I really think I'll be saying goodbye sometime soon...

dannif_piggies said:
In all honesty, I'm not sure how I managed to get such a clear photo, she hates her teeth being checked, but I've noticed the smallest corner of Honeys tooth isn't straight, could this be causing her problems? In total honesty, I don't often check her teeth, as the vet does this when she's been taken, but I caught a glimpse. Would this effect her eating in anyway? It is only the smallest corner piece that's missing, does this happen with old age?
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I honestly don't think it could be causing her issues, especially if her teeth have been checked by the vet. Some piggies have very odd tooth wear patterns, see my Flubs below for an example. In spite of this he's my heaviest pig and has no problems eating anything I give him.

For others reading, I'm not saying that you shouldn't get the teeth checked at the vet! That's the first thing I did (and you should too; @dannif_piggies, does your vet check Honey's molars? Did your vet check if there might be elongated roots?), but his molars are in perfect condition. In the few months since his teeth have worn like this, they've hardly changed (and Flubs has put on another 100g, the fat potato).

It's so infuriating not knowing what's wrong! My boy Flash is still having the same issue, and needs syringe fed at least 45ml a day. We've tried reducing syringe feed over the last few days to encourage him to eat but his weight dropped by 50g, so we're having to up the amount we feed him again :(

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Danielle Smith said:
I honestly don't think it could be causing her issues, especially if her teeth have been checked by the vet. Some piggies have very odd tooth wear patterns, see my Flubs below for an example. In spite of this he's my heaviest pig and has no problems eating anything I give him.

For others reading, I'm not saying that you shouldn't get the teeth checked at the vet! That's the first thing I did (and you should too; @dannif_piggies, does your vet check Honey's molars? Did your vet check if there might be elongated roots?), but his molars are in perfect condition. In the few months since his teeth have worn like this, they've hardly changed (and Flubs has put on another 100g, the fat potato).

It's so infuriating not knowing what's wrong! My boy Flash is still having the same issue, and needs syringe fed at least 45ml a day. We've tried reducing syringe feed over the last few days to encourage him to eat but his weight dropped by 50g, so we're having to up the amount we feed him again :(

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Yes, my vet checks all her teeth whenever we visit, and when I can I check the front, issues with molars is something I've very wary about for that's the reason I lost my treacle and issuficient advices from uneducated vets with piggies (it's an insult to call them uneducation but I just mean with piggies) about Treacles teeth and health caused me to lose her this time last year. I think I was overthinking, as she's now weighing 803g! From this time yesterday, she's put on 40g. So happy, I'm going to give her a CC top up before bed, check her half way through the night, about 2, if she needs it I'll top her up again, if not she won't get anymore until tomorrow morning. But she's doing good again! IMG_4644.webp
 
dannif_piggies said:
Honey is back to her usual morning weight of around the 780g mark, I think we've got her stable once more. Thank you as always for everyone support, I'll probably be back here with another panic fairly soon 👍
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it is what the forum is here for to offer advice when we can and most of all support for you. We all go through these bad times with our loved pets and it is so tough. Sending Honey lots of love and you a hug
 
This morning is having yet another blip, I woke up to find her hiding away in the hides house facing the wall, yesterday she has severe poops, and this morning she has lost more weight despite me CC feeding her all of yesterday, I've tried to CC feed her this morning, and she's refusing it, despite her normally rather enjoying it. I've tried force feeding but she just won't take it. So she's booking into the vets for 9.45. Currently she's sitting in a puffed up ball in the hay box where I put her. I think if the vets say there's not more they can do, I think it's time I let her go over the Rainbow Bridge 😪
 
dannif_piggies said:
This morning is having yet another blip, I woke up to find her hiding away in the hides house facing the wall, yesterday she has severe poops, and this morning she has lost more weight despite me CC feeding her all of yesterday, I've tried to CC feed her this morning, and she's refusing it, despite her normally rather enjoying it. I've tried force feeding but she just won't take it. So she's booking into the vets for 9.45. Currently she's sitting in a puffed up ball in the hay box where I put her. I think if the vets say there's not more they can do, I think it's time I let her go over the Rainbow Bridge 😪
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So sad, I'm sorry to hear this, my old boar refused to take cc in the end , he passed away the next day whilst i was at work😔. You never know though, there may be something else you can try
 
So honey has been taken to the vets, there's quite a few points to cover.

