Gut stasis antibiotics or not?

[Piggies&buns]

Just to add to my post that the vet said to use Metacam ‘as required’, so there are no clear instructions as to how long it needs to be Continued. Initially I assumed it was for the gut stasis, but am now wondering if these lumps will ongoing require pain relief. I will speak to the vet again next week to clarify this point.

It depends on the cause of the stasis. Extreme pain itself can cause stasis so if it turns out the lumps are causing her pain then how long she needs it depends on the prognosis with the lumps.

 

[Surfergirl]

It depends on the cause of the stasis. Extreme pain itself can cause stasis so if it turns out the lumps are causing her pain then how long she needs it depends on the prognosis with the lumps.

Thank you for advising. I will ask my vet to clarify further.

 

[Merab]

Ive merged them all now so everything is together

I didn’t know you could merge threads. Good to know

 

[Surfergirl]

Sending healing vibes to Biscuit

Hi I understand from other posts that you’re from Cornwall. I don’t suppose you can recommend a Guinea vet please? Today Biscuit is grinding her teeth and not eating as much as normal. My local vet in Looe won’t prescribe Metacam twice a day and thinks 0.2ml of cat Metacam is the correct dose once a day. I feel sure she needs more, but don’t know who can help. Last time I looked for an exotics specialist I couldn’t find one in Cornwall. I am fairly near the Plymouth border if you know anyone in Devon instead. Thank you so much.

 

[eileen]

i wondered have you had a chance to look at the vet list at the top bar.

 

[Surfergirl]

i wondered have you had a chance to look at the vet list at the top bar.

I hadn’t spotted that, thank you I’ll have a look now.

 

[Surfergirl]

I hadn’t spotted that, thank you I’ll have a look now.

I’ve had a look and my vet is listed there, albeit a different town. Are these recommended by people here? I know they definitely don’t have an exotics specialist.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’ve had a look and my vet is listed there, albeit a different town. Are these recommended by people here? I know they definitely don’t have an exotics specialist.

The vets on the list are member recommended as being piggy savvy , not necessarily exotic specialist

 

[Surfergirl]

That is the licensing. We know they can take higher doses, we have personal experiences of being given higher doses and having been given dog metacam which is stronger, but it is up to the vet

Thank you for your help. The vet has agreed to increase to 0.5ml a day, although is insistent that it can’t be split between two doses. I keep reading it’s best to give 12 hours apart, but the vet has said no. Would you split it or do it once a day please?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you for your help. The vet has agreed to increase to 0.5ml a day, although is insistent that it can’t be split between two doses. I keep reading it’s best to give 12 hours apart, but the vet has said no. Would you split it or do it once a day please?

We can’t tell you to go against vet advice.
However piggies metabolise pain meds in around 12 hours so when only given once a day they consequently spend 12 out of every 24 with pain.

 

[Surfergirl]

We can’t tell you to go against vet advice.
However piggies metabolise pain meds in around 12 hours so when only given once a day they consequently spend 12 out of every 24 with pain.

Yes thank you. It’s so difficult isn’t it. I’ve been going with my gut seeing my guinea needed it twice a day, but was still told no by the vet. Do exotic vets recommend twice a day? Unfortunately I am not near a specialist, have just seen a vet on the recommended list, who obviously isn’t guinea savvy.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes thank you. It’s so difficult isn’t it. I’ve been going with my gut seeing my guinea needed it twice a day, but was still told no by the vet. Do exotic vets recommend twice a day? Unfortunately I am not near a specialist, have just seen a vet on the recommended list, who obviously isn’t guinea savvy.

Yes exotics recommend twice a day but not just exotics.…A lot of savvy rabbit and piggy vets will prescribe it twice a day knowing about the faster metabolism of those animals. The thing is, I don’t think the leaflet information says twice a day for piggies specifically so the vets will only go by the instructions.

 

[Surfergirl]

