Guinea Pig Red Eye

[Cherry Berry]

Honestly in a situation where piggy isn't eating, we tend to just give them whatever they'll eat alongside syringe feeding them (within reason of course!)

Grass is a great idea, especially if she's not eating hay.

Could you offer her a bowl of syringe feed in her cage to see if she will eat it by herself?

No she is not eating if it is given in a bowl. She eats slower than usual and she will eat a bit of grass, veggies and pellets.

The vet said she might be nauseous and her world is a bit upside down so she needs to be pushed to eat.

 

[Cherry Berry]

Hi

Please keep on syringe feeding. You may want to try mixing in a little crushed banana to make it more flavoursome.

As to fresh grass, please be very careful when introducing it as it can cause fatal bloating if you do not allow the microbiome to get used to it. It can be a helpful addition but she should still have some additional syringe feed. At this time of year grass is not very nutritious and it needs to be dog pee-free.
Fresh Grass and Lawn Time - Tips for Avoiding Spring Time Deaths

I am glad that the problem is not dental but I hope that you can get to the bottom of it.

Hi,

The grass is grown in the garden in small pots. They are used to grass. I gave her couple of days too and she ate it peaceful.

She is just staying in her tent since yesterday. Is it that antibiotics are affecting her appetite and energy?

The vet suspects something like a stroke or other neurological problems.

 

[Cherry Berry]

Maintaining her weight will come down entirely to you syringe feeding her enough each day. The syringe feed is the food source which is replacing her hay intake (veg and pellets do not do that but it is good she has an appetite for them).

She definitely can have some fresh grass if she is used to eating it.

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Sure thanks

 

[Wheekallweek]

Do you know what antibiotics were prescribed? Some can upset their tummies, including Baytril which is a common one.
Antibiotics won't work on parasites, was she prescribed anything else alongside the abs?

 

[Cherry Berry]

Do you know what antibiotics were prescribed? Some can upset their tummies, including Baytril which is a common one.
Antibiotics won't work on parasites, they would normally only be prescribed in the case of an infection.

So there is Azithromycin, Prochlorperazine, Panacur (for Parasite) and Metacam for inflammation.

The vet said she has given these based on her suspicion of what issues it could be it might change based on the blood report.

Obviously she was misdiagnosed at first. Her eyes were red and the first vet said that she has cosmetic eye sight. This was 2 weeks ago so obviously I understand whatever the issue is it has increased and now she is suffering a lot.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

The grass is grown in the garden in small pots. They are used to grass. I gave her couple of days too and she ate it peaceful.

She is just staying in her tent since yesterday. Is it that antibiotics are affecting her appetite and energy?

The vet suspects something like a stroke or other neurological problems.

Antibiotics can knock out the appetite but it is impossible for us to comment wihtout knowing the medication she has been given. All we can do without more information is speculate as much as you are doing. Sorry.

Good that she is used to grass and that you are growing it yourself. Then it is not a problem. You may find that she still needs topping up with syringe feed. Make sure that you put the syringe in on side of the face that is not affected as much.

 

[Cherry Berry]

Antibiotics can knock out the appetite but it is impossible for us to comment wihtout knowing the medication she has been given. All we can do without more information is speculate as much as you are doing. Sorry.

Good that she is used to grass and that you are growing it yourself. Then it is not a problem. You may find that she still needs topping up with syringe feed. Make sure that you put the syringe in on side of the face that is not affected as much.

Thanks.

Her antibiotics are Azithromycin, Prochlorperazine, Panacur (for Parasite) and Metacam for inflammation.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Hmm, looks like she's on a good mix of meds!
I have no idea if zithromax is one which upsets tummies, don't think we've ever used it with any of ours.

Panacur is the go to for parasites like e-cuniculi.

You're doing everything you can, fingers crossed now it all works together to get her better!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Azithromycin is a strong antibiotic. While it is tolerated by some piggies, for others it completely wipes the appetite out.

Prochlorperazine I had not heard of - seems it is antiemetic but not common to be given to guinea pigs

 

[Cherry Berry]

I feel like these antibiotics are having some side effects on her. She is not eating at all and her poop is string like. I feel like her tummy is swollen too. I will speak with the vet if the dosage can be reduced or changed. In the meantime do you have any suggestions please?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks.

