• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

ate shoe box, very sick today.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ilovemyguineakids
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

ilovemyguineakids

My boyfriend decided to put a shoe box in my guinea kids cage. They loved it but one day they started eating it. My kid, Brown, ate more than the others. Yesterday, I noticed him sitting in the box but didn't think much of it. Today, I cleaned their cage and took the box out. I replaced the box with a guinea safe wooden hut (they have had them before and love them, especially brown).
I noticed brown just laying out in the open not moving. He just doesn't seem right. Seems like all personality is gone. I have noticed he is much thinner than my other kids, but he is a smaller breed then the others.

Should I wait longer to see if it is just a stomach ache or should I take immediate action?

Any comments are greatly appreciated, I want him to feel better ASAP!:...
 
Take immediate action: weight loss and sitting hunched in the corner are all emergency signs. He could be unwell for another reason or have developed a block from eating too much cardboard, which is a problem with this kind of toy.

If you can, get him to the vet as soon as possible; I'd rather you had him checked to make sure he's not blocked up than recommend that you begin hand feeding him now, although ideally for an annorexic guinea pig you'd want to hand feed him as soon as possible.

Saying that, the reason I don't want to tell you to hand feed immediatly is because if he is blocked then the food will only contribute to his problem instead of supporting him. Do syringe water to keep him hydrated and keep him warm.

Good luck!
 
Also, during the time of the shoe box, their hay supply was low. I made sure to put more than plenty in today.
 
You said this:

I noticed brown just laying out in the open not moving. He just doesn't seem right. Seems like all personality is gone. I have noticed he is much thinner than my other kids, but he is a smaller breed then the others.

that you have noticed there is something wrong means there probably is something wrong. Your added information doesn't change my advice. Vet, as soon as possible and sooner if you can. Each of the highlighted symptoms (italics) are extremely concerning symptoms that guinea pigs show when they are seriously ill.

Guinea pigs are prey animals and unfortunately that means that they are very, very good that hiding illnesses until they are extremely ill. This is why it's important, when a guinea pig shows that he is ill, to take immediate action as soon as possible.

I hope your little guy is okay. They can go downhill very quickly but I'm confident you'll do all you can to help him.

Keep a note of his weight and watch for it going down. If it declines, the need for a vet becomes more urgent. If he gains weight with the extra hay, it will show that he's eating.
 
Thank you for the help. I will call the vet Monday morning. I hope he's okay until then.
 
Today, I took him to a guinea rescue that I have worked with before. He was given fluids and medication. I have been instructed to feed him 10 cc of critical care food by syringe every two hours. Also, he get .35cc of Reglan every 4 hours until I see him poop. .15cc of Metacam is given every 12 hours for pain.

He has an appointment with his vet Tuesday at 4:30. So it looks like we are going to spend a lot of time together these next couple days.

Thank you for everyones help. Please pray for my little boy!
 
We went to the vet today and Brown has pneumonia :( poor little boy. The critical care feeding continues every two hours, but I'm upping it to 12cc so he can put on some weight. Antibiotics will be given for 2 weeks. I hope he starts feeling better NOW!

Thank you for every ones wishes on his speedy recovery. He's gonna be okay!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top