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Dental, Digestive And All Of Oreo's Problems

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chesca_27

chesca_27

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I have made a couple of other threads about Oreo's digestive and dental problems, but because they are now related and have changed, I figured it was time for a new thread. I will link the other two though, in case it helps. Neither are very long.

Dental post: Are His Teeth Too Long?

Gut stasis: Oreo Has Gut Stasis - Please Help!

So Oreo went to Simon Maddock on Monday for another dental. He only had his front teeth done, but I'm not sure as I couldn't go with. Oreo was checked over and deemed in perfect health with no bloat, except for oral thrush.

I haven't been able to find anything about guinea pig oral thrush so some info would be great. I also don't know when it will have gone because I can't look in his mouth nor can I do another 4 hour round trip to Simon for him to check. I have 0.5ml of Itrafungol once a day for up to a month. He is only having that and 1ml Fibreplex a day.

Since Tuesday, his poops have been quite soft and irregular sized. His tummy is also a bit sore and I don't know what to give him. I have Metacam, Septrin, Baytril, Ranitidine, Infacol and Emeprid at hand to give him if necessary. I'm not sure if he needs the vets. His weight is quite stable although he hasn't been as keen on his food as normal.

Some advice would be really helpful as I love Oreo very much.

Thanks
 
It sounds more like digestive upset than bloat so none of those med's may help.

I'd be inclined to give The Cat and Rabbit vets a call tomorrow to ask for Simon or Kim's advice.

Metacam may help the pain, but it can also cause stomach upset itself so please ask the vet before using it.

In the meantime it might be wise to reduce or remove the veg until the poops sort themselves out, and rely on hay and a few pellets as food.
 
I only fed him carrot and a tiny bit of cucumber (in case he's dehydrated) this morning and his tummy seems a bit better. His poops are varying in size quite a lot, sometimes they're normal and slightly soft or other times they're half to a third of his normal size! He's definitely eating because he's maintained a good weight all day, but as usual not doing much running around. Oreo has had hay and nuggets as well.

He has been a bit snuffly and crackly today - not much, only this morning and this evening. Oreo's nose is a tiny bit runny. If he's any worse in the morning, I will try and get him a vet appointment for tomorrow or Monday latest.

Could anyone give me any information on oral/mouth thrush? It would be greatly appreciated as I don't know what it is, except that Oreo has it mildly.

Thanks
 
My phone doesn't seem to want to cut and paste links at the moment, but if you Google "Guinea pig oral thrush" it brings up a few pages. There's a Guinea Lynx one for Chelitis and a Peter Gurney one.

I wouldn't recommend trying to self medicate though as you have Itrafungal from the vet. If you have any problems please give the vet a call and they'll advise what to do next.
 
Stable weight is great but if he continues to sound snuffly, don't delay with veterinary attention.

I'm sure @helen105281 has experience of piggies with oral thrush.

All the best x
 
Ok thank you Jaycee - I will google it. I don't self medicate, but I have been told that I can use Ranitidine and Emeprid (by my vet) if Oreo is really bloated and I can't take him in. It just depends on his condition.

I would never delay the vet if Oreo needed it.

Two nights ago I gave him a syringe feed of nuggets and Critical Care because he wasn't looking so great. I also mixed in Infacol, Fibreplex and Pro-C and it seems to have worked like magic because he was happily running around and eating hay, when I went to see him in the morning. I haven't weighed him yet, though.

Yesterday he was a lot better and running around again. I ordered a Carrot Cottage for him, which is being delivered today, so he can have that when I clean him out.

I think the Itrafungol might be what's upsetting his tummy, because he's still not completely better, but he's not worse. I am barely feeding any veggies to encourage him to eat more hay.
 
It's been a while since I've updated - Oreo is now off of Itrafungol. I discovered that side effects in cats included diarrhoea, so that must be why Oreo's tummy was a bit sensitive. He is only having Fibreplex now, but this will be his last tube and then he will be med free.

His teeth are getting too long again, but my usual vet didn't notice this morning when he had a check up. I want to take him back to Northampton to see Simon again, but my dad is refusing and saying that he can't take him every 2 weeks, even though any appointment wouldn't be until Wednesday, which would be 3 and a half weeks. I got Oreo's notes from Simon, as my normal vets wanted the notes and gave them to my Mum. It clearly says checkup in 2-4 weeks, but my dad won't listen. My dad says we can't go until after Christmas, the 28th at the earliest but I know that's too long to wait. My dad said my other option is to put Oreo to sleep, which is just absolutely ridiculous as otherwise, he's perfectly healthy.

