Do we get a second opinion?

[amyyxj]

I took Mabel to the vets this morning, she was completely normal yesterday but today she’s been struggling to eat. She wants to eat but can’t.

I assumed maybe it was a teeth problem or an abscess forming and I explained to the vet how she’d been acting.
The vet checked her mouth and it was blue inside, she said this was because of not enough oxygen. Basically she’s struggling to breathe and that’s what stopped her from eating. And after checking her lungs she’s said that it’s not a respiratory problem, it’s a problem with the airway.

I asked what we could do, whether we could get an X-ray or see whether somethings stuck in her throat but she gave this speech about how risky it is to put pigs through surgery and that investigating the issue could kill her anyway.

However if she gave this speech to all pigs surely no pig would ever go through surgery? And Mabel just seems so alert and she was totally normal yesterday. She’s not that old either. That’s why I’m considering going to another vets, it seems too sudden for it to be anything other than an item stuck in her throat really. But then again her breathing is terrible so would a second vet visit do more harm than good? Especially as the vet was so concerned with her breathing. We can’t really get anywhere without doing tests but the vet seemed convinced she was too poorly.

She was running around, popcorning, eating and just her usual self yesterday so it didn’t seem right to put her down.

Anyway we have some anti inflammatory and some antibiotics to give her & I’ll be feeding her critical care too.

She’s also a rescue pig so we don’t know her age or any medical background either.

 

[amyyxj]

Just watching her now and every time she puts food in her mouth it just falls right out. Other than not eating she seems fine.

 

[Claire W]

If in doubt, I would always opt for a second opinion. Yes it is risky putting pigs under GA but unless it’s surgery, my vet just uses a little gas to sedate them for things like X-rays. She’s even managed to do conscious X-rays before

 

[helen105281]

I would get a second opinion. If she is blue it makes me think more along the lines of a circulatory issue but there could also be a blockage in the airways. I would ask for a conscious xrya or scan to be done to check the heart and the airways. They didn't say anything about fluid did they?

 

[amyyxj]

I would get a second opinion. If she is blue it makes me think more along the lines of a circulatory issue but there could also be a blockage in the airways. I would ask for a conscious xrya or scan to be done to check the heart and the airways. They didn't say anything about fluid did they?

They never mentioned anything about fluid. I’ve booked an appointment at another vets for tomorrow morning & I’m hoping they’ll have something better to say. She’s had some critical care with mushed up veg and it seems more like a mouth problem.

 

[Wiebke]

Just watching her now and every time she puts food in her mouth it just falls right out. Other than not eating she seems fine.

Please see another vet ASAP as a life or death emergency!

Your piggy cannot swallow nor breathe properly due to a blockage and will die shortly if left untreated!

The guts are going to close down quite quickly if there is no food coming through. It is a toss up whether the heart or the guts are giving out first if nothing is done. it is a horrible situation; I am very sorry. You are very much in make-or-break territory here.

I have lost two piggies that way, one because of a large lump at the back of the throat, which closed it off and one to a throat infection where the throat swelled shut too quickly for the antibiotic to kick in properly in an elderly guinea pig. A third, younger one, lost the ability to swallow because of a neurological problem and had to be pts. Once the food comes straight back out, you haven't got much time left.

Please pts as soon as your poorly piggy starts salivating to spare it the last very uncomfortable hours of dying. This means that the digestive tract is completely blocked and that not even saliva can pass through.

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HUGS!

 

[Flutterby]

I agree, I would be wanting a second opinion too. Sending healing vibes!

 

[VickiA]

I would definitely get your piggy to a different vet ASAP.

 

[amyyxj]

Please see another vet ASAP as a life or death emergency!

Your piggy cannot swallow nor breathe properly due to a blockage and will die shortly if left untreated!

The guts are going to close down quite quickly if there is no food coming through. It is a toss up whether the heart or the guts are giving out first if nothing is done. it is a horrible situation; I am very sorry.

I have lost two piggies that way, one because of a large lump at the back of the throat, which closed it off and one to a throat infection where the throat swelled shut too quickly for the antibiotic to kick in properly in an elderly guinea pig. A third, younger one, lost the ability to swallow because of a neurological problem and had to be pts. Once the food comes straight back out, you haven't got much time left.

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She’s still eating just not as much, we’ve cancelled tomorrow’s appointment and she’s being seen in an hour. She’s taking the critical care quite well too. Can’t believe the other vets were so dismissive, wont be going there again.

 

[VickiA]

Hope you get some answers later

 

[Wiebke]

She’s still eating just not as much, we’ve cancelled tomorrow’s appointment and she’s being seen in an hour. She’s taking the critical care quite well too. Can’t believe the other vets were so dismissive, wont be going there again.

The fact that soft food is still going down is very encouraging as that means that there is no blockage or at least no full blockage yet, but there is definitely a problem with swallowing if bits of food fall straight out, whether that is premolar spurs or something else. but spurs are the most likely offender.

GA with a piggy with a weak/weakened heart is a major issue. Hopefully the new vet can work around that if it is indeed a problem. Guinea pigs are classed as an exotic, so many general vets are not exactly familiar with them. That is why we have started a list trying to find the best vets to go to in each UK area we have members from.

All the best!

 

[amyyxj]

Got back from the vets.
Looked down her throat — one tooth is too long. That’s it.
Disgusting how the other vet said she was too poorly to run tests on and basically implied we should pts. So glad we got a second opinion. Can’t believe how much unnecessary stress was caused for a dental problem. He checked her heart and lungs, those are fine too. She’s got a surgery booked tomorrow to shorten the tooth & will hopefully have a full recovery!

 

[Wiebke]

Got back from the vets.
Looked down her throat — one tooth is too long. That’s it.
Disgusting how the other vet said she was too poorly to run tests on and basically implied we should pts. So glad we got a second opinion. Can’t believe how much unnecessary stress was caused for a dental problem. He checked her heart and lungs, those are fine too. She’s got a surgery booked tomorrow to shorten the tooth & will hopefully have a full recovery!

Great news! And good that you haven't waited, so you have a lot less worries.

Unfortunately with the more specialised piggy stuff, finding the right vet is not quite easy when you haven't got any recommendations for your area, but it can make all the difference...

Here are our post-op care tips. Please be aware that the mouth will be very sore and that you will need to give painkillers for the first few days. Depending on how dental savvy the vet is, you may have to continue to syringe feed. Our syringe feeding guide has a chapter on caring for dental piggies.
Tips For Post-operative Care
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide