Guinea Pig Won't Eat.

[Llewellyn]

On Tuesday we found lewellyn (1 year old boar) led on his side motionless and floppy. We initially thought he had heat stroke so cooled him down aby he seemed to perk up for a few hours. Later that day he started lying down a lot and not eating. He wouldn't even lift his head. Took him to the vets on Wednesday they said he seemed okay and too syringe water and keep tempting him with veg. He then didn'the eat anything so we took him back too the vets on Thursday and they kept hime in for they day gave him fluids and antibiotics and a gut stimulant. We've been syringe feeding him nugget mush and carrot puree every 2-5 hours. As well as the prescribed baytrill and gut stimulant. He's hasn't attempted to eat on his own for 5 days. The vet suspects chest infection. Last night he started weeing blood and sounds like he's in pain when he does. He also has a gunky eye and is perky but doesnt want to do anything but stare at the corner. He will put food in his mouth put then spit it out. Does anyone have any ideas what might help? We can't take any more time off work and will have to leave him on his own for 7 hours at some point so need to get him sorted ASAP!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

It has been rather hot in the UK, especially if Llewellyn has been out in the heat. Heat stroke can affect the heart. He could also have had a normal stroke or GI stasis (the guts stopping to work). In any case, it can be hard to get a piggy going again, especially when you have to work. Has you vet tested for a pain issue, which could also be a cause for his lack of appetite?

It sounds like you are up against it. Peeing blood is usually either a urine infection or a bladder stone. Has your vet checked for that?

You can help us a lot to help you better if you please please added your country, state/province or UK to your details, as we have got members and enquiries from all over the world. Please click on your username at the top, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. That means that we can tailor any advice to what is most relevant for you instead of keeping it general.

Please continue syringe feeding as much as you as you can. How piggy savvy is your vet?
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Llewellyn]

Yeah the vet thought he had gut stasis and prescribed a gut stimulant. Can baytrill cause blood in urine? The blood in the urine only started last night not when he first became ill.
Does anyone one know what is normal for syringe feeding? We've been doing it for 4 days and still has no interest in eating for himself.
We really love him but need to go to work we could be looking at having to sign him over to the rspca if he won't start eating for himself. It'd be cruel to leave him for such a long time without syringe feeding :'(

 

[Wiebke]

Yeah the vet thought he had gut stasis and prescribed a gut stimulant. Can baytrill cause blood in urine? The blood in the urine only started last night not when he first became ill.
Does anyone one know what is normal for syringe feeding? We've been doing it for 4 days and still has no interest in eating for himself.
We really love him but need to go to work we could be looking at having to sign him over to the rspca if he won't start eating for himself. It'd be cruel to leave him for such a long time without syringe feeding :'(

Here is our syringe feeding guide:
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Administering Medications

Baytril can be an appetite killer, especially in situations where eating is already compromised, but it does not cause bloody urine. It sounds like the immune system of your piggy is, however, as both URI and UTI (respiratory resp. urinary tract infections are opportunistic illnesses.

We have got a recommended Uk vets locator on the top bar.

Would you consider contacting Glynneath Guinea Pig Rescue - they are very piggy savvy and also offer boarding, I understand. Glynneath Guinea Pig Rescue and Boarding 01639 721127 10am-4pm: Adoption Fees and Services

 

[Adelle]

Hi, I'm sorry your piggy is really up against it! There could be a urine infection present which would cause the blood. This could have been the initial cause, as blood isnt always present throughout the cycle of infection. This can be diagnosed by a simple urine dipstick test done at the vet. Septrin is better for bladder issues than baytril, which may be why his symptoms are progressing.

As he is deteriorating, he needs to see the vet again. Preferably one with more piggy knowledge. I see you are in the UK, have you checled the recommended vets locator on the forum?

If you find a piggy savvy vet, you can request to have him admitted whilst you are working, where they will keep up with regular syringe feeds.