My dad has told me to "Just make him chew wood and eat hay" which I can't force him to and Oreo has unlimited hay anyway. Cost isn't even an issue and both my parents have plenty of time to take him. I break up from school on Wednesday so I could go with, if I was allowed to take him.

My mum would never take me, as she hates driving long distances. My mum is telling me I am making up problems for Oreo, for attention, but I'm really not. I can see he is starting to struggle to pick up nuggets and has spat food out a couple of times. I watched him dribble water (he may have had too much in his mouth though). He isn't closing his mouth properly and his teeth are about to start digging in to the roof of his mouth. I feel like no one believes me!

I am in a really difficult situation, as I am far too young to drive or go by myself but Oreo needs to go to Simon. I have no other vets to go to as I really don't want Oreo under anaesthetic, which is much riskier and more expensive, especially when I have the option to go to Simon. I really don't know what to say to my parents anymore. I have offered to partly pay for Oreo's vet bills (I don't have much money) and even take it out of money my parents would spend on my Christmas presents. My dad said we would "discuss it in the morning" as he is too tired, but I am scared that I will have to give him up,

I love Oreo more than anything except my hamster, Larry-Jasper and would do anything for him!
 
chesca_27 said:
It's been a while since I've updated - Oreo is now off of Itrafungol. I discovered that side effects in cats included diarrhoea, so that must be why Oreo's tummy was a bit sensitive. He is only having Fibreplex now, but this will be his last tube and then he will be med free.

His teeth are getting too long again, but my usual vet didn't notice this morning when he had a check up. I want to take him back to Northampton to see Simon again, but my dad is refusing and saying that he can't take him every 2 weeks, even though any appointment wouldn't be until Wednesday, which would be 3 and a half weeks. I got Oreo's notes from Simon, as my normal vets wanted the notes and gave them to my Mum. It clearly says checkup in 2-4 weeks, but my dad won't listen. My dad says we can't go until after Christmas, the 28th at the earliest but I know that's too long to wait. My dad said my other option is to put Oreo to sleep, which is just absolutely ridiculous as otherwise, he's perfectly healthy.

My dad has told me to "Just make him chew wood and eat hay" which I can't force him to and Oreo has unlimited hay anyway. Cost isn't even an issue and both my parents have plenty of time to take him. I break up from school on Wednesday so I could go with, if I was allowed to take him.

My mum would never take me, as she hates driving long distances. My mum is telling me I am making up problems for Oreo, for attention, but I'm really not. I can see he is starting to struggle to pick up nuggets and has spat food out a couple of times. I watched him dribble water (he may have had too much in his mouth though). He isn't closing his mouth properly and his teeth are about to start digging in to the roof of his mouth. I feel like no one believes me!

I am in a really difficult situation, as I am far too young to drive or go by myself but Oreo needs to go to Simon. I have no other vets to go to as I really don't want Oreo under anaesthetic, which is much riskier and more expensive, especially when I have the option to go to Simon. I really don't know what to say to my parents anymore. I have offered to partly pay for Oreo's vet bills (I don't have much money) and even take it out of money my parents would spend on my Christmas presents. My dad said we would "discuss it in the morning" as he is too tired, but I am scared that I will have to give him up,

I love Oreo more than anything except my hamster, Larry-Jasper and would do anything for him!
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Could you get your dad that look at this thread and other threads to do with teeth so he realises the importance of having them filed by an experienced vet as Oreo will find it difficult to eat if they're too long xx
 
He understands the importance of having teeth filed properly, which is how we ended up at Northampton but he doesn't understand that Oreo's teeth grow very fast and he won't wear them down properly anymore.
 
Would you consider Oreo coming to stay at TEAS for a little while so he can see Simon regularly? Hopefully then he would start to go longer between appointments, as the teeth improve. I'm willing to have a word with your Dad if he wanted to call me.

If you would like a contact number just let me know xx
 
Poor little man. It really does sound like you are stuck in a pickle of a situation. The offer from TEAS is a great one, if your dad would let you do it.
 
I finally managed to convince my dad to take Oreo on Wednesday. The appointment is at 17:20. I am really not making his teeth problems up. I check his teeth everyday, to monitor them. Oreo is now keeping his mouth open when he eats.

He is still sniffly and has a slight bit of mucus on his nose. He hasn't been diagnosed with a URI though. He isn't losing any weight, but is up and down the scales every time he's weighed. Could it be a heart problem?

