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Barney Losing Weight- Bloat?

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flash

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I noticed a few days ago Barney was looking a bit depressed, and he felt and looked thinner than usual. His backbone is more prominent, and he feels more boney in general. He had some poo's stuck around his bottom area, and I pulled out this weird gelly, white substance from inside- He didn't squeal and barely noticed it- I've linked them together and think it may be bloat?
I may be overreacting, but I'd rather be safe

I have a reputable vets that I have used before just 15 minutes away and I could get the funds to take him tomorrow, what do you think?

He's turned down some of his favourite foods just now, which isn't a good sign. He's not in any visible pain though, and is moving around. Another thing, his eyes look a bit sunken.
 
Hi I think you should definetally take your piggie to the vets, see if your vet can find out whats going on! Hope everything at the vets will go ok!
xx
 
I've just realised...It's Sunday tomorrow, lost track of time, the vets in Broxbourne only opens Monday- Saturday- if it is bloat I've read all these horror stories of guinea pigs passing away in a day!
 
Maybe try and find another vet if you think he cant wait until Monday, but for all you know it might not be bloat, but don't get too worried just yet! Let me know how you get on!
 
JanexxM&L said:
Maybe try and find another vet if you think he cant wait until Monday, but for all you know it might not be bloat, but don't get too worried just yet! Let me know how you get on!
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I'll have a look, but this vet I tried was really good last time- the vet was very knowledgeable and knew exactly what he was doing-

I could be adding 2 and 2 and getting 5 with this linking, so that is a possibility ! :)
 
Just see how Barnie is tomorrow, and if he seems worse then take him to another vets but if he seems the same then book him in for monday so he will see his normal vet. Try checking how much he weighs and is that normal to what he used to way, make sure he has enough food and check what he is like tomorrow. xx
 
Does a light tap on your piglets side should hollow if you do so?

Try gently massaging his tummy or if you have a vibrating pad or something that can really help.

Movement helps - as with people, if its gas moving around will help release it.
 
I'm not sure where I could take him tbh-

He's now not eating anything, what do you all recommend?
 
When was the last time he ate? Is he still poo-ing?
If it's been a long time since he fed try mushing up some pellets with water and syringing to him.
I would definately see the vets asap too x
 
I agree with the others, try and get him to an emergency vet ASAP as this definately doesn't look too good. I would try mushed pellets in a syringe, and they may give you some recovery food. Please don't leave it too late as it could be anything and the poor little mites go downhill so fast *hugs*
 
I would take him to the vets, but where is going to be open tomorrow? The Pets at Home vets are clueless, and I don't know anywhere else?
 
flash said:
I would take him to the vets, but where is going to be open tomorrow? The Pets at Home vets are clueless, and I don't know anywhere else?
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Does your vet not have an emergency number?

Please do not force feed if hes not pooing as he may have a blockage or his gut has slowed down due to not eating in which case he needs food and a gut stimulant from the vet.
 
flintstones said:
Does your vet not have an emergency number?

Please do not force feed if hes not pooing as he may have a blockage or his gut has slowed down due to not eating in which case he needs food and a gut stimulant from the vet.
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I can try calling them tomorrow

Does anyone know anywhere that would be open tomorrow in Essex/Herts?

Barney's poking his head out and he's had some tiny bits of hay every now and then, but that's it.
 
If you telephone the vet you normally use they should have an answer message with the 24hr emergency phone number. I do hope you thought of this yourself and have already taken your poor pig to the vet - he sounds in desperate need of one.

As others have said hesitating can cost your pig dearly.
 
I will take him today of course, that was never the problem-

Surprisingly, he's just done three poo's- strange if he's not eating much?
 
Pigmad said:
where abouts in herts are you? theres medivet in Radlett http://www.medivet.co.uk/radlett i may be off there myself today
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It's quite a long journey from where I am in Essex, I don't want to distress him on the journey-

I've been massaging him, and he's done LOADS of poo's- some normal, some hard, some mucousy. I've syringe fed him some water, he's still struggling which I think is a good sign (He's still got energy), and he's definitely swallowed a good portion of it. I'm gonna keep up with the water to keep him hydrated, and I'll give the vets a call right now

Edit- Barney felt very cold before, but he's warming up (Especially his ears!)
 
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Fudge and Rainbow :) said:
aww bless him. :( Hope you can get him to the vets soon.
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I know, he's a very poor baby

He's had lots of water syringe fed to him, and he's now pooing okay, just want to get him hydrated, he was so dry this morning. His eyes are a lot brighter now, I want to persevere with it.

Can anyone give advice on how to go about with food syringe fed?
 
You should try to get about 25ml of food into him at one sitting and do this 4 times a day so roughly 100ml or so.

Have you got an critical care or science recovery? if not mash up his hard food into a paste and give him about 0.3ml per mouthful and leave about 15 or so seconds for him to chew it and swallow.
 
Hanwombat said:
You should try to get about 25ml of food into him at one sitting and do this 4 times a day so roughly 100ml or so.

Have you got an critical care or science recovery? if not mash up his hard food into a paste and give him about 0.3ml per mouthful and leave about 15 or so seconds for him to chew it and swallow.
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I'll give it a go but I'm a bit apprehensive about the food part, never tried it before
 
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Hi..do you go to to pets and vets at nazeing glass works...he is lovely...toddbrook vets is not far from there and walton house...will go a find you the numbers xx
 
Toddbrook
44, ware road
Hoddesdon
Herts
EN11 9DU
01992 637966
These used to be my vet till I changed to vets and pets as he is really clued up on piggies and it is only 2 mins away.

Walton Lodge
Brewery Road
Hoddesdon
Herts
EN11 8HF
01992 450597
Not been here...but it is local..near sainsburys at Hoddesdon xx
 
sammy said:
Hi..do you go to to pets and vets at nazeing glass works...he is lovely...toddbrook vets is not far from there and walton house...will go a find you the numbers xx
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Yes that is the one we have used before, very nice vets!

Barney's getting better (Probably down to getting hydrated again)
 
flash said:
Yes that is the one we have used before, very nice vets!

Barney's getting better (Probably down to getting hydrated again)
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so are you going to the vets? As water doesn't solve medical problems I'd be more interested in the cause especially as you have stated he has lost alot of weight.

I have seen members say oh the pig is better now not get medical treatment only for the pig to go back downhill because the medical issue was never addressed and sadly some of they pigs didnot make it.

A member has even went to the effort to find you a vet, I would be inclined to visit them too and get a full health check for your pig.
 
Definately get him checked even if he does appear to be getting better so you know what it is and what to do should it happen again. Better to be safe than sorry as they say.
 
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