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Guinea Pig Very Poorly

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Gem789

Gem789

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Hi everyone, just wanted to talk to some like minded people who love Guinea pigs like me.Its been a rubbish week, my Guinea pig Sam who's 5 seemed perfectly happy and healthy until Wednesday evening when he started hunching in pain when he was trying to do a poo.Got him to the vets that evening and they gave him an antibiotic injection and painkiller injection but as I was still worried the next day I took him to a different vets who gave him some emeprid? and said to siringe feed him and make sure he has a supply of hay etc.Well he went back in again Friday cos he was loosing weight and hardly eating and they kept him for 6 hours to try and get some food down him and when I collected him, they said to carry on with the syringe feeding and giving him basil leaves and to bring him back tomorrow.Hes gotten so weak and doesn't want the oxbow I've been trying to give him or anything else and it's heartbreaking to see him in pain and I know when I take him tomorrow they're gonna say about putting him to sleep because she basically said he's old and if he doesn't improve then that'll be the next step and I don't know whether I can do it.I don't want him suffering but also hate the thought of euthanasia.I did ask about possible bladder stones but they felt him and said they can't feel anything and won't give him an X-ray as he's old and weak.Any advice would be appreciated, I've not been able to hold back the tears the last few days but don't think many people understand cos he's a 'Guinea pig'.
Thanks, Gemma.
 
Would they consider a conscious xray?

Is he still on any pain relief? a pig that is in pain won't eat. Is he taking any of the syringe feed that you are giving him?

If it does come to having him PTS, please don't think of it as a bad thing, it took me a while to get my head around it, but it really is the kindest thing to do when there are no other options. If you update your location on your profile we may be able to recommend a more knowledgeable vet.
 
I am very sorry - a conscious x-ray without sedation would be the best thing to make any informed decision on, even if it means having Sam put to sleep if that is the kindest thing you can do, but at least you'll know why and can find consolation in not prolonging any untreatable suffering instead of feeling as helpless as you do at the moment. It is always a desperate situation when you feel you cannot help a beloved pet as you should.

Does Sam have any painkillers now?
Please continue with the syringe feed for the moment. Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

For further advice, it would be extremely helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can see whether there is a recommended piggy savvy vet within your reach. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you! We have got emmbers and enquiries from all over the world.
 
Hi, I live in Daventry in the Uk.I don't know how to update my profile but I'll have a go in a bit.I don't understand why they won't do an X-ray if I'm willing to pay, maybe they'd have to use gas?
 
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry - a conscious x-ray without sedation would be the best thing to make any informed decision on, even if it means having Sam put to sleep if that is the kindest thing you can do, but at least you'll know why and can find consolation in not prolonging any untreatable suffering instead of feeling as helpless as you do at the moment. It is always a desperate situation when you feel you cannot help a beloved pet as you should.

Does Sam have any painkillers now?
Please continue with the syringe feed for the moment. Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

For further advice, it would be extremely helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can see whether there is a recommended piggy savvy vet within your reach. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you! We have got emmbers and enquiries from all over the world.
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He has metacam but it's in drops that you have to put on food which he won't eat instead of in a bottle that you can use a syringe with and yes I'll carry on with the syringe feeding.
 
Sending healing vibes and wheeks to you and Sam. I really hope they don't suggest PTS as 5 years is not all that old for a guinea pig these days. Have you found an alternative Vet to take him to?
 
7squeakers. said:
Sending healing vibes and wheeks to you and Sam. I really hope they don't suggest PTS as 5 years is not all that old for a guinea pig these days. Have you found an alternative Vet to take him to?
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Hi, no I haven't.I don't wanna give up on him but the vets don't seem very sympathetic and basically said he's lived his life but I also think 5 is not really old.
 
You are very lucky. You live near Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit clinic. He is an extremely piggy-savvy vet and everyone on here who knows him says that he is brilliant. You can find him under the Vet locator at the top of the page. I wish I could reach him! If anyone can save Sam, it's Simon! He cares!.
 
Definitely go to see Simon if you can.

In the meantime could your vet give you a Metacam dose that you can give by syringe? Or could you put the drops in his syringe food?
 
