Can anyone help?!

[kalliope]

Hi. My piggy is having some problems. He's still eating but losing weight. His poops are getting stuck so I've had to help him squeeze them out the past couple of days. I took him to the vets and they gave him some pain killer/ anti inflammatory medicine that I need to give him through a syringe once a day. I noticed his willy had a small red spot on the tip as I was cleaning him this morning and I don't know what it is or if it is what's making him unwell. Has anyone else seen this or know what it is and how to treat it?


Help would be so appreciated. My little Bruno looks like he can barely stand up

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Oh dear, that looks like a blood blister, I assume this wasn't there when he was at the vets?

Has he been eating/drinking? x

 

[kalliope]

I dont remember the vets looking there i was saying about his bum and the vet noticed his skeleton was odd so i think it was missed, we were at the vets at 4pm yesterday so i cant imagine it wasnt there!
He is drinking and eating some pellets, eating loads of straw too! i've been feeding him his veggies and hes still eating those!

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Have you got a record of his weights? x

 

[kalliope]

Yeah, hes been losing weight over the last week but the vet said he didnt look dehydrated and looked fine, he said that his poops are well formed and he could just be having a hard time pushing them out as his older and his skeleton feels different but then i noticed this little spot this morning, its so hard because our other guinea pig is built like a brick house! x

 

[Jerrybelly]

How much does your piggy weigh, and how old is he?

If he is having trouble pooing, then it is possible that he is impacted (particularly as this affects older boars). If piggies are not able to fully expel the ceacal pellets (the soft poos that they eat) then they build up and form an impaction. These poos contains essential nutrients for piggies, so if they cannot eat them then they can quickly loose health.

Here is some more info on impaction: http://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html

 

[kalliope]

He weighs 1 pound 11 ounces. He normally weighs less than our other male guinea pig so its not like hes lost a whole lb. he weighed 1lb13 two weeks ago. the weighs inbetween have been up and down but my scale battery was really low so dont know if that effected it.

I asked the vet about impaction and he said the poops wernt hard so probably wasnt that but i wasnt sure as i had cleaned him out before we left for the vet (wish i didnt as woulda let the vet see more) the impaction doesnt explain is willy?!

x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! From your weight measurements I assume that you are in the US?

I would certainly have that willy checked. Impaction or dental/oral problems spring to my mind. Neither is uncommon in elderly piggies. It is not easy to give you a diagnosis over the internet as there could be other causes.

At least, as his poos - if few - are still properly formed, it means that his guts are still working. You can try to hand feed him in order to top him up if his weight loss continues. I have given you more tips on how best to on our facebook page.
Here is the appropriate link: http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html

Please get a new battery for your scales. We recommend to weigh an ill piggy daily, preferably at the same time in the feeding cycle as the difference between a full bladder/tummy and an empty bladder/tummy can make 30g (1 oz) so there is a bit of a natural up and down anyway. 2 oz (ca. 60g) weight loss is not yet drastic; it is just about the amount when you should seek medical help. You are a good, observant carer!

PS: With members from all over the world, we are very grateful if you added your country, state (US) or general area (UK) to your details. It makes it easier to give you the appropriate advice and links straight away and to avoid any misunderstandings. You can do so in settings (at the very top of the page)/edit profile/settings.

 

[kalliope]

Thanks, I'm from the UK but before i could change to grams the scales turnt off.. i just replaced the battery so will be able to get more accurate weigh ins. I've given him his pain killer today and letting him have a rest to get over all the prods and pokes and will check him later tonight, if hes no better i'll phone the vets for an appointment.. thanks again for the advice!
x

 

[Pebble]

Has he been checked for kidney/urinary problems - Xray first for stones/sludge in the bladder/urethra/kidneys/ureters.
It is not uncommon for boars to have a red-tipped willy if they are passing grit/tiny stones...and they will also lose weight across the backbone, become hunched/walk funny, have problems pooing and drink more.

x