• DONATIONS NOW OPEN! TGPF relies on donations to run. If you'd like to donate towards running costs you can find out more HERE
  • Fresh grass and lawn tips to avoid springtime deaths Click here for details
  • Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Dalila Is Seriously Ill

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wiebke said:
You are a very good and observant owner. All you can do is give your beloved piggy a chance; the rest is sadly out of your hands. But it is a very anxious time, and I feel for you!
Click to expand...

Observant and very paranoid! I often get accused by my family for looking out for problems!

The vets did say if we don't hear from them until tomorrow morning, it means she is doing okay. No news is good news. Just hope I wake up and get an update to say that she is eating again and ready to come home. I am really missing her and doing medicine rounds.
 
Littlepig&co said:
Observant and very paranoid! I often get accused by my family for looking out for problems!

The vets did say if we don't hear from them until tomorrow morning, it means she is doing okay. No news is good news. Just hope I wake up and get an update to say that she is eating again and ready to come home. I am really missing her and doing medicine rounds.
Click to expand...

I sincerely hope so! Concentrate on sending her your love and encouraging thoughts when you can't sleep and start worrying.
 
Dalila is now home. She has lost around 100 grams since her ordeal but she is very lucky to still be here. The vets said she has been eating little bits, they said especially grated carrot. She has since being munching on some homemade hay with dried dandelions. I think she is just pleased to be home and in familiar surroundings.

She has come home with Emeprid as a gut stimulant to take twice daily (0.75ml) and her usual metacam which has been increased by (0.5ml) So she is having 0.55ml twice daily. I also have to try and get 4 critical care feeds into her.

On another forum somebody has said how it is likely that something like this will occur again and that a whole diet rethink needs to be done. They said that vegetables should be cut out and grass should be something to avoid completely. Is this actually true? Surely my vets would of said if they were concerned.
 
With gassing issues in the intestines, I would usually recommend to go softly on veg because of the fermentation/gassing it can cause in still very delicate guts until the guts have stabilised again. Usually guts that have been out of kilter stay tender for a quite a while and there is a risk that there can be another bloating episode. Fresh grass is one of the veg that can cause bloating.

However, if I understand it correctly, in your case the gas build up has been outside of the digestive tract and not in it?
 
Wiebke said:
With gassing issues in the intestines, I would usually recommend to go softly on veg because of the fermentation/gassing it can cause in still very delicate guts until the guts have stabilised again. Usually guts that have been out of kilter stay tender for a quite a while and there is a risk that there can be another bloating episode. Fresh grass is one of the veg that can cause bloating.

However, if I understand it correctly, in your case the gas build up has been outside of the digestive tract and not in it?
Click to expand...

I believe so, I was told the gas was compressing on the stomach and large intestine. Also that her gut had stopped working? However he didn't say it was caused by anything. Just one of those things. I'll be keeping her off the grass until she has stabilised again. I will gradually reintroduce, although there won't be many days out in the run soon.

It does make me wonder still if the previous owner knew she had health issues. I really don't believe she's the age the rescue was told she was. Wish people would tell the truth as it then helps the people who are adopting.
 
Littlepig&co said:
I believe so, I was told the gas was compressing on the stomach and large intestine. Also that her gut had stopped working? However he didn't say it was caused by anything. Just one of those things. I'll be keeping her off the grass until she has stabilised again. I will gradually reintroduce, although there won't be many days out in the run soon.

It does make me wonder still if the previous owner knew she had health issues. I really don't believe she's the age the rescue was told she was. Wish people would tell the truth as it then helps the people who are adopting.
Click to expand...

Gut stasis (the guts stopping to work) is a serious issue that can kill if the guts cannot be restarted in time. Sometimes it can leave a permanent tendency for tummy upsets/bloating or diarrhea episodes, like my Ffraid experienced for the last two years of her life in the wake of a partial gut stasis, caused by extremely painful short term back leg paralysis (not your usual variety, which is generally pain-free). That is why you still have the emeprid for; it's there to help to stabilise the guts by stimulating the gut muscles to contract.

However, as the gas build-up is not in the intestine, you can feed her some favourite veg in addition to mainly fibrous food (which should make around 90% of the food intake in an adult guinea pig) to stabilise the guts. It is very difficult to say what is causing the gas build-up around the digestive tract, but it must have been pretty painful, which in turn would have caused the gut stasis.

Sadly, many people wanting to get rid of piggies are more than economical with the truth - you'd be amazed at the number of apparent "virgin births" from free-ads piggies, for instance! :(
All you can do is to continue to look after her as well as you are doing and to make her life a happy and loved one every single day.
 
Wiebke said:
Gut stasis (the guts stopping to work) is a serious issue that can kill if the guts cannot be restarted in time. Sometimes it can leave a permanent tendency for tummy upsets/bloating or diarrhea episodes, like my Ffraid experienced for the last two years of her life in the wake of a partial gut stasis, caused by extremely painful short term back leg paralysis (not your usual variety, which is generally pain-free). That is why you still have the emeprid for; it's there to help to stabilise the guts by stimulating the gut muscles to contract.

However, as the gas build-up is not in the intestine, you can feed her some favourite veg in addition to mainly fibrous food (which should make around 90% of the food intake in an adult guinea pig) to stabilise the guts. It is very difficult to say what is causing the gas build-up around the digestive tract, but it must have been pretty painful, which in turn would have caused the gut stasis.

Sadly, many people wanting to get rid of piggies are more than economical with the truth - you'd be amazed at the number of apparent "virgin births" from free-ads piggies, for instance! :(
All you can do is to continue to look after her as well as you are doing and to make her life a happy and loved one every single day.
Click to expand...

