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Clostridial Enterotoxicosis In Guinea Pigs.

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DownUnderCavies

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Hi, I am pretty new here. And just wanting to see if anyone else has had this issue in Guinea pigs.

One of our elderly pigs sadly passed the other day, no warning signs. One day fine the next day looking very ill (eyes sunken in, lethargic, snotty nose) by the time we saw the vet he had sadly passed.

This morning I woke to check on our pigs (large herd!) and found a young sow dead... no warning signs at all! And another of our elderly ladies looking very ill. I spoke to my vet and took said pig down, as well as 5 others for her to check over as well (she wanted a selection to check)

The sick pig has clostridial enterotoxicosis, she's been given antibiotics and have been told to put her on critical care and keep administering fluids.

The vet said we have an airborne virus, and there's not a lot we can do to prevent any of the others from getting sick (of course, we're keeping sick piglet well away from the others) and the shed/hutches are always kept clean. We just have to wait it out sadly, and hope no one else gets sick!

Has anyone heard of this virus before? Or dealt with it at all?
I'd never heard of it until today.

I feel like a terrible owner, although my pigs get everything they could possibly want..

Thank you.
I'm not looking for any nasty comments, I feel awful as it is!
 
I'm so sorry for your losses. I can't help I'm afraid but wanted to assure you that you won't get any nasty comments from us.

You're doing all the right things and you've got to remember it's not your fault and you're doing everything you can.

I'm going to tag @Flutterby because she's recently had a devastating illness hit her herd and I'm wondering if it could be the same thing/something similar?

I hope your other piggies are doing okay and get better soon!
 
Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your losses; I have not come across this in guinea pigs. But then medical knowledge and research is still very limited. But it sounds very devastating, as it usually is when a nasty bug of some sort gets into a group. It is most often not followed up medically, so there is very little experience and knowledge around. :(

You are doing the right thing by quarantining and by seeing a vet promptly. Please always carefully wash your hands before and after handling your guinea pigs and do not use the same clothing in case you accidentally carry something across that way. All you can do is hope for the best and try to keep your piggy alive until the meds hopefully kick in.
Here are our syringe feeding tips: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Clostridrium is in my understanding a bacterium that is present in the outdoors environment? I do not know how well researched this issue you have been diagnosed with is understood in species like dogs or cats, never mind guinea pigs!

PS: We are a friendly forum, so all issues are discussed in a friendly, factual manner, and we answer all posts. You have nothing to blame yourself for in the first place. Situations like yours are the stuff of nightmares for any loving pet owner.

@helen105281 @Jaycey @Freela @Pound Shilling & Pig
 
DownUnderCavies said:
Hi, I am pretty new here. And just wanting to see if anyone else has had this issue in Guinea pigs.

One of our elderly pigs sadly passed the other day, no warning signs. One day fine the next day looking very ill (eyes sunken in, lethargic, snotty nose) by the time we saw the vet he had sadly passed.

This morning I woke to check on our pigs (large herd!) and found a young sow dead... no warning signs at all! And another of our elderly ladies looking very ill. I spoke to my vet and took said pig down, as well as 5 others for her to check over as well (she wanted a selection to check)

The sick pig has clostridial enterotoxicosis, she's been given antibiotics and have been told to put her on critical care and keep administering fluids.

The vet said we have an airborne virus, and there's not a lot we can do to prevent any of the others from getting sick (of course, we're keeping sick piglet well away from the others) and the shed/hutches are always kept clean. We just have to wait it out sadly, and hope no one else gets sick!

Has anyone heard of this virus before? Or dealt with it at all?
I'd never heard of it until today.

I feel like a terrible owner, although my pigs get everything they could possibly want..

Thank you.
I'm not looking for any nasty comments, I feel awful as it is!
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Welcome to the Forum. I'm just so sorry that it under such dev a stating circumstances. No one will think you are. A bad owner!
I've heard of this bacterial infection in dogs but not in guinea pigs.
I'm sure. When your post h as been spotted others will try and help you.
 
Thank you, I'm so gutted as my old man was the first boar I've ever owned (him and his brother!).