I’m not sure if I need to merge this with my previous posts-apologies I do not know how to do that.
My Biscuit (female) had two spots of blood on the fleece she was sitting on, on my knee last night. I couldn’t see anything coming from her vagina (I will check again today, and check her bottom).
I assume this could be to do with the three masses the vet found around 3 weeks ago when I took her in because she wasn’t eating. Brief update- now eating consistently after Emeprid, have kept her on pain relief as the vet said the lumps could be pushing on organs, she seems very happy and normal.
Vet said she’s too weak and quite old to operate and said there’s no point in an X-ray as it won’t change the outcome- advice will still be pain relief. The vet said it would be a miracle if she turned it around, which she has done the last few weeks by putting on weight and looking very happy. So I am now a bit disheartened to find the blood and face another hurdle.
The vet said the pain relief would be the best way forward to keep her comfortable until the end. She did offer to put her down there and then, as she was quite weak, but she has battled through the odds and has turned things round.
I’ve never been in this situation with a previous guinea and wondered if anyone has any advice what the lumps would be. I think she said they were around the bladder and stomach, but I was upset and crying, so can’t remember 100%
I would never see her in pain, but whilst she’s eating, running around and singing to me, am I okay to just let her see out her days with what time she has left? Obviously if she deteriorates, I would take her back to be PTS. She is 5, my previous post may have said 6 as I got her DOB confused!
Many thanks for any help.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m not sure if I need to merge this with my previous posts-apologies I do not know how to do that.
My Biscuit (female) had two spots of blood on the fleece she was sitting on, on my knee last night. I couldn’t see anything coming from her vagina (I will check again today, and check her bottom).
I assume this could be to do with the three masses the vet found around 3 weeks ago when I took her in because she wasn’t eating. Brief update- now eating consistently after Emeprid, have kept her on pain relief as the vet said the lumps could be pushing on organs, she seems very happy and normal.
Vet said she’s too weak and quite old to operate and said there’s no point in an X-ray as it won’t change the outcome- advice will still be pain relief. The vet said it would be a miracle if she turned it around, which she has done the last few weeks by putting on weight and looking very happy. So I am now a bit disheartened to find the blood and face another hurdle.
The vet said the pain relief would be the best way forward to keep her comfortable until the end. She did offer to put her down there and then, as she was quite weak, but she has battled through the odds and has turned things round.
I’ve never been in this situation with a previous guinea and wondered if anyone has any advice what the lumps would be. I think she said they were around the bladder and stomach, but I was upset and crying, so can’t remember 100%
I would never see her in pain, but whilst she’s eating, running around and singing to me, am I okay to just let her see out her days with what time she has left? Obviously if she deteriorates, I would take her back to be PTS. She is 5, my previous post may have said 6 as I got her DOB confused!
Many thanks for any help.

I’ve popped your new post on your old thread so it’s all together.

It would be worth mentioning this to your vet. It would seem probable it is connected to the masses but it is for the vet to determine.

I hope she is ok

 

[Surfergirl]

I’ve pooped your new post on your old thread so it’s all together.

It would be worth mentioning this to your vet. It would seem probable it is connected to the masses but it is for the vet to determine.

I hope she is ok

Thank you, really appreciate your advice and support.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, really appreciate your advice and support.

Hi

The bleeding may be connected to the masses; especially if they are ovarian cysts gone wrong. It is certainly worth contacting your vet.

I am very sorry. It is always gutting and rather challenging when you are facing terminal care and end of life decisions, especially the first time round.

Please take the time to read the links below. They contain lots of very practical and helpful advice to support you during this time both in how to care and when it is the right time for you to letting your piggy go.

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility

Signs of Pain in Guinea Pigs
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

 

[Surfergirl]

Hi

The bleeding may be connected to the masses; especially if they are ovarian cysts gone wrong. It is certainly worth contacting your vet.

I am very sorry. It is always gutting and rather challenging when you are facing terminal care and end of life decisions, especially the first time round.

Please take the time to read the links below. They contain lots of very practical and helpful advice to support you during this time both in how to care and when it is the right time for you to letting your piggy go.

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility

Signs of Pain in Guinea Pigs
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate your support.
May I ask what you mean by ovarian cysts gone wrong? I’ve never had a guinea with this problem before, so it’s all a learning curve, and I want to ensure I am fully armed to deal with it all.
Thank you.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry I didn’t reply in October, I didn’t see your post. I live in West Cornwall between Newquay and St Ives and we have a few exotics vets within 10 miles They are ok, but they are no better than the general vets down the road tbh. I think exotic vets aren’t necessarily any more knowledgeable with guinea pigs than general vets. Finding a good “guinea pig savvy” vet would be wonderful, I’m still on the look out!

I’m so sorry little Biscuit poorly, but amazing that she has turned a corner help she keeps progressing

 

[Surfergirl]

I’m so sorry I didn’t reply in October, I didn’t see your post. I live in West Cornwall between Newquay and St Ives and we have a few exotics vets within 10 miles They are ok, but they are no better than the general vets down the road tbh. I think exotic vets aren’t necessarily any more knowledgeable with guinea pigs than general vets. Finding a good “guinea pig savvy” vet would be wonderful, I’m still on the look out!

