Cat and rabbit clinic advice

[Josie_lg]

Hiya all, my Guinea pig honey had a dental at cat and rabbit clinic a few months back. She has been doing so incredibly well ever since, but in the last month or so she has declined. She is very arthritic, has another underlying tooth problem that would require removal but after speaking to numerous vets, an exotics specialist and the vet at cat and rabbit removal is not an option for her. She also has a mass/lump under her neck, initially thought to be associated with the thyroid. Now unlikely but hasn’t changed in the almost two years she has had it.
A month ago she had a strange breathing episode where her breathing became raspy and loud and she had crackles on her chest. (Her CT scan in march showed a calcification/nodule on her lungs so I was very worried) after 24 hours her breathing was fine but was put on a course of antibiotics anyways. Since the antibiotics her stools have been so soft on and off and it’s been so hard to keep on top of it, as soon as they start to get better they get soft again (despite strict diet etc) I know that this can also be linked to dental piggies as they aren’t digesting food properly as can’t eat enough on their own!
At the moment her stools are quite good.
Basically in the last 1-2 weeks she has really gone off her food and is now really struggling to eat food again. She takes fruits/oats and her critical care very well and is SO hungry for her syringe feeds and squeaks like she’s never been fed it’s breaking my heart. Her local vet checked her teeth again and agreed they are bad again and need doing urgently so we are trying to get her into cat and rabbit again ASAP.
My situation is that I am unable to drive there so am reliant on my dad. I also work in veterinary and shifts are long and it’s hard to get time off. Do you guys know if they ever make an exception for a dental on a Saturday?
My work will not allow me a week day off this soon in advance and I cannot leave her another two weeks as it needs to be done urgently.

 

[Truffolo]

I hope your piggy improves soon, things do sound rough for her. C&R are highly thought of and I'm sure they will do their best for you. Can you not take some annual leave?

 

[CTWC]

Morning what a terrible situation I have never had any experience with them.personally but from what people say they will always do their best. Simon is always praised on here I would give him a call and explain the situation and take it from there

 

[AidaB]

I am sorry to hear that your girl is having a rough time.
If you call C&R at 8am you can usually get an on the day emergency appointment. It might be a good idea to phone later today, just to chat with the receptionist about your situation & see if they have had any cancellations. Also please be aware that C&R do not always have a vet on site on a Saturday at the moment, so it maybe good to find out now what the situation is for this Saturday( in advance) if that’s the day you are hoping for.

 

[Wiebke]

Hiya all, my Guinea pig honey had a dental at cat and rabbit clinic a few months back. She has been doing so incredibly well ever since, but in the last month or so she has declined. She is very arthritic, has another underlying tooth problem that would require removal but after speaking to numerous vets, an exotics specialist and the vet at cat and rabbit removal is not an option for her. She also has a mass/lump under her neck, initially thought to be associated with the thyroid. Now unlikely but hasn’t changed in the almost two years she has had it.
A month ago she had a strange breathing episode where her breathing became raspy and loud and she had crackles on her chest. (Her CT scan in march showed a calcification/nodule on her lungs so I was very worried) after 24 hours her breathing was fine but was put on a course of antibiotics anyways. Since the antibiotics her stools have been so soft on and off and it’s been so hard to keep on top of it, as soon as they start to get better they get soft again (despite strict diet etc) I know that this can also be linked to dental piggies as they aren’t digesting food properly as can’t eat enough on their own!
At the moment her stools are quite good.
Basically in the last 1-2 weeks she has really gone off her food and is now really struggling to eat food again. She takes fruits/oats and her critical care very well and is SO hungry for her syringe feeds and squeaks like she’s never been fed it’s breaking my heart. Her local vet checked her teeth again and agreed they are bad again and need doing urgently so we are trying to get her into cat and rabbit again ASAP.
My situation is that I am unable to drive there so am reliant on my dad. I also work in veterinary and shifts are long and it’s hard to get time off. Do you guys know if they ever make an exception for a dental on a Saturday?
My work will not allow me a week day off this soon in advance and I cannot leave her another two weeks as it needs to be done urgently.

Hi

I am very sorry. Please give the clinic a call and speak to them.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

It depends what needs doing and which vet is working. Please ring them and they’ll be able to let you know x

 

[CharleeS]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this with Honey, it’s so tough seeing them decline. From what you’ve described, you’re absolutely doing everything right - critical care feeds, keeping on top of her teeth and digestion, and monitoring her breathing. The soft stool after antibiotics is really common, so you might ask your vet about supportive gut flora options (like probiotics made for small animals). As for the dental, I would definitely call the Cat and Rabbit clinic directly, explain the urgency and your situation with work/transport, and ask if they ever schedule dentals on Saturdays or make an exception in urgent cases. Sometimes, if you’re flexible with timing, they may squeeze you in around emergencies. In the meantime, keep her comfortable with syringe feeds and soft foods she enjoys, since the most important thing is keeping her weight stable.