I agree with what other members have said regading having a conscious x-ray done which won't have any ill effect on your piggy. Regarding the metacam drops I think you definitely need to see a vet who is savvy with guinea pigs. Metacam is usualy given by syringe once or sometimes twice a day depending on the dose. You could add some to the syringe foodbut if the vet has only said drops, this is too ambigious & isn't telling you how much you should be giving. I do hope the little gets through this but you need a vet who knows what they're doing x
 
7squeakers. said:
You are very lucky. You live near Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit clinic. He is an extremely piggy-savvy vet and everyone on here who knows him says that he is brilliant. You can find him under the Vet locator at the top of the page. I wish I could reach him! If anyone can save Sam, it's Simon! He cares!.
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Thank you for your reply I will find out where his clinic is and try and get an appointment for tomorrow.
 
helen105281 said:
Definitely go to see Simon if you can.

In the meantime could your vet give you a Metacam dose that you can give by syringe? Or could you put the drops in his syringe food?
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I had some metacam from a few months ago when he went to the vets about mites so if I can find that I will give him it.
 
7squeakers. said:
You are very lucky. You live near Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit clinic. He is an extremely piggy-savvy vet and everyone on here who knows him says that he is brilliant. You can find him under the Vet locator at the top of the page. I wish I could reach him! If anyone can save Sam, it's Simon! He cares!.
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How do I find the vet locator in the menu? I clicked on the menu but can't see it on there, thanks.
 
:D @Gem789 It's in the green bar at the top of the page, as you look at it. Just type Northamptonshire in the search box and it will give the address and phone number of Simon's clinic. :tu:
 
7squeakers. said:
:D @Gem789 It's in the green bar at the top of the page, as you look at it. Just type Northamptonshire in the search box and it will give the address and phone number of Simon's clinic. :tu:
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Thank you very much for your advice and help,I will look now.Btw my profile pic is of Sam took a few months ago
 
PTS should always be a last resort and by the sounds of things you're not there yet! A conscious xray or ultrasound is definitely an option and especially as he is unwell he's probably more likely to sit still for the vet. I would go and see a cavy savvy vet like Simon and get him looked at. It could just be a nasty bladder stone which although are difficult to deal with are highly operable. Sometimes when your piggie is at it's lowest it really feels like you're going to lose them but it's not always the case! Paws crossed x
 
I've nothing much more to add to everyone's comments except on an entirely practical note the metacam my vets give me has a white nozzle which has a dropper in the end. If you pull the dropper out (using pliers or sometimes even use my teeth) you can fit a 1ml syringe in which makes it much easier to administer. Just a thought - it may make it make it easier for yout o keep your chap comfortable. Thoughts are with you and Sam.
 
Piggiemum7 said:
PTS should always be a last resort and by the sounds of things you're not there yet! A conscious xray or ultrasound is definitely an option and especially as he is unwell he's probably more likely to sit still for the vet. I would go and see a cavy savvy vet like Simon and get him looked at. It could just be a nasty bladder stone which although are difficult to deal with are highly operable. Sometimes when your piggie is at it's lowest it really feels like you're going to lose them but it's not always the case! Paws crossed x
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Thank you for your kind words, I do feel like the vets haven't been willing to really do a lot and I need to do all I can even if he does end up having to be put to sleep and yes I'm gonna ring the clinic tomorrow x
 
VickiA said:
I've nothing much more to add to everyone's comments except on an entirely practical note the metacam my vets give me has a white nozzle which has a dropper in the end. If you pull the dropper out (using pliers or sometimes even use my teeth) you can fit a 1ml syringe in which makes it much easier to administer. Just a thought - it may make it make it easier for yout o keep your chap comfortable. Thoughts are with you and Sam.
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Thank you, I will try that
 
Simon or Kim there are brilliant, I would stress though that you feel it is urgent if he is deteriorating, just to give him a better chance of being seen tomorrow :)
 
Good luck with your little one I had to have my little girl PTS today so I really hope you can get piggie sorted x
 
Gem789 said:
He has metacam but it's in drops that you have to put on food which he won't eat instead of in a bottle that you can use a syringe with and yes I'll carry on with the syringe feeding.
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Could you mix the metacam with a little bit of syringe feed and suck it up?
 
Wiebke said:
I strongly second that you have him seen by Simon or Kim Maddock at the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton, ideally as an emergency; they are by far the best piggy vets in your area.
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic - Home
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Thanks for your reply, it sounds like that's my best bet.I will ring them 1st thing tomorrow and tell them it's an emergency x
 
Just an update on Sam, I managed to get him seen by Simon at the cat and rabbit clinic and have been prescribed septrim for possible cystitis.Sam had gained some weight this morning and was eating a little hay and drinking a bit of water which was a good sign.Simon has said if he is still in pain in a few days then to take him back and he will do an X-ray to see if bladder stones are present.He was very thorough and I was very happy with how thoroughly he examined him.Thanks for everyone's advice about making an appointment there x
 
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