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I can't cope with my Fuzzypeg anymore

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Charlotte

Charlotte

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I've never put a post on here before whilst being in the midst of floods of tears but I just can't seem to cope with Fuzzypeg and his tooth problems. I have put threads on here about his teeth before.

I've had Fuzzypeg from a baby (his mum was a rescue sow and came to me when pregnant). Fuzzypeg was the runt of the litter and I spent so much time with him when he was a mini pig. I am so very attached to him.

Every six weeks I make the trip to see Vedra or another rodentologist I've found (trained by Vedra) to have his molars trimmed. It's always a success expcept today he's not eating (he had them trimmed last night). His breathing is off and his chest is rattling. I am sure it's not the teeth - this happens every six weeks and we've never had a problem before and the rodentologists really know what they are doing.

Mum took him to the vet today for his breathing (I was doing my one day at work per week - things always happen when not here) and the vet prescribed Baytril. What a classic.

He told mum to put Fuzzypeg in the cage on his own and to put the Baytril in his water bottle. I am sure this is not good - I am staying with mum for a few days and the pigs are with me but Fuzzypeg doesn't like being away from his sows. Baytril in the water bottle too? I have left Vedra's book at my house... but I'm sure the vet's dosage of Baytil isn't as high as Vedras anyway and there is the most pathetic amount of baytril in the bottle.

I have bought all the gear to do dentals myself - bone rougers and buccal pad wires, files etc etc from Vedra. I have been trying to get onto a dental workshop with Vedra for six months but she NEVER gets back to me and I am slipping into being in a combination of panic and being very frustrated and upset about the whole thing.

I am finding it very difficult to cope with Fuzzypeg at the moment, especially because I've got a puppy, and I really could do without Fuzzyepg's problems. Vedra is miles away from me and my vets don't know what they are doing with guinea teeth. I am in a pit of despair.
 
I really cannot help you Charlotte but hang in there as I'm sure there is someone here that can.

You are doing a wonderful job with Fuzzypeg xoxo keep it up, big cyber hugs to you

Rach x
 
First things first: BIG HUG

Yes, you're right; that vet's way to give baytril is positively hopeless! He might as well not give it!
The usual dose recommended on here is 0.4 ml of bayril 2x daily by syringe with some probiotic an hour after to help the guts. Probiotic you can get in pets@home if one is in reach, syringes you can get in a pharmacy, if necessary.
I am not a specialist, so I can't tell you what to go for in terms of ideal antibiotic for URI.

While you are using the baytril up, look for another (hopefully better) vet within reach of where your mother lives and book an appointment with him.

It is not surprising that Fuzzypeg is more likely to pick up infections, as he has been through the wars. If he's too stressed out being on his own, put him back with his girls. Go with your instinct!

Fuzzypeg is not likely to die; but you have been under a lot of stress lately as well. Use the time the baytril is giving you to sort things out! It should buy you at least one or two days.

All the best
Wiebke xx
 
You really are having a time of it. I can only speak about Baytril, and agree with Wiebke, absolutely useless in water. Needs to be syringed, at that dosage. Best of luck with your piggy. x
 
I don't have any words of wisdom except to get the syringe baytril over the in the water one.

I just wanted to offer a big HUG to you and to say I know how hard it can be with a new puppy and other stuff going on. Puppies are so demanding.

Hope Fuzzypeg gets better soon hun.
 
Hi Charlotte sorry you have been having a tough time with fuzzy peg you could always try all cretures vets they are very good I have pm,d the number before but it is 01603 898984
Huge hugs to you x
 
You must keep him syringe-fed and syringe water into him. Give him 0.4ml Metatone daily for 3 days, it may help stimulate his appetite.
 
You really need to syringe the antibiotic into him so you know he's had the correct amount. Hopefully someone can suggest a better vet close to you too as there are much better antibiotics than baytril. However for now as long as he's getting the correct dose of baytril it should help him get better. I also think he's going to be much happier back with his little friends.

I know how difficult it is to have a piggy with dental problems. My Poppet's problems began over a year ago, and for five months she was 100% syringe fed, and her weight plummeted to under 600g. However, little by little she's improved and is now eating totally independently and has topped 900g. At times it can be heartbreaking but I can't begin to explain the joy I feel now at seeing her little rounded tummy and watching her tucking into her food.

