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Charlie is vomiting....

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charliesmom

Hi - I'm new to the board as a poster but I read here all the time (great site btw)

We have a guinea pig (Charlie) who is about 3.5 years old. He's been the perfect guinea pig for our family,
happy, singing, chirping, running around and in good health and spirits.

The past 3 weeks or so we noticed he stopped eating just like that. So I took him to the vet and she
couldnt tell what was wrong with him because he seemed normal to her except he was a little lethargic
and not very chirpy as his usual self.

She prescribed an antibiotic for him in case he was coming down with something. Well after about 12 hours on this
antibitoics he was about 85% back to his normal self. We kept it going for about 10 days and he was pretty much
back to himself. 3 days after we finished the antibiotics he started eating less again and started becoming lethargic again.

We knew something was wrong - back to the vet we go. At this time she re-prescribed more antibiotics this time for a longer
period (until the bottle is finished) and gave us some Critical Care to help him with his weight gain.

In 3 days, he put on about 100 grams, he was taking his Critical care and his antibiotics and vitamin C without problems
and up until yesterday (which is about 10 days now on antibiotics 2nd time around) he was running around and singing
and chirping again like 100% back to normal. We were so happy that our Charlie was back!

We stopped giving him Critical Care about 2 days ago because he was back to normal eating again and we weighed him and
he had put on some weight so we thought we could stop the CC. Now I'm thinking this could have been the problem.

This morning I woke up to give him his antibiotics like our normal morning routine and he actually THREW UP. He vomited
or spit up a clear white discharge from his mouth and made a little gagging noise while he did it.

I thought perhaps I had squeezed too much into his mouth so I gave him some water and allowed him to catch his breath.

He seemed find after that and I put him back in his cage and went to work like normal.

My kids just got home from school and said he is making a gurgling/gagging noise and there is spit up all over the cage.
My kids said he makes this gagging noise and then spits up. He hasnt touched his food all day nor has he touched his water.

Should I restart his Critical Care? I'm afraid because if he is vomiting could this mean that something is terribly wrong? He is already on antibiotics - I'm wondering if I should give him Vitamin C supplements - The first time around I was giving him 50mg per day
and it gave him a lot of energy but this time around because he was on the CCare I didnt bother giving him the supplement. Do you think I should start him on the Vitamin C again along with the CCare?

Could this be the problem? I cant afford another trip to the vet - he's already cost me over $200 and without proper blood test or xrays there is no way to determine whats wrong and I just cant afford those type of medical bills.

If antibiotics arent helping - maybe there is something more serious going on or is it just because he's been on the ABiotics so long that its starting to take a toll on his stomach?

I know GPigs cant throw up but trust me - he actually throws up and coughs it up at the same time.

Can anyone help with this one?

Thank you!
 
Gosh, I dont know what to say! I didnt think it was possible! There are lots of experienced people on here whowill know more then me. I hope one comes along to help you soon!
 
i have no idea either, i didnt know they could :-\

hope he gets better :smitten:
 
Awwww poor piggy, I hope some one more knowledgeable will be on to help soon.

Could you tell us what antibiotic was used and did they check in piggies mouth like teeth? It is very unusual for piggies to be sick and I didnt think they could be sick I really do hope your piggy will be ok fingers crossed for you O0
 
Guinea pigs can't be sick.
Is there no way you can get help towards vet treament in the US? Is there a rescue near you that could help you?
Has he been having Probiotics?

Sorry I can't be more helpful :-\
 
Chloram and he really responded well to it - its just this last day - he was totally fine yesterday and then I gave it to him
last night and as soon as I gave it to him this morning thats when he started the gagging noises.

Would it be too much on his stomach if I gave him some acidophollus at this point? I dont want to give him too much
stuff so as not to upset his stomach but I know the Acidopholus will do well.

I think I'm going to give him back the CCare tonite along with the Vit C and see what happens over night.

The amazing thing about our little piggy is that he responds immediately - so if we give him something bad we know right away
and if it works we also know right away.