 

[Josie_lg]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful messages this support network has got us through so much. She is booked for a dental next week. Unfortunately I was taken into hospital over the weekend very unwell it’s been a worrying time. So although I did call them after I made this post and they said they could sort a Saturday slot out for me (bless them they were so kind and understanding) that has now gone because I myself was in no fit state to call them back whilst in hospital.
She has gained some weight back and her little sparkle in her eye has been more noticeable which has been lovely and so far her poops have been much better.
But I do have a question about how much she can be fed. She is a TINY piggie, always has been. Has only ever been over 1kg when she was around 2-3 years old, despite all sorts of investigations nothing was ever found as to why she’s always been so small but every part of her frame is just diddy a vet even made a comment about her tiny her nostrils are for a Guinea pig so we will never know an answer for that. But I’m getting conflicting feedback online and on here about how much critical care she should have a day and if it’s safe for me to feed more than the “recommended amount” because she’s hungry and would happily eat more but I’ve seen some websites say that can cause more harm over feeding?
Please let me know. X
Right now she is taking the suggested amount from a bowl and is enjoying mushy foods and oats and soaked pellets when she wants it. I can’t wait for my sweet girl to feel some relief I just love her so much
Ps whilst I’m here! I have found that her higher dose of metacam 0.3mls DOG metacam twice daily is not completely easing her arthritic pain as much as I’d like. I’m regularly keeping on top of caring for her little feet to prevent sores and we have tried gaba but this made her spacey. They are on thick fleeces and those lovely bobbly bath mats and lots of absorbent mats around their hutch so she’s always on something absorbent. Does anyone else have any other suggestions for pain relief or support?

 

[Josie_lg]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful messages this support network has got us through so much. She is booked for a dental next week. Unfortunately I was taken into hospital over the weekend very unwell it’s been a worrying time. So although I did call them after I made this post and they said they could sort a Saturday slot out for me (bless them they were so kind and understanding) that has now gone because I myself was in no fit state to call them back whilst in hospital.
She has gained some weight back and her little sparkle in her eye has been more noticeable which has been lovely and so far her poops have been much better.
But I do have a question about how much she can be fed. She is a TINY piggie, always has been. Has only ever been over 1kg when she was around 2-3 years old, despite all sorts of investigations nothing was ever found as to why she’s always been so small but every part of her frame is just diddy a vet even made a comment about her tiny her nostrils are for a Guinea pig so we will never know an answer for that. But I’m getting conflicting feedback online and on here about how much critical care she should have a day and if it’s safe for me to feed more than the “recommended amount” because she’s hungry and would happily eat more but I’ve seen some websites say that can cause more harm over feeding?
Please let me know. X
Right now she is taking the suggested amount from a bowl and is enjoying mushy foods and oats and soaked pellets when she wants it. I can’t wait for my sweet girl to feel some relief I just love her so much
Ps whilst I’m here! I have found that her higher dose of metacam 0.3mls DOG metacam twice daily is not completely easing her arthritic pain as much as I’d like. I’m regularly keeping on top of caring for her little feet to prevent sores and we have tried gaba but this made her spacey. They are on thick fleeces and those lovely bobbly bath mats and lots of absorbent mats around their hutch so she’s always on something absorbent. Does anyone else have any other suggestions for pain relief or support?

Should probably say I have been in touch with my local vets about her pain relief dose. Just interested what experience everyone else has had with arthritic management x

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I run a guinea pig dental sanctuary and you can’t really over-feed critical care. I give as much as they will take, if they’re unable to eat for themselves. Once their teeth are sorted I reduce the amount of syringe food and encourage them to eat for themselves, whilst still supplementing with syringe food xx

 

[Josie_lg]

Thank you

 

[Josie_lg]

We are booked in for next Wednesday as was the soonest that would work. Up until yesterday she has been an absolute trooper with her feeds but has started to go off it and is only really interested in soaked pellets. I had bought a new pack of critical care feed and it smelt different and I think that’s put her off but have bought the original, another type and have ordered an apple and banana flavoured one to arrive for tomorrow and she’s still being really fussy with it which just isn’t like her. But the soaked pellets and mashed banana she will take.
I’m just so scared because I felt re assured we would be okay until Wednesday with her eating her feeds so well from the bowl but now she’s turning her nose up at it all I’m not sure what else to do. It’s so difficult and I’m so worried about her. If I top some soaked pellets on top she seems more inclined to take the feed but she’ll squeak at me for food but not take any of the mashed bits I’m offering

 

[Wiebke]

We are booked in for next Wednesday as was the soonest that would work. Up until yesterday she has been an absolute trooper with her feeds but has started to go off it and is only really interested in soaked pellets. I had bought a new pack of critical care feed and it smelt different and I think that’s put her off but have bought the original, another type and have ordered an apple and banana flavoured one to arrive for tomorrow and she’s still being really fussy with it which just isn’t like her. But the soaked pellets and mashed banana she will take.
I’m just so scared because I felt re assured we would be okay until Wednesday with her eating her feeds so well from the bowl but now she’s turning her nose up at it all I’m not sure what else to do. It’s so difficult and I’m so worried about her. If I top some soaked pellets on top she seems more inclined to take the feed but she’ll squeak at me for food but not take any of the mashed bits I’m offering

Please try to get as much syringe feed into her as she will take.

I am so sorry that you are in this awful situation.