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Bloated, constipated, and refusing food..... HELP

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The vet said she was blocked up with something part digested.... most likely to be some sort of plastic or something alike.... they've managed to remove all that is visable, but they're worried incase any is left. Luckily, it's in her bladder area, and they think any unseen bits could just pass through in her droppings & wee. Anyway I got a BIG telling off, they said to me that as an owner, it is important that I know what my guinea pig is eating. I know I should, I do though - that's the thing. They spoke to me as if I force fed her plastic or let my guinea pigs walk around in unsafe areas eating plastic as they go. I don't know where she got hold of the plastic, I think it could have been in the the hay or something. The other news, which is bad, is there's a small lump inside of her too, near her lungs. They said to keep a watch over her, but if she starts showing respiratory signs, then it's probable to be a lung tumour. They refuse full stop to remove it; and they said when it grows and gets bad, PTS is the only option. However, it may NOT be a tumour. God, I don't know what to think right now.:( She's still at the vets recovering from the GA but I dread getting her home and it being another Jacob-like situation. On the other hand... I'm unimpressed with Collier & Brock this time, I don't think they've treated this right. They gave her baytril by injection last night and she's got a course of septrin.... they said *in case* of pain, etc? I'm not very sure about the whole thing. If anybody has any advice... I've never heard of them getting blocked like that and it getting removed OR lump tumours. I feel as if I'm the worst GP mum in the world, constantly posting things like this on the health board:(
 
Don't feel bad at all, this wasn;t your fault, any animal can find a bit of something they're not supposed to have and eat it. It's probably happened to every animal owner, do they expect you to sift through all of their food/bedding etc? They shouldn't have spoken to you like that you must be upset enough as it is :( I've never heard of something like this, how do they know she has a lump on her lung if they were investigating her digestive system? I've also never heard of septrin or baytril being used as pain relief, they're antibiotics and used to treat infection, maybe they're giving her those as a precaution? Really sorry to hear they've treated you like that, it all sounds odd to me too. Really hoping the lump isn't serious x
 
It isn't your fault at all! Sunshine got hold of some plastic bags once he was ok luckily I caught him! Little imp!

As Emma said those medications are antibiotics. Tika was given a pain relief the other day and I was given baytril to give at home! Never heard of it being injected before!
 
Kt, it was out of order for them to assume that just because your pig ate something she shouldn't, it was your fault. It is not at all, we cannot watch our piggies 24/7 and protect their every move. Accidents happen, and your Heather is not the first pig to have ingested things they should not have!

I was also hoping C&B would do a more compassionate job, but I guess it depends entirely on the specific vet you get at that time. I am relieved that she has been "unblocked", sorry to hear about the "lump" on her lungs but that is something to just play by ear. Do as she wants to do - she will let you know when she can't cope with her medical trouble any more.

At the time of diagnosis, my Charlie's kidney tumour was the size of a small peach. The vet advised PTS, but I brought him home and started him on Metacam given as and when he needed it. He lived another nine months very happily, despite the tumour growing to the size of a small apple - huge in a piggie tummy, and yet he had only three "miserable" days in those 9 months. He loved life and no matter how bad his health got, he fought it all the way and he was incredibly content and loving, and loved, in his last months.

There is always hope, and as long as your precious Heather is willing to stay alive and keep pottering about, eating (good food, of course rolleyes) and being a guinea pig, then just go along with her. You know her best.
 
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OH heck......this little madam must've found something in her hay :{
Whee all send Heather heaps and heaps of healing wheeeeeeeeks and super loves from us all xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
They said the baytril should help pain and discomfort and the septrin is a followup to the GA and "etc". Should I complain about that, and what should I ask for if anything? No idea regarding how they found the lung-lump when operatating on another area - I think they looked all over though as to find the blockage.
 
I think that your vet has treated you terribly. It is obvious that yoou are a fabulous piggy mummy and to suggest that you are in some way responsible for this is inexcuseable. The plastic could have came from anywhere. I hope your piggy recovers well and please dont let anyone make you question your care for your piggies.
 
Have you noticed whether your piggy has been chewing at anything like the plastic igloo's or anything like that, as the plastic can build up quickly and bind inside! Keep an eye on the poor thing and keeps us informed! You did the right thing, so do not feel bad :)p
 
"I think that your vet has treated you terribly."
I hope the pig gets a better standard of treatment.
 
^ Yep, the main thing is always the guinea pig for me. She's back home, on Septrin, they want to see her on Monday and seh might get a course of metacam then!? Thoughts....?
 
If she is in pain, metacam will help that but i personally am loathe to give my fur-kids anything that they don't need (i personally don't take meds unless i need to). Also I have had piggies injected with baytril before & then given more to give orally at home :)
 
Ok thanks... she's a bit dopey but she's eaten and drank some, I'll watch over her.
 
With major surgery, especially digestive/abdominal surgery, I am always amazed how a vet can believe that the pig will not be in any pain. If it is a dog or cat who goes through a similar procedure, more often than not they get painkillers!

I am pleased she is back home with you Kt. I hope she continues to recover well.
 
kt1 said:
Ok thanks... she's a bit dopey but she's eaten and drank some, I'll watch over her.
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It's good news to hear she has eaten without any fitting and that she seems to be feeling a tad better, obviously if they feel there is a tumor then all you can do is care for her as best you can, and either let nature take it's course or follow the route they suggested but I am glad she is eating. We have Bupu who we have a slight problem with but she is starting to gain weight and looking brighter as she is fighting for her food now rather than sitting back and letting the others take first shot lol :)p

You are doing well, keep it up KT :)p
 
I've just caught up with this thread, I hope your little piggie continues to make a recovery. What a shame the vet was rude to you and made you feel like a bad piggy mummy, but as you said the main thing is that Heather gets the best care possible. The bedside manners of some vets eh?!
I'm sure you'll do all you can to help her get better after her operation, and as long as you keep a watchful eye out for any respiration problems then hopefully the lung-lump will not cause any bother.
Sending lots of healing vibes x
 
Thanks guys. CCC4, I started her on Metacam, as I did feel the same as you said above. She has been quite bright, but she gets tired out a lot easier. She was part of a circus, at the entry you could look at her all dressed up from about 4 weeks old. I'm not suprised by the health problems but it makes me so angry that she could have been healthier:(
 
Aw that's so sad :( is she still eating and drinking well? I really hope she's on the mend now, she is likely to feel a bit under the weather for a while after such a big op x
 
She's drinking as normal but not eating anything but hay, which she does eat.:{
 
That's not too bad, hay is the best thing for her to be eating if nothing else. Have you tried her with some grass? My sick piggies always appreciate a bit of grass! fingers crossed she perks up a bit more soon x
 
Fingers crossed for Heather, I've just caught up with this. I hope she pulls through and heals up well. My piggie Columbia had cancer which then regressed and returned for over two years altogether. At no point did it really bother her. In the end she died from something else. So the lump on the lung will hopefully not cause too much problem for a long time yet.
 
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