Hang in there, he sounds a delightful little man and you are a fantastic piggy mummy.

Sending you big hugs xxxxx


Yes also go with the metatone as Alcesterpigs suggests. It did wonders for Poppet!
 
Thanks everyone. I've just spent an hour with Fuzzypeg. I syringed 0.4ml of Baytril straight into his mouth and also quite a bit of science recovery.

I have metatone - I will start on that tomorrow. Thanks AP.

Can he have the probiotic alongside the baytril and the metatone? The probiotic is at my house, although I could drive to get it first thing tomorrow morning. I can start giving him that.

I've tried matchstick pieces of food, which he usually does fine with a few days after the molar trim, but he's just not interested. Grass is the same - he's just not interested.

I've put him in a hutch with my most mild mannered sow who isn't greedy.

I think I only have enough Baytil for one more dose - how utterly useless! The vet gave enough for three doses of 0.4ml - that's not even enough to last me two days!

Fuzzypeg has totally awful teeth. They grow all over the place, with lumps and bumps, his front upper incisors are sort of crossed and the molars had spurs all over the place. Utterly terrible.

He has hay... readigrass.. nuggets... fruits and veggies... apple twigs... I know it's not dietry as all my other pigs are fine. His mother had the same issues.

Charlotte x
 
Here is the link to the guinealynx medical website and the Peter Gurney health website. Could you print it out for the sake of your vet?
http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/respiration.htm see esp. last paragraph; it gives you the appropriate dosages for baytril and septrin in print!

Bactrim and tribissen are other forms of pediatric septrin ; they have all the same component (SMZ-TMP or trimethoprim-sulfa).
Pediatric septrin has the advantage that it can be given orally (0.5 ml 2x daily by syinge); as it tastes of banana, most guinea pigs actually like it. It is also easier on the body. However it is not licensed, so your vet may refuse to prescribe it and keep on sticking with baytril.

I hope that helps you, if you have to go and battle with a vet who is not used to treating guinea pigs.
 
Charlotte, I sympathise with you entirely. This is obviously case where medical info is useful but what you need right now is an enormous hug - so I join the others in sending lots of hugs and thoughts your way. It is very draining having a poorly pig, even more stressful when the pig needs long-term treatment. It sounds like Fuzzypeg is just "one of those pigs". I have one too (though luckily not dental) and I do get quite frustrated about her sometimes!

The Metatone, Baytril and probiotic can all be given alongside each other, yes.
 
Thanks everyone. I'll monitor the situation and see how things are in the morning.

Not to be gloomy, but I think Peg is on the way out. I've just put him to bed and he looks depressed and moth-eaten. It's like he's given up. Wouldn't be the first time with one of my pigs. Not that they make a habit of it... but over the years I've seen the same expression that Peg is wearing now...

He's warm, dry, freshly cleaned out, has got some science recovery and 0.4ml of baytril in him and he has readi-grass and his little friend to keep him company.

My friend saw him a few weeks ago when he was happily out in his grass run and described him perfectly: "He's not as fresh as he once was" hits the nail on the head. He did an ageing spurt last year, another one about six months ago and although he's not quite five, he looks a bit weathered and not as spritely as he once was.

Fingers crossed, my lovely boy.

Charlotte x
 
I'm sorry you feel so weighed down charlotte,its not nice and although i havent experienced teeth problems i can understand this helpless feeling,I'm so sorry Fuzzypeg isnt well,ill be thinking of both of you,sending kisses to FuzzyPxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
This morning Fuzzypeg has gone downhill if anything.

He is not interested in eating and I've tried everything - matchstick pieces of food, cubes, slivers, juiced veggies, pureed food, fresh grass... but he is like a robot today.

I managed to get 0.4ml of baytril down him and a little bit of metatone and I'm now about to go and get some probiotic. I did get some diluted science recovery into him but he really isn't in the mood to be pulled about.

I felt bad just bringing him into the kitchen. He certainly isn't up for the drive to Vedra (a good few hours). I really don't want to move him. I've now put him on vet bed. One of his sows is still with him. I won't let him be on his own.

I fear my lovely boy has given up.

Charlotte x
 
Charlotte said:
This morning Fuzzypeg has gone downhill if anything.

He is not interested in eating and I've tried everything - matchstick pieces of food, cubes, slivers, juiced veggies, pureed food, fresh grass... but he is like a robot today.

