of their feed may be worthwhile, be aware that exposure to heat depletes most vitamins so a possible cause - and the best before date.

Apart from syringe feeding and hoping that he recovers all I can suggest is a vet trip to Simon Maddock in Northampton as he is the most experienced and able dental vet we can recommend.
http://www.catandrabbit.co.uk/

HTH

Suzy x
 
I have been asked to post on your thread by my rodentologist, she believes that if this is not dental that it may well be oral thrush which can be treated with Daktarin oral gel from the chemist (don't tell them you are buying it for a pig). Dose would be 0.3ml 2 x a day for 10 days at least.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...=945hT8nEM-bM0QWZlJ2tCA&sqi=2&ved=0CGUQ8wIwAQ

He would need pain releif too from the vet, she has suggested Meloxicam but only if he is over 200g in weight at a dose of 0.1ml twice a day.

She believes he would most likely have an over production of candida albicans in the gut and it has tracked up to the gullet and mouth.

If you would like to speak to her, she is called Karen and her email is [email protected]
 
Thank you that is so helpful :) I will go get some daktarin oral gel now and give that a go :) he weighs 320 grams so getting painkiller for him should be fine :) thank * again xx
 
I really would NOT recommend putting Daktarin oral gel in a guinea pigs mouth. It is very strong and not safe for piggies, although I know a number of people use this. I would also be very worried about using this as your piggie is very young.
 
I wouldnt use the gel on a baby pig. This sounds silly..but clutching at straws...it is actual slobber and he isnt struggling with the water bottle? I just ask as I thought Bertie was slobbering but he is so daft he actually plays with the bottle....I hope the little fellow will be ok...are you too far away from Northampton? Simon is good with dentals in piggies...what a rambling post sorry
 
Karen has said....

"Daktarin is extremley safe for young pigs, it is used on human babies with oral thrush so is fairly benign in strength. Unless you workwith a vet as I do it would be worth doing your research before you dismiss things so readily without giving just cause as to why. Daktarin can save lives, I am interested in what those who are dismissing Daktarin, have as an alternative sugestion. If the original poster would like to receive more information please email me. Those dismissing me can also email me where you can have my mobile number and we can discuss it. The vets who I volunteer my time too would also be very happy to chat with you".

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I have used Daktarin on a few pigs and it does cure issues very fast. It is very easy to get into a piggie. It can be drawn up into an uncut syringe as the tip fits into the tubes' nozzle. They actually lap it up when they realise what it is. We have had three with oral thrush and it clears it quickly and without any invasive proceedures.
 
Raul said:
Karen has said....

"Daktarin is extremley safe for young pigs, it is used on human babies with oral thrush so is fairly benign in strength. Unless you workwith a vet as I do it would be worth doing your research before you dismiss things so readily without giving just cause as to why. Daktarin can save lives, I am interested in what those who are dismissing Daktarin, have as an alternative sugestion. If the original poster would like to receive more information please email me. Those dismissing me can also email me where you can have my mobile number and we can discuss it. The vets who I volunteer my time too would also be very happy to chat with you".

-----------------------------------------


I have used Daktarin on a few pigs and it does cure issues very fast. It is very easy to get into a piggie. It can be drawn up into an uncut syringe as the tip fits into the tubes' nozzle. They actually lap it up when they realise what it is. We have had three with oral thrush and it clears it quickly and without any invasive proceedures.
Click to expand...

Who is Karen?

I work very close with a vet as I take in guinea pigs with extra needs. My vet, Simon Maddock who is highly respected as a VERY guinea pig savvy vet, has advised me against it.
 
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Update on my little fella:

I received a fantastic email from Karen, a rodentologist, she was exceptionally helpful and seems very knowledgeable. I did follow her advice by dosing my piggy with Daktarin oral gel as he was losing around 20g a day in weight, as well as syringe feeding him. He has made a miraculous recovery and within 10 days he has gained 130g in weight. Within a couple of days of using the daktarin, which he very readily accepted, his drooling became less and he seemed more comfortable with himself. He is now totally back to normal, eating everything in sight and no drooling what so ever.

Can not thank Karen enough, what ever people think about "rodentologists" I honestly believe this lady has helped save my little pals life :)

Thank you to everyone who posted advice for me, it is fantastic to know there is somewhere you can go at any time of day or night and receive valuable advice and information xx
 
Really glad he is on the way to recovery
 
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