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Bonbon's Mystery

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BonBon2010

BonBon2010

Adult Guinea Pig
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What we've done up to now:
'Taking BonBon to the vets tomorrow :( She's just developed a really strange habit over the last 16 months, and i'm getting no nearer as to finding why.
Dribbling liquid food everywhere, sounding hoarse when she squeaks for food, going bald underneath, coat always dirty through her cleaning herself whilst dribbling food.
She's eating everything ok, just don't understand what's going on :hmm:
Vet always says she's fine apart from weight loss. Baffled :('

Yesterday morning we went to a different vet, as after what happened to Biscuit, I wanted a second opinion on BonBon's strange habit. 16 months this has been going on, but it's only over the last couple of months she's started being a complete scruffy git. She used to be so clean, now she's always got food all over her, and she is bald on her thighs and belly (between her back legs). I won't even take her out in the garden, as she looks like an RSPCA case sometimes.
She's slowly lost weight over 16 months.
They checked her teeth (reluctant to knock her out), her mouth looks healthy, and couldn't see any abnormalities. They felt her tummy, and after five minutes drew to the conclusion she may have a lump where her bladder is. They've prescribed metacam, and pro fibre (which she's already turned her nose up at) and to see how she responds over the next two weeks. I have an estimate for if I decide she needs to be knocked out so she can have a thorough check over.

This is the morning after, she's just had her morning metacam. On taking her out of the cage, I can already see a more portly belly. I bathed her last night, and she's clean this morning. She didn't dribble food on my hand when I gave her the syringe like last night. She's also more chilled this morning, not trying to get off my lap like she has been. So i'm thinking something inflammatory going on?

On floor time last night, she was far more active, I have them the run of the bedrooms and hall way, and she was in and out of each room. My Oh told me i'm not allowed to spend hundreds of pounds on her to 'prolong' her life. I'm not happy about that :( It's not about the money, it's about pin pointing the cause of her weight loss and helping her either get better, or keeping her comfy. She's 5 this year, I can't believe how time with her has flown :(
She's the last of my truly tame piggys, my other girls just don't have the same bond with me as she and my past piggys did. I'm dreading loosing her :(

http://www.magisto.com/album/video/ISd4UV1bR0E-e3gHDmEwCXt_




 
Oh no :( Dribbling usually indicates a tooth problem, or possibly oral thrush, both can normally be treated, even at 5 years old. Is it worth getting her down to see Simon at the Cat & Rabbit clinic, as he can have a good look in her mouth without the need for GA? Tagging @furryfriends (TEAS) for more advice :) x
 
I can't get her down there :( It's too far and I don't think my Oh would even consider it. I also don't drive.
She's not always dribbling, and she never actually has a wet chin, it's just around the mouth itself if you understand what I mean?
She isn't doing it today, she can go days with a clean mouth, then it happens again. I'll find a video from this morning of her eating lettuce.
 
I'm sorry to hear about this. I can't give any good advice unfortunately, but I hope everything improves. I know you said it was too far away, but can piggy trains be organised for travelling to vets?
 
it does sound potentially dental to me. or at least some illness and because of this, she can't maintain her condition, including hair. when the body is dealing with something else, the hair can really show it. that is why poorly piggies always look a bit scruffy bless them. fur falling out or being pulled out may be a reaction to her feeling pain/discomfort, or again her immune system not being able to cope effectively with maintaining everything.

seeing an automatic improvement on metacam does point to either pain being the cause, or an inflammation of some sort. or both.

i would definitely see a more specialist vet and get their opinion. obviously the weight loss isn't slowing down so more investigation needs to be done to find out why it is happening.
 
