Diarrhoea & mites 😢 only rescued her 24hrs ago!

[flopren]

I found my 3y sow covered in diarrhoea last night, so took her straight to the emergency vets. We'd only rescued her 24h prior. I'm a relatively experienced owner (had pigs for 4y, and this is my second lot of pigs) and keep my pigs' diet very simple already so as not to upset their sensitive guts, but have got them purely on good quality hay and water til settled. She also clearly has mites, and the vet is unsure whether the diarrhoea is moving stress or a gut parasite at the moment. Either way, my sow is on sachets to firm up her poo and I've been advised to use Xeno Ivermectin on her (and the rest of my herd). Unfortunately, the vet couldn't prescribe it and it's out of stock at PetDrugsOnline and PetsAtHome. I also can't get in at my local exotics vet for another 10 days. The emergency vet's advice was to let her settle and hope the diarrhoea settles too, but I'm worried it could be fatal. I'm trying to get Ivermectin from my local vet, but struggling to get through on the phone with it being Monday morning. Please advise.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this and welcome to the forum

Xeno has unfortunately been out of stock pretty much everywhere for well over a year.

Alternatives are being prescribed such as Naqua (available from Amazon) or in some cases kitten stronghold (by prescription from a vet) but you should discuss the suitability or any alternative with your vet before use.

 

[Roselina]

I found my 3y sow covered in diarrhoea last night, so took her straight to the emergency vets. We'd only rescued her 24h prior. I'm a relatively experienced owner (had pigs for 4y, and this is my second lot of pigs) and keep my pigs' diet very simple already so as not to upset their sensitive guts, but have got them purely on good quality hay and water til settled. She also clearly has mites, and the vet is unsure whether the diarrhoea is moving stress or a gut parasite at the moment. Either way, my sow is on sachets to firm up her poo and I've been advised to use Xeno Ivermectin on her (and the rest of my herd). Unfortunately, the vet couldn't prescribe it and it's out of stock at PetDrugsOnline and PetsAtHome. I also can't get in at my local exotics vet for another 10 days. The emergency vet's advice was to let her settle and hope the diarrhoea settles too, but I'm worried it could be fatal. I'm trying to get Ivermectin from my local vet, but struggling to get through on the phone with it being Monday morning. Please advise.

Hello I’m sorry to hear about your piggy but it’s wonderful you have rescued her.
Just to mention my pigs had hay mites about October last year and I couldn’t get xeno so my Vet told me to buy the over the counter Naqua - it did work but I didn’t have confidence in it so if your piggy has other mites I’d speak to your vet again. Other forum members have said the same and were prescribed kitten stronghold which did work.
I hope your piggy starts to get better asap

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry your piggy is unwell.

I have been prescribed kitten stronghold recently. But they pre-measured it out into syringes for me. And it was only a two course application 4 weeks apart. Good luck.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

It's lovely you rescued her! I'm very sorry she's so ill, but at least now she's in your caring hands.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
So sorry that your new rescue is so unwell.
Holding you in my thoughts and prayers

 

[flopren]

An update on the poorly sow I adopted on Saturday (07/03/26).

Got in with the exotics vet yesterday as an emergency. It would be easier to list what's NOT wrong with her she's gone from diarrhoea to gut stasis in 24h, has a heart murmur, arthritis, potential thyroid problems, bumblefoot (the emergency vet said on Sunday night that her feet did NOT yet need treating as they were just a little red), and her body condition is very poor. Her tummy is podgy but I've never been able to feel bones in a guinea pig so sharply. She's now on medication for her feet, gut stasis and pain relief. I'm also going to top-up her vitamin C with a product the vet recommended. On the plus side, she's still drinking and munching hay, and is such a bright little thing. Strongest headbutt of any pig I've met. So beautifully boisterous. I've had to switch my mindset to accept that all I may be able to do for her is keep her safe, loved, well fed and comfortable for the remainder of her days, which I'll do happily. I'm enjoying nursing her, whilst I wish I didn't need to. The vet said she strikes him as being quite a bit older than I've been told (3y).

Two vets have said her lungs sound fine, but to me, she has a tiny wheeze. I'm not sure what that means. It's so difficult to assess health when you haven't had chance to get to know the guinea pig.

However long she's with us, I'm going to enjoy her and give her the best life possible, and feel comforted in the knowledge that she's better here with me than in amongst a giant herd at a rescue. At least I can give her dedicated 1-1 attention here.

 

[CTWC]

Bless you I'm so sorry to hear of the complications she has but what an amazing approach and a positive attitude you have

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry she is so poorly. However many days, months or years she has left they will be filled with love, care and food.