I’m so sorry little Biscuit poorly, but amazing that she has turned a corner help she keeps progressing

Thank you so much. My vet is off the recommended list on here, but failed to give me Emeprid for gut stasis. I read up on here and went back, she was on her last legs and thankfully somehow pulled through, despite the vet saying it would be a miracle! Round the clock feeding kept her alive. My other guinea also sadly died of the same thing, because the same recommended vet didn’t prescribe Emeprid. I was on holiday and my friend took her to the vets for me, I didn’t know what was wrong with her and felt awful when I got home and she’d died. I asked for a print out of the consultation and it said bloat and other things which pointed to gut stasis. I don’t know how I report this to whoever keeps the list of recommended vets on here, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend them.
That’s useful to know, I did once use the vet at Pets at Home in Penzance whilst on holiday, who keeps guineas herself and was the best guinea vet I’ve ever seen. But I live near Looe, so it’s a 3 hour round trip, maybe more. She was excellent.
Biscuit is still with us. Probably doesn’t have much longer left due to three masses, but is still eating, running around and squeaking, so she seems happy enough in her last few weeks. She’s too weak/old to operate on, but I’m keeping her comfortable. Thanks again for your support, I really appreciate it.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Thank you so much. My vet is off the recommended list on here, but failed to give me Emeprid for gut stasis. I read up on here and went back, she was on her last legs and thankfully somehow pulled through, despite the vet saying it would be a miracle! Round the clock feeding kept her alive. My other guinea also sadly died of the same thing, because the same recommended vet didn’t prescribe Emeprid. I was on holiday and my friend took her to the vets for me, I didn’t know what was wrong with her and felt awful when I got home and she’d died. I asked for a print out of the consultation and it said bloat and other things which pointed to gut stasis. I don’t know how I report this to whoever keeps the list of recommended vets on here, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend them.
That’s useful to know, I did once use the vet at Pets at Home in Penzance whilst on holiday, who keeps guineas herself and was the best guinea vet I’ve ever seen. But I live near Looe, so it’s a 3 hour round trip, maybe more. She was excellent.
Biscuit is still with us. Probably doesn’t have much longer left due to three masses, but is still eating, running around and squeaking, so she seems happy enough in her last few weeks. She’s too weak/old to operate on, but I’m keeping her comfortable. Thanks again for your support, I really appreciate it.

Aw Biscuit is gorgeous, I do hope you get loads of happy times together. If she is eating and doing piggie things then make lots of memories and keep her pain free x
Thanks for the info, my vet of choice is up in Northampton which is fine for planned operations. We used to travel there regularly for conscious dentals, they are amazing vets but 600 miles round trip.

I really don’t know how accurate the vet list is. vets come and go from practices, so it’s difficult to keep an accurate list. It’s a snapshot of someone’s experience.

If you private message @BossHogg and explain your concerns over this practice then he can update the list

 

[Surfergirl]

Aw Biscuit is gorgeous, I do hope you get loads of happy times together. If she is eating and doing piggie things then make lots of memories and keep her pain free x
Thanks for the info, my vet of choice is up in Northampton which is fine for planned operations. We used to travel there regularly for conscious dentals, they are amazing vets but 600 miles round trip.

I really don’t know how accurate the vet list is. vets come and go from practices, so it’s difficult to keep an accurate list. It’s a snapshot of someone’s experience.

If you private message @BossHogg and explain your concerns over this practice then he can update the list

Thank you very much.
600 miles, now that’s piggy love!

 

[Free Ranger]

I settled on my practice because 2 of the vets kept pigs themselves. They are generalists but obvs have a piggy interest. For routine matters (mites, lice, occasional UTI) I don't ask for specific vets as the newer ones need that piggy experience too! But for tricky problems I ask for certain people if I can get them. This means I can't go to my 2 nearest vets which are small local 'chains' I suppose with 3 or 4 practices each but the vets are rotated round and it's a lottery who you get on the day piggy actually needs to see someone.

If you search the web for potential new vet practices locally it's easy enough to call up and ask if any of their vets keep pigs themselves...?

 

[Surfergirl]

I settled on my practice because 2 of the vets kept pigs themselves. They are generalists but obvs have a piggy interest. For routine matters (mites, lice, occasional UTI) I don't ask for specific vets as the newer ones need that piggy experience too! But for tricky problems I ask for certain people if I can get them. This means I can't go to my 2 nearest vets which are small local 'chains' I suppose with 3 or 4 practices each but the vets are rotated round and it's a lottery who you get on the day piggy actually needs to see someone.

If you search the web for potential new vet practices locally it's easy enough to call up and ask if any of their vets keep pigs themselves...?

Thank you, I totally agree that those who keep guineas themselves have the edge. They’ve said it’s a miracle Biscuit is still alive, so I suspect she doesn’t have long left. So I might stick with the devil I know. I did try to get the vet who has a guinea for today’s appointment, but typically she’s off this week!