HELP! Boar with medical issues!

[kilburnb]

Hey guys, new to the forum here...

I've had this boar (Frank) for about three months now, and he's normally extremely explorative, HATES having his butt touched, and drinks water non stop. About two days ago we noticed that he hadn't eaten or drank for a decent amount of time that worried us. We then started inspecting him then noticed that his left eye lid is puffy, and the inner portion of his pupil is a bit grey. We also noticed that he has something stringy coming out of his butt, we can wipe it off with paper towel, but then a bit later there will be more. We've began feeding him Critical Care (first time, he took 20mL willingly, second time he only took 10.) He's now a bit more alert than when we first noticed he was having issues, but his eye hasn't changed any. Of course he's pretty skinny, but that will be a work in progress to fatten him up a bit. Any help is great. Thanks.

 

[Betsy]

I would take him to the vet for a check.

 

[Piggies&buns]

your piggy needs to be taken to a vet for diagnosis and the correct treatment

if he isn’t eating any hay for himself you need to be getting 60-90ml of critical care into him in a 24 hour period. You need to also weigh him daily to ensure his weight doesnt drop further. If his weight does still drop while being syringe fed, then you need to feed more often. Little and often can sometimes be the best way, feeding a small amount every two hours.


Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

 

[VickiA]

I agree that he needs to see a vet as soon as possible. Not eating, drinking, lethargy are all signs of illness. And the problem with the eye also needs attention. Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Wiebke]

Hey guys, new to the forum here...

I've had this boar (Frank) for about three months now, and he's normally extremely explorative, HATES having his butt touched, and drinks water non stop. About two days ago we noticed that he hadn't eaten or drank for a decent amount of time that worried us. We then started inspecting him then noticed that his left eye lid is puffy, and the inner portion of his pupil is a bit grey. We also noticed that he has something stringy coming out of his butt, we can wipe it off with paper towel, but then a bit later there will be more. We've began feeding him Critical Care (first time, he took 20mL willingly, second time he only took 10.) He's now a bit more alert than when we first noticed he was having issues, but his eye hasn't changed any. Of course he's pretty skinny, but that will be a work in progress to fatten him up a bit. Any help is great. Thanks.

Hi!

Please have your boy seen for an ulcerating eye infection and digestive problems as soon as possible. Eye infections deteriorate very quickly and the damage can by a lot more extensive than visible to the eye. Please also be aware that the stringy poos can be a side effect of another health issue going on, like overgrowing teeth or a source of pain in the body.

You always need to step in with feeding support ASAP if your piggy loses their appetite. Switch from the life long once weekly weigh in and body check to weighing at the same time in order to monitor the food input. Around 80% of what a guinea pig eats in a day is hay; it is absolutely crucial to wear the constantly growing chewing teeth at the back of the mouth down and the gut microbiome working optimally. If that falls away, you get the kind of stringy or sloppy poos. Please never wait 2 days or even longer with syringe feeding fibre; piggies are small animals that rely on a steady food intake and that are not geared up for period of fasting, unlike predatory pet species like cats or dogs. Fresh green veg and herbsshould make only about 15% of what a piggy eats in a day; it is more like an afternoon snack while hay makes breakfast, lunch and dinner with 1 tablespoon of pellets being more in the way of dessert, just to give you an idea of how a good, balanced guinea pig diet should look.

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
(A comprehensive 'one stop' collection of information, tips and resources that you in an emergency/suddn illness: includes how soon to see a vet, vet access and payment support; how to improvise with home care and feeding support until you can see a vet and any medication is kicking in fully etc. Please bookmark and read!)

Feeding support, digestive problems and a balanced diet:
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threadsg/etting-started-new-owners-most-helpful-guides.152899/ (Our very comprehensive new owners information collection which specifically addresses all the areas we get the most questions and calls for help about; another one to bookmark and read up on, so you can learn about caring for your guinea pigs to the best of your ability)

All the best - but get that crucial appointment ideally today if you are in the UK or have access to a 24 hours clinic or first thing tomorrow if you can access a vet over the weekend.