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Specialist Guinea pig poisoned by Foxglove

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Egghead11

Junior Guinea Pig
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One of our guinea pigs nibbled the edge of a foxglove plant on Sunday and is really poorly. Normally they go into their run and I wasn't thinking and let them on the grass, one jumped into the bed before I could catch it and bit a bit off. We took have been twice to the vet who said in all his time he has never known a pig to eat the leaf of a foxglove. Totally my fault, the plants have now been dug up.
We’ve now got recovery food for her which she is gulping down and she is trying to move a bit more. She has also eaten some cucumber. The vet said to give her another 24hrs, just wondering if anyone has ever experienced something similar and knows how long it could take her to recover - if at all?
It’s been 48hrs so far.
 
Egghead11 said:
One of our guinea pigs nibbled the edge of a foxglove plant on Sunday and is really poorly. Normally they go into their run and I wasn't thinking and let them on the grass, one jumped into the bed before I could catch it and bit a bit off. We took have been twice to the vet who said in all his time he has never known a pig to eat the leaf of a foxglove. Totally my fault, the plants have now been dug up.
We’ve now got recovery food for her which she is gulping down and she is trying to move a bit more. She has also eaten some cucumber. The vet said to give her another 24hrs, just wondering if anyone has ever experienced something similar and knows how long it could take her to recover - if at all?
It’s been 48hrs so far.
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I am very sorry; foxglove is one of the most poisonous plants for guinea pigs in your garden because it can be deadly even in small quantities. :(

Please keep syringe feeding around the clock. Do not just squirt any feed into her mouth (it can go down the wrong way) and never give more than she can easily swallow at once. Also make sure that you offer her additional water, as much as she will drink from the syringe.

Here is our detailed crisis care advice; we have bundled all the necessary information together: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Fingers firmly crossed. It is a very encouraging sign that she is starting to eat for herself and to move around again; hopefully she will pull through, but she may need support for a few days more.

@Abi_nurse
 
Aw, poor little piggie, hope she makes a full recovery x Don’t give up, it can take some time to recovery from poisons such as digitalis
 
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry; foxglove is one of the most poisonous plants for guinea pigs in your garden because it can be deadly even in small quantities. :(

Please keep syringe feeding around the clock. Do you not just squirt any food down and never give more than she can easily swallow. Also make sure that you offer her additional water, as much as she will drink from the syringe.

Here is our detailed crisis care advice; we have bundled all the necessary information together: Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Fingers firmly crossed. It is a very encouraging sign that she is starting to eat for hersel and to move; hopefully she will pull through, but she may need support for a few days more.

@Abi_nurse
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Thank you this is very helpful
 
Update - She made it through another night. We gave her 3x10ml of recovery feed last night plus one more this morning and she has also had water from a syringe alongside. She couldn’t lap up the feed quick enough then had a chunk of cucumber last night and again this morning. We put her in her hutch with the other pig last night and when we open it this morning she stuck her head out and was sniffing around. She’s also moving a lot quicker but her body is still dragging on the floor. Her tremors have also stopped. Thanks for the advice I’m hoping these are all good signs, going to give her a couple more days to see if her improvements continue.
 
Fingers firmly crossed! It is a very stressful time for you but unfortunately, all you can do is support her, wait and hope for the best.

The company of her mate will help her a lot. there has been a change of mind in recent years about separations - they are no longer recommended unless the relationship is not working or your are dealing with a contagious problem.

Here are our tips for guinea pigs with limited mobility: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
 
Hi everyone thanks for all the messages. So I am happy to report we have seen a HUGE improvement! She has now the full use of her back legs and is lifting her head and moving around. She has been lapping up the recovery food quicker than I can get it into her and have been giving her water and big chunks of cucumber.
I have spoken to four different vets including the amazing lady who rings the Cavy Trust in Cambridge, she was incredibly helpful and told me to give her time.
Also it helped keeping her with her sister as she kept her warm and even yesterday when I opened up their hutch, the well guinea pig kept pushing our sick one to encourage her to get up and kept bringing her food.
Fingers crossed she’s in the road to recovery.
 
Egghead11 said:
Hi everyone thanks for all the messages. So I am happy to report we have seen a HUGE improvement! She has now the full use of her back legs and is lifting her head and moving around. She has been lapping up the recovery food quicker than I can get it into her and have been giving her water and big chunks of cucumber.
I have spoken to four different vets including the amazing lady who rings the Cavy Trust in Cambridge, she was incredibly helpful and told me to give her time.
Also it helped keeping her with her sister as she kept her warm and even yesterday when I opened up their hutch, the well guinea pig kept pushing our sick one to encourage her to get up and kept bringing her food.
Fingers crossed she’s in the road to recovery.
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Phew! Very pleased to learn this news. It's amazing how caring piggies can be to their sick friends.
 
Wow, this is great news, so glad your little one is picking up now, well done you too for all your efforts, you didn’t give up x
 
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