 

[Llewellyn]

Thanks for the advice guys. Took him to a vet who knows a bit more about guinea pigs. Said it might be kidney failure so they're doing a urine dip test. He's only peeing about 0.2ml every 2 hours (8 wees) and sounds like he's in so much pain. By looking at the other posts on here it sounds like there's no cure if it is that. Any ideas how to keep him more comfortable over night?

 

[Adelle]

Have they ruled out stones? Kidney failire wouldnt cause pain when urinating, but stones would. The small volume of urine being passed could be due to a partial blockage in the urethra from a stone. Please have him xrayed to check for this. A dipstick for kidney failure and uti would show the same results- a blood test to check kidney parameters are best to rule this out.

 

[Llewellyn]

Update:
The vet says he has kidney failure The vet has given us another type of medication to make him hungry to see if he'll eat today. They also gave us some tramadol to give him if he sounds like he's in a lot of pain. We haven't given the tramadol yet because we were told it might heavily sedate him and we want to have one last try today to see if he'll eat for himself. Otherwise i think it might be a one way trip to the vets tonight. We love him so much but 5 days of lying down facing the corner is just horrible for him and he sounds like he's in so much pain and his wee is just blood now. It's such a hard and horrible decision to make and we want to feel like we've tried absolutely everything for him. It's hard because he still fights the syringe and still chats too us when we stroke his back so it's not like he's unaware! Summerhill vets in Newport (south Wales) is definitely the place to take guinea pigs. They were so through and lovely with him.

We also have another guinea pig called Angus who just seems so lost without him climbing all over him and stealing his veggies, we never wanted to separate them.. we've put them in indoor cages so they can still see each other.. our house is such a sad place.

 

[Adelle]

Update:
The vet says he has kidney failure The vet has given us another type of medication to make him hungry to see if he'll eat today. They also gave us some tramadol to give him if he sounds like he's in a lot of pain. We haven't given the tramadol yet because we were told it might heavily sedate him and we want to have one last try today to see if he'll eat for himself. Otherwise i think it might be a one way trip to the vets tonight. We love him so much but 5 days of lying down facing the corner is just horrible for him and he sounds like he's in so much pain and his wee is just blood now. It's such a hard and horrible decision to make and we want to feel like we've tried absolutely everything for him. It's hard because he still fights the syringe and still chats too us when we stroke his back so it's not like he's unaware! Summerhill vets in Newport (south Wales) is definitely the place to take guinea pigs. They were so through and lovely with him.

We also have another guinea pig called Angus who just seems so lost without him climbing all over him and stealing his veggies, we never wanted to separate them.. we've put them in indoor cages so they can still see each other.. our house is such a sad place.

I'm sorry he isnt doing well! How was the kidney failure diagnosed? Blood tests are very accurate, urine tests can be complicated by any infection in the urine, and this can mimic kidney failure. Was he xrayed for stones, either in his bladder/urethra or kidneys? This could cause all his symptoms too.

I apologise if i am speaking out of turn, i just want to make sure he has had a definate diagnosis before you would make a decision- i was told my elderly sow had kidney failure, done by a urine test sent off to be more accurate- but when we treated for infection on a whim, her levels have eventually came down to normal. If it was done by blood test, the results will be as accurate as possible and it really is just a matter of pallative care for him. I know you are aware of this and he is lucky to have an owner who wont let him suffer.

I am thinking of you both xx

 

[Llewellyn]

Yeah they basically said the amount of protein in his urine indicated that the kidneys are failing. Said they didn't think he'd survive the anesthetic to do the blood test or anything like that because he's lost so much weight.
He's been on antibiotics for a week so if it was an infection it would have cleared up by now.

 

[Adelle]

i really am ever so sorry. How is he feeling at the moment? i have a terminal piggy myself, it is hard. Let him be your guide, you know him best x

 

[madguinealady]

Huge hugs.I'm so sorry you are having to make the decision.It is the last and kindest act of love we can do for them.