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Help! Please!

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eleanor_x

eleanor_x

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Hello,

I have 2 guinea pigs, Harry & Dylan,they will be 2 in December and they live indoors in my bedroom.

Last night they both seemed to take a turn for the worse and I really do not understand what has happened, I'm so worried about my babies!

Harry (Scruffy One) was almost ricocheting off the cage most of last night, I got him out a couple times and hugged him etc and he seemed ok, this wasn't popcorning, he used to popcorn a lot, this was sort of like major spasms or fits. :0

Dylan (Smooth One) has gone limp on his 2 front paws he's now trying to walk on the backs of them instead of the pads, he will barely move, he's wheezing and generally looks in pain.

Neither of them want to eat or drink, I'm having to syringe feed them. Harry who is normally quite shy and cuddly wont let me go near him but he wont come out from hiding either.

I'm really worried and I can't afford to go to the vets yet - I just want to know if anyone had any ideas or home remedies. I'm too scared to leave the house in case things turn for the worse :(:(:(
 
These guys need to go to the vets.... I know it's expensive but guinea pigs hide illness very well so by the time they look sick it's often very serious.... Home remedies are not going to be useful here.

Have you got a good vet? If not someone here might be able to recommend one but they need seen asap. Please don't wait for lots of replies to this thread first.
 
Please get them to the vets ASAP. Is there anyone who can help you financially?
They don't sound very well at all, and the best and kindest thing to do is get them seen as quickly as possible. x
 
A bit of tough love, they do sound very unwell and without vet diagnosis and treatment, they will most probably die, please beg borrow or steal the money to have them seen, most vets do a pay later service.

Good luck xx
 
:O

Ok I'll take them... I need to find a vet though as I don't actually have one...

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?
 
I have no idea what it could be but they sound very unwell :( Where are you located as someone may be able to suggest a cavvy savy vet in your area. However, I think it is very important that you stop waiting for replies and look for a vet in your area and take your piggies in ASAP!

Good luck x
 
I'm on the phone as we speak but i quite frankly don't have a penny to my name

even though they mean the world to me ):
 
If you want help finding a vet please let us know where abouts you live so someone can set you in the right diurection asap.

At this point, any vet might be better than no vet!
 
eleanor_x said:
Could they be too hot? do i need to fan them... I speaking to several vets
Click to expand...

Good, you need to get an appointemnt with one asap. It is far to difficult to tell from description what is wrong, it could even be two different things.

Please just take them to the vet.... a phone consultation is not good enough. They need treatment now!
 
Appointment for 15:40 today as an emergency... they don't normally allow people to pay in instalments but they have said if I sign up to a payment plan with them then they'll let me do this... they've been really helpful.. they even referred me to other vets to see if they helped financially and said if not then call them back, which i did.

It's the vets inside Pets @ Home as all the other vets wouldn't help. I live in Taunton, Somerset - Deane vets is our most rated vets and they wouldn't even help.

I'm so worried about my babies... xx
 
I'm really glad you have an appointment, its a shame it wasn't sooner.

Maybe you could go through what they have eaten the last few days, have they been outside, does it get hot in your house, are they in direct sun light, anything that might help, although no matter what we say or think you still need to take them to the vets for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Wishing them luck x
 
They couldn't get them in any sooner...

I've gone through all sorts... They've not had anything different and they don't go outside. I keep my window open at all times as it's so hot and a fan in my room in case that's not enough. They get loads of positive attention, i keep them groomed (Harry more so with his long scruffy hair). Even as we speak Harry is bounding around his cage. Dylan is desperately trying to move but can't. They have constant Hay, food and water. I've followed books and forums about the % of each that they should have daily for a perfect diet. They LOVE celery and parsley! Dylan even likes apples but I don't feed them then often (maybe a cube as a treat every now and then) because the citric acid isn't good for them in high doses.. I've followed everything to the letter with my piglets...

They were bought for my Xmas 2011 as I was diagnosed with depression and every time I saw a guinea pig I just wanted to hug them because they were so warm and cuddly... They helped me through some sad times!

I don't want to lose them ):
 
What dry food do they have? I wonder if it could be related to lack of vit c...? or as you say the heat, it seem odd for them both to come down with something at the same time, not definitely, but could be something they have eaten? I hope the vets can give you an awnser x
 
eleanor_x said:
They helped me through some sad times!

I don't want to lose them ):
Click to expand...

