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GI Issues - I'm stuck here, no vets until tomorrow

Fweeper

Fweeper

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 13, 2016
Messages
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Location
East Sussex
It's Sunday, so I can't even get a video or phone consultation because my branch of the vet I can walk to is closed, the emergency vet is in a different town, we have no transport, there's no public transport, and I am considered at risk, so none of us can ask for a lift from someone. Basically, I have no option but to sit tight on this for now, please don't tell me to call the vet, they are aware, but clearly that isn't an option today and I'm looking for advice.

I have a 4+ year old pig (he's a rescue, we're not sure how old he is), he has intermittent GI issues regularly so this is not unusual for him, just appalling timing and undoubtedly aggravated by the stress around him. I am trying to be calm and failing.

Currently, we're on day 6 of the runny bum issue, it could either be a change in the recipe of his kibble, or a GI infection, but he has no temperature and is otherwise healthy so it's certainly not full body infection. His gut is far less bad today than it has been, but I cannot get him upright properly and I've thrown everything at this (fibreplex, poop soup, mushed kibble, no veg etc). The vet is aware, and said he may need antibiotics for a GI infection, but suggested I try him over the weekend on fibreplex and no veg, with different kibbles until I find one that sticks. He was doing better yesterday, but overnight again had some mushy poos and is now not keen on kibble at all, though he is clearly hungry and has eaten a little bit of it this morning. He is eating hay well. This morning he refused even fibreplex and he usually rather likes that, so in an attempt not to stress him overly, I didn't force it.

I've tried the 3 kibbles I have in the house, burgess excel mint, and the purple one, and also selective. He's very wary of all of them, I think he suspects they're making him ill and is avoiding them. My one abiding hope in this is that he's hungry and begs for food, so clearly he wants to eat still.

I used all the critical care already, there's none left to give him and the order I put in is god knows how many days away from arriving because it was delayed in the hot mess of the country.

I'm basically looking for suggestions here because I am all out of ideas and I am hitting the point of panic. Is he ok with what he picks at and the hay for today? He has an oxbow vitamin c biscuit broken up in with the kibble and he usually does like those, so I know he's not low on vitamin c at least since he's had them every day for the entire duration of this. Should I force the fibreplex down him at lunch time or let him chill out a bit? What is the best approach here?! Thank you so much to anyone willing to help, this has hit me at a very bad moment and I am not dealing with it well. He means the world to me, I've been through a lot with that little lad and I'll be damned if this is how I lose him.
 
Fweeper said:
It's Sunday, so I can't even get a video or phone consultation because my branch of the vet I can walk to is closed, the emergency vet is in a different town, we have no transport, there's no public transport, and I am considered at risk, so none of us can ask for a lift from someone. Basically, I have no option but to sit tight on this for now, please don't tell me to call the vet, they are aware, but clearly that isn't an option today and I'm looking for advice.

I have a 4+ year old pig (he's a rescue, we're not sure how old he is), he has intermittent GI issues regularly so this is not unusual for him, just appalling timing and undoubtedly aggravated by the stress around him. I am trying to be calm and failing.

Currently, we're on day 6 of the runny bum issue, it could either be a change in the recipe of his kibble, or a GI infection, but he has no temperature and is otherwise healthy so it's certainly not full body infection. His gut is far less bad today than it has been, but I cannot get him upright properly and I've thrown everything at this (fibreplex, poop soup, mushed kibble, no veg etc). The vet is aware, and said he may need antibiotics for a GI infection, but suggested I try him over the weekend on fibreplex and no veg, with different kibbles until I find one that sticks. He was doing better yesterday, but overnight again had some mushy poos and is now not keen on kibble at all, though he is clearly hungry and has eaten a little bit of it this morning. He is eating hay well. This morning he refused even fibreplex and he usually rather likes that, so in an attempt not to stress him overly, I didn't force it.

I've tried the 3 kibbles I have in the house, burgess excel mint, and the purple one, and also selective. He's very wary of all of them, I think he suspects they're making him ill and is avoiding them. My one abiding hope in this is that he's hungry and begs for food, so clearly he wants to eat still.

I used all the critical care already, there's none left to give him and the order I put in is god knows how many days away from arriving because it was delayed in the hot mess of the country.

