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I don't know what's wrong!

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Nickyjay

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Hi wondering if anyone can shed some light on what's wrong with my boy!

Mylo's about 4 years old. Always been healthy but last week had a poorly eye. Closed and discharge around it. Took him to the vets on Thursday last week and was told it was conjunctivitis. Was given drops called Fucithalmic and have to put them in twice a day and bathe area. The eye hasn't improved and he's now got the sane stuff coming out one of his nostrils.

He now seems to have stopped eating anything apart from hay. He's turned his nose up at baby Sweetcorn. That's how I know he's ill. His back end is dirty and seems to be very watery round his bottom. He also doesn't seem to be passing any stools either. He seems very down and not his usual self!

Please can anyone help!? I'm going to the vets tomorrow but wondered if there's anything I can do until then. Can't afford the emergency vets as they charge £65 fee before they even look at him!

Many thanks. X
 
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I don't know about the discharge and what is a possible infection of some kind, but if he isn't passing stool at all (can you check) then he could be impacted and he needs to not eat until he does pass stools. Feeding an impacted piggy can be fatal. You can try getting him on Zantac. You can get that fairly cheaply but I'm not sure of the dosage for piggies - not much though. Maybe someone else can suggest a dose?

Fingers crossed for you and you piggy. I'm so sorry to hear Mylo's ill. Healing vibes from us.
 
Try contacting Laura Humphreys via the guinea pig helpline. She is very knowledgeable and has given me good advice. Her website is www.guineapighelpline.com . Hope you get to the bottom of Mylo's problem
 
I obviously don't know what's wrong with him but if he isn't eating or is eating very little he won't pass pellets. You will need to syringe feed him, at least 20ml (more if he will take it) every few hours; you can mush up pelleted food & syringe this & also syringe him water. If you have probiotic add this to the water, if not P@H sell it.

Good Luck, i do hope he starts to improve. :)
 
Hand feed him - mushed up pellets will do in a pinch to get as much food in as you can; even if it is a battle. Little but often works better. Also make sure that he drinks, so he doesn't dehydrate. If you can, get some probiotics from p@h.

I can't say what is going on; but it is important that you keep your poorly piggy going. Weigh twice daily to control the food intake. A piggy that doesn't eat won't make poos.
 
I "might!" be going out on a limb here but......

He started off with a gunky eye and your vet prescribed the best remedy.....fucithalmic..but it seems this may be the start of a possible respiratory.

He now needs diagnosis/antibiotics FAST...baytril or septrin..so unfortunately you need to go back to the vets soonest

Weigh every day and syringe him either Critical care or Supreme recovery every day untill you get his weight maintained.....Feed unlimited hay/hydrated pellet....(add ground Vit C tablets to pellets and then add cooled boiled water)

Sorry ......HTH
x
 
Thank you all for your help. I've kept him hydrated all day (vit c added to his water). I've also fed him mashed up pellets over the day. Just done last feed. I'm calling the vet first thing tomorrow to take him for a check up. Hate seeing him like this. Breaks your heart. Leaving him to rest now.

Will keep you updated with the outcome!

Thanks again. X
 
Well I've taken my little soldier to the vets first thing this morning. Vet given him a shot of Baytril to get it into his system. Got to keep him topped up with it every 12 hours. She's also rehydrated him. Got some food called recovery which I have to give him every hour.

Is there anything else I can do to make him more comfortable/ happier!?
 
Fingers crossed for your little man. As Baytril can be harsh on the gut and lead to softened poos I would add a probiotic to his feed, give an hour or so after the antibiotic so that it won't be killed off too quickly.

HTH

Suzy x
 
Get hold of some probiotic (you can get in p@h or from your vet) to counter the effects of the baytril on his guts. I add a pinch to the recovery or, if he is not very good with that, to the fluid.

Keep on giving fluids and vitamin C as well (if his fur is still not good feeling, you can get dioralyte from the pharmacy, otherwise, water will do). It seems that your vet is treating for URI/infection.

Try to get as much food into him as possible. He needs about 120ml per day to keep him going. It is best if you can give him little but often as most piggies are not keen on food when they are ill. The more you can get into him, the better the chances for a good recovery.

Here are more tips for hand feeding:
http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36533
http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html


Best of luck!
 
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He's not taking any of the syringed food. I think he's given up! I've got him wrapped in a towel on my knee!

Do you think I should wait for him to go peacefully or have him put to sleep!?

This has been one of the most traumatic things I've been through!

Thanks again for everybody's kind words and help!
 
oh I'm so sorry, what an awful situation, i dont know what to suggest but wanted to leave my wishes x
 
No he's just spitting it out. He's just laying lifeless. I've booked him into the vets again to be put to sleep. Please tell me I'm doing the right thing!
 
it sounds like you could be honey, the vet wont let you go ahead unless its necessary so dont worry.

I'm so sorry, we are all here for you, just love him. what time are you booked in?
 
i will be leaving work in a few minutes, and wont be able to check in again until later, will be thinking of you, hope it goes ok, if you do let him go you are doing it out of love for your baby because you dont want to let him suffer, just remember that and be strong x
 
You love your pig and would not be doing this if it wasn't the right thing. We had to go through a similar decision recently and it is awful but in the end the kindest thing to do is stop the pain for him no matter how hard it is for yourself.
Thinking of you and sending you a big hug
 
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Thank you all so so much for your kind words. Made me feel better. Mylo was put to sleep at 4pm today. He was unconscious and fitting by the time I'd got there. I 100% know I did the right thing. He's buried next to his brother Charley!

Miss him already but know he's at peace now.

Thanks again all of you. X
 
I am sorry too, rip Mylo, so sorry you lost him, but nice you have him back and with his brother. Sounds like he was a much loved piggy x

x>>
 
So sorry for your loss.

RIP little Mylo.

x x
 
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