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Advice For Piggy Please

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hartleyhare

hartleyhare

Junior Guinea Pig
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Sep 21, 2013
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Isle of Anglesey
Hooper was rescued from someone who did not care for him properly, fed him cheap food, kept him shut in a shed alone and didn't even give him a name. Since coming here he has bloomed and has also developed a somewhat discerning palette. He can be a bit fussy with his food, so when he started refusing his nuggets I didn't worry too much. However that continued and then he refused his crunchy treats he loves so much - he will sit up and beg for them. He was still eating hay, veggies/ fruit but losing weight obviously and I noticed a change in his behaviour, quiet, not talking. Hooper loves to talk! Took him to our vet and mentioned a possible dental or stones as causes. The vet is a large animal vet doing small percentage of small animal work and most of that is cats and dogs. He was honest enough to admit he doesn't know a lot about guineas and that his scanning skills with an ultra sound are limited due to type of machinery have and lack of experience.

Anyway, we agreed upon an exploratory dental. During the procedure Dave ( vet ) removed some ' steps 'from his molars. He described them as being overgrowth on the teeth but not spurs. He also gave Hooper an ultra sound and an X - Ray. Couldn't see anything on ultra sound so and X_Ray was normal. Hoops was sent home with a short course of Baytril.

I stopped the Baytril after 3 days as it appeared to be causing an upset tummy. He is bright enough in himself, talkative, running about but still not right. Will eat soft foods, hay, grass but still refusing nuggets and crunchy treats. I offered him some carrot last night, he ate most of it but left some - he wouldn't usually leave any.

Has anyone got any advice please as to what to do next? Thank you.
 
He might need a painkiller while he recovers from his dental work.
Also, make sure you give him a probiotic. Baytril can wreak havoc on the digestive system of a guinea pig.
Also make sure he is pooping properly. Otherwise take him back and ask for a gut stimulant to help keep his gut moving.
 
Is he losing weight?

When it comes to teeth issues it's always a good idea to try to find a vet specialised in guinea pigs. Their teeth as very different to dogs and cats.
 
Yes l agree, a painkiller is needed plus gut stimulant and probiotics. Perhaps your vet could discuss him with a more experienced piggy vet? See the vet locator for vets local to you. Perhaps you could supplement his diet with syringe feeds of mushed up pellets? I hope he improves soon
 
Would it be possible to update your location on your profile? are you anywhere near Northampton? if so there is an amazing dental vet there would be able to help.

Agree with the above that pain killer and syringe feeding are needed, will post our guide below.

As for his tummy, you could give some probiotics to help boost the bacteria after the baytril. Pro C from Pets at Home would be easily available.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
Thanks for the replies.

He did have Meloxidyl for several days after dental and I was also syringe feeding. I don't have any pro biotics but can purchase some tomorrow as we have a PAH on the island now. I'm going to have a look at his mouth later to see if I can see anything ( I couldn't before ) but I read on here that pigs that can get sore lips, but will need hubby to hold him.
 
Do you have any other vets on the island that you could ask for a second opinion?
 
Sore lips tend to be from chelitis which is caused by fruit or fungal. If he is having trouble eating it would be more due to his dental issues. Are there any more experienced vets in Anglesey?
 
helen105281 said:
Sore lips tend to be from chelitis which is caused by fruit or fungal. If he is having trouble eating it would be more due to his dental issues. Are there any more experienced vets in Anglesey?
Click to expand...

Most vets up here are large animal practises, lots agriculture in North Wales. I am lucky that Dave ( my vet ) will research things and that he actually listens to what I have to say. Nearest exotic vet is Chester, 5 hour round trip from here. My vet mentioned it but didn't know how much experience with pigs exotic vet has.

Dave did mention possibility of fungal infection and said we can try a course of anti fungals if Hoops does not improve. I was going to ring Dave Monday for a chat about this. I have witheld all fruit. Truthfully Hoops loves fruit and when vet mentioned fungal infections I did wonder if I've given him too much fruit. Its very hard to resist a begging pig!
 
What sorts of fruit do you give? There are certain fruits like citrusy fruits that can hurt the lips and leave them sore
 
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