Coco is not well.....

[Mizzpigz]

Hi guys,

I've just noticed that coco is not looking well. He is a lot less active than twiglet and although he has eaten today it's hard to know how much. I couldn't say if he has drunk. He seems quite hunched up with his fur standing upwards rather than flat against his skin. His eyes are not very bright and it seems there is wet on his fur around his eyes. I just wondered shall I wait and see how he is later tonight or tommorrow and as long as he is eating and drinking can guinea pigs just go off colour, or do ou think I should take him to an emergency vet.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I would pop him to your Vet asap - runny eyes could be the onset of a URI needing antibiotics. Dull eyes could be dehydration.
Piggies hairs trap the warm air so give the appearance of fluffed up but again is the sign of an unwell piggy.
A course of ABX will hopefully sort him quickly.
Probiotics are recommended too and keep him warm.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Mizzpigz]

Hello again,

I didn't take coco to the vets last night and he was sleeping on me for most of the nite and managed to eat some cucumber. I've decided to call the emergency vet though this morning as he doesn't seen interested in food or drink and he looks dehydrated. Will syringe some foods into him as it is hard to know what he is and isn't eating really, but I don't think he is eating much. I think as this is my first experience of a poorly pig I need the vets to take a look at him x

 

[Mizzpigz]

Ok... I called our emergency vet and she advised to start giving him the critical care and try to get about 5ml of this paste into him every few hours, and to also ensure he gets about the same amount of water. She also advised me to put this onto a saucer for him to see if he will lap it up. We have done the first round of water and critical care and although he prefers the water he did have the liquid food aswell. She advised to keep an eye on him and then if still worried too call them back and take him down. My main worry is his eyes a they look sunken and I worry about dehydraton as he was alway at he was always at his piggy water bottle and he just isn't interested in water, or even his favourite veggies. Will try and tempt him with some washed fresh grass.

Can I just ask is there anything else I can do for him today? Not sure whether to keep him away from twiglet in case he catches this too.

Thankyou for reading xx

 

[shiny]

I would see a guinea-experienced exotics vet first thing tomorrow, not a regular small animal vet. If a guinea looks 'off colour' this normally indicates that they are really quite ill as they hide illness very well. Time is a real factor in getting treatment for sick guineas.

If he deteriorates in the meantime, an emergency vet visit to an exotics vet would be sensible. I would not separate him from his friend unless he is distressed by the other guinea being around.

Best wishes to Coco.

 

[sport_billy]

How is Coco this afternoon?

 

[Mizzpigz]

Oh dear so sad to say it but he passed away this evening

It all happened so quickly and I really am not sure what was wrong.. however something tells me he may have had an obstruction.

I knew things weren't good early evening and so I placed twiglet with him for the last hour and he slipped away really peacefully with his little buddy at his side.

I will post something on rainbow bridge xx

 

[Wiggie]

I am sorry to hear he passed away.

Sending you hugs. Xx

 

[shiny]

Oh no, so sorry about Coco

I hope you & Twiglet are ok xx

 

[Mizzpigz]

Hello,

Yes were ok thankyou. I feel in shock as it all happened so quickly.

I have given twiglet some extra veggies tonight and some extra fussing. I will get him another buddy as soon as I can find him the right little furry friend.

X xx X

 

[sport_billy]

I am so sorry to read this. Hope you and Twiglet are ok x