Sorry for the short, blunt update; I'm feeling quite down as I'm just so worried about him.

furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Would you consider Oreo coming to stay at TEAS for a little while so he can see Simon regularly? Hopefully then he would start to go longer between appointments, as the teeth improve. I'm willing to have a word with your Dad if he wanted to call me.

If you would like a contact number just let me know xx
Click to expand...

Thank you. I will certainly consider staying at TEAS if he ends up needing more dental work after Wednesday. Please could I have the contact number? It would be a last resort for me, as I get really anxious when I'm separated from Oreo. How long would you expect for him to be at TEAS?
 
chesca_27 said:
I finally managed to convince my dad to take Oreo on Wednesday. The appointment is at 17:20. I am really not making his teeth problems up. I check his teeth everyday, to monitor them. Oreo is now keeping his mouth open when he eats.

He is still sniffly and has a slight bit of mucus on his nose. He hasn't been diagnosed with a URI though. He isn't losing any weight, but is up and down the scales every time he's weighed. Could it be a heart problem?

Sorry for the short, blunt update; I'm feeling quite down as I'm just so worried about him.



Thank you. I will certainly consider staying at TEAS if he ends up needing more dental work after Wednesday. Please could I have the contact number? It would be a last resort for me, as I get really anxious when I'm separated from Oreo. How long would you expect for him to be at TEAS?
Click to expand...
Will you be going to the appointment tomorrow, or will it just be your Dad? I have actually got the appointment before you, so we could have a chat then. It will probably be worth seeing what Simon thinks with regard to when Oreo will need rechecking and then make a decision then. x
 
I will be going with my dad, as I break up from school tomorrow at 1:15, so I will have more than enough time to take him.

I think discussing at the vet tomorrow would be a good idea. I have a few questions about TEAS though, so I will PM you those. I can't tell my dad until I have the answers to a few of them, as he is very impatient like that. X

I will be updating this thread later for Oreo.
 
Oreo is still very sniffly. I have seen him sneeze and cough a few times tonight as well. Hopefully, that will be sorted with a teeth trim.

I'm really worried Oreo has a heart condition. He has been at the vets quite a few times about being sniffly, yet they say it's not a URI. He also seems to breathe quite heavily, but I can't remember if he always did this or whether I'm just being paranoid. He is quite a lazy pig, but I haven't noticed him being extra lethargic. I think Toffee's cause of death was a heart condition because he always had a URI and there was nothing to cause an allergy.

I have heard that there could be a more complicated undiagnosed reason behind his dental problems. Luckily, I have my appointment tomorrow, so I will see if I can have anything more detailed done, because Oreo should not be sneezing or having a runny nose if he is healthy. His eyes are a bit crusty, but they have always been like that, ever since he was a baby. Could it be elongated roots or malocclusion?

As for Oreo's tummy, he is gaining and losing weight every day. It hasn't stabilised but is staying within a range of 1000g to 1100g. He is still doing slightly soft poops and drinking a lot of water so I have been cutting back on veg. I am pleased to say he doesn't seem bloated at all.

Please send him healing vibes - I would do anything for that piggie and I'm just so worried about him.
 
Well, thank you!

We took him to The Cat and Rabbit Clinic yesterday. Oreo only needed his incisors trimming; top to stop them getting jagged and bottom needed a few mm off. The bottom incisors were the only overgrown ones. The cheek teeth were fine apparently :) and no signs of oral thrush! Oreo had a nice manicure too :nod:.

We also spoke about Oreo's sniffly nose. For the moment, he said to just use steam to help unblock his nose to make it easier for him to breath. Simon also said that his heart and lungs sounded fine, but Oreo will sound better when his nose is unblocked. Simon told me he didn't want to use antibiotics (will mess up his tummy) unless he got a lot worse. I discussed the possibility of a heart condition, but he said it was unlikely and that Oreo's breathing was only heavier because his nose is a bit blocked up.

Oreo has an appointment booked for the 28th January next. Simon said about 4 weeks time until the next appointment, but we can only go to a Saturday appointment and that happens to be the Saturday Simon is there. In future, my dad said he will do mid-week teeth trimming as an emergency only but we can keep going if Oreo has a Saturday appointment :). Fingers crossed his teeth will be fine until then.

Oreo has enjoyed being able to eat again. He told me that by tucking into hay and chewing his snowflake chew (yes I waste all my pocket money on Christmas cage themes and then complain I'm poor :oops:). I also bought a nice, big bag of Oxbow Timothy Hay, which was a good price for the amount.

