Advice Needed: Weight Loss

[bex's gpigs]

Hi there. Hoping someone can shed some light on an ongoing problem. My little Luna 4 on the 23rd has been loosing weight. It started in January and the vet thought it was a possible uri antibiotics seemed to work and she put on over 200g. Then late February came she was loosing weight again and her teeth were a bit wonky but vet thought they were fine but as they werent great she had an op, everything went fine. Weight settled at 700g still underweight but she was consistent. Now in less than a week she is still loosing weight. Took her back to vets today. They can’t find anything obvious ie no clear signs of infection and no lumps. Teeth are fine.

She’s been put on antibiotics and gut simulatent. But sadly if this does not improve she’ll have to be put down. Can someone please offer some advice and any explanation. What this might be as we are completely left in the dark.


Thank you.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Have you been syringe feeding her? If not I would definitely do so, if you are it may be worth increasing the amount you give her.

Have they checked her back teeth? Most vets don't check them properly as they're hard to see. It may be worth going to the Cat & Rabbit vet in Northampton as they're the best for piggy problems.

The only other thing I can think of is pain if she's a bit older, has she had any pain relief? If piggies are in pain (like arthritis) that often stops them eating as well.

It's also important to use probiotics if she's on antibiotics to help her tummy.

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon and she's okay!

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Does it look like she is eating well?

 

[Merab's Slave]

All I can do is echo what @Cavy Kung-Fu has said and offer support.
You must be feeling anxious at the moment.

 

[bex's gpigs]

Yeah syringe feeding to keep her weight up. She is eating but not as regular. Multiple vets have checked her teeth and can’t see an obvious problem. She also had an X-ray on her mouth before her op. I find it very strange how antibiotics helped before. She is also on pro biotic.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Yeah syringe feeding to keep her weight up. She is eating but not as regular. Multiple vets have checked her teeth and can’t see an obvious problem. She also had an X-ray on her mouth before her op. I find it very strange how antibiotics helped before. She is also on pro biotic.

How are they checking the back teeth? Most vets haven't got a clue about dental issues in guinea pigs. I know it isn't near, but I would really advise a visit to see Simon or Kim Maddock at Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic. I wonder if she has a brewing abscess, which would account for why there was some improvement with antibiotics.

www.catandrabbit.co.uk

 

[bex's gpigs]

They filled the back and clipped the front but apparently not much because he didn’t think there’s was an urgent need too. It was me who asked to have them done. They also had a good look when she as unconscious. All vets we’ve seen have been small animal specialist. But yeah that’s a good point about the abscess.

 

[bex's gpigs]

How are they checking the back teeth? Most vets haven't got a clue about dental issues in guinea pigs. I know it isn't near, but I would really advise a visit to see Simon or Kim Maddock at Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic. I wonder if she has a brewing abscess, which would account for why there was some improvement with antibiotics.

www.catandrabbit.co.uk

The only issue with going to Simon or Kim is I don’t drive so rely on a favour. And that is far for a favour.

 

[bex's gpigs]

Just an update she’s now starting to not be herself. Yesterday and today she is more quiet, not keeping her self as clean and slowing loosing more interest in food.

Before she would sit and wait for syringe food and take it quite happily. Now she completely refused and has to be forced.

I think she’s had enough. Vets say give her until over the weekend unless she gets worse.

I think is time to say good. Any thoughts?

 

[DM030819]

Has she been given any pain relief?

Are you still syringe feeding her?

How is her poo and wee output? If she's not eating enough then her body will slowly start to shut down.

One of my boys has an issue with weight loss. We gave him a course of Itrafungal as a test of his poop showed that he had a fungal issue. It stopped the weight loss and he started to regain weight.

Does she have any difficultly walking? A pig who is starting with arthritis can lose weight as their body starts to lose muscle tone.

 

[bex's gpigs]

Has she been given any pain relief?

Are you still syringe feeding her?

How is her poo and wee output? If she's not eating enough then her body will slowly start to shut down.

One of my boys has an issue with weight loss. We gave him a course of Itrafungal as a test of his poop showed that he had a fungal issue. It stopped the weight loss and he started to regain weight.

Does she have any difficultly walking? A pig who is starting with arthritis can lose weight as their body starts to lose muscle tone.

Yeah I am still syringe feeding her. I have given her baby food now which she loves and Laps up. Her poo and wee is ok but they started very small and have got a little bigger. No obvious problem walking.

I just don’t understand why it has come back again. And I fear if she pulls through it will come back again. (Vet is not very optimistic at all)

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Unless a vet can diagnose the problem there's no way of knowing how to cure it sadly

All I can suggest is trying another vet, Kim is the best and most thorough diagnosing machine I've ever met so she would be your best option.

I took Iggy by train to Northampton as I don't drive either, it may be worth considering as your current vet has exhausted all their knowledge.

I hope she gets better x