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Abandoned Piggie Attacked

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Stacey Brennan

Stacey Brennan

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
May 15, 2016
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Location
Dublin Ireland
Hi everyone, I need advice and reassurance again! :bye:After the loss of my two beautiful babies I thought life was settling back to normal. Until this weekend when a very special little lady dropped into my lap. I've called her Strawberry :)
Saturday afternoon the weather was miserable, torrential rain. I spotted a neighbour soaked to the bone fighting the hedge in his garden with a sweeping brush. Then I saw a little piggy bum scuttle from under the hedge. I ran out asking the man what happened he said his kids had been chasing this "Rat" (he didnt actually think it was a Rat. He knew it was a Guinea) for 2days now and he didn't know who owned it. I (in not so many words) told him to grow a pair and pick her up! Anyway, strawberry was very very ill. She had two very infected smelly puncture wounds in her neck, I assume Cat, she is thin, dehydrated, bad upper respiratory and in shock. I cleaned her up and let her rest over night and got her to the Vet first thing Sunday morning. She was given an antibiotic and antiseptic to flush the wounds.
Here's the problem. She started the AntiB yesterday morning but has rapidly gone down hill. Although she has no temp, she is lethargic, not eating/drinking and is coughing, wheezing, generally miserable. I've been onto the vet again and local rescues as I cannot afford the vets bills. (I paid €60 out of my grocery money on Sunday). Vets were unhelpful and rescues suggested avoiding the vets anyway as she already has everything she needs. As in we've done all we can. I've been hand feeding her Oxbow CritCare, syringing water with Vit C and flushing the pockets under the punctures.
Is there ANYTHING else you guys can suggest? How long does an Antibiotic take to see improvement? Any advice would be appreciated :soz::soz: Thanks

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Sorry to read this. Poor little one. Lucky you found her. I do not have much experience on this. From what I read the antibiotic should work in 2-3 days.

Did the vet give her a subcutaneous injection to rehydrate her?
 
peach said:
Sorry to read this. Poor little one. Lucky you found her. I do not have much experience on this. From what I read the antibiotic should work in 2-3 days.

Did the vet give her a subcutaneous injection to rehydrate her?[/QUOTE

Hi Peach,
Don't think she gave her a rehydration jab. Just an injection with the first dose of AntiB. I've been keeping her pretty hydrated (I hope). Eating and drinking is very uncomfortable for her though because she's coughing and heaving. Ive just assumed that's because the abscesses have her head & neck very sore. ??
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I'm so sorry to read this and I'm so glad you could step in and help.Abx can take awhile to "kick in" so that may be the problem.Was she given any pain meds at all?I'm just wondering if shes feeling sore understandably.I would continue as you are with syringing food and water into her mouth.It may be she will need a stronger antibiotic to cover her wounds and the cough.
Poor little thing.Thankyou for helping her.If I were nearer Id offer her a home.x
 
Well done for rescueing poor little piggie, she must be so traumatised by her experience. Did your vet check for internal injuries and give you painkiller for her? I'm sure it won't be too long before more experienced members come along to offer good advice. Fingers and paws crossed Strawberry has a good recovery. X
 
She does sound very unwell, the shock of her experience alone may be enough to kill her. You have done the right thing but l really think that she needs to see the vet again. Tell them about the circumstances and they may be sympathetic and help you to stagger the costs. Follow up appointments in office hours are not usually as expensive. Well done for helping her. Lets hope she improves soon
 
the poor poor little thing.... she must have been scared to death... wishing her a speedy recovery and thank you for looking out for her... your neighbour needs a slap !
 
Poor little soul :( Well done for taking her in and I am wishing for a speedy recovery.

