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Help with my piggy

julia.norden05

New Born Pup
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Sep 16, 2019
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My guinea pig, Toffee, is a very happy and bubbly piggy. She's always squeaking and popcorning, but recently, she has started digging her nose in the corners of her cage. Other than that, she's acting completely normal. She's eating, drinking, playing, but often her nose is in the corner. Help? I can't afford a vet trip right now, just to find out if it's treatable or not, or if it's even an issue. Can somebody help me? I'm worried and I don't know what to do.
 
Is she sitting looking into the corner & looking a bit fluffed up? That's often a sign a Guinea is feeling unwell, she really needs to see a vet if that's the case, it could be anything from a UTI, URI, pain, reproductive problem, abscess or dental issue, loneliness, the list goes on! :(

If you catch whatever it is early, the chances are she'll recover more quickly, before any illness takes hold or gets worse.

If you're a bit short of finances at the moment see if you have any decent PDSA vets near you - they will often treat animals for free or heavily discounted, especially if you're on certain benefits?

Try asking your regular vet (if you have one) if they can do a payment plan, to pay off a bit at a time if no PDSA ones available.

Its good that she's generally OK, eating, drinking, pooping, etc ok. Try weighing her daily for a while to try & establish if she's staying at a stable weight (give or take 50g for a full or empty bladder). Mush up some hot water & pellets to syringe feed, if she starts to lose more than 50g a day or loses it rapidly.

It'll probably be cheaper to get a vets appointment in surgery hours over the next day or two, than having to rush her in as an emergency at 'awkward o'clock' - like Guineas have a habit of doing!

Good luck in getting her an appointment - fingers & paws all crossed for a speedy recovery.
Let us know how she gets on xx
 
I have an unfortunate update. Toffee passed this morning. She was acting that way with her face in the corner for a few days, but it went away and she seemed fine for nearly a week, but I found her this morning in her igloo. I can't help but think this is partly my fault for not getting her any veterinary care, but I just figured that it had passed when she looked better so there was no need for any special treatment. Long story short, she is no longer with us and is living a much better life on the rainbow bridge <3
 
I have an unfortunate update. Toffee passed this morning. She was acting that way with her face in the corner for a few days, but it went away and she seemed fine for nearly a week, but I found her this morning in her igloo. I can't help but think this is partly my fault for not getting her any veterinary care, but I just figured that it had passed when she looked better so there was no need for any special treatment. Long story short, she is no longer with us and is living a much better life on the rainbow bridge <3

I am very sorry that you have lost your Toffee!

You may find this guide here helpful as feelings of guilt are normal for the onset of the grieving process, but circumstances can make them a lot worse: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
You and toffee are in my thoughts. Bless you both.
 
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