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Captain Jack very ill

This is exactly what I'm going through right now with Rolo, @Mother Hubbard. Mucus and bubbling saliva out his nose too, very wet chin. The retching was very frightening, it was happening every minute and he was drooling a lot. We had to feed him upright for a couple days as it all just came back up otherwise. Vet suggested megaesophagus, but who knows?

The vet ended up giving him metaclopramide, cisapride, and ranitidine; as well as a higher dose of loxicom. We did this for a few days and he can now eat in the regular position. He's on twice daily loxicom and ranitidine now.

He's been nibbling the odd strand of hay and pellet when he's on my desk being syringe fed, but won't move about or eat in his cage :doh:. I'm trying to reduce his syringe feed, but the little stinker still won't eat in the cage.

I guess I just want to say I know what you're going through. It was so bloody scary, I've never seen a guinea pig that poorly (even when Tubs was on death's door). Fingers crossed for you and Caption Jack, I'll be following how you get on.
 
Keep fighting little fella. Hope he starts to improve soon. 💕
 
Sending you hugs, it's so hard when they are so ill and you don't know what's wrong. We are just seeing the light at the end of our 3 week tunnel. X
 
Sorry no advice, just a truckload of healing vibes being sent your way :hug::hug:
Wishing you a Speedy and full recovery captain Jack.
Love the girls & I. xx
Ps
Orca's 6+ so she knows what you mean about being special :wub::wub:
 
I'm so sorry Lil I've only just seen this. Sending huge healing vibes for Captain Jack and huge hugs to you, I know you will give him the best care that there is x
 
Oh poor you and Captain Jack! I hope the little guy pulls through, he's getting the very best care at home with his mum now! I'm sure Scampi and Bumble are wishing him the best from their new home ❤️🤗 x
 
Hope he is on the mend @Mother Hubbard .
They do pick their moments don't they!
Just for info. Ranitidine/ Zantac is a gut stimulant in piggies but acts on the stomach rather than the hind gut like emeprid does, so they complement each other. The ranitidine doesn't have an effect on GO reflux as in humans as piggies can't have GO reflux due to a valve at the bottom of the oesphagus. That's my understanding of it any way but am happy to be corrected!
 
From what I understand @pig in the city, that's true.

As I've said, I'm going through the same thing right now. However, after my chap was given metaclopramide and cisapride the retching ceased. I know they are both anti-emetic, but since pigs can't vomit I can't see how they worked? Unless (a) they blocked the retch reflex until it sorted itself or (b) it was simply the passage of time that did the trick.

I can't find any real mention of this sort of retching and bringing up everything in the throat/mouth online. I'd be very interested to know what happened, so I know what steps to take next time... Which I suspect it will as Rolo is a chronic bloat pig.

I'm going to chat to my most cavy-savvy vet tonight about this weird gastrointestinal issue, will keep you updated.

I really hope CPT Jack is feeling better!
 
Honey and Willow are sending piggy kisses and love! I hope he gets through this 🤞💖
 
Danielle Smith said:
From what I understand @pig in the city, that's true.

As I've said, I'm going through the same thing right now. However, after my chap was given metaclopramide and cisapride the retching ceased. I know they are both anti-emetic, but since pigs can't vomit I can't see how they worked? Unless (a) they blocked the retch reflex until it sorted itself or (b) it was simply the passage of time that did the trick.

I can't find any real mention of this sort of retching and bringing up everything in the throat/mouth online. I'd be very interested to know what happened, so I know what steps to take next time... Which I suspect it will as Rolo is a chronic bloat pig.

I'm going to chat to my most cavy-savvy vet tonight about this weird gastrointestinal issue, will keep you updated.

I really hope CPT Jack is feeling better!
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My take on this is that they move everything on so that saliva doesn't accumulate in the gullet. Saliva is continually produced so if the gut (including the gullet or oesophagus) isn't moving in the correct way then saliva builds up in the gullet and the back of the mouth and then the pigs retch. I will be interested to hear what your vet says!
 
Thanks guys, sorry I've not posted sooner.
So the feeding continued through the night etc etc., he came to work with me (naturally) otherwise I wouldn't have been able to continue his feeds.
Well like always, it was a struggle and tiring but the guy is doing quite well.

He's home and in the medical tank which I keep for such occasions etc.
I put a corner bowl of hay and dry burgess with pea flakes and he's eating!
I'm amazed and he's taking water from his bottle too.

I'm feeling a little relieved but I know this isn't the end of it and he still has a road to go.
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So good to see you had an office mascot. Hope he’s behaving himself, you’re doing a fabulous job x
 
I'm so pleased he's keeping on trucking!

@pig in the city, my vet thought along the same lines as you. She did say that she sees fluid and drooling from nose and mouth when a pig has heart failure, but no issues with Rolo, no pulmonary edema or anything.

I really hope this is a one-off for Cpt Jack! I'm still trying to figure out the best plan of attack for my chronically bloaty boy.
 
good news, sending continued healing vibes to the Captain
 
Great to see Captain Jack is feeling a little better. Sending healing vibes for his continued recovery. Keep fighting little fella. 💕
 
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