I do agree though that it may be wise to see a vet again. I would be worried about shock and internal injuries if she has been attacked x
 
Hey. Thanks for all the feedback. I've rang all local vets and NONE are will to help with cost whether that's waiving some fee or staggering payments. Unfortunately I am genuinely not in a position to pay for Vet costs even €10 would be a push for me at the moment. My husbands out of work after a fall causing a back injury and I'm at home with two young kids and no help. So money is So So tight. I wish I could just bring her but not an option. The rescue centres I've rang are happy to leave her where she is because she has had vet treatment and most are over crowded. I'm afraid for now I'll have to do the best I can and try give her a quiet place to hopefully recover. Fingers crossed. I'm keeping her if she recovers so she has a loving home anyway. Suppose that's something.
 
Stacey Brennan said:
Hey. Thanks for all the feedback. I've rang all local vets and NONE are will to help with cost whether that's waiving some fee or staggering payments. Unfortunately I am genuinely not in a position to pay for Vet costs even €10 would be a push for me at the moment. My husbands out of work after a fall causing a back injury and I'm at home with two young kids and no help. So money is So So tight. I wish I could just bring her but not an option. The rescue centres I've rang are happy to leave her where she is because she has had vet treatment and most are over crowded. I'm afraid for now I'll have to do the best I can and try give her a quiet place to hopefully recover. Fingers crossed. I'm keeping her if she recovers so she has a loving home anyway. Suppose that's something.
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I do wish that vets could be a bit for flexible but sadly, they are often let down by people and are left out of pocket
:(

You are doing the very best you can under the circumstances and I wish you and piggy well xx
 
Stacey Brennan said:
Hi everyone, I need advice and reassurance again! :bye:After the loss of my two beautiful babies I thought life was settling back to normal. Until this weekend when a very special little lady dropped into my lap. I've called her Strawberry :)
Saturday afternoon the weather was miserable, torrential rain. I spotted a neighbour soaked to the bone fighting the hedge in his garden with a sweeping brush. Then I saw a little piggy bum scuttle from under the hedge. I ran out asking the man what happened he said his kids had been chasing this "Rat" (he didnt actually think it was a Rat. He knew it was a Guinea) for 2days now and he didn't know who owned it. I (in not so many words) told him to grow a pair and pick her up! Anyway, strawberry was very very ill. She had two very infected smelly puncture wounds in her neck, I assume Cat, she is thin, dehydrated, bad upper respiratory and in shock. I cleaned her up and let her rest over night and got her to the Vet first thing Sunday morning. She was given an antibiotic and antiseptic to flush the wounds.
Here's the problem. She started the AntiB yesterday morning but has rapidly gone down hill. Although she has no temp, she is lethargic, not eating/drinking and is coughing, wheezing, generally miserable. I've been onto the vet again and local rescues as I cannot afford the vets bills. (I paid €60 out of my grocery money on Sunday). Vets were unhelpful and rescues suggested avoiding the vets anyway as she already has everything she needs. As in we've done all we can. I've been hand feeding her Oxbow CritCare, syringing water with Vit C and flushing the pockets under the punctures.
Is there ANYTHING else you guys can suggest? How long does an Antibiotic take to see improvement? Any advice would be appreciated :soz::soz: Thanks

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Fingers firmly crossed for the poor little one!

You are doing all you can. I hope that your help is not coming too late for her; guinea pigs can die from the shock of an attack alone. All you can do is try; you are making a huge difference in giving her a chance. Sadly, this is the heart-breaking side of rescuing. :(
 
Another head I want to stamp on (your neighbours not yours) It's so frustrating when you are doing all you can and not getting any help.She is in the best place she could be now.
 
Yeah guys I think this is all we can do. I'm more worried the stress of handling, syringe feeding and the excruciating daily wound flushing is gonna kill her from shock! Its heartbreaking.
I tiny speck of hope today was when I gave her the dose of AntiB and she fought me like a tiger! That's good right?? Up until now she's been unable to even lift her chin. She still looks on deaths door but a bit of fight is good!?
 