It's looking optimistic for his health! I'm sure in a couple days time I'll be worried about him again, but that's part of pigparenting.
 
Fantastic news and well done for being persistent and getting the absolute best possible care for your guinea pig.
Might I suggest that Oreo might want to buy your Dad a small gift to put under the tree to say thank you for taking him to his appointments ;)
 
Yes it really is, thank you!

I make my dad a present every year, but it will be from Oreo and I this year :)
 
Haven't updated in a while, sorry.

Oreo's Christmas presents have been doing his teeth a lot of good. He got his Meadow Forage Box, Rosewood Trio of Fun Balls and a couple of treats. He's been gnawing on them, which makes me very happy. I got him some overpriced Oxbow Apple and Banana treats, which he goes crazy for and some carrot and beetroot treats (part of Pets at Home's grainless range). The teeth are a bit longer than I'd like, but only a couple of mm, so not worth a trip to Simon just yet. Next one is the 28th Jan so fingers crossed Oreo will be ok until then. I am trying to teach him to bite his treats by holding them (otherwise he uses his molars) to encourage him to bite with his incisors.

He's finished his course of Fibreplex and is on no other medications (just Pro-C every day). I haven't seen Oreo so active since he was a baby. He runs around and jumps onto his meadow box, then puts his paws on the edge and leans into his hay box to eat. I've started play time every other day. He doesn't have a very big play pen, compared to some guinea pigs, but he gets very nervous in large open spaces, so I have to set it up under my coffee table. He is only just getting comfortable with that, so don't think I'm being unfair to him.

I've decreased his vegetable intake (didn't realise I was giving too much) to 50g, which I weigh to be certain and I cut down his nuggets (I wasn't giving too much but I wanted him to eat more hay). I scatter the nuggets over his hay box for him to forage for. He has been regularly having broccoli again, one of his favourites, and that isn't triggering any bloat :). I will start adding a new bloat veg in again to see if that triggers any bloat and so on, until his diet is normal again. These changes have helped his digestive system enormously. His poops aren't too sloppy or hard any more and look normal enough (I understand they may never be the same). I have noticed that he does seem to struggle with pooping and will often lie down and stretch though he's always done this or sometimes they will be two poops side by side. He isn't impacted in the slightest.

I've been using Olbas oil from time to time to help his breathing when he's breathing too heavily for my liking, but the fact that he is becoming ever more playful suggests that his breathing doesn't bother him too much.

Something I've noticed the last few days is, he spends a lot of time in his house, especially when he has vegetables. He grabs them and runs straight to the Carrot Cottage, eats, then goes back for more. Is he lonely or depressed? I try to spend as much time as possible with him.

He has been doing so well, that I've been able to stop daily weighing. I still weigh him every other day though. I have stopped obsessively checking his teeth every time he has cuddles. I am even able to stay overnight at my dad's house without constantly feeling sick with worry. That's how much better Oreo has been doing.
 
IMG_2789.webp IMG_2792.webp I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to update this thread for a while, however that's not the case.

I haven't checked on Oreo for threee and a half hours as I had my parents evening at school. I've just got back and come to see Oreo. I will attach the photos I've take so you can see what's happened, but his bottom two incisors have split. They've now just started growing apart. They were fine when I went out. Also, I know his teeth are too long. I have a dental scheduled for a week and a half's time for Oreo to deal with the length and I know he can still eat fine and weight is stable etc. He will see Simon as normal.

I don't know what to do about his teeth. Can he wait for the 28th? Or do I need to take him sooner? I will try and take him if necessary, but I prefer to wait. Why are his teeth split? I doubt he was chewing on his cage as I would have seen him do it by now?

I'm just so worried? What should I do?

Thanks
 
Ok. I will talk to my parents about moving the appointment forward. I had dinner and came back about an hour after I posted and checked on Oreo again. His teeth have gone back to normal (not split) which is weird.

If it happens again, I will take him straight to Simon, otherwise I'll mention it next appointment (if I can move it forward).

Thanks x
 
Oh god! What problems will that create? Would he end up with them him losing them and then them regrowing back? Oreo lost his bottom incisors last year or the year before. I really can't remember now. All I remember is I came home one day and Oreo had very short bottom teeth that were quite jagged. He's never had any problems since until now.

I will definitely try and push the appointment forward if possible. I really hope he's ok :( X
 
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