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Gastric Dilation

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Jess

Jess

Adult Guinea Pig
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Unfortunately Maggie had to be helped over the bridge last night, I got a text at work my OH saying something was not right with Maggie. I told him to take her to the vets straight away but the other piggies who were outside were not playing ball, I drove home as quickly (and safely) to see what was wrong, she was sitting in the bedroom area with Rory almost lying on her, she was puffed up and clearly not well.

Rushed her to the vet and the Nurses took her from me straight away, she was lethargic and sluggish and dragging herself around the carrier. After a few moments wait my vet called me in, the vet explained she was cold at touch and was on a heat pad, oxygen and given drugs to stop her fitting. An emergency X-ray and OH now with me, the vet explained what the X-ray of Maggie showed, her little belly was black. The vet said it was gastric dilation she said it was more common in large dogs after having a large meal and running around. The treatment would be inserting a tube and draining, they tried this with a needle twice but with no success. I was more or less in a state of stress, anxious an worry about her well being, I can vaguely recall the vet saying its not a well known condition in small animals (I know they can get bloat but apparently this condition is an unknown).

I didn't want to put her through the stress of that treatment and decided it would be best to put her to sleep. OH and I were with her and the vet holding her little paw, she thought it but eventually left us after god knows how long.

Has anyone ever heard of this? I have a feeling Abigail had the same thing but I cannot be sure, Rory and the five are absolutely fine... I'm stuck to how I lost one and a few weeks later another in almost identical circumstances!
 
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I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. This condition can be caused by several things such as a build up of gas in the stomach, stasis or something causing the digestive system to slow down or not empty fast enough, eating & drinking too fast, or a lack of fibre in the diet. It can also be a twist in the gut, ie gastric torsion. Sadly its something you don't know is happening & the onset can be very fast. It is incredibly difficult to treat in animals & in humans too :(
 
I am very sorry; it is a nasty thing to happen. You made the right decision - not that it is any less upsetting and heart-breaking right now!

HUGS!
 
I was thinking gastric torsion too.

I'm so sorry Jess, night night little Maggie. Does this leave Rory on his own?
 
helen105281 said:
I was thinking gastric torsion too.

I'm so sorry Jess, night night little Maggie. Does this leave Rory on his own?
Click to expand...

What Maggie had was not a know condition... And not well researched.
Yes, he's alone again. Found him this morning looking down in the dumps hadn't eaten much. Gave him a extra long cuddle and played some guinea pigs sounds from youtube and he reacted immediately and perked up. He was outside in the pen shaking his tush at the five and also grazing. He seems to be coping fine. He's got her snug, fleece that has her scent on it and a snuggle safe.
 
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