 

[Truffolo]

Good luck with your new piggy. I hope her health improves and you get to know her well

 

[flopren]

It seems as though little girl's poos are moving again , though still softer than is healthy. I think I've heard some gut gurgling too. I'm watching her drink right now and all of them are getting through the hay!

What I'm concerned about with Tiggy right now is her throat and lungs. She can't "wheek" bless her. It just comes out as a whisper. I haven't mentioned this specifically to the vet, as they've mostly been hiding from me until today and yesterday. But two vets (the emergency vet on Sunday, and the exotics vet on Monday) said her lungs sounded good. From my research, it seems this can be some mild throat and lungs irritation due to the other illnesses she's experiencing. Should I be worried, and does this warrant another vet visit? Surely if there was a cause for major concern, the two vets would have heard something on her lungs...

 

[Wiebke]

It seems as though little girl's poos are moving again , though still softer than is healthy. I think I've heard some gut gurgling too. I'm watching her drink right now and all of them are getting through the hay!

What I'm concerned about with Tiggy right now is her throat and lungs. She can't "wheek" bless her. It just comes out as a whisper. I haven't mentioned this specifically to the vet, as they've mostly been hiding from me until today and yesterday. But two vets (the emergency vet on Sunday, and the exotics vet on Monday) said her lungs sounded good. From my research, it seems this can be some mild throat and lungs irritation due to the other illnesses she's experiencing. Should I be worried, and does this warrant another vet visit? Surely if there was a cause for major concern, the two vets would have heard something on her lungs...

Hi

I have merged your various threads on the same case so we have a single ongoing support thread according to our 1 case = 1thread rule. It makes it easier to follow for all our members that are not on here daily and also prevents repetitive or misleading advice and confusion.
Please bookmark this thread so you can easily pick it up whenever you need to. Unlike social media we can let threads run for as long as needed.

Please help your girl by topping her up with syringe feed, as much as she will take willingly from a syringe, 2-3 times a day (topping up). Your feeding support can be crucial in getting her through the crisis and getting enough food into her. Also continue with her gut meds until the tummy has fully settled. I am glad that the stasis event was only short.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

It is great that the inner conveyor belt is working again. Please be aware that what you are currently seeing are last poos before the stasis event, followed by gap that represents the stasis event before you'll see the first rather small and funny poos that reflect her moving but still unbalanced gut now. GI stasis (the gut or more often just one part of it stopping to move) and bloating are often intermingled.
Here is more information on care as well: Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) (the stasis chapter contains a link to a stasis event with a few poo pictures of a piggy of mine)

Keeping my fingers crossed and wishing you all the best.

 

[Roselina]

I hoping sweet Tiggy is getting better
She has found a devoted slave to care for her
You are doing a great job

 

[flopren]

Hi

I have merged your various threads on the same case so we have a single ongoing support thread according to our 1 case = 1thread rule. It makes it easier to follow for all our members that are not on here daily and also prevents repetitive or misleading advice and confusion.
Please bookmark this thread so you can easily pick it up whenever you need to. Unlike social media we can let threads run for as long as needed.

Please help your girl by topping her up with syringe feed, as much as she will take willingly from a syringe, 2-3 times a day (topping up). Your feeding support can be crucial in getting her through the crisis and getting enough food into her. Also continue with her gut meds until the tummy has fully settled. I am glad that the stasis event was only short.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

It is great that the inner conveyor belt is working again. Please be aware that what you are currently seeing are last poos before the stasis event, followed by gap that represents the stasis event before you'll see the first rather small and funny poos that reflect her moving but still unbalanced gut now. GI stasis (the gut or more often just one part of it stopping to move) and bloating are often intermingled.
Here is more information on care as well: Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) (the stasis chapter contains a link to a stasis event with a few poo pictures of a piggy of mine)

Keeping my fingers crossed and wishing you all the best.

Ah, thank you. Sorry, I wasn't aware the forum worked that way. I'll give those threads a read.

 

[Wiebke]

Ah, thank you. Sorry, I wasn't aware the forum worked that way. I'll give those threads a read.

We work a bit more different to social media because we do not need to generate lots of new threads in order to make money (we are entirely running on voluntary member donations and do all of this for free in our own free time).

This enables us to focus on personalised, consistent longer term support throughout a developing illness and to allow people using our search option to follow a case from start to the end with all twists and turns (if available) - which is not often possible on other platforms.

We are of course always glad to support members during their journey and hear back of the outcome. But we also get more threads on new cases that can help to throw light on what to expect or to show the range of possible developments for other users in the future - who we hope will add their own questions and experience to our our growing forum resource.

 

[Merab]

I had a piggy who couldn’t wheel.
Merab lost her wheel as she grew older.
It didn’t bother her at all and didn’t seem to be related to any illness.

Twiggy has really landed on her paws with you.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I had a piggy who couldn’t wheel.
Merab lost her wheel as she grew older.
It didn’t bother her at all and didn’t seem to be related to any illness.

