Emergency Diabetic With Uri Not Eating Drinking

[carmen winch]

hi iv got a approx. 3 year old boar about a year ago he developed diabetics I took him to a specialist exotics vet who confirmed the diagnosis , but said there was not really anything to treat a pig with the condition , hes always maintained a healthy appetite , night before last I noticed he didn't come out for the vedge , hes gone to the vets next morning and hes being syringe fed and vet said hes got a uri , I don't know how hes acquired it, all pigs are indoors and iv had the heat on constantly , but the vet said diabetic pigs are more phrone than others to picking up infections hes on baytril he had a dose last night and one today , due one more tonight , , he is so listless and wont even open his month to get the syringe in iv tried getting him to take water as well , but he just seems to not want it , he is very snuffly , the vet said moniter him over the next few days and if no improvement I will have to make a decision about what to do . the vet has said its possible that there are internal problems that may be going on , but I don't know how they would find out if a pigs liver or kidneys are failing and I don't know if it would be any good to subject him to a load of tests when he is so poorly , I just don't know what to do I feel like I'm watching him fade in front of me , but I don't want to just give up and have him put to sleep if its at all possible he could recover , I am managing to get the care supplement down him , but I feel like maybe I'm just distressing him

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

I am ever so sorry for your nightmare. Have you so far just been offering him food and water or have you properly hand fed?
Here are our tips; please only give very little at any time (0.1 ml) so he can swallow if he is that weak. Diabetic guinea pigs have a weaker immune system and are more prone/less able to fight infections. You have to see if he is starting to perk to up with some water and food in him; I am keeping my fingers very firmly crossed for you! https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/

Baytril is well known for its appetite killing and some guinea pigs can have an adverse reaction to it. Would your vet be prepared to try another antibiotic like septrin/bactrim instead even if baytril is the only licensed antibiotic for guinea pigs? Please contact him immediately; you won't have another few days to look how it goes if your boy is not eating or drinking at all. I assume that your vet is a general vet?

Could you please add your country, state or for the UK your county to your details so we can adjust any medical recommendations to what is available/possible for you? We are dealing with members from all over the world. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. thanks!