Future grief & hope

[thetripster]

My sweet teddy piggy Hoagie is sick. Really sick. I noticed as soon as I got home from school that he was so lethargic... he's the more chill pig of him and his brother but he wasn't getting up when normally he runs around. He was eating then, albeit only a little. He was really light. The day after (yesterday) we took him to the vet as soon as we could. By then he wasn't able to eat (he denied cucumber... his favorite) and wasn't wheeking. He was just still, but he was moving his head around. The vet did urine tests and checks in his mouth, and within the 24 hours from noticing his lethargy his nose had started running and his eyes were so crusted it scratched your hand to pet his head. We found out that he's in ketosis, and they said "He deserves a chance. It's a small chance, but it's still there."

He spent the night there. My mother called this morning (I don't speak the native language here) and he is very very slowly responding to treatment. They're going to check in again tonight. Like they said, he deserves a chance. He's a strong piggy- he's not giving up.

My family can deal with the grief if we need to, we lost a rat to cancer a few weeks ago and our dog was really sick a month ago. It's harder for me as the guinea pigs are my ESA's for PTSD and anxiety, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I'm worried about the other piggy- his brother, the more skittish one. He's never been without him, although overnight he doesn't seem to be stressed, he's enjoying the vitamin sticks for himself He's quite reliant on his brother though. They did everything together, and I'm wondering what you guys think the best option is. Keeping him by himself, or introducing a new pig (younger boy)? Also- any advice on Hoagie? We don't want to keep him in pain, and if he stops responding/gets worse then we'd put him down in mercy.

 

[DMS260820]

My sweet teddy piggy Hoagie is sick. Really sick. I noticed as soon as I got home from school that he was so lethargic... he's the more chill pig of him and his brother but he wasn't getting up when normally he runs around. He was eating then, albeit only a little. He was really light. The day after (yesterday) we took him to the vet as soon as we could. By then he wasn't able to eat (he denied cucumber... his favorite) and wasn't wheeking. He was just still, but he was moving his head around. The vet did urine tests and checks in his mouth, and within the 24 hours from noticing his lethargy his nose had started running and his eyes were so crusted it scratched your hand to pet his head. We found out that he's in ketosis, and they said "He deserves a chance. It's a small chance, but it's still there."

He spent the night there. My mother called this morning (I don't speak the native language here) and he is very very slowly responding to treatment. They're going to check in again tonight. Like they said, he deserves a chance. He's a strong piggy- he's not giving up.

My family can deal with the grief if we need to, we lost a rat to cancer a few weeks ago and our dog was really sick a month ago. It's harder for me as the guinea pigs are my ESA's for PTSD and anxiety, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I'm worried about the other piggy- his brother, the more skittish one. He's never been without him, although overnight he doesn't seem to be stressed, he's enjoying the vitamin sticks for himself He's quite reliant on his brother though. They did everything together, and I'm wondering what you guys think the best option is. Keeping him by himself, or introducing a new pig (younger boy)? Also- any advice on Hoagie? We don't want to keep him in pain, and if he stops responding/gets worse then we'd put him down in mercy.

Is he getting antibiotics? When one of my pigs had pneumonia and was really close to passing away, the vet injected him with an antiobiotic for the every dose, and injected him with something to hydrate him, he picked up and lived another 2 years

 

[G&C]

Regarding your other pig left alone, I wouldn’t rush to get a friend for him just yet as Hoagie might pull through and if you had 3 boars it is unlikely the bond will work, plus that will be stressful for Hoagie when he is recovering. Just monitor your remaining pig for signs of loneliness and depression, if he starts with this you could talk to the vets about either bringing him in to see Hoagie or bringing him home and continuing treatment yourself? However, I’m not sure wether guinea pigs can pass on URI/pneumonia or not.

I would also weigh your remaining piggy daily to see he is eating enough and not loosing weight, step in with syringe feeding if needed. Hope he pulls through, you did the right thing and spotted his illness early which gives him a better chance.

 

[G&C]

Also what are the vitamin sticks you are using? Not heard of anything like that.

 

[Wiebke]

My sweet teddy piggy Hoagie is sick. Really sick. I noticed as soon as I got home from school that he was so lethargic... he's the more chill pig of him and his brother but he wasn't getting up when normally he runs around. He was eating then, albeit only a little. He was really light. The day after (yesterday) we took him to the vet as soon as we could. By then he wasn't able to eat (he denied cucumber... his favorite) and wasn't wheeking. He was just still, but he was moving his head around. The vet did urine tests and checks in his mouth, and within the 24 hours from noticing his lethargy his nose had started running and his eyes were so crusted it scratched your hand to pet his head. We found out that he's in ketosis, and they said "He deserves a chance. It's a small chance, but it's still there."

He spent the night there. My mother called this morning (I don't speak the native language here) and he is very very slowly responding to treatment. They're going to check in again tonight. Like they said, he deserves a chance. He's a strong piggy- he's not giving up.

My family can deal with the grief if we need to, we lost a rat to cancer a few weeks ago and our dog was really sick a month ago. It's harder for me as the guinea pigs are my ESA's for PTSD and anxiety, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I'm worried about the other piggy- his brother, the more skittish one. He's never been without him, although overnight he doesn't seem to be stressed, he's enjoying the vitamin sticks for himself He's quite reliant on his brother though. They did everything together, and I'm wondering what you guys think the best option is. Keeping him by himself, or introducing a new pig (younger boy)? Also- any advice on Hoagie? We don't want to keep him in pain, and if he stops responding/gets worse then we'd put him down in mercy.

Hi!

HUGS

I am very sorry! Fingers very firmly crossed. At least he is in the best hands possible. You are a very caring, but of course very heart-sore owner.

The crusty eyes are typical for a respiratory tract infection, but whether that is primary or secondary is impossible to say for me. Sadly it is very borderline if your boy is already struggling to process food.
As the symptoms are of a potentially infectious infection, all you can do is to look after your single boy as well as possible and observe a quarantining period before you find him a friend.
Importance Of Quarantine

You may find these guides here helpful. In some countries there are rescues that allow you to bring a bereaved or single piggy for bonding, so your piggy can choose its new mate - character compatibility is key for a happy boar bond, much more so than age.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig (contains tips for the short and longer term)
Our bonding and behaviour guides via this link here: Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides
Some piggy whispering tips to help you with your remaining boy: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

In order for us to always help you as best as we can straight away, please add your country to your account details (click on your username on the top bar). We are dealing with members and enquiries from all over the world, which means that our advice can also differ enormously accordingly. Our default advice is UK based. Thank you!

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry I hope he picks up soon and makes a full recovery x

 

[thetripster]

Also what are the vitamin sticks you are using? Not heard of anything like that.

I use Vitakraft Kracker ACE. They're just an extra supplement of vitamins that they like chewing on. I'm not sure about their location otherwise.