Hi just adopted my piggie Cosmo only 2 days ago. Since he got home he’s been scratching and biting himself. I thought it was mites so I treated with ivermectin, small improvement but still itching. Now, he’s given out discharge through his nose, refusing to eat much, very lethargic and laying down all day. He’s also been shaking and twitching, his teeth chattering too. He’s got hair loss as well, very worried and can’t afford a vet bill right now. Is this a URI?
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Emergency? dying piggie
I’m sorry to hear this.
I am afraid you do need to see a vet as we cannot tell you what is wrong. He will need a diagnosis and prescribed medication for all medical conditions.
If he isn’t eating, you need to step in with support syringe feeding and daily weight checks. But you absolutely do need to see a vet, potentially as an emergency if he is severely unwell.
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide
One dose of shop bought ivermectin will not cure mites (if that is what he has as without a vet diagnosis you cannot be sure) - pet shop treatments aren’t strong enough to deal with it. To cure mites a full course of three separate treatments (over the course of six weeks) with the correct strength product dosed for the piggy’s weight. A vet needs to make the diagnosis and give you the correct product.
Where did you get your piggy from?
Does he live with another piggy? (Piggies are highly social herd animals and always need to be in pairs). Both piggies may need to be treated if it is indeed mites or any other potential contagious skin condition such as ringworm.
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
I am afraid you do need to see a vet as we cannot tell you what is wrong. He will need a diagnosis and prescribed medication for all medical conditions.
If he isn’t eating, you need to step in with support syringe feeding and daily weight checks. But you absolutely do need to see a vet, potentially as an emergency if he is severely unwell.
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide
One dose of shop bought ivermectin will not cure mites (if that is what he has as without a vet diagnosis you cannot be sure) - pet shop treatments aren’t strong enough to deal with it. To cure mites a full course of three separate treatments (over the course of six weeks) with the correct strength product dosed for the piggy’s weight. A vet needs to make the diagnosis and give you the correct product.
Where did you get your piggy from?
Does he live with another piggy? (Piggies are highly social herd animals and always need to be in pairs). Both piggies may need to be treated if it is indeed mites or any other potential contagious skin condition such as ringworm.
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
Tigermoth
Adult Guinea Pig
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Regarding cost, if you bought your pig from a pet shop then I would approach them with your issues and ask that they cover the cost. If you are in such a predicament so soon then essentially your pig was “faulty” at purchase.
Wheekallweek
Adult Guinea Pig
Maybe contact your vet and see if they will do a payment plan for you, or perhaps you can borrow some money from friends or family? I would speak to wherever you got him from and explain the situation. They may help with the cost.
The symptoms you describe are worrying, he really does need to see a vet ASAP.
Good luck.
The symptoms you describe are worrying, he really does need to see a vet ASAP.
Good luck.