Thanks for the wonderful thoughts and I will keep you guys posted to his progress - FINGERS CROSSED!
 
i didn't think piggies could throw up! they are just not made that way. couldn't you take him to the vet or a guniea pig vet and arrange to pay it off? too much antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria. maybe ask your vet for protexin to put good bacteria back in his tummy. i am no expert far from it! perhaps maryh will be able to help you, she halped me and little zoe. will keep our fingers crossed and sending love and prayers yours and charlies way! speak to your vet and see if you can pay bit by bit. hoping all goes well. hugs and cuddles. :) :smitten: :smitten: :)
 
Are you sure he didnt put it in his mouth but didnt swallow it ? he could of just spat it back out 0:)
 
I don't think Probiotics will be too much, I think its just what he needs. I agree with ILA (?) about it being already in his mouth and perhaps just 'chucking it out' again? And they may be able to foam but thats not vomitting is it? Was there anything else in it? Whats he vomitting up?

As choloe says Mary H may be able to help more and her vet has been happy to email other vets too :)
 
Oh gosh i'm sorry to read this, um got me as well i thought impossible for gp's to throw up :-\
Yep I'm with ILA and Karen sounds like food in mouth that's coming back out... my boy has done that they store a lot of food and fluid in there mouths before actually digesting it.
I'd be checking out guinealynx as well O0
I'd feed him the critical care and make sure he's getting plenty of water as well as this can help as well.
We'll be crossing our paws for you love and sending some healing wheeks for little Charlie as well :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: I do hope you get to a vet quickly and they can help you out O0
 
Sorry to hear Charlie is unwell :-\
Did your vet check his teeth? An experienced rodentologist should be able to do this without putting him under. Maybe he couldnt eat because his mouth was sore, which would be the case if his teeth were overgrown and he responded well because he was given CC? Just a thought.
Hope he picks up and maybe have his teeth checked if not already been done :)
 
I wonder if it's his teeth also. Often they do the 'choking' thing when they have teeth issues. I don't think he threw it up maybe he just found it impossible to swallow so spat it out again?
 
hoping little charlie is on the mend. see if your vet will let you pay bit by bit but would definately get him checked again. or email maryh and see what she thinks. good luck and keep us updated on little charlie. love, hugs and cuddles to you both. :smitten: :smitten: :) :)
 
I do understand and sympathise with your concerns over vet bills.The problem is that Charlie does need an x ray or scan of the throat and the small intestine.I am guessing here because I have not seen Charlie,but my thoughts are blockage in the throat or intestine.It is possible that he is getting small cysts that block the gullet preventing him swallowing properly, and then may be bursting and regrowing.Gps cannot vomit,but if they try and swallow and the gullet is blocked they are able to spit the food out.The "spit" you are seeing him cough out is excess saliva probably.If the piggy is struggling to swallow the level of saliva will increas to try and aid this.

Would it not be possible to come to an arrangement with the vet to pay the fee in installments?
 
I was aware guinea can't throw up but can they cough up stuff, perhaps you where a bit quick with giving him his meds and squirted someinto his lungs, and he coughed that up, could this be what was seen?
 
guineas can't be sick. they just can't. as mary said he's probably spiting/coughing something up, which may mean a blockage. i agree he really needs something to prove whats going on. i sympathise with the money issues though, but he just needs it. is there nothing like pdsa or something in the US? can you get any financial help? as mary said, could you not pay in installments?
((((massive hugs))))) this must be very hard for you :smitten:
 
Guys - thank you so much for the concerns and thoughtful prayers - you guys are amazing.

Last night when I got home - I gave him some Vitamin C which Charlie took willingly and then waited a bit and gave him some Critical Care - I didnt give him any antibiotics - and guess what? Within an hour he was eating and drinking his water again, he even came out of his cage and went for a little stroll around the room.

This morning I weighed him - he's lost about 50 grams but he was looking around for food so I put some fresh food in his dish
and gave him some fresh greens and he started munching away at it. I gave him a bit more of CCare before I left for work
and he seemed to be a little more energetic by the time the kids left for school.

I have my fingers crossed - I am thinking that its because he was on the antibiotics too long 2 intervals of 10 days each - thats a lot for a guinea pig - tonite I will give him some Acidophillis and see how he reacts to that.

