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Heidi not eating after accident

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Lovingmypiggies

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi there, I would be grateful for some advice, last Saturday our little Heidi was accidentally stood on by my daughter. We have 2 pigs who live indoors. I took her to the emergency vet who couldn't find any fractures or internal injuries. She gave us some recovery food and Heidi had an injection for pain and one to keep her stomach working. She is still not eating, we are syringe feeding her every one to two hours. She was back at vets Tuesday and when she came home after another pain killer she did eat a very tiny amount. She is more quiet than usual and will pick some bits of food up, carry them around and then drop them. We are going back to vets this afternoon. How long can she continue with us feeding her ? Any help would be great. Feel so sad about the whole situation :-(
 
So sorry to hear she is poorly, piggies guts are delicate and it doesn't take much for them to get out of balance. It is possible her body is still in shock and it will take time for her insides to start doing what they should.

You can syringe feed for some time. I have syringe fed for up to two weeks for dental issues and I know some people have had to do it for longer. Try a probiotic, like Avipro, to help stimulate her guts and appetite or make some poop soup from her cage mates poo. A piggies gut contains healthy bacteria and if these get out of balance due to illness or injury it can impact on their appetite and digestion. Piggies also need to eat some of their own poos which are 'special' in that they contain extra nutrients. If she is sore and uncomfy after the injury she maybe unable to do this herself which will impact on her digestion etc as well.

It's early days for a big injury like that so give her time to recover but another vet visit is always worth it especially if she does not gain or maintain her body weight. Weigh her regularly (every few days) to make sure she is steady, losing weight is a bad sign and it can be very hard for a piggy to recover once they lose too much weight.

Where do you live? This may help members give you more specific advice about specialist vet services etc.
 
Please continue to hand feed her around the clock; you need to get the equivalent of 120ml into her over the course of 24 hours. Little but often usually works best. Please do not forget to also keep her hydrated. You could also ask your vet for a gut stimulant, as well as more metacam (pain killer).

Please weigh any piggy that is not well or you suspect of not being well daily to check on the food intake.

I hope that Olga will pull through with your determined care, even if it is not quite as quickly as you would have hoped! Fingers firmly crossed! It is one of these freak accidents that you cannot prevent or brace for. :(
 
Poor Heidi, these accidents do happen from time to time :(

Would probably recommend getting an x-ray done, has the vet checked the teeth also? It the picking up and dropping of food that makes me consider teeth damage

You have 2 recommended vets near you in Rochester area of Kent

Sandhole Veterinary Centre
Kate Everett
Malling Road
Snodland
Kent
ME6 5LG
01634 242502

And

Trinity vet centre
Mark Rowland
Hermitage Walk
Hermitage Lane
Maidstone,
Kent
ME16 9NZ
01622 726730

Really hope the vets can give you an indication today of what could be wrong. Keep up with the syringe feeding, and i would ask for some pain killer to give at home and gut stimulant to keep the guts ticking over.

Lots of love and healing vibes to Heidi
 
Heidi has been to our vet who was thinking along the lines of fractured jaw but recommended a vet in Maidstone which we arranged an appointment straight away and took her over. Trinity vets. Great service and vet thinks her system has shut down so she is staying in until hopefully Sunday when he expects her to be up and running. Feeling very positive now as he seemed really hopeful of full recovery. Fingers toes all crossed:o
 
Heidi is in expert hands now. Sending Heidi lots of healing vibes, please keep us updated on her
 
Healing vibes to Heidi, I hope she has a speedy recovery.
 
Sending lots of vibes Heidi's way, she will be back with you in no time x
 
Update this morning is that she has had a few poos and eating well from a syringe which they are happy with and are not worried as they haven't had her long, unlike me who is really worried. Really miss her, it's amazing how these little pig wigs get under your skin isn't it! Just hope we get her back. Thanks for all the good wishes and the support ;~|
 
Lovingmypiggies said:
Update this morning is that she has had a few poos and eating well from a syringe which they are happy with and are not worried as they haven't had her long, unlike me who is really worried. Really miss her, it's amazing how these little pig wigs get under your skin isn't it! Just hope we get her back. Thanks for all the good wishes and the support ;~|
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Good news! Poo's are always a good sign :)
 
Good news - poos is a good sign; it means that the guts are starting to work again. It is a horrible time for you!
 
Well this morning I have rang the vets and Heidi is still not eating but has done loads of poo over night and is brighter in herself! They think she will hopefully come home Monday instead of Sunday! She is wondering about her cage apparently so I think this sounds a little more promising. I hope she starts to eat soon I can't relax at the moment! The fact they talk of her coming home sounds good to me but don't want to believe she will be ok just yet. Again thank you for all your good wishes xx
 
It sounds like she is in really good hands and that they seem to know what they are doing.

As the others have said poos are a really good sign - and if she is taking it well from a syringe that is a bonus if you have to carry it on.

I'm sending Heidi lots of get well vibes and some relaxing vibes for you.
 
It is great that her system is working and that she is at least taking food on board (if not yet eating by herself). Hopefully, she will continue to feel brighter and have more of an interest in life (and food) again. All in all, very positive signs!
 
When I rang up today the nurse said she had eaten a tiny bit of tomato flesh and a tiny bit of water melon which I thought sounded good although the nurse wasn't too excited by this! Checked again this evening and she hasn't eaten anything or moved much. Vet is assessing her tomorrow. Feel really down now, don't know what he will say, how long can they go on with syringe feeding? Really miss her and just want her home, her little mate Olga really misses her too :~(
 
Sorry to hear this, it is still early days yet. Hope she begins to improve soon. Love to Heidi
 
Another Heidi update, just rang the vets and Heidi is eating a tiny amount of dry food and the flesh of a tomato, they feel she maybe able to come home in a couple of days as being back with her guinea friend may encourage her. She is still being syringe fed and on pain killers. She is a timid pig so I'm hoping they are right. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I'm really scared she will not improve. Is she likely to start to eat again ? She has maintained her weight which is good. Such a worried Mum!:orolleyes@)
 
Are they thinking fractured jaw still?

I really hope she turns the corner for you soon. She is in the best place at the moment. Have a hug
 
Maintaining weight is good. It would help if they had an idea why she was struggling so you knew what to expect. For some sick piggies or those with dental issues syringe feeding can be a longer term or on and off thing for long periods so although it's hard work, it is possible to continue this way for some time. It's good that she is trying to eat on her own too and maybe having her buddy around will perk her up a bit.

If they aren't ready for her to come home just yet maybe her cagemate could stay with her at the vet? My vet often has the 'spare' pig in too when I have to leave one of the boys with them as they recover much quicker and are much happier with their friend around.

Hugs to you and Heidi. x
 
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