Helps! Piggy in discomfort

[Tbag]

Poor Mr T is having some troubles!

We haven't noticed it before this evening but about 2 hours ago during the pigs free range time Mr T looked like he was trying to go for a toilet break but started making a very strained wheeking sound. I'm not sure if he passed anything (wee or poo) then but he's made the sound and 'toilet pose' since and poos have passed but it just seems hes suffering a bit whilst he's passing them. Theres been no blood in his wee or anything like that and it only seems to be happening when he's trying to poo so I don't think its a UTI or anything...

I can't see anything up his bottom but hes very wriggly and I don't want to stress him out too much constantly trying to get a good look.

Otherwise hes normal, eating and drinking fine and he can move about like normal. His feetses and ears seem nice and warm but his body sort of seems a bit cold. I had him wrapped up in his blanky on my lap earlier and he just settled down and seemed quite cosy. Now back in his cage and munching away at his hay/shuffling around but had a few more episodes of the sound are recurring.

Hopefully someone can give me some advice or any comfort regarding this!

Also, incase its needed (which I think it probably will be) can anyone recommend a good piggy vet in the Gatwick area? I know of the place in Ewell but if there is anywhere closer that'd be good.

Super thanks in advance to anyone who can help! :...:...

 

[1st-time-mum-sarah]

I'm really sorry I don't know but someone will hopefully have some advice for you. Hope he's ok.

Sarah xx

 

[Tbag]

Thanks anyway!

 

[piggyfan]

This sounds serious especially him being cold. I would take him to the vets right now.

 

[Tbag]

Vets is what I'm thinking - can anyone recommend a good one for me?

 

[Tbag]

Ok, just done a pig comparison with Cashman and Mr T is exactly the same temperature his is and not cold... think I'm just getting super paranoid through worry! I would still like a vet recommendation if anyone has one though? If not we'll be off to Ewell...

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

So he is poo-ing ok but looks in discomfort? And so does he wheek and/or raise his bottom when he is toileting?
Does his poos look normal?

I would look for as much information as you can so when you see the vet you can pass on as much detail.

Anyone on the forum that can recommend a piggy savy vet Gatwick area?

 

[Pebble]

Sorry to hear Mr T is having a few "problems" with his bottom. I can completely sympathise as I have had several boars with "bottom probs" with differing causes (and expense) over the last two years.

Re vets:Take your pick:

Anne O Meara at Goddards Ewell - best cavy savvy but limited availability (3 days per week - I think it's mon-wed).

Rob Reynolds at Seers Croft Horsham (dedicated exotics vet...very pricey but very good if GA/surgery is needed)

Ben Lord or Ruth Dahling at East Grinstead Vet hospital (reasonable price and surgeries also at Crawley and Copthorne, plus surgeries 7 days per week at EG so continuity of care). More for routine stuff

I swap between Rob and Ben/Ruth depending upon the cirumstances and skills/availability required.

Happy to telecon or visit, observe Mr T and chat about options if you wish before you decide which vets etc - just Pm me your contact details as I am local to you and if you would like, I can be over/ring you on friday evening

HTH
x

 

[Pebble]

Forgot to say:

If by tomorrow morning there is no poo output from Mr T then you really need to get to one of the above vets urgently tomorrow for a gut stimulant.

Hopefully this won;t happen - (I have two boars who regularly sqwauk/strain when they poo but have never stopped pooing)...but just in case it does...you know what to do.


Also - start weighing him daily to see if he is losing/gaining weight.

x

 

[Tbag]

So he is poo-ing ok but looks in discomfort? And so does he wheek and/or raise his bottom when he is toileting?
Does his poos look normal?

He doesn't lift his bum up any more than normal when he's going and the poo's look completely normal - it doesnt take him long to pass them either. He just makes the noise.

Pebble, thanks for all your words and recommendations - really appreciate it!

Now for an update on the little man himself:

Last night we stayed up quite late with him and his behaviour/eating continued to be as normal but there was one straining incident.

After that I tried for another 'inspection' and managed to do it whilst he was lying flat on my lap which he didn't seem to mind as much! There was a thin 2cm-ish 'string' of what looked like strands of hair that I managed to pull out and then I gave the area a good clean in general. I had hoped that would solve it but there was one more wheeking moment, althought it was very quiet/minimal compared to the others so I'm thinking perhaps there is more of the same up there?

Its now 5ish and I'm up again to check on him. Still behaving and eating/drinking fine and heard one tiny noise out of him. Going to check his bottom again and will probably go to the vets for a professional check up/opinon.

Thanks again to everyone who's replied - sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. In my hour of need the internet/the forum seemed to go down for some reason and I couldn't get back on it last night after my last post! malletheadmallethead

 

[sport_billy]

Poor Mr T, I would definately get him checked over at the vets. UTI's can cause pain while passing poo's, so may be worth taking a urine sample along with you. Hope your little man feels better soon.

 

[Tbag]

Thanks, got an appt. today at 2.20.

He seems in less discomfort this morning but is still making some vocal complaints!

 

[Tbag]

Just want to say thanks for everyones advice etc.

Had a thorough investigation at the vets and an all clear from them after a day of no struggling or wheeking when he was pooing so thats a relief.

And the vet said he was 'a very well behaved guinea pig' ahaha. Which I can hardly believe as Tango is such a wriggler most of the time! I had pocket fulls of treats ready to bribe him to be still with but they weren't needed at all - he was as good as gold whilst his privacy was invaded yet again! ")