BonBon is so cute! X Speaking from experience focus on making her happy now, rather than worrying about missing her when she is gone. I did that until someone mentioned I was mourning a still here piggy!
I have an eight year old baby and she has got scruffier with old age so don't worry, you are truly lucky to have such a gorgeous guinea!
Try and see a dentist and focus on making BonBon happy xx Good luck!
 
you're only about half an hour ish from ashleigh vets in whalley range manchester. they're excellent and i highly recommend aidan there. you're closer than me so i'm now jealous! :)) (we have to get a taxi aswell as we don't drive. the taxi company can work out a set cost for you. ours do there, back, and waiting time for a set price. don't get me wrong, it isn't cheap, but worth it for the best, and by the time you go back and forth to vets who don't know what they're doing, you could well have paid to go to the better one in the first place!) :)
 
I'm really frustrated with my vets, as when I had Liquorice, they were really good with her and on the ball. The lady i've seen the last couple of times, really didn't seem that clued up. Poor Biscuit :( I took him there, and she never even looked at his backside, yet that was why I took him. I've felt reluctant taking BonBon back there ever since as every time went I got the same answers. Not once did they suggest putting her under and having a look.
This one has given me the option, but i'm now going to have to wait to see how she responds to her current treatment. TBH, i want her to gain some weight before undergoing an anaesthetic and an exploratory. At least 200 grams would be nice.
I've just remembered I have a tub of probiotic powder in the fridge I could be sprinkling on her food...
 
if i'm honest, i probably wouldn't wait. the metacam may help, but if you don't work out the underlying cause, then she either has to stay on metacam which would essentially just be masking the issue and it will potentially get worse, or she most likely will end up in the same position when the metacam is stopped. or she may lose more weight and gaining 200g should be done slowly, over weeks and months, rather than a short time (the body needs to lose or gain weight very slowly otherwise it isn't healthy for them and in particular a certain organ.. the liver i think. this is why vets say not to panic at weight loss and try feeding them loads more and fatty foods to try and gain weight on them, because it can add to an already existing problem. pro-fibre are good for weight gain as i use them for my rabbit bisc, however they still won't address the underlying problem which is the most important part. i really can't recommend aidan highly enough. you would be pushed to find better, especially so close. :)..
 
:DI would agree with what has been said; it does look like a dental problem. I think, if she was really ill or in pain, she would not bother trying to groom herself. Guinea pigs are fastidiously clean animals.
I would give the pro-biotic mixed with water through a syringe, rather than sprinkling it on her food. You cannot monitor how much she is getting, if you put it on her food, plus her companions would be eating it too.
I hope you manage to get her seen by a good vet soon. Best of luck!:tu:
 
She adores her nuggets, she's always the first to the veg bar, she chomps through american timothy hay, and loves eating grass. She hasn't given up on grooming, she was just spreading food all over herself in the process.
I am pleased the vet went with the pain relief, so I at least know it's not my imagination, and i'm seeing behaviour in her today I haven't seen in 16 months.
One of those was she used to love cuddles then she suddenly started to not be able to sit for long without fidgeting.
This photo was taken just before this started (February 2014). Just hours after her first metacam, she was enjoying cuddles again, no sign of fidgeting at all. She's just been on my lap for half an hour twice today, only reason she went back in as she wanted a wee.

11053210_923754507684811_1272150263580224603_n.jpg


To me she sounds nasaly (when she's grooming) and I also think she has watery eyes at times. I don't think blocked tear duct though as Liquorice had that, and had re-occuring eye infections because of it. I'll give her until mid week and make an appointment for the GA and take it from there. I'm back on 12 hour days from monday so not off again until Friday. :(
 
dental problems can cause watery eyes aswell as pressure against the nasal cavities aswell so that does sound like it could be the issue. ashleigh vets will usually take some blood during the GA they give to thoroughly investigate. they only use a very light GA aswell. If nothing shows on examination then they will ask your permission to send the bloods to the lab. so if you go to your usual vet then perhaps ask them to do that. good luck, i hope you can find out what is wrong.

if your vet wanted to consult with ashleigh vets then that could be an option for you if you didn't want to travel there? i know it's a worry all this but i can honestly say that i trust no-one the way i trust aidan. and know alot of others do aswell. lots of luck :)
 
There's something really wrong with BonBon, i've left her at the vets today, as she's still loosing weight, and has given up eating her nuggets and hay. They think something is going on with her throat and there's something in her groin. GA in the morning, and possible x-ray.
I really don't think she's coming home alive tomo :( So worried about her, Tilly is squeaking for her as they're really close :(
 
Don't panic! You are thinking immediately of the worst possibility but there is no point in worrying about something that you don't even know may happen yet.
Bon Bon sounds like a strong pig, and however long it takes, I am sure she can pull through.
If the worst does happen, remember all the good times she gave you, but until you know what is happening for sure focus on what you can affect and give Tilly lots of love and hugs.
Best of luck and love
 
Sending healing vibes, I hope you are able to get to the bottom of it!
 