Her antibiotics are Azithromycin, Prochlorperazine, Panacur (for Parasite) and Metacam for inflammation.

Thank you for telling us. Your vet is really using all the big guns.

The antibiotic is azithromycin (in the UK also known as Zithromax), which is a very strong antibiotic that can knock out the appetite badly in some piggies. Your piggy may need that if the infection is in the middle ear capsule.
Prochlorperazine is for vertigo.
Panacur is the go-to for all internal parasites, including potential e.cuniculi.
And metacam is as much of an anti-inflammatory as it is a painkiller.

 

[Cherry Berry]

Thank you for telling us. Your vet is really using all the big guns.

The antibiotic is azithromycin (in the UK also known as Zithromax), which is a very strong antibiotic that can knock out the appetite badly in some piggies. Your piggy may need that if the infection is in the middle ear capsule.
Prochlorperazine is for vertigo.
Panacur is the go-to for all internal parasites, including potential e.cuniculi.
And metacam is as much of an anti-inflammatory as it is a painkiller.

So shall I stop any for now?

 

[Wiebke]

So shall I stop any for now?

No, please continue. Your vet has carefully thought about what to prescribe and why, and they have balanced risks against the gains.

Never stop any medication without having a talk with your treating vet; especially not antibiotics as you can do more harm than good and you are also contributing to the growing problem of resistancy which is already starting to cost lives and is going to cost a lot more lives in the years to come.

Right now, nobody can tell you for sure whether it is a reaction to the antibiotic or something else. Just push through it with your syringe feeding, as tough as it is. When a vet prescribes zithromax, then there is a potential life or death issue in play. It is not lightly done.

 

[piggieminder]

I am sorry you and your piggy are finding yourselves in this position. I am syringe feeding a piggy on antibiotics at the moment too. It is very time consuming and tiring but experience has shown me how essential it is to get piggy through a difficult time. A good probiotic helps as well I use Fibreplex.

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[Cherry Berry]

No, please continue. Your vet has carefully though about what to prescribe and why, and they have balanced risks against the gains.

Never stop any medication without having a talk with your treating vet; especially not antibiotics as you can do more harm than good and you are also contributing to the growing problem of resistancy which is already starting to cost lives and is going to cost a lot more lives in the years to come.

Right now, nobody can tell you for sure whether it is a reaction to the antibiotic or something else. Just push through it with your syringe feeding, as tough as it is. When a vet prescribes zithromax, then there is a potential life or death issue in play. It is not lightly done.

Sure thanks

 

[Cherry Berry]

I am sorry you and your piggy are finding yourselves in this position. I am syringe feeding a piggy on antibiotics at the moment too. It is very time consuming and tiring but experience has shown me how essential it is to get piggy through a difficult time. A good probiotic helps as well I use Fibreplex.

Probiotics & Live Gut Microbiome Transfer ('Poo Soup'); Recovery Formula Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links and Transfer Recipe

Thank you . Hope your piggie feels better too

 

[Cherry Berry]

Hi,

I am continuing with antibiotics and syringe feed. Her poop is looking a bit normal. Her heart rate is normal. She doesn't move from a place though in her home though like she will just stand in the same position even though if her mates are moving around. She explores a bit outside her home but inside she is very reluctant. Are these side effects of antibiotics too?

Best wishes

 

[Cherry Berry]

Hi,

Hope you and your piggies are doing great.

Cookie has been showing improvement. She definitely can hear back. She is moving around she has started to eat a little bit on her along with the syringe feed. She has finally wheeked for food after days.

Her vet called today and said that E Cuniculi and toxoplasma blood test results have not arrived yet. However, in her general blood test Lymphocytes is high in isolation. The vet believes it is a sign of blood cancer. There is a steroid which she mentioned for Cookie. But as we are still waiting for the other results. The vet has parked it for now. It might not be good to change medicines for Cookie just yet as she is doing better. So we might hear back from the vet soon.

Can you please share any thoughts on the information we have so far?

Best wishes,

 

[Cherry Berry]

Hi,

Hope you and your piggies are doing great.

Cookie has been showing improvement. She definitely can hear back. She is moving around she has started to eat a little bit on her along with the syringe feed. She has finally wheeked for food after days.