Mine have too. For similar reasons. Just see what they say. Well done for getting an appointment sorted out. It's the best thing you could do.

Maybe once you've got them sorted you could start a savings account for them so if you end up in this situation again, you've got a bit of money put away?! Even a few pounds a week soon adds up.
 
could it be you have changed the cleaner you use? some are toxic, i do wish them well,but if this is the case, take cleaner to the vet with you x
 
eleanor_x said:
Hello,

I have 2 guinea pigs, Harry & Dylan,they will be 2 in December and they live indoors in my bedroom.

Last night they both seemed to take a turn for the worse and I really do not understand what has happened, I'm so worried about my babies!

Harry (Scruffy One) was almost ricocheting off the cage most of last night, I got him out a couple times and hugged him etc and he seemed ok, this wasn't popcorning, he used to popcorn a lot, this was sort of like major spasms or fits. :0

Dylan (Smooth One) has gone limp on his 2 front paws he's now trying to walk on the backs of them instead of the pads, he will barely move, he's wheezing and generally looks in pain.

Neither of them want to eat or drink, I'm having to syringe feed them. Harry who is normally quite shy and cuddly wont let me go near him but he wont come out from hiding either.

I'm really worried and I can't afford to go to the vets yet - I just want to know if anyone had any ideas or home remedies. I'm too scared to leave the house in case things turn for the worse :(:(:(
Click to expand...

take them to the vets asap! I'm thinking as they are indoor pigs and 2 years old this cannot be a piggy disease theyve brought from a pet shop etc this sounds like some sort of poisoning? Have you fed them anything you usually wouldnt? Have they managed to get at anything during floor time.. Realy think hard as if you can tel the vet what they may have eaten they can start treatment quicker. Piggy hugs from my ditto coming your way :-(
 
Aww, hope the little guys are ok. Does sound like it could be some sort of poisoning, maybe from a cage cleaner that hasn't been washed off properly or something. Hope they are both ok! Vibes sent your way.
 
sounds like something toxic to me too. Hope they are ok :0
 
Update!

Hey, thank you for all your help... The vet was pretty stumped but we came down to a diagnostic. It's neurological, they don't know what's triggered it as I don't use cleaners just hot water which the vet said is EXACTLY what I should be doing because cleaners can be dangerous if not removed properly. :...

They're both on a course of antibiotics, paste and anti inflammatorys... The scruffy one has already shown signs of getting better and to be honest I don't think I need to worry about him as much as he's now munching on greens. :)

I've cleaned out the cage again, thrown out their wooden toys and scrubbed everything, they now have cleaned sawdust, clean hay, clean food, clean water (which they get every day anyway bar the sawdust) rolleyes

The Vet said something could have been in the air last night, maybe a bonfire or something (which we did smell) and it seems toxins have entered their system causing the neurological problems... :{

Dylan is still pretty ill, he still wont eat, move or drink... But he has to have this paste 3 times a day and we have to soak his pellets and syringe them for him as often as needed. :0

Dylan feels hot to the touch but his temperature is actually below average (nice lubed up thermometer up his bum, he was not happy) ")

Hopefully Dylan will show some more improvement like Harry has...

Will let you know - Thanks again x>>
 
Did you say wooden toys? Are they brightly coloured? If they are those green/yellow etc ones then I would steer clear of them as the paint/dye they use could be toxic despite what they say on the box.

What dry food/pellets do you use?

If they are in your room you must not use perfumes/sprays/deodorants in the same room, use the bathroom & close your bedroom door. I hope your little guys get better soon. :)
 
Nope they are the pure natural wood... will not but the colourful ones NO WAY!

They have EXCEL pellets, the vet said they were good

Never use deodorants spray etc in my bedroom anyway, they're all in the bathroom, my door has to stay shut because I have 2 cats and 2 dogs and they're NOT allowed in my room

As I type Dylan is DESPERATELY trying to eat but he just can't :(
 
Oh I'm glad you have been given some meds and got them the treatment. Hopefully it will start to work soon and they'll get better. It's good to hear that Harry is munching away.
Please monitor their weight daily as this will be a valuable sign as to whether things are improving on not. There is a lot of advice on here about syringe feeding if you need help. Have you been given any probiotics to go with the antibiotics? You can get them online or from your local pets at home, but they are quite important when on antibiotics to help regenerate gut flora.

Wishing you all the best with your little ones! I hope they get better quickly! :)
 
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