I managed to get 0.4ml of baytril down him and a little bit of metatone and I'm now about to go and get some probiotic. I did get some diluted science recovery into him but he really isn't in the mood to be pulled about.

I felt bad just bringing him into the kitchen. He certainly isn't up for the drive to Vedra (a good few hours). I really don't want to move him. I've now put him on vet bed. One of his sows is still with him. I won't let him be on his own.

I fear my lovely boy has given up.

Charlotte x
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I'm so sorry Charlotte,I would try to syringe feed him as much as you can he might make it long enough to get to vedra if he eats xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
I hope your fears were unfounded and fuzzypeg made it through the night, let us know how you are getting on, sending you lots of hugs and the warmest of wishes xox
 
Fuzzypeg looks like he's only semi-conscious now. I have just given him some probiotic and some water but I'm not bringing him into the house anymore. I am taking the syringes out to him. I've put his sister Pearl in with him now so he has two ladies to keep him company. He doesn't like being syringe fed and he seems to just want to sleep.

The only way I would take him to a local vet now would be to have him PTS but he seems comfortable enough on the vet bed and is sleeping lots so I am leaving him be. Vedra is too far for him - unless he makes some miracle recovery and I could bundle him into the car. It's not an option the way he is now though.

I don't want to keep disturbing him to shove the syringes down. He's cool and quiet in his hutch in one of the old stables and he is laying down on the vet bed.

Charlotte x
 
I'm really sorry to hear Peg hasn't picked up since last night.

Remember to keep him hydrated. We had to give some 'energy drink thing' to Bertie on a few occasions when he looked like he'd given up and he quite liked the thing. I'll have to check the name of it, it's a human med for rehydrating after effort, diarrhea or hangover - a bit like lucozade but with fewer e-numbers. It tastes of blackcurrant, which is probably why Bertie liked it so much.

Good luck
 
I've been giving Peg water but he's pretty much in la la land now.

Thanks for the well wishes. My lovely boy. I hate going through this.

So sudden. I am now prepared for the worst. I don't think he'll make it another 24 hours.

Will keep you updated.

Charlotte x
 
I really hope he gets better xx

Charlotte & Pip the guineapig
 
Oh Charlotte so sorry to hear that honey. That's so sad.

Still crossing my fingers but if he does pass I hope its peaceful.

Sad. :(
 
Sorry, I'm just catching up with you now (thanks to a monumentall headache today); I'm so sorry for you and Fuzzipeg!

Sending my vibes: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BIG HUG

Wiebke
 
So sorry to hear Fuzzypeg is no better ......... sending healing wheeks to him from my three piggies and a big hug to you Charlotte

Rach x
 
Lots of hugs to you. I hope things can turn around quickly for him, he's such a darling chap.

Best wishes to you both. Stay strong, Charlotte. xx
 
MrsM said:
I'm really sorry to hear Peg hasn't picked up since last night.

Remember to keep him hydrated. We had to give some 'energy drink thing' to Bertie on a few occasions when he looked like he'd given up and he quite liked the thing. I'll have to check the name of it, it's a human med for rehydrating after effort, diarrhea or hangover - a bit like lucozade but with fewer e-numbers. It tastes of blackcurrant, which is probably why Bertie liked it so much.

Good luck
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, I've been a bit wrapped up in myself today, I forgot to get back to you. The afore-mentionned meds are called DIORALITE, recommended by Alcesterpig.

I hope Peg improves soon. Is he the little fluffy number in your avatar?
 
I'm so sorry Charlotte, I haven't been on here much and have only just seen this, my heart goes out to you as I know how much you love your gorgeous boy. I hope he's peaceful, you've done all you can

Sending hugs


Sophie
x
 
I am now waiting for Vedra to text me back (why do these things always happen on a sunday!)

i might see if i can take him back to my rodentologist and see if there's anything she can suggest or do. he was born with all sorts of problems including eyes, molars etc and he was so inbred and his mum was only 5 weeks old herself when she was carrying him. i always feared there would be internal problems. i just don't know what's wrong. he's had his teeth trimmed so many times before and been fine.

i now don't want to give up on him as he's still hanging on. i thought he would pass in the night but he's still here. maybe he could make the journey to vedra. i'll see what she says.

charlotte x
 
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