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Bess Has Lost Weight

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I checked Bess's weight this evening and took her straight to the vet . She has lost 13 g in the past 5 days . She weighed 1270 g on 15/8/15, 1169 g on 10/9/15 and 1146g today . She is eating well and poops are normal. The vet could feel some lumps in her abdomen and is arranging more tests .

I am really worried about her .
 
Thank you Claire. We'll just have to take one day at a time . There's no point in jumping to conclusions until the vet has had a chance to diagnose the problem . I just want the best for her - just like you do with your guinea pigs.
 
Thank you for your kind comments. I am just so grateful for all the guinea pigs who have told me the importance of regular weight checks. You wouldn't know anything was wrong by just looking at her . The sooner the vet finds out what is wrong - the better.
 
Have a big hug and love to Bess. Hoping the lumps turn out to be nothing sinister. Well done for being so on the ball, please keep us updated x x
 
I would not be worried about the 13g drop but more so the bigger earlier drop from August. Hope you are able to get to the bottom of it and the vet can help. The lumps may be harmless fatty lumps but you are right to check. I think you are already considering an xray and this would be the way forward for me too.
 
I really don't know what to do for the best now ( apart from one thing - am going to ring our nearest exotic vet for a 2nd opinion )

I am tagging you @helen105281 as I value your advice - please tag other health and illness gurus if you feel appropriate.

Bess's X-ray showed an significant amount of gas . Vet also pointed to an area on X-ray saying " I'm concerned about this - but I don't know what it is ". He thinks she may have a caecal impaction. I asked if putting her on a vibrating cushion would help relieve the gas and he said he'd never heard of this treatment so wasn't prepared to advise to do this.

He also advised I separate Bess so I can closely monitor her fluid intake, what she eats and her poops. I am reluctant to do this - Bess has never been on her own in the 2 years I have owned her . I think separating her is an unnecessary punishment. I haven't a clue what she drinks normally - so will gain no information by knowing what she drinks now ! The vet explained that her "normal " behaviour may be because of peer pressure . Separating will give a better indication of what she's really like as she may be masking symptoms.

I am eating my supper while I write this . As my energy levels are up again, I'll try her for a while on a vibrating cushion.
 
sometimes vibrating them can be the wrong thing if the gas is a certain amount/in a certain area i've heard. also, i would think separating would add stress so i wouldn't do that for the moment either.

what meds were you given for her?

i think you're right to get that second opinion and see what they suggest. there are different treatment for different gas issues anyway and without knowing what the other issue is (the area on the xray he wasn't sure about), i'd personally want a more savvy vet to decide the best course of action from here.
 
biscandmatt said:
sometimes vibrating them can be the wrong thing if the gas is a certain amount/in a certain area i've heard. also, i would think separating would add stress so i wouldn't do that for the moment either.

what meds were you given for her?

i think you're right to get that second opinion and see what they suggest. there are different treatment for different gas issues anyway and without knowing what the other issue is (the area on the xray he wasn't sure about), i'd personally want a more savvy vet to decide the best course of action from here.
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er... I wasn't even going to talk about the meds! He felt she may have an infection and prescribed Baytril .5ml bd . I queried this but he said that was the correct dosage. I have come home and there is a message on my voicemail asking me to call in surgery tomorrow as he's decided to give different medication
 
PiggyOwner said:
er... I wasn't even going to talk about the meds! He felt she may have an infection and prescribed Baytril .5ml bd . I queried this but he said that was the correct dosage. I have come home and there is a message on my voicemail asking me to call in surgery tomorrow as he's decided to give different medication
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i think i'll just say i'm glad you will be getting a more savvy opinion and leave it there :)) hopefully they can look over the xray and treat the gas and associated discomfort from it. :)
 
Am sorry the appointment wasn't very productive, at least you have xrays you can get sent to the other vet. I think pigs do tend to have gas showing on xray most of the time it just depends where it is and how much. As for massage I have usually been told that the only reason not to do it is if a blockage is suspected, but I am not an expert. When my Millie is gassy I give her plenty of fluids (usually Dioralyte), stick her on the massage pad and give her Woodwards gripe water every few hours. Does she seem in pain at all? Also gas can be the result of a pig's digestion being upset due to them not eating from another issue and so getting to the bottom of what is causing what can be difficult if that makes sense. Some vets will also give gut stimulants like Zantac for gas, but I tend to favour the less is more approach. I would definitely call the exotic vet and see what they think. Do you know what the other medication your own vet is switching to is?
 
helen105281 said:
Am sorry the appointment wasn't very productive, at least you have xrays you can get sent to the other vet. I think pigs do tend to have gas showing on xray most of the time it just depends where it is and how much. As for massage I have usually been told that the only reason not to do it is if a blockage is suspected, but I am not an expert. When my Millie is gassy I give her plenty of fluids (usually Dioralyte), stick her on the massage pad and give her Woodwards gripe water every few hours. Does she seem in pain at all? Also gas can be the result of a pig's digestion being upset due to them not eating from another issue and so getting to the bottom of what is causing what can be difficult if that makes sense. Some vets will also give gut stimulants like Zantac for gas, but I tend to favour the less is more approach. I would definitely call the exotic vet and see what they think. Do you know what the other medication your own vet is switching to is?
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I don't know what medication vet is planning to switch to .

Bess doesn't look in discomfort. She squeaked when vet palpated her abdomen ! She is behaving normally in my view . The only sign anything is wrong is the weight loss.
 
I would be inclined to think that the gas isn't the issue. I would try to encourage her to move about as that can help shift gas.
 
Poor Bess. All my piggies love gripe water as it is sweet. Sorry that it has all been inconclusive for you.
 
Yes, now I always get confused with the dose, I always thought it was 3ml every few hours, but others dose at 0.3ml. @VickiA what dose do you usually give?
 
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