The good news is - he stopped the gagging noises - perhaps I could have squirted too much in his mouth and maybe some got into his nose? My vet actually called me this morning to find out how he was doing and so I explained to her the situation and she said I did the right thing by taking him off the antibiotics. It's a watching/waiting game now - as we want our old happy singing Charlie back!

I hope this means he is getting better - as long as he eats and drinks and comes out of the cage to greet us when we get home - I know that he's feeling much better - i'll let you all know what happens tonite when I get home from work.

Thank you so much for the warmth of this forum - you guys are great!
 
Oh that is great :) Keep it up Charlie :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

When he is all better, we would love to see pics of him :D
 
After reading some of the other posts - I really do think it could be his back teeth!

The Vet checked his front teeth the first time I brought him in about 3 weeks ago and she said they were fine
but I dont think she checked the back teeth which after reading this forum I see that can be a HUGE problem!

If I give Charlie some hard things to chew on - will the problem fix itself or will this require some sort of surgery?

Does anyone know?

Thanks again :)

and yes - I will definetely post some pictures!
 
I have heard it may be just surgery that makes the back teeth better but not too sure :-\
 
Overgrown molars need to be clipped by a vet who knows what he or she is doing.Aneasthetic is NOT necessary.There could be a spur on the molars which is digging into the soft flesh.Are the inscissors straight,and of normal length.If you are not sure about this,look at the inscissors of another pig to compare.I am afraid that eating hard food and hay will not sort out overgrown teeth.However it is important to provide plenty of hay and dried grass,plus hard veggies to stop the teeth overgrowing in the first place.Having said that,It is possible for piggies who do eat plenty of hay etc,to still get overgrowth.
 
Next time you give antibiotics ask for a probiotic ;) That probably wasn't the cause but probioitcs help :)
 
YAYYYY so glad to hear little Charlie is feeling a little better, this is good progress O0 O0 O0 :smitten:
Keep up your good work love and we sending healing wheeks and gentle kisses for Charlie :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

You've obviously done a lot of research and as Mary says molars can cause awful havoc as we know that only too well :(

Let me know how you go with his toofies love O0
 
hello,
so glad charlie is improving :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: hoping he continues to do so. we have been lucky (touching wood) as our piggies have never had teeth problems. but faline the bunny does. she doesn't chew her food evenly and gets spurs but with some baby food for a few days the spurs go away and she is back to pigging out.
like i said our GP's have never had teeth problems so not sure if it is charlies teeth/spurs whether they'll heal by themselves or not. sending hugs and cuddles to you and charlie, from me and piggies from ozzie land. :) :) :smitten: :smitten:
 
Hi everyone - I just wanted to say thank you to everyone in this forum for the wonderful support and great tips and suggestions.

Charlie was doing AMAZING for about 2 weeks - he was like a new pig - he would come out of his cage and walk around with us and follow the kids to play with them and wait for me by the refrigerator for his little "treats" every time he heard me in the kitchen.

It was totally awesome and he was chirping and running around and eating like his old self - actually BETTER than his old self
and then one day a week or so ago - he just curled up in a little ball in his cage and then turned over onto his back and
died :'( We now think that he was suffering from heart disease and he eventually died of either a stroke or a heart attack.

My vet's first instinct when she visited with him the first time he started losing weight - was that he had some sort of heart defect but without proper x-rays etc. she couldnt tell. This is why the antibiotics worked only for a little while and then just by giving him the Critical Care he totally got better (that stuff is amazing and anyone who owns a pig should have some around). He had no other symptoms other than loss of appetite and being lethargic but as soon as we gave him Critical Care he was up and about like his old self so it was very hard to diagnose what he had.

Anyway, he left us quickly and painlessly (I hope) and we will miss him dearly. The kids are not ready to get another one as they said letting go of this one was much too hard but I just wanted to write back and say THANK YOU to everyone for their support.

Good Luck with all of your piggies and enjoy every minute of your time with them. We did and we have so many fun memories!

Thanks again......

Charlie's Mom
 
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