Harry and gut stimulant??

[hazeyg]

The evt has recommended metoclpormide for Harry a gut stimulant but as I work full time I cant get him to the vet. Is there anything I can buy over the counter until then.
Does Zantac work or infocal?

 

[claremw92]

If a pig needs a gut stimulant... Then that generally means that they are really not well...
Can I ask what's wrong with him...
I've only used gut stimulants with pigs who are in(or are in danger of going in to) gut statis...
If it is gut statis then that is extremely serious and needs treatment ASAP...
you really need to make time to get your pig in to the vets.... As the vet has recommended treatment and it's really not fair on the pig to then not get the treatment reccomended...
x

 

[hazeyg]

He's had a big operation. See the post neutering lump thread. I'd post you the link but I'm on my phone.sorry. He did receive a gut stimulant post op but has not been eating right ever since.I really can't make the vet until tomorrow evening.
I've decided to give more probiotic and get up every couplle of hours through the night to try and re start his wee systems.
He just seems shell shocked. The vet doesn't reckon its pain but maybe his pain toerance is lower?

 

[flintstones]

Did you ask the vet if you could buy anything over the counter for him until tomorrow?

 

[Pebble]

Urrrm...the meds you mention are all geared towards increasing poo output but not wee! Yet you say he has no wee output? I am concerned.

So dealing with poo output first:
Metaclopromide works on the foregut...zantac and cisapride work on the hind gut and are preferable for guinea pigs as they are hind gut fermenters

You can ring your vet for approval tonight for zantac human meds under the cascade system. You can buy the 75mg tablets from the supermarket ...PM me for details on dosage but 4-10mg/kg is the norm (let your vet decide the dosage)...but you would need either metoclopromide or cisapride in addition for poo porblems

(FYI.....Metoclopromide is only recommended because cisapride has not been available ....but it is now...I have some! Again PM me for details as this is a much better drug for rabbits and piggies than metoclopromide)

It's good that you are getting a gut stimulant as in many cases this is AN ENTIRELY NECESSARY post-op med for guineas..it's scarey when it's your first piggie....but with time and experience it becomes a matter of course (i.e. like taking paracetemol for a headache)

Onto the wee: HOWEVER - it sounds from your post that it's his urine output that has stopped rather than his poo? Please give more details as this could be very worrying and willl NOT be solved by metoclopromide or any other gut stimulant...no wee equals an emergency situtation

I will PM you my phone number so please ring me if you wish.

HTH
x

 

[daftscotslass]

Once again can I urge people NOT to suggest DIY treatment over the internet. I would be very worried that there is something underlying as gut stasis generally isn't something that happens without an underlying cause.

 

[flintstones]

Once again can I urge people NOT to suggest DIY treatment over the internet. I would be very worried that there is something underlying as gut stasis generally isn't something that happens without an underlying cause.

Hi Lorna - I don't think anyone was advising this person to self medicate in fact they where advised to call the vet and ask before doing anything, the vet operated on this pig just the other day and I would hope the OP is working closely with the vet but unfortunately is unable to get to the vet to get the medicine till tomorrow.

This pig has been to the vet to have an abscess removed and has a huge wound - perhaps best linking the threads would be an idea as it's not a simple matter of the pig has stopped eating;

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=80579

If the pig is no longer urinating I would suggest to the OP to visit there vet again.

 

[daftscotslass]

Thanks, I'm quite aware of the other thread. The OP asked for advice on using the over the counter medicines Infacol and Zantac, I am merely urging people NOT to be suggesting doses online when they can't see the animal - if the vet is suggesting one medication then it's up to them to suggest an OTC alternative if they feel it's appropriate. If they have an emergency number then I would contact them on that.

 

[hazeyg]

Hi All,

I spoke to Glen twice today and he is fully aware of the situation. The up shot is, he thinks he needs metoclopromide. BUT.......given that he hasnt seen him he doesnt want me to give anything except tlc, probiotic and syringe as much as possible. As metoclopromide will do more harm than good if its not the GA causing his guts to slow.
Sorry I dont want anyone to think I would rushed to the pharmacy and would give my piggy any old thing....I did a quick search on google amid a hectic stressful day at work. Glen phoned whilst I was on a conference call and I took it and got a right dirty look from my boss and thats what came up and I only had 5 mins to post this thread. I hadnt actually looked into the meds properly, its just some stuff like gripe water are safe so I just wondered, I didnt realise these were proper pharmacy drugs.
I spoke to Glen again when I got home and ideally he wanted to see him first thing, but I cant get there until the evening without literally loosing my job.
He is basically doing very little of either (wee or poo's) unless syringing, but is not as tense when feeding. This morning he was very very rigid and shaking. Not so much tonight which is good. Glen recommended I chop up veg and hand feed so I did and he actually was very good.
Hes still so dazed and hidey.

Todays stats:
Pre op- 1.134kg
This morning 1.093(-3.6%)
This evening 1.083(-0.9%)
Dried food last night 25g
Dried food night 23g
Veg in 24hours a few nibbles of pepper.
Poos in yest:

Poos today:

 

[Farquhar]

Hopefully as Harry's wound heals his apetite will pick up. cyrus lost 2 lbs post op after his neutering but gained it back within a week....Cyrus was on zantac after his op which the vet gave me. Good luck at the vets tomorrow..x

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Can someone else take him in the morning for you? Sorry it's not much help but maybe if it was an emergency you could have a friend/family member on standby...

 

[hazeyg]

2lbs??Thats the weight of a guinea pig lol. I hopes so today we soul is so miserable.
Just gave him his second last feed and moved his igloo and changed the layers underneath.
I didnt want to clean the whole cage out as this really distresses him.
I really hope your right angela and with time he'll pick up.
Hows your little too....I really feel there isnt enough honeymoon pics up yet.