Stacey Brennan said:
Yeah guys I think this is all we can do. I'm more worried the stress of handling, syringe feeding and the excruciating daily wound flushing is gonna kill her from shock! Its heartbreaking.
I tiny speck of hope today was when I gave her the dose of AntiB and she fought me like a tiger! That's good right? Up until now she's been unable to even lift her chin. She still looks on deaths door but a bit of fight is good!?
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It depends on whether she is recovering or her body is closing down and she can now longer process any food. The next few hours should tell in which direction she'll go.

You are doing a smashing job. Please continue to offer syringe feed and water, as once her guts close down, she has had it. It is that vital, stressful or not! To keep the guts from slowing down and going into stasis, a guinea pig in a crisis needs the equivalent of 40-60 ml in fluids and solids over the course of 24 hours or as close as you can come, little but often, if she cannot take much in go. It is getting her through the tricky stage to give her meds a chance to kick in and do their work. :(
More info in our syringe feeding guide: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Could you try and get hold of probiotics to help her appetite and bolster the impact of the antibiotic on the guts (they are appetite dampeners/killers as they impact on the vital gut bacteria as well as any bacterial infection). One pinch about 1-2 hours after the antibiotic, or add some to your syringe feed.
You could also try to get hold of metatone from a pharmace and give her 0.2 ml twice daily as a short term pep up.

Please see your vet for more sub-q rehydration. That can also make a real difference in how she feels.
 
hi.I'm sorry for the awful dilemma you are in,have you tried the PDSA or RSPCA,they maybe able to help.just a thought,or other animal charity in Eire.hope she pulls through.
 
That makes me so cross when the vet won't let you pay in installments. Yet you are encouraged to look after your pets.
Not sure if the RSPCA will help you but the PDSA should. I don't know if there are any small pet charities around. I hope things pick up for Strawberry. By the way when my hamsters were poorly I gave them baby food, ask Wiebke if that's an option. Good luck.
Healing vibes coming your way.
 
Okay guys. Sad update. Came home from the school run to find Strawberry had passed away :soz::soz::soz::soz:
Not a good day. Thanks for all the advice as usual guys. I tried
 
Stacey Brennan said:
Okay guys. Sad update. Came home from the school run to find Strawberry had passed away :soz::soz::soz::soz:
Not a good day. Thanks for all the advice as usual guys. I tried
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BIG HUGS!

I am so sorry! You were up against the odds, but you have allowed Strawberry to pass away feeling loved and cared for, and you have given her a chance, rather than leaving her to die miserably and in pain out in the open as a prey for predators and scavengers.

RIP Strawberry
 
I'm so very sorry to read this.You did your very best to help her but she did sound very poorly no thanks to your neighbour.

She passed on loved and cared for.Please take comfort in that.

((((HUGS))))
 
So sorry for the sad loss of Strawberry. RIP Strawberry. Popcorn free now.

You were up against the odds to save her but even so you were such a loving and kind person to try. I believe she will have passed over feeling that love which is all anyone of us human or piggy could ask for.

Thank you for caring xx
 
Thank you all so so much. I'm feeling the love :love:
If I'm honest I'm relieved she's no longer suffering. I would try relentlessly once they are getting better but she faded fast. Nature is cruel sometimes
 
Stacey Brennan said:
Thank you all so so much. I'm feeling the love :love:
If I'm honest I'm relieved she's no longer suffering. I would try relentlessly once they are getting better but she faded fast. Nature is cruel sometimes
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To be honest I can just about cope with nature it's mostly the humans I have a problem with. I mean how did she end up being out where she was anyway? Then being chased by children and an adult as a so called rat! If you had not taken her in just imagine how she would have died. Makes me want to cry.
 
Very true Carons Cavies. Its Ignorance. I've nobdoubt she was dumped by some fool. Unfortunately I feel in Ireland Rodents are still seen and disposable Vermin. Even the vets will euthanize rather then "waste time" trying. Sad.
 
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