Dental Disease

[chino]

Hi all.

Just wondered if anyone could advise or reassure me.

I have a lethal piggy and he has recently lost a lot of weight quick. He went to the vets Saturday just gone and was told his left back teeth we're growing over his tongue and touching the other side so would need them burred down. Also, because of this his front teeth were a but too long and has resulted in his jaw being a bit slack.He weighed 710g at the vets. She advised syringe feeding till Monday just gone to try to rehydrate him and put a bit of weight on.

Monday came and he was hydrated, weighed 730g and was told the op would be risky due to him being 3years old and losing so much weight so fast.

He came through it alright and just had a check up at the vets tonight only for her to tell me he has gone back down to 680g!

I don't understand why when he is being syringe fed every few hours. He has shown interest in his nuggets and grass but hasn't started eating on his own yet. The vet said the slackening of his jaw should tighten and that shouldn't be why he is not eating on his own.

Just wondered if anyone has any advice on what to do to get him eating on own or as to why he might have lost that much weight in two days as the vet was baffled by it too?!?

 

[TAN]

Hi
You need to speak to Debbie - aka furry friends - she is also on here as the excellent adventure sanctuary - she has huge experience with dental piggies and uses simon and kim maddock at the Cat and rabbit clinic in Northampton for all her dental pigs - simon can do conscious dentals on pigs without the need for putting them under and is considered to be one of the best guinea pig vets in the country- it may be advisable to pay simon a visit as he and Debbie have plenty of experience with this - if your pig is in pain he will not feel like eating or drinking - have you been given some pain relief for him? - usually called metacam or loxicom? With the hot weather you will also need to syringe water into him. Can you let us know where abouts in the country you are?I am coming off here now but pm Debbie if you can- she will also probably see your post tomorrow - good luck to your little pig.

 

[helen105281]

@furryfriends Excellent Adventure Sanctuary

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Hello! Would it be possible to have a chat on the phone? My contact details are on my website www.teasnorthampton.co.uk Simon and Kim are fantastic and also have experience of lethal piggies too as I have 12 lethal piggies here at the Sanctuary. xx

 

[Pebble]

Sudden weight loss, especially in this weather, could either be a blocked water bottle or, if there are dental problems, the piggie can't use a water bottle properly.
Might be worth putting a bowl of water in for him...and obviously have a chat with Debbie!