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Advice Needed ASAP

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Bungle

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My 2yr old male guinea pig is not himself. He was fine last night before we went to bed and today he has been in his bed all day. Usually when picked up by me or my boyfriend he wriggles out of our hands but today when I picked him up, he protested but didn't struggle. He doesnt usually have a cuddle with us as he likes to run about and do his own thing but he allowed me to hold him today. When I set him on the floor, he went straight back into his cage and into his bed again. I thought he was just tired as his eyes seemed a bit more closed than usual. We have bee rustling bags and opening the fridge and there hasn't been a peep out of him which is VERY unusual. Weve left his cage open but he hasn't been out at all. My boyfriend lifted him out of his cage and had a long cuddle with him. When he set him down on the floor away from his cage, he immediately fell over to one side, he got up and he didn't move much, just sat down. When he did move we noticed him limping and carrying his right leg. He has eaten a bit of carrot but it seems he has not drunk much water. He is usually very lively and vocal but is very sombre.

Does anyone have any ideas? I've rang the emergency vet and to see him it would cost 74 pounds and we can't afford it.

Please help
 
i would suggest try to syringe some fluids and critical care. do you have some?
 
Just offered him a tiny bit of orange that he absolutely loves and he turned away
 
Wrap him in a towel or blanket with his back to your stomach and feed him off the back of a tea spoon, mashed pellets, or his fav veg blended. If you can keep his system moving until morning then he may make it through to see her vet.

Sadly guineas hide illness and once they stop eating its not long before their systems shut down and sadly after that there is no going back, it would be too late.

Does he feel cold? Is his poop ok? I do hope he makes it until morning.
 
How do I find your private message?

Just tried to feed him some tiny bits of apple (without skin) and he just turns away. He is now in another house outside of his cage. If you try to stroke him or offer him water he just faces the back. He has taken a very tiny bit of water off the spoon.
 
Look up in the top right hand corner of the sceen babe, where it says your name, I'll double check that I sent it too x
 
My boyfriend and I have been away since thursday ( had to go home for funeral) and our neighbour has been popping in on him to make sure hes ok and got plenty to eat and drink etc. When we came home late last night we let him out and he was very happy to see us. I was sat on the floor and he would come up to me and he would run over to me when I clapped my hands (squeaking as he does). He was very vocal and lively. I don't know if our going away has any affect but he was completely fine last night :(
 
Home made syringe

Take a washing up liquid bottle, unscrew the top and keep the contents in a mug or something. (Don't waste it)

Wash it out, incredibly thoroughly, the top as well, in hot water.
Cool down.

Mix a little sugar and salt into fresh water and put some into the bottle, there will be a bit of leakage so use a towel, but the water can be given to the piggie then. It works better than a spoon as the water can be squeezed into a reluctant piggies mouth.

Note - the piggie will bite the top of the bottle, the plastic bit. If you put water into a piggie on their back it can go into the lungs so try to keep them mostly level and on their tummies.

This won't cost you anything and may help to save your piggie if they haven't been drinking anything, dehydration can be rapid.

Thinking of you
 
It sounds like he might have a problem with his teeth if he's refusing to eat. I'd definately get him to a vets tomorrow. You could cut his favourite foods into small pieces. At the side of his mouth there is a gap between his front and back teeth. You can lift his mouth and pop the small pieces into his mouth there where he can chew them. See if he'll lick any water from your finger. Try grating carrot or apple, etc. He might eat it that way.
 
Hi thanks to everyone for their kind advice :)

Bungle is taking water off the tip of a baby spoon every so often and he has managed a small orange segment. I'm trying to get him to take softened nuggets but he won't. I transferred him to a large cushion but he has returned to his fleecey house, still outside his cage. He is pooing so that is a good sign. He is still sombre and lethargic and doesn't want to know. His eyes are still quite closed. My boyfriend will take him to vets tomorrow morning.

Thanks again

Jayne x
 
See if he'll eat some of his poo. This is a good way for them to get back some of the vitamins and minerals, etc.
 
How's the little man today?
Is he still eating and drinking?
I'm so sorry to hear about you going to a funeral it's obviously a member of the family i do know how you feel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wishing you and Bungle will be ok xx>>>xx>>>
I'm sorry i don't understand (i'm from australia) why it's 74 pounds like that's way way over the top to see a piggie.............no wonder you'd struggle that's a lot of money :(
Loves and special piggie cuddles for little Bungle xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
A sudden collapse is often indicative of a stroke or heart problems. Dental problems usually cause a gradual deterioration in condition. There is a difference between wanting to eat, but is unable to because of a dental problem, and not wanting to eat, even when hand/syringe fed. From your description it sounds, unfortunately, like the latter. I hope you prove me wrong.
 
Yes I have to agree, it does sound very similar to what happened to my guinea pig Twinkle. They collapse and struggle to walk. So very distressing to see. Have you got an exotic vet close to you, I would take him there ASAP.
 
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