Her vet called today and said that E Cuniculi and toxoplasma blood test results have not arrived yet. However, in her general blood test Lymphocytes is high in isolation. The vet believes it is a sign of blood cancer. There is a steroid which she mentioned for Cookie. But as we are still waiting for the other results. The vet has parked it for now. It might not be good to change medicines for Cookie just yet as she is doing better. So we might hear back from the vet soon.

Can you please share any thoughts on the information we have so far?

Just to clarify about steriod I meant vet has mentioned steroid treatment for Cookie but it is parked for now as we are still waiting for other blood results.

 

[Cherry Berry]

Hi,

Hope you and your little piggies are doing great.

Cookie is still on syringe feed and her antibiotics. We might get the blood reports in few days. She has started wheeking again but she doesn't eat much after that like half a lettuce leaf, few coriander leaves, barely 3 or 4 pellets and some hay. She is eating green grass a little bit. She has got a preference towards hay or grass when compared to veggies or pellets. It's not enough though but I find this a bit strange. Is this normal for a piggie to prefer hay after syringe feed?

She is back to her playful personality. She has been trying to chew a lot like onto clothes, hay rack but a little bit on actual hay. Could this be due to syringe feed she is uncomfortable as her teeth might have grown a little? And if so what can I do to help her when her appetite is reduced?

Please advise me to help Cookie feel comfortable
@Wiebke
@Piggies&buns
@piggieminder

Best wishes,

 

[piggieminder]

Other than syringe feed and her medicines i don't think there is not a lot you can do until the vet gives you more guidance. I assume the vet gave her pain medicine, if not than do ask for that. Keep her warm but not hot, Snuggle Safes are good for that. I hope the results of the tests come through for you very soon.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If she wants to eat hay/grass after a syringe feed then that is good and to be encouraged. We actually say to do that for dental piggies in particular - give a syringe feed and then offer hay by hand as it often piques their interest.

If she isn’t chewing enough hay/grass and is pretty much totally reliant on syringe feeding for an extended time then it can start to affect correct dental wear.
But piggies do chew things to explore so we can’t say why she is doing it specifically in her case

As piggieminder said though All you can do is continue with syringe feeding and get more guidance from the vet

I hope she is ok

 

[Cherry Berry]

If she wants to eat hay/grass after a syringe feed then that is good and to be encouraged. We actually say to do that for dental piggies in particular - give a syringe feed and then offer hay by hand as it often piques their interest.

If she isn’t chewing enough hay/grass and is pretty much totally reliant on syringe feeding for an extended time then it can start to affect correct dental wear.
But piggies do chew things to explore so we can’t say why she is doing it specifically in her case

As piggieminder said though All you can do is continue with syringe feeding and get more guidance from the vet

I hope she is ok

She is definitely showing signs of improvement in her personality not in terms of appetite thanks. Do you think we should get her teeth checked out or give her some time?

 

[Cherry Berry]

She is definitely showing signs of improvement in her personality not in terms of appetite thanks. Do you think we should get her teeth checked out or give her some time?

Hi piggie parents,

Hope you and your little ones are doing well.

Unfortunately Cookie passed away before. She definitely had cancer we got her blood tested again.

She was a very brave, loving and happy piggie. She had severe symptoms only for 24 hours and she went away in her sleep. Hopefully she is out of pain now.

Thanks a lot for all the help.

Best wishes

 

[Wiebke]

Hi piggie parents,

Hope you and your little ones are doing well.

Unfortunately Cookie passed away before. She definitely had cancer we got her blood tested again.

She was a very brave, loving and happy piggie. She had severe symptoms only for 24 hours and she went away in her sleep. Hopefully she is out of pain now.

Thanks a lot for all the help.

Best wishes

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry to hear that. You have certainly all you could for Cookie and have given her all the love and care she could wish for. Sadly, there are some things that are out of our and our vet's control, despite the huge strides that guinea pig veterinary medicine has taken in recent years. I am glad that you did get an answer; even if it was the one you dreaded but you can mourn Cookie with hopefully an easier heart and no doubts or feelings of guilt.

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[Merab]

So very sorry that you have lost Cookie.
You gave her the best life.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hugs

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. Popcorn high over the bridge Cookie.

 

[Cherry Berry]

Thanks a lot everyone

 

[KK327]

Oh such sad horrible news - sending you love and hugs at this really awful time - you did your absolute best x