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Emergency Vets For Wills

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PopcornPigs

PopcornPigs

Adult Guinea Pig
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On weds I noticed wills lifting his back leg up when lying down as if in pain. He was fine in himself otherwise but we took him to the vet who tested his urine which was fine but his back legs felt arthritic. So we've been giving metacam twice a day however this morning he has gone v badly downhill. He is refusing food and is dehydrated. He's salivating and retching. His eyes are sunken too.

We've been to the emergency vet who's not our normal vet. She's checked teeth which appear fine but no food in the mouth. His temp is low and he felt bloated. She has taken an x ray and this has confirmed there's a lot of gas.

We've been referred to an exotics specialist 40min away and I'm just praying for a miracle. Words cannot describe how special this pig is to me. I want to do everything I can for him but already the bill is £288 :(

Does anyone have any advice on what could be wrong? ?
 
It could be because he hasn't been eating due to the pain maybe? and this has caused a lot of gas. Are you going there now? I think maybe they may admit him to give fluids and syringe food.
 
We have just dropped him off. They're admitting him for medical treatment to see if that works but it doesn't look good. I feel so sick.
 
HUGS

I am so very sorry! Fingers VERY firmly crossed for Wills!
 
I've had a call from the vet. They did a DV xray (standing conscious) and it also suggests he may have an enlarged heart which may be affecting him. He is having a GA to decompress his stomach and take a lateral (side) xray to get a better view of the heart. Will keep you updated.
 
Hope you get some answers. It may be that if a heart issue is found they can treat it with medication, it just depends on how advanced it is.
 
Fingers firmly crossed for Wills and huge hugs for you. :hug:
 
We've just called the vets. They'd tried calling us but couldn't get through. He's made it through the GA and they're syringe feeding him. Should get a call in an hour from the vet with an update. Come on wills x
 
Willy has come around from the GA, he passed some faeces afterwards but none since. He has taken some syringe food. He is still very quiet so definitely not out of the woods. His heart does appear enlarged so they can't rule out a cardiac problem. Will be called tomorrow morning with an update. Doesn't feel right him not being here but just got to keep reminding myself he's in the best place. Tilly is missing him though. If he makes it through the night the vet said it might be worth bringing her in tomorrow to keep him company.
 
How late do you think I should wait for an update from the vet? I'm going mad with worry but don't want to annoy them.
 
There's no harm in phoning reception and asking how well he's doing. I would think though that if he hadn't made it through the night they would have let you know by now, so let's hope that no news is good news x
 
I heard from the vet about half hour ago. Wills is a tiny bit brighter this morning. He has pooped but not enough and eaten a tiny bit but again not enough. I'm allowed to visit him today and bring his friend so he's not alone. Tilly will be v happy she definitely misses him. Sadly he will have to stay at least another night. I know I shouldn't be thinking about it but I'm dreading the cost..
 
Have you asked about the cost. I was surprised how little it cost to have my guinea pigs stay overnight at my exotic vets. I can't remember how much it was exactly, but like you I was dreading the bill and it was much less than I expected. I hope you find the same.
 
Sending love and vibes
 
I've visited him, it was so hard. He had chin tickles but wouldn't take treats. Tilly was jumping all over him but he was feeling sorry for himself. If he doesn't improve by tomorrow it doesn't look good. The bill including emergency vets is at £650 so far. I love him so much :( just need to get him eating and pooping normally before investigating the cause.
 
Hi,

Firstly I hope he makes a full recovery well done takeing him to the vets ! As far as cost it's not at all unusual in this tie of austerity for people to set up payment plans with their practice 99.9% of vets will not have a problem with this, also if your on bennifits you could receive some help with the bill. We have always laid for our vet bills in several large chunks. With your pig being in the vets this can be very stressful on top of this haveing had a GA he will not feel like eating at all this is gut Stasis and will be treated with syringe feeding regularly the vet could also give metoclopromide to get the guts moveing again, once the guts are moveimg you can carry on the syringe feeding at home best of luck sounds like a fighter !
 
Hi everyone I got a call lastnight to say that wills had gone downhill again, he had started retching again and seemed quieter. He's on all the drugs and care he can be so it's down to him and whether he can make it through. Had a good cry lastnight but got to go to work today which will be hard. The vets going to call me this morning.
 
Oh I'm so sorry. It's really hard and I understand the last place you want to be is at work. Fingers crossed that he picks up again, but as you say, it's out of your hands and the vet is doing all he can. Come on little Wills x
 
I'm sorry he's not doing so well. He's in the best place and with his friend, so everything crossed for him. Hugs to you.
 
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