I'm in constant contact with my vet, she's a lovely lady and will always do what is best for the animals - not just about the money (half the time she doesn't even charge us for consultant app)

Thank you, any other comments would be so helpful!
I'm also worrying as I'm pregnant (14 weeks) I've had 3 previous miscarriages and haven't got any living children, and I'm worried that I will catch something that may pass to the baby.. Of course hubby will help with the pigs as much as he can and I'll make sure I keep my hands clean etc etc.
Thank you. x
 
I'm trying to do as much research as possible. but the internet is very limited with knowledge of this issue, so thought I'd come here and see if anyone else has had this issue :(

x
 
DownUnderCavies said:
Thank you, I'm so gutted as my old man was the first boar I've ever owned (him and his brother!).

I'm in constant contact with my vet, she's a lovely lady and will always do what is best for the animals - not just about the money (half the time she doesn't even charge us for consultant app)

Thank you, any other comments would be so helpful!
I'm also worrying as I'm pregnant (14 weeks) I've had 3 previous miscarriages and haven't got any living children, and I'm worried that I will catch something that may pass to the baby.. Of course hubby will help with the pigs as much as he can and I'll make sure I keep my hands clean etc etc.
Thank you. x
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Please get your hubby to care for the piggies meanwhile. You've already been given advice on keeping your hands and clothing clean etc plus use antibacterial hand rub similar to that used in hospital. May be sensible too to get in touch with your midwife/ doctor for further advice. Take care of your unborn baby and your furry babes".. xx
 
Thank you Janice. I will contact my midwife tomorrow. Hubby is always happy to do the pigs for me if I am unwell etc, and even more so now as this little baby is hopefully our little miracle!
xx
 
Will have to call the vets again, as I can't remember if that is the airborne virus or the illness this pig in particular has (she has diarrhoea also, which I've not seen in any of the other pigs)
xx
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this with your herd, we are on lock down at the moment due to loosing 12 of my herd. Clostridial Enterotoxicosis isn't something I have heard of before, I'm certainly going to look into it and mention it to my vet. Sending lots of healing vibes to the rest of your pigs!
 
I'm so sorry for your losses. The illness you have mentioned is not something I have come across. Can I ask where you are? are you in the UK? or Australia?
 
We have sadly now lost the sick piglet who saw the vet this morning :( I don't think I can take much more of this! :(
 
Oh I'm so sorry :( You are doing the best you can. I know exactly how you feel, I wish I could help in some way. *hugs* xx
 
I wish there was more I could do, but I'm at a loss.
The vet said our only option is to give medication to all the pigs to try to prevent it spreading, but could do more harm than good because of their gut bacteria (vet explained it better than that but I've gone foggy! Lol)

x
 
Omg seriously what is happening to everyone's piggies? It's so upsetting. I'm so so sorry for the new loss :(

You're doing all you can, all I can do is send big hugs. Vets really need to work together to find out what this is and how to stop it :(
 
DownUnderCavies said:
I wish there was more I could do, but I'm at a loss.
The vet said our only option is to give medication to all the pigs to try to prevent it spreading, but could do more harm than good because of their gut bacteria (vet explained it better than that but I've gone foggy! Lol)

x
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You can give them plenty of probiotics for their gut bacteria x
 
It doesn't sound the same as what is happening with mine as your pigs have presented with symptoms. Sadly none of mine have apart from congested lungs on examination. I hope your vet can stop the virus going through the rest of your pigs.
 
She did say about the probiotics as well, but she doesn't want to mess with them too much, just in case they're not all sick and we make it worse?.. if that makes sense?
xx
 
Flutterby said:
It doesn't sound the same as what is happening with mine as your pigs have presented with symptoms. Sadly none of mine have apart from congested lungs on examination. I hope your vet can stop the virus going through the rest of your pigs.
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Yes that's true, mine are showing symptoms but then very very quickly passing :( x
 
DownUnderCavies said:
I wish there was more I could do, but I'm at a loss.
The vet said our only option is to give medication to all the pigs to try to prevent it spreading, but could do more harm than good because of their gut bacteria (vet explained it better than that but I've gone foggy! Lol)

x
Click to expand...

I would recommend to consider a course of fibreplex or plenty of probiotics, which can help with gut bacteria.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
 
Just found it online.
Is it something only to be given along side antibiotics? Or can it safely be used without them? I.e just to give them a little helping hand?
Thank you
 
Ok idk where to go or look but my guineapig fluffy just ate a BANDAID and just had massive diarrhoea and is way more vocal than usual and idk what to do plss help me!
 
So sorry for your loss, I lost 4 pigs suddenly in June and it hits you hard! Look after yourself and baby xx
 
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