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Help, Sick Guinea Pig

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Raepiggies

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Hi all,
I have only had my guinea pigs about 3 weeks (now around 5 months old, kept indoors), one became really poorly on Wed night, perked up Thurs but dramatically worse Friday so I took it to the vets- lethargic, reduced appetite (but still eating and lots of poo), puffed up, hunched, sneezing, etc, I was so worried for him. The vet diagnosed URI, gave injection and put on Baytril 0.1ml twice per day.
Since Saturday he refuses to eat/drink so we reserached and have been syringe drinks & feeding 4 times day mushed up pellets. I also read about the pro-biotic (vet didn't mention this or poss need to syringe feed) so I have been collecting my healthy guinea pig's poo and feeding poop soup twice per day too.
I am going to contact vets tomorrow (Monday) but I am concerned that the vet gave him Baytril as he's only 5 months old and from what I've read on internet it can interfere with proper growth and also have appetite problems. My guinea pig looked dreadful on Friday and has improved with the syringe feeding/stopped sneezing/very slightly more active, but I am really worried that he is refusing to eat anything and the antibiotics might be bad for his growth if he survives all this.
I love my vet practice but never seen that vet before (think he does small animals) so hate questioning his judgement.
Oh.. I have tried every food going- raided from my allotment- parsley, purple spouting broccoli, beetroot leaves, grass, clover, dandeliion leaves, spinich, chard......... plus hay, pellets, carrots.
He is pooing still though since antibiotics/syringe feeding its less and gone wetter, smaller, darker.
What do you think?
PS sorry if wrong forum page, please move if needed. x
 
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Guinea pig has just died having a fit when we were trying to do medicine/feed, but at least he was in my hands and no longer suffering. xx
 
I am very sorry - you did your very best! URI can sadly kill even with the best of care. :(

PS: I am moving your thread from the Help Desk to the Health/Illness section.
 
I am so sorry. The same thing happened a couple of years back with my Gertie.
 
So sorry for your loss. Much the Same happened to me with a lovely piggie called Shirley who came to me with her companion about 3 years ago. She, too had a fit while we were feeding her critical care and died shortly afterwards. It is devastating but happens even to the most experienced of piggie keepers. I hope that the other piggie is doing ok. Big hugs to you.
 
Thank you for your support. Its horrible how guilty you feel. I am glad he came to us and hope we did everything we could for him. He was quite a character and the kids are devasted but I'm glad we had him.
I feel bad also about thinking about getting another one as I'm worried the other piggie will be lonely.
Rae x
 
Please don't feel guilty about getting another one, they can go downhill so quickly without companionship.I lost my texel and the other one was so sad I had to get another one 4 days later.I talked to the photo of her and had a good cry but the other one crept into my heart.She doesn't replace fizzy pop but I love her to bits and she is special in her own way
 
I'm really sorry your guinea pig has passed away despite all that you did to try to get him better. Don't blame yourself, from what you've said you did everything you could. R.I.P. little one. xx
 
Please accept that there is nothing you have to feel guilty for. You have done all the right things. It was just bad luck - and it can happen to any of us. I have just lost two of my piggies last month very unexpectedly.

Your feelings of guilt are - if anything - a sign that you are a very loving and caring mummy. They are very normal for the first stage of the grieving process and we all go through them, believe me!
You may find this recent thread here helpful and comforting: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/feeling-guilty.109975/

it is very difficult to find the courage to go for another piggy so soon after you have lost one. it takes courage and a big leap of faith, but you are not doing it for yourself, you are doing it for your bereaved piggy. It will also help your children to learn that an animals needs come first - and they will revel in the amazing change that happens when a grieving piggy gets new company!

Which country, state (US/Aus) or general area (UK) are you in? We may be able to help you find a suitable rescue where you can safely date your lonely boy without the risk of ending up with more headaches. In my own experience, seeing a grieving piggy happy again is also helping me to accept more what has happened - at least I know that I have done right by one of them! ;)

PS: You can add your rough location (see above) to your details by clicking on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details/location. As we have members from all over the world, this helps us enormously to give you the appropriate advice, links and tips straight away - you can imagine that the advice can differ quite a bit from Country to country...
 
Thank you all for taking the time to reply. The hardest hit is my 19 year old, she was helping me care for him and adored him even after such short a time. I just hate feeling so useless, I've never had to syringe feed any animal before. We don have pets so the kids understand the way of the world and how to care for others too.
We are in UK near Manchester and will get another guinea pig. Sam (the surviving one) was so lovely when we put the dead one back- it was quite tender the way he sat with him and ruffled his fur. I think Sam will cope well, he's young and usually always fiull of bounce, popcorning everywhere!
Thanks again, it has helped today x
 
Your closest three recommended rescues are Milhaven in Keighley or the Potteries in Kidsgrove/Stoke-on-Trent; quite a number of forum members have successfully bonded bereaved or fallen out piggies at either small, but experienced rescue. There is also a new good standard rescue in Southport, Rainbow Rescue. Best have a ring around in the next few days to see where your boy has the widest choice of possible new friends; don't just go by what is on the adoption page! Especially Milhaven have taken in a lot of piggies over the Christmas period, so they have probably the widest range of potential mates available.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Milhaven-Guinea-Pig-Rescue/242212542587095 or http://www.milhaven-rescue.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Potteries-Guinea-Pig-Rescue/216146698414211 or http://www.thepotteriesguineapigrescue.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/kaylee.rainbowrescue?fref=ts
 
Thanks for your help..I'm going to look if there is anywhere local first. Thanks again for your advice. x
 
Raepiggies said:
Thanks for your help..I'm going to look if there is anywhere local first. Thanks again for your advice. x
Click to expand...

We sadly cannot recommend any rescues that are closer to you for a variety of reasons. The rescues that we recommend are all of very good standard and you are guaranteed to not have any nasty surprises - the piggies have all undergone quarantine and are healthy; the bonding will take character compatibility into account, as well as an age gap in order to additionally stabilise the companionship for the time when your baby is going through the hormonal teenage months.
Unfortunately, we cannot do this for any Manchester rescues.
 
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