• 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

Baby Guinea Pig Not Looking So Good.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jade1986

Jade1986

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 31, 2015
Messages
18
Reaction score
15
Points
125
Location
Banbury England
Hi. My Guinea pig Cookie has a 9 day old baby who after a trip to the vets on Saturday is now being syringe fed critical care and baby food as baby Zuma is gaining no weight. Me and my boyfriend are trying so hard to keep this tiny little Guinea pig alive but it seems that we are fighting a losing battle as one of her eyes has now completely fused closed and the other one is not far from the same. I am so distraught over this and it's really breaking my heart right now because although the birth of Zuma was a complete shock to us, i instantly loved her.
 
Sorry to hear she isnt doing well :( i would definately suggest another vet visit as piggies are fragile at the best of times let alone when they are just babies. I think i read on your other thread she was dehydrated before- are her eyes closed because they are so sunken due to dehydration ?

I can only recommend to see a vet, sorry i cant be of more help x
 
Jade1986 said:
Hi. My Guinea pig Cookie has a 9 day old baby who after a trip to the vets on Saturday is now being syringe fed critical care and baby food as baby Zuma is gaining no weight. Me and my boyfriend are trying so hard to keep this tiny little Guinea pig alive but it seems that we are fighting a losing battle as one of her eyes has now completely fused closed and the other one is not far from the same. I am so distraught over this and it's really breaking my heart right now because although the birth of Zuma was a complete shock to us, i instantly loved her.
Click to expand...

Please do NOT syringe feed a baby - anything that goes down the wrong way, will cause pneumonia and kill. You can let Zuma lick single drops from the tip of the syringe, a spoon or the tip of finger. Has your vet checked for respiratory infection?

I am very sorry, but it doesn't sound good from your description. Babies can sadly go downhill with frightening speed. :(
The currently best link for support feeding is this one. One day, I will hopefuly have time to write our own guide.
Hand Rearing - Galens Garden
 
I'm sorry she is so poorly, I agree with Adelle that another vet visit would be the best option.
 
Sending *healing vibes* to Zuma and *hugs* to you at this time.

I agree with Adelle and Helen that any chance of survival I think needs more assistance and advice from your vet urgently for Zuma.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for the advice. I appreciate it. I have booked a vet appointment for first thing tomorrow morning as i really can't afford to do the out of hours charge. The amount of money i have spent on cages and vet appointments has really had an effect on my bank account already. When we got the Guinea pigs we bugeted for 2. Got a cage suitable for 2 but we wasn't expecting to spend nearly £100 on vet appointments over a 6 week period. As well £130 on cages. I really was not financially prepared for this situation. When giving her the critical care, baby food and water i do just let her take from the top as when i tried to put it to her mouth to begin with she would not open up but she did lick the top instead. I am trying my best by her but unfortunately my best right now is not good enough.
 
Don't give up. Anything you do for her is the best you can do and may just be enough to get her to the vet in the morning for more advice and help.

I know it must be difficult in so many ways but like you have already said 'you have fallen in love with her' so do the best you can and you never know she might pull through as you never know if you don't try.

I am thinking of her and you and keeping my fingers crossed.

Please let us know how you get on at the vets. xx
 
I had a guinea like this who ended up going to TEAS in Northampton for a specialist guinea vet. It turned out that she had dental issues. I had noticed by the time she was 3 weeks old she was not growing and gaining weight the way her siblings were.

It could be possible that your baby guinea has something similar but as funds are tight for you it is critical you get a vet as knowledgeable as possible. If you could even get to see Simon at the cat and rabbit clinic in Northampton that really would be your best option as you will not be spending ridiculous amounts to vet who if don't know what they are doing will not tell you, just will keep taking your money or advise to pts x
 
Forgot to say that Hazel was still the size of a large newborn pup when at 10 weeks she went to Teas, she now is a very healthy weight and and has had her dental issues cured x
 
I am literally gutted! Unfortunately baby Zuma didn't make it through the night. My boyfriend found her tiny body before he started work at at 5am and has put her in a box so that i didn't have to see which i am so thankful for. My two children absolutely adored their baby Zuma. My oldest daughter has asked to read a poem to her before she is buried which i think is really sweet of her. I really wish i could of done more.
 
I'm just wondering if cookie will be alright? Do they get over something like that easily?
I have given Cookie and nice long cuddle but it's like she is looking for her baby. It's so sad.
 
I will tag @Wiebke as she will be the best person to advise you about Zumas mummy.

I am really sorry you lost her :( xx
 
I am just so worried now that we are going to have to go through this again with Crumble's pups. I mean they will be more then likely inbred too. I can't help but think that is why Zuma struggled so much.
 
Jade1986 said:
I'm just wondering if cookie will be alright? Do they get over something like that easily?
I have given Cookie and nice long cuddle but it's like she is looking for her baby. It's so sad.
Click to expand...

I am ever so sorry! You and your daughter are welcome to post a tribute to little Zuma in our Rainbow Bridge section if and whenever you like. Sadly, babies are very fragile and it doesn't take much - especially if you do not know the background of mum and dad. it is always so gutting to see a little one stumbling into life just to leave it again. But at least, Zuma has known only love and care. :(

Guinea pigs grieve as deeply as we humans do, but usually they come round to picking up life again sooner than we humans do when the need to survive is kicking in.
Here are tips on what you can do for a bereaved piggy: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
If you can, put her cage next to any other piggies, so she has got company for now. I would not try any introductions straight away; it can easily go wrong as long as she is upset.
 
I'm really sorry for your loss. ((HUGS)) to you. I've dealt with bereaved pigs before, but not with the loss of a baby. If Zuma passed away in the same cage as mom, it's likely that Cookie has seen and understood what happened. My experience with pigs losing bonded companions is that they did seem to understand that their friend was gone after seeing the body. Totally heartbreaking for me to do, but I do think it helps. If they were together at the time, this has likely already happened. Again, I'm so sorry. Babies are so fragile and are not always guaranteed a happy outcome and you did everything you could to help her along. It just wasn't meant to be.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top