Oh yes, I've experienced GI Stasis in rabbits before. I admit that I've always been quite naive in believing a piggy can also go into stasis - just because how much they eat and their constant munching! Fortunately my piggies are really good hay eaters and have a pretty fibrous diet.

I don't feed veggies daily really anyway, 2/3 times a week usually. My bunnies don't get veg any at all as I like to feed them a diet as close to a natural one. Veggies don't come into a wild rabbit's diet.

Dalila's gut has always been a bit effected by the metacam/arthritis anyway. Her poos are often moist (horrible word). I wonder if being on emeprid long term would be a good idea? Considering her metacam is long term?

Oh yes, it's truly disgusting. Some people really shouldn't be allowed to own animals. They shouldn't expect rescues to pick up the pieces of their breeding.
 
Littlepig&co said:
Oh yes, I've experienced GI Stasis in rabbits before. I admit that I've always been quite naive in believing a piggy can also go into stasis - just because how much they eat and their constant munching! Fortunately my piggies are really good hay eaters and have a pretty fibrous diet.

I don't feed veggies daily really anyway, 2/3 times a week usually. My bunnies don't get veg any at all as I like to feed them a diet as close to a natural one. Veggies don't come into a wild rabbit's diet.

Dalila's gut has always been a bit effected by the metacam/arthritis anyway. Her poos are often moist (horrible word). I wonder if being on emeprid long term would be a good idea? Considering her metacam is long term?

Oh yes, it's truly disgusting. Some people really shouldn't be allowed to own animals. They shouldn't expect rescues to pick up the pieces of their breeding.
Click to expand...

Would you consider trialling fibreplex to steady her guts and for the long term grain-free pellets? That seems to help with long term digestive issues. @helen105281 can advise you on the pellet front.

I have/have had several old age arthritis piggies on metacam, and I have never noticed any softening of the stool from that. I would phase out the emeprid once the guts/normal eating have stabilised and just keep it handy to use in case there are problems. You just never know and have to see how it goes.
 
I was going to suggest going grain-free as I do remember reading about grain making thing worse with bloat cases. I was going to try to find the thread and link it, but Wiebke's already recommended going grain-free :)
I've been away from the forum pretty much for a while, so missed you thread. What a relief that she's on the mend though! All the very best, and healing vibes x
 
Delighted to hear that she is home again. Bloat is so dangerous and painful to piggies. One of mine has had it twice and both times prompt action has helped. She's lucky you're so observant.
 
@Littlepig&co I believe you have had a similar recommendation elsewhere and have been provided with some dietary advice. Have a good read of this as you will need to tweak her diet quite a bit to help prevent a reoccurrence. Grain can indeed contribute to bloat as it has a heating effect. The recommended grain free pellets are these:

Bunny GuineaPigDream BASIC | Free P&P on orders £29+ at zooplus!

Vitakraft Emotion Professional Prebiotic Guinea Pig

JR Farm Grainless Complete Guinea Pig | Free P&P £29+ at zooplus!
 
Well up until now.

On route to emergency vets as she's having difficulty breathing and is making noises as she breaths.

:(
 
I wish her all the best! She has indeed have a fighting spirit so don't give up on her!
 
I'm so sorry you are going through this. I'm thinking of you and Dalila
 
Fortunately not as bad as feared! Dalila has slight pneumonia hence why making wheezes and squeaky noises as she was breathing. She's now been put straight on 0.5ml of septrin twice a day.

She should be less wheezy in a few days. She's eating really well and otherwise is fine!

What a day!
 
healing vibes being sent and i hope the meds kick in soon and help. it's good she is well in herself aside from this. :hug: hope you're ok - you're really going through it at the moment! x
 
biscandmatt said:
healing vibes being sent and i hope the meds kick in soon and help. it's good she is well in herself aside from this. :hug: hope you're ok - you're really going through it at the moment! x
Click to expand...
Thanks Lea (I hope that's your name - my brain tells me it is)

She's sounding less squeaky as she breaths already, fortunately I caught it very early on. She's also had her first dose of antibiotic. She's such a fighter that piggy! JC said she's been very lucky to of recovered as well as she has.

She's currently munching on some sliced carrot in thin strips. Not everyone agrees with feeding it but she loves it and it's just a little bit.

Finally having a shower now, been sweating and on my feet all day! X
 
Last edited:
Littlepig&co said:
Thanks Lea (I hope that's your name - my brain tells me it is)

She's sounding less squeaky as she breaths already, fortunately I caught it very early on. She's skso had her first dose of antibiotic. She's such a fighter that piggy! JC said she's been very lucky to of recovered as well as she has.

She's currently munching on some sliced carrot in thin strips. Not everyone agrees with feeding it but she loves it and it's just a little bit.

Finally having a shower now, been sweating and on my feet all day! X
Click to expand...

yes, that's my name :)

she sounds like a tough little one. she's so beautiful :luv: hopefully because you caught it so early and got prompt treatment, she will beable to fight this aswell.

i think she deserves her little treat after the time she's had :)

it's been so humid today so don't envy you rushing around all day. hope you can breathe a little now after all this! x
 
Fingers crossed! This suddenly hot and very humid weather is hard on any frail piggies.
 
Wiebke said:
Fingers crossed! This suddenly hot and very humid weather is hard on any frail piggies.
Click to expand...

Indeed plus long haired bunnies! Dalila was our second trip to the emergency vets.

Lily one of my rabbits was uncomfortable with a distended stomach earlier. Rushed her in where they immediately xrayed her. Turns out she had bloated intestines.

Got an update on her when we went in the second time. She's responding well to treatment, her glucose levels have lowered and she's taking well to eating.

Fingers crossed that's it for now!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top