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Fever and massive weight loss

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Wiebke

Wiebke

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My guinea pigs have been with somebody else since Thursday evening, as we've been away for a long weekend.

Dizzy had been suffering in the heat and was not very well and a bit off weight when we went away. I've been on the phone over the weekend and had been told that she was doing fine.

However, Dizzy was looking very off this morning when we went to pick up the piggies. I popped her on the scales straight away and she'd lost another 100g just in the last four days and was very apathetic and, after an initial nibble on freshly cut grass, completely off food and very hot to the touch. She's down to 750g.

I've just come back from the vets. She's got steroids for her fever, baytril and something to stimulate her appetite; and I've been given critical care and told to gently bring down the temperature.

Can anybody help?
.
 
Was she out in the sun/heat or kept indoors?
How old is she etc?
 
Dizzy has just turned five.

She's never been out in the full sun, but the shed she's been in over the weekend has been quite warm, but wasn't hot when we picked them up.

She's been losing weight very slowly over the last year from just over 950/900g to 875/850g and has been a bit pickier about her food in the last couple of weeks. I have been weighing her every evening since I introduced the new girls and making sure she was Ok with her food.
 
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Sorry, I don't know what else to suggest but I hope the meds kick in soon. The appetite-stimulant injection is normally quite fast acting. Have you got Critical Care forumula to syringe feed if necessary? I also usually give Metatone tonic (human) to ailing piggies, you can buy it in Tesco usually.

I hope she's ok

Sophie
x
 
I'm really sorry poor Dizzy is off colour,i dont have any tips but wanted to send lots of love her way as she is very special to the boys and myself,they are sending extra healthy wheeks her way,come on Dizzy eat something and you will feel much better princess piggyxx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
The fever is coming down, but she doesn't want any CC as emphatically as she's able to!
 
At that age I always suspect a general, slow decline into old age. However the weather will not have helped, the effects of heat exhaustion do not necessarily become apparent straightaway. How can you tell the fever is coming down?
 
alcesterpigs said:
At that age I always suspect a general, slow decline into old age. However the weather will not have helped, the effects of heat exhaustion do not necessarily become apparent straightaway. How can you tell the fever is coming down?
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AP i just spoke to vickyt regarding vit C tabs,would this be a good move considering she isnt taking CC? x
 
Hope she bucks up for you soon . This sounds like what happened to Bupu who is actually ok now. Although she had no high temp.

I've no useful advice on the heat front just maybe keep her cool. Hopefully she will be ok in no time, fingers and paws crossed. x
 
I have been gently wiping Dizzy with a cool (but not cold) damp cloth in the last couple of hours, like the vet suggested, and have been lifting her out of the hospital cage for some CC, and she wasn't burning up any more and the temperature felt nearly normal when she was sitting on my hand.

It could have well been the heat; I've been very worried about it. She's in the living room now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Would Cranberry juice be OK for vitamin C?
 
C. juice or Vit C juice from a soluble tablet. You cannot overdose.
 
So sorry to hear sweet Dizzy is poorly Weibke, I hope her appetite picks up soon.

There is always the chance that the change in environment upset her, hence the weight loss and decreased appetite. If/how that ties in with the fever/temp I don't know, but if she was a bit sensitive before she went on her "holiday" she may not have been eating as normal.
 
She's still ABSOLUTELY against eating CC or drinking anything from a syringe.
 
You could try a spoon - messy but it can work. Or in a small dish in front of her - a dish that she can't tip over by standing on the egde. I do hpoe she gets better soon, poor love.
 
She has nibbled on a tiny bit of cucumber and a bit of hay. Will try later again!

At least the fever seems to have gone down completely now.
 
So sorry to hear about Dizzy - it's been a fiercely hot few days, but it's good to hear the fever has gone. Also, nibbling on cucumber is good as that will get water into her.

Sending healing thoughts in her direction.
 
Oh love so sorry to hear......i knew you were going away after that lovely pm you sent me xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx thanks again xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

COME ON DIZZY SWEETIE xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
Just a thought, i used to blitz down some juicy fruits, like pear, watermelon and dew melon try doing this and offering either on a small spoon or via syringe, Duke used to lap it up!
If no fresh fruit used tinned in water only or natural juice :)
 
Just caught up with this!!


Sooooooooo sorry the poor girl is not feeing well after your vacaution. Thinking about you and her!
 
I'm desperately trying to get ANYTHING down (thanks for all the tips!), but apart from a couple of sips of pure water and a tiny bit of parsley, she refuses cooperating right up to the point of biting me.
 
I'm so sorry poor little Dizzy isnt eating:(:(,she is such a headstrong little miss isnt she,i dont know what else to try except maybe give the vets a call again and see if they can help,sending Dizzy lots of love x
 
Have you tried towel wrapping her and feeding her that way?

Any news? x
 
We've tried about everything from CC to her favourites mashed up or whole, but Dizzy never takes more than a sniff or the tiniest of nibbles and stops chewing immediately. It's got worse throughout the day. She also refuses to drink anything at all and just wants to be left in peace. My suspicion is that her kidneys or another organ has packed up. She's fading quite quickly now.

I'm so gutted...
 
Vickyt said:
We've tried about everything from CC to her favourites mashed up or whole, but Dizzy never takes more than a sniff or the tiniest of nibbles and stops chewing immediately. It's got worse throughout the day. She also refuses to drink anything at all and just wants to be left in peace. My suspicion is that her kidneys or another organ has packed up. She's fading quite quickly now.

I'm so gutted...
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I'm sending you my Biggest hugs and so many kisses for Dizzy,i feel truly helpless as to what i can say as you have become quite a good friend of mine and i feel close to your piggies now:(,little Dizzy has obviously been through the wars but she has tried so hard to stay with you,make sure you let her know that Smokey,Bandit,Basil,Ralph,Zanzabar,Baker and myself are thinking of her,I'm sure Boris will be sending his best vibes to her,she is one special piggy,just know you have tried everything and spend as much time with her as you can,xxxxxxxxxxx
 
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