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Alby Is Deteriorating

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Julie M

Julie M

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Alby is not doing too good at the moment. He has been slowing down a lot lately. He's apparently 4 years and 8 months old according to his old owner I got him from 2 years ago. But the vet reckoned he was nearer 4 or 5 years when I got him that would make him about 6 or 7 now.
He's gone off his food significantly today, I noticed someone had "tiny poop's" yesterday evening but he looked to be still eating and drinking albeit not a huge amount. But this morning he ate some peppers and kale (one of his favourites) then left the rest and walked away. He has lost some weight too but he wasn't skinny this morning as he's always been a big boy. I've given everything I can think of to eat even muesli style food and soaked nuggets for him but he seems to have given up eating he's still telling off Buddy though and picking at hay. I feel terrible as Ive been at work today till tomorrow morning (carer). My husband has been offering him small bits of kale and fresh hay through the day till he left for work at 3pm. My heart is breaking for him, we are off to the vets asap tomorrow and I am actually terrified of the outcome.
I keep telling myself I've done everything I can do and that for the 2 and a bit years he's been with us he's been so loved and had a happy life. :( (He was badly neglected previously and doesn't like too much handling)
 
That's right, keep thinking on your last sentence, because you have no fault at all. If only they could talk, uh? I'm sure he would say to you how happy he is by your side :hug:
I'll keep him in my thoughs. Wishing you the very best at the vets tomorrow x
 
Am so sorry he isn't doing very well at the mo.eat.Are you taking him to the vets?
 
I forgot to put I gave him some metacam this morning incase of any pain. (Less than usual as he's lost weight) I'm so worried about him. My husband is going to check on him soon when he's home from work.
 
Julie M said:
Alby is not doing too good at the moment. He has been slowing down a lot lately. He's apparently 4 years and 8 months old according to his old owner I got him from 2 years ago. But the vet reckoned he was nearer 4 or 5 years when I got him that would make him about 6 or 7 now.
He's gone off his food significantly today, I noticed someone had "tiny poop's" yesterday evening but he looked to be still eating and drinking albeit not a huge amount. But this morning he ate some peppers and kale (one of his favourites) then left the rest and walked away. He has lost some weight too but he wasn't skinny this morning as he's always been a big boy. I've given everything I can think of to eat even muesli style food and soaked nuggets for him but he seems to have given up eating he's still telling off Buddy though and picking at hay. I feel terrible as Ive been at work today till tomorrow morning (carer). My husband has been offering him small bits of kale and fresh hay through the day till he left for work at 3pm. My heart is breaking for him, we are off to the vets asap tomorrow and I am actually terrified of the outcome.
I keep telling myself I've done everything I can do and that for the 2 and a bit years he's been with us he's been so loved and had a happy life. :( (He was badly neglected previously and doesn't like too much handling)
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HUGS! Have you given him syringe feed and is he taking it?
 
Unfortunately I'm not home to give him syringe feeds. I put in a bowl of softened pellets this morning but he's not been interested (my husband checked on him tonight after work). I feel terrible as I'm not home with him.
 
Julie M said:
Unfortunately I'm not home to give him syringe feeds. I put in a bowl of softened pellets this morning but he's not been interested (my husband checked on him tonight after work). I feel terrible as I'm not home with him.
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It is so hard when you have to balance work and a seriously ill guinea pig. Give him little feeds whenever you can.
 
We are home from the vets. She thinks it could be his bladder again (Alby has had ongoing bladder issues, blood in urine, cystitis) he seems to have rallied a bit since yesterday. Think the metacam helped. He's had antibiotic injection and to keep up with the oral metacam. She also gave me recovery feed for him. He's had 2 1/2 syringes full this morning and will try him in a while again. He was chattering his teeth quietly at the vets. Lol so it seems he's perked up a bit. Also he's nibbling at hay :nod:
 
Come on alby you can do it :nod:
Keep up the good work. Make sure he's getting enough fluids if its bladder related.
Teeth chattering can also be a sign of pain, so its good that you're getting the painkillers sorted too :)

Healing vibes being sent your way :wub:
 
Thanks all so much for your thoughts I think it's helping.