Twiggy has really landed on her paws with you.

Lovely typo! Merab couldn't wheel (her bike) / couldn't wail? No, she couldn't wheeK.

 

[Merab]

Lovely typo! Merab couldn't wheel (her bike) / couldn't wail? No, she couldn't wheeK.

I’d already changed it back once !
Auto correct is

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I’d already changed it back once !
Auto correct is

Agree. Just for laughs when I'm on my phone like now there is always a language Mix up too, as in this very sentence "mix" got written with a capital letter because it’s a German noun and they're capitalised.

 

[flopren]

Update #4

Poor Tiggy is having a rough week. Saw the exotics vet again today as I didn't feel right not getting her stuffy nose, breathing and vocal issues looked at. No conclusions drawn, but two ovarian cysts and a bladder stone were also discovered. We're essentially doing palliative care now, and at some point will have to talk about euthanasia, he said. It's so sad. She's a wonderful little character, and deserves a longer life of being safe, healthy and loved. We're doing all we can to make her final days/weeks/months lovely, for her and us. We fed her a recovery concoction this evening and she loves that sludge! She got a bit snoozy afterwards and snuggled into the crook of my partner's arm. Such a beautiful experience. It's such a relief to see a poorly pig enthusiastically eating and feeling safe enough in your presence.

 

[Wiebke]

Update #4

Poor Tiggy is having a rough week. Saw the exotics vet again today as I didn't feel right not getting her stuffy nose, breathing and vocal issues looked at. No conclusions drawn, but two ovarian cysts and a bladder stone were also discovered. We're essentially doing palliative care now, and at some point will have to talk about euthanasia, he said. It's so sad. She's a wonderful little character, and deserves a longer life of being safe, healthy and loved. We're doing all we can to make her final days/weeks/months lovely, for her and us. We fed her a recovery concoction this evening and she loves that sludge! She got a bit snoozy afterwards and snuggled into the crook of my partner's arm. Such a beautiful experience. It's such a relief to see a poorly pig enthusiastically eating and feeling safe enough in your presence.

HUGS

I am not quite surprised to hear the bad news but so very sorry that my gut feeling has been right against my hopes. I hate it when that happens. It makes me always very angry when help is coming too late to turn around the long shade of a life of neglect.

But you are giving Tiggy the happiest time of her life and are making it count for her. She will depart for a party at the Rainbow Bridge, knowing that love and care exist, and that they exist for her, too.

Just cherish every day you have with her as the true blessing that she (and her new found joy of life) is. There is nothing more precious than the love from an animal that has never known it before.

 

[Roselina]

Her days with you are filled with love and happiness and safety ….all she could ever want
You are so kind and caring to rescue Tiggy and look after her
She’s rewarding you both with her love

 

[Truffolo]

Very sad. I hope you get to have her for a while

 

[flopren]

Thanks for the support, everyone.
It's encouraging to know I'm doing a good job for her. Just wish I'd have had her from the start of her life. She'd never have gotten that undernourished on my watch. Better late than never I suppose.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the support, everyone.
It's encouraging to know I'm doing a good job for her. Just wish I'd have had her from the start of her life. She'd never have gotten that undernourished on my watch. Better late than never I suppose.

What you are experiencing is every rescuer's regret but also the joy and pride of having made such a huge difference in a vulnerable life.

 

[CTWC]

I am sorry to hear this heartbreaking news
I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and hope for many more happy moments and memories for you all

 

[weepweeps]

Sending Tiggy lots of love

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

Sending Tiggy love! It's really hard to take in a piggy that is so sick.
In respect to the stuffy nose I can say from Pino's experience that an antibiotic could be helpful even though her lungs sound clear.
Pino has a chronic respiratory infection cause by streptococci. The symptoms show mostly in the nose, sonetimes his breathing is laboured. But mostly because of the stuffy nose. My experienced vet can't hear anything in the lung most ot the time.

 

[flopren]

Sending Tiggy love! It's really hard to take in a piggy that is so sick.
In respect to the stuffy nose I can say from Pino's experience that an antibiotic could be helpful even though her lungs sound clear.
Pino has a chronic respiratory infection cause by streptococci. The symptoms show mostly in the nose, sonetimes his breathing is laboured. But mostly because of the stuffy nose. My experienced vet can't hear anything in the lung most ot the time.

That's interesting - I'll bear it in mind. Thank you. She is on an antibiotic (Arthrocam) at the moment for bumblefoot.

 

[weepweeps]

That's interesting - I'll bear it in mind. Thank you. She is on an antibiotic (Arthrocam) at the moment for bumblefoot.

Is she on any other medication? Arthrocam is an anti inflammatory pain medication not an antibiotic.