 

[hazeyg]

Unfortunatly I don't. My mum works full time also and my step dad has cronic fatigue syndrome and my brother learning difficulties. Even if they could they disapprove of how much money I spend on my piggies because I owe my money some money still from moving through to Bathgate for my job after I graduated.
I could ask the dog walker to syringe as they do say they do pet visit but the thing is I just dont trust just anyone and what if they get fluid in the lungs??. Ive had years of experience in syringing and nobody I know can do it, they try and they barely manage about 5mls. I really feel if I could get him stronger whilst the wound healed all would be ok.
The good thing is after Friday I'm off for Xmas and can start full blown intensive care.
If only I knew what it was I could put my mind at rest as Glen reckons its not pain as hes seen worse wounds and they still eat. Perhaps its a bit of Both.
Trying to stay positive. Thank goodness for this forum.

Hows Patrick Jo? I love the avatar btw......such a cute little monkey.

 

[Farquhar]

2lbs??Thats the weight of a guinea pig lol. I hopes so today we soul is so miserable.
Just gave him his second last feed and moved his igloo and changed the layers underneath.
I didnt want to clean the whole cage out as this really distresses him.
I really hope your right angela and with time he'll pick up.
Hows your little too....I really feel there isnt enough honeymoon pics up yet.

lol...I meant to say 2 ounces!! He didnt eat as much for the first few days post op, but was nibbling small amounts and I was also tempting his appetite with fresh grass.....Hope the wee man picks up soon.........

ps. been trying to get more snaps of the honeymooners but they arent having it!

 

[hazeyg]

Ha ha......who can blame them. They are on their honeymoon after all he he. I know I try to take pics of mine....I move so slowly and zoom....but they still catch me and bolt lol

 

[flintstones]

Unfortunatly I don't. My mum works full time also and my step dad has cronic fatigue syndrome and my brother learning difficulties. Even if they could they disapprove of how much money I spend on my piggies because I owe my money some money still from moving through to Bathgate for my job after I graduated.
I could ask the dog walker to syringe as they do say they do pet visit but the thing is I just dont trust just anyone and what if they get fluid in the lungs??. Ive had years of experience in syringing and nobody I know can do it, they try and they barely manage about 5mls. I really feel if I could get him stronger whilst the wound healed all would be ok.
The good thing is after Friday I'm off for Xmas and can start full blown intensive care.
If only I knew what it was I could put my mind at rest as Glen reckons its not pain as hes seen worse wounds and they still eat. Perhaps its a bit of Both.
Trying to stay positive. Thank goodness for this forum.

Hows Patrick Jo? I love the avatar btw......such a cute little monkey.

Patrick is good , he's all set for Christmas!

It may well be he's eating some of his poo's when P's gut was out of whack he used to eat all his poo's made me ultra paranoid. If he's still eating that is a good sign, and he is still passing pellets which is also good.

Have you made an appointment for him in the evening?

What vet neutered him if i remember rightly he was done by the rescues vet and rehomed to you?

 

[hazeyg]

Geeeso oh no......I dont think Glen would ever have made such a rotten Job lol.
It was the rescue I got him from that did it. I dont want to name names but I want to make sure everyone knows it was NOT thistle cavies, this is a really good rescue.
Glen is just dealing with the complications. When I first brought Harry home, I discovered his wounds to be open and had never even been told he had been neutered. The rescue took him back for 2weeks to the vet that had done it and gave him a course of baytril and finally I got him back witht he "all clear". All was ok for three weeks then the lump appeared.
I thought sod it, I'm taking him to Glen, once and for all. I trust Glen I really do and I know he couldnt have predicted what he found during surgery but a part of me thinks Harry wouldnt be as miserable if it had just burst as it was so close to.
Hes booked in for 7.40pm I phoned as soon as I had a poo count and weighed him. Glen must be sick of hearing my voice.
On the positive note he is grooming himself after syringing which I always see as a good sign, very very ill piggies in my experience dont bother.

Awww all ready for xmas? he he. My boys having nothing yet....although neither does anyone so their not too offended he he.

 

[flintstones]

Geeeso oh no......I dont think Glen would ever have made such a rotten Job lol.
It was the rescue I got him from that did it. I dont want to name names but I want to make sure everyone knows it was NOT thistle cavies, this is a really good rescue.
Glen is just dealing with the complications. When I first brought Harry home, I discovered his wounds to be open and had never even been told he had been neutered. The rescue took him back for 2weeks to the vet that had done it and gave him a course of baytril and finally I got him back witht he "all clear". All was ok for three weeks then the lump appeared.
I thought sod it, I'm taking him to Glen, once and for all. I trust Glen I really do and I know he couldnt have predicted what he found during surgery but a part of me thinks Harry wouldnt be as miserable if it had just burst as it was so close to.
Hes booked in for 7.40pm I phoned as soon as I had a poo count and weighed him. Glen must be sick of hearing my voice.
On the positive note he is grooming himself after syringing which I always see as a good sign, very very ill piggies in my experience dont bother.

Awww all ready for xmas? he he. My boys having nothing yet....although neither does anyone so their not too offended he he.

I didn't think it was him just thought I'd clarify without seeing your previous post's it's hard to know who's done what.

One thing I really like about Glen is his ability to callback. I wouldn't worry about him getting sick of your voice, we're all been there. In fact I've called sobbing down the phone on an occasion ").

 

[hazeyg]

Ohhhh no. I have a daft theory that the more they know you care the more the vet does and is careful.
Silly I know....but it excuses all my neurotic questions in my head he he.
I thought Id post the little mite this threads in aid of:
A sorry wee soul 8...

 

[flintstones]

He's lovely - get well soon Harry! x