Well first lot of syringe feeding went well. The 2nd lot not so much. And the 3rd lot well let's just say I've never seem him head butt me as much. Lol. I think someone's beginning to feel a Wee bit better. I can't believe how withdrawn and lethargic he was yesterday to how he is tonight. I honestly thought he would be gone by time I got home from work this morning. He's not out of the woods yet though I'm continuing with the feeds to try and get him eating properly again. He's taken 2 1/2 syringes of feed at first feed, 2 at 2nd feed and 3 (with protests) at 3rd feed. Is this ok or should I try for more? He's really protesting and throwing his head about. On plus side though each time I've put him back in he goes and eats hay. (When I've taken him out he's been sleeping)
 
Are u using a 1ml syringe? You do have to just keep trying - he will get better at it and fight less. Are u wrapping him in a tea towel or similar? Try and get to 10ml but it might take a while... I am syringe feeding barney as I type , he knows the score though!
 
Omg 10ml. Yes I'm using a 1ml syringe. I'm not wrapping him up I will try that the next feed time. He has started picking at his pellets again now and eating some hay so it's a kind of top up feed he's getting as his poops are still very small.

(((Hugs))) to you and Barney hope he's doing better soon.
 
Not all piggies need wrapping but if you have a head chucker / wiggly pig then it can help. Good that he is trying food himself but small poos mean that he has not had enough going through so if you can try some more top up feeding? Just whatever he will take will help his gut and you are giving him fluid in the feed which will help his bladder issues. Come on Alby
 
He's still hanging in there and went to vets today for another antibiotics injection. I'm continuing with the feeds. But his cage mate is teeth chattering at him when I put him back in the cage. He is still just doing tiny poops and picking at food. Flavour of the day is celery as he's eaten a good few slices. I don't know if I should separate them as Alby is not bothering just squeaking at Buddy.
 
I don't know much about boys, but I think if it was me, I'd keep them together, Alby is in the surroundings he knows, maybe if you split them he may go off his solid foods totally.
Hope someone can answer for you.
 
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I've put a division up and split the cage as when Alby was out the cage he was eating independently (not huge amounts) and every time I put him back in after feeding Buddy would chatter loudly at him and chase him out of wherever he wanted to sleep. As soon as I put up the divider Alby went to his hay and had a Wee munch, then went round outside of the cage "brup brup brupping" so it seems as if he's happier for now. Also I will be able to monitor his poops too if he's alone.

I now have 4 single piggies :doh:
I will be waiting to see if Alby improves to see what the outcome will be. I will possibly be trying to bond Peanut or Fudge with Buddy if Alby is preferring to be alone. :help:
 
Julie M said:
I've put a division up and split the cage as when Alby was out the cage he was eating independently (not huge amounts) and every time I put him back in after feeding Buddy would chatter loudly at him and chase him out of wherever he wanted to sleep. As soon as I put up the divider Alby went to his hay and had a Wee munch, then went round outside of the cage "brup brup brupping" so it seems as if he's happier for now. Also I will be able to monitor his poops too if he's alone.

I now have 4 single piggies :doh:
I will be waiting to see if Alby improves to see what the outcome will be. I will possibly be trying to bond Peanut or Fudge with Buddy if Alby is preferring to be alone. :help:
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If Alby is still poorly it is probably best. Then he can concentrate on getting well & resting without him being picked on.
Hope Alby is feeling a bit better today.
 
He's picking at things. Still small poops. And his guts are making rumbling/gurgling noises during feeding. He had 9 syringes each feed today, also I've been syringing water and he's pulling the syringe so he's obviously thirsty. He's had grass, carrots,kale, picked at some nuggets, and hay. And nibbling on forage. The vet looked at his teeth and said one side looked "a Wee bit jaggy" and mentioned they could do a dental. But he's probably about 7 ish years old so I don't want to put him through an anaesthetic as I don't think he would survive anyway. ;(
 
Update!!!
We have 2 decent POOPS!
Albeit a smallish one and a bit of squidgy ball type one but still decent poops nonetheless. :yahoo:
Also he had 9 syringes again tonight. 9 seems to be his limit after this he really becomes upset and starts trying to leg it. :coat:
 
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