Well we're none the wiser.... Teeth fine, mouth fine, throat fine. Nothing untoward going on in her abdomen, apart from only producing small poops.
She's coming home in a few hours. Any ideas guys?
 
Glad she's coming home. I wish I had an answer for you though, but al I have are good thoughts. I hope you get to the bottom of this
xx
 
did the xray show any changes at tooth root level? elongated tooth roots could cause all these symptoms, aswell as the jaw being a bit slack and/or stiff aswell.

i don't know which vet you went to, and i don't want to sound like a broken record, but i think you would be getting her the best care by going to ashleigh vets, i really do. i'm sure aidan could find out what is going on for you. they are very reasonable with regards to payment plans aswell so always worth asking.
 
This continuing mystery has been going on for ages, I just hope you get to the bottom of it, it's the least you deserve. You are doing a brilliant job for little Bonbon.
 
it's the latter one we were based at @biscandmatt . We're down to x-rays next, she's now home and the joy in her little furry face when she hopped back into her home was a picture. It's little moments like that, and the fact she shows no sign of giving up is what spurs us on.
I've asked the vet to look for elongated roots when she does the x-ray. We have come home with fibre plex, and more pain relief. She apparently mugged the vet of most of her salad this morning :))
As long as she doesn't give up, I won't.
16 months on, and getting the same answers every time ?
Does anyone know what the treatment is for elongated roots if there is one, and what drugs they prescribe for the piggies during treatment? Just pointers to give the vet. I'm going to see how she goes on over this weekend. She may go back monday, or Saturday if things go down hill before.
 
BonBon2010 said:
it's the latter one we were based at @biscandmatt . We're down to x-rays next, she's now home and the joy in her little furry face when she hopped back into her home was a picture. It's little moments like that, and the fact she shows no sign of giving up is what spurs us on.
I've asked the vet to look for elongated roots when she does the x-ray. We have come home with fibre plex, and more pain relief. She apparently mugged the vet of most of her salad this morning :))
As long as she doesn't give up, I won't.
16 months on, and getting the same answers every time ?
Does anyone know what the treatment is for elongated roots if there is one, and what drugs they prescribe for the piggies during treatment? Just pointers to give the vet. I'm going to see how she goes on over this weekend. She may go back monday, or Saturday if things go down hill before.
Click to expand...

i'm not sure of the treatment for elongated tooth roots aside from providing lots of foods for tooth wear and pain relief aswell. my ches had changes at tooth root level and was expected to need frequent dentals but thankfully he never needed another and his teeth were kept under control. he was also found to have abnormal gaps between his teeth and some of these gaps were infected. but your vet would have noticed anything like that i'm sure.

it must be so worrying when you can't get any answers but good she is being kept comfortable with pain relief in the meantime. i think it's so important to keep them fighting. that is sometimes half the battle. sounds like she is battling on bless her.

the only other thing i can think is to have a full blood count done, even if it has been done before. obviously something is going on so that may show a change up eventually. the only other things that come to mind is some kind of trouble with her digestion and gut, maybe with absorbing what she needs from food.

the symptoms could be down to anything really, especially because one seems to have a knock on effect and cause other issues. it looks like a case of ruling things out as you go along. it's so frustrating when you know something isn't right, but no tests can tell you why. i just went through this with my rabbit bisc. i have known for such a long time that something wasn't right, but it only recently revealed itself on our routine in depth tests. it was just a case of waiting it out and keeping him comfortable and happy in the meantime. his was spondylosis. maybe rule out arthritis aswell if you haven't already. :)
 
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