I'm basically looking for suggestions here because I am all out of ideas and I am hitting the point of panic. Is he ok with what he picks at and the hay for today? He has an oxbow vitamin c biscuit broken up in with the kibble and he usually does like those, so I know he's not low on vitamin c at least since he's had them every day for the entire duration of this. Should I force the fibreplex down him at lunch time or let him chill out a bit? What is the best approach here?! Thank you so much to anyone willing to help, this has hit me at a very bad moment and I am not dealing with it well. He means the world to me, I've been through a lot with that little lad and I'll be damned if this is how I lose him.
Click to expand...

Please follow the tips in this detailed guide here. The medical advice has been proof-read by an experienced guinea pig keeping exotics nurse: Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Here is our crisis and bridging care advice: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

You can find our medical advice at the top via the Guinea Pig Guides shortcut; it is worth to have a look! All the best.
 
@Wiebke Thank you, I've read all that, but I don't have critical care to give him, already used it all and can't get anymore, and when I tried the mushed kibble method, it made him worse, so what do I do? I'll get the fibreplex down him, but if the kibble is actively making his gut worse, is it worth risking it?
 
Fweeper said:
@Wiebke Thank you, I've read all that, but I don't have critical care to give him, already used it all and can't get anymore, and when I tried the mushed kibble method, it made him worse, so what do I do? I'll get the fibreplex down him, but if the kibble is actively making his gut worse, is it worth risking it?
Click to expand...

Use mushed up pellets and follow the tips in the Bridging and Emergency care link, which deals exactly with that kind of situation when you have to improvise. ;)
 
@Wiebke I did, they're in the next town over sadly. Thank you for the advice though, much appreciated. I syringe fed him throughout the day, gave him his fibreplex and in sheer desperation at getting something down him without the stress of fighting it, I mashed a slice of banana into his wet kibble mush and naturally he licked the bowl clean, so at least I know he has eaten today. He's still eating his hay well too, and drinking fine on his own, so I'll call the vet tomorrow morning and see what they say then.
 
Vet admitted Praline this morning for tests and x-rays. I had to walk him up which was not ideal because it takes 40 minutes, but I wrapped the carrier so he'd not get cold and sent him with fleece that smells of home. His brother isn't coping well, but there was no other option.
 
Fweeper said:
Vet admitted Praline this morning for tests and x-rays. I had to walk him up which was not ideal because it takes 40 minutes, but I wrapped the carrier so he'd not get cold and sent him with fleece that smells of home. His brother isn't coping well, but there was no other option.
Click to expand...

Thinking of you and Praline
 
@VickiA @piggieminder & @Bill & Ted Thank you to all of you, today was rough and all the good wishes are gratefully accepted. Praline came home this afternoon after x-rays and some tooth filing because the vet found a small spur that had been bothering him. He's currently on antibiotics, fibreplex and some critical care, but he has managed a few bits of cucumber, a lick of lettuce and a strip of carrot peel, with some kibble he actually chose to eat himself for the first time in a week. He's still incredibly dopey from the sedation, which does worry me because he's an old man now, but it was necessary and I'm hoping he rests up well overnight and feels more himself tomorrow. Not gonna lie, I'm horribly paranoid about him, he's been through an awful lot in his life and to have this happen in a pandemic was just...horrible. Fingers crossed he picks up tomorrow.
 
I hope that Praline will soon pick up now his teeth are sorted, good to hear he’s had a go at some veggies. Hope you have a peaceful night.
 
I hope Praline picks up quickly now he's had his teeth sorted. Thank you for the update, I was wondering how he was getting on.
 
How is little Praline today, hope he’s perked up from the anaesthetic and he’s eating now x
 
I'm very pleased to say that he rallied himself pretty well overnight and actually managed to eat nearly a whole bowl of kibble! He's eating pretty well, so no more critical care at least, and he's obviously feeling better because now he's complaining about his antibiotics and fibreplex too! So far, I'm thinking he's doing pretty well considering the dire state he was in all last week which is a massive relief here, but obviously still cautious because early days and he has to put back on a lot of weight. He seems much happier, there was a hint of a popcorn earlier which is impressive for an old man with a bit of an arthritic leg!

Thank you so much for the support @VickiA @piggieminder and @Bill & Ted , I really appreciate it a great deal!
 
Sorry I have only just seen this thread, glad to hear Praline is doing well :wub: keep up the good recovery little man.
Thanks for the update, its lovely to hear some positive news :luv: x
 
Such a lovely post to read. So glad Praline is eating well again.
 
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