She is the lowest she's been in weight
The vet found that when feeling her bladder she was in some discomfort, however could not feel any masses
She is more than likely going to be put on painkillers (Tramadol) which can slow down the gut process, which may help reduce soft stools
She's going to be given CC by the vets throughout the day.
She's going to have a conscious X-ray to see if there's anything in the bladder going on
I think that's all the points covered, so currently she's at the vets until 6.15
 
Betsy said:
Fingers very firmly crossed.🤞🤞
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So grateful to have vets that just don't give up until it's a must. I know if I was still with my old vets she would've been put to sleep a long time ago 😪
 
How old is she? Any chance she has Arthiritis? I'm sure your vet would have noticed though. Most probably is bladder discomfort going by what your vet found
 
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I know I've said this before, but this is exactly what we are going through with our Flash at the moment, right down to the thickened/inflamed bladder.

Is your girl still able to move about? One of Flashes back legs is paralysed so he hardly moves and is covered in his own wee :(.

Two things that seem to be helping with the pain and loss of appetite are Cystease (for calming down the bladder) and Metatone (to encourage his appetite; he ate 3 strands of hay unaided yesterday)! I agree with increased painkillers too.

It's very hard to know when to say goodbye, especially with the improvement and then backslides. My heart really goes out to you.
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
How old is she? Any chance she has Arthiritis? I'm sure your vet would have noticed though. Most probably is bladder discomfort going by what your vet found
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I don't think she does, she moves quite happily when she doesn't have these blips, and it was definitely the bladder areas that was causing discomfort rather than joints for example but we'll see what is said at the end of the day :)
 
Danielle Smith said:
I know I've said this before, but this is exactly what we are going through with our Flash at the moment, right down to the thickened/inflamed bladder.

Is your girl still able to move about? One of Flashes back legs is paralysed so he hardly moves and is covered in his own wee :(.

Two things that seem to be helping with the pain and loss of appetite are Cystease (for calming down the bladder) and Metatone (to encourage his appetite; he ate 3 strands of hay unaided yesterday)! I agree with increased painkillers too.

It's very hard to know when to say goodbye, especially with the improvement and then backslides. My heart really goes out to you.
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Honey is still able to run about, she usually hops in and out of the hay box easily (granted with a bit of thud compare to Willow 😂) once Honeys appetite gets going she eats like a trooper, but this morning she didn't want to get it going bless her, hopefully the vet has more luck. And it really is, her blips are getting more frequent but this morning was the worst one she's had. She's in the best care today though, thank you for your response :)
 
I forgot to add, Honeys guys we're still moving from what the vet could hear, and she also pooped whilst she was there so they are going to test the poop for parasites. (For once she pooped on cue)

They are also going to try and do a urine test
 
Best of luck for Honey today, your vet sounds really good though so she's definitely in safe hands! It must be so hard having an old lady piggy but you and the vet are definitely doing your best to keep her going with a good quality of life as long as you can x
 
PigglePuggle said:
Best of luck for Honey today, your vet sounds really good though so she's definitely in safe hands! It must be so hard having an old lady piggy but you and the vet are definitely doing your best to keep her going with a good quality of life as long as you can x
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If I'm totally honest, this is the most "in-tune" I've been with a guinea pigs health since I've kept them. Now I've found a vet I trust I realise there's so much more than can be done than what my previous vets gave me the impression for my late pigs. Treacle taught me the importance of regular weight checking, and this is saved Honeys life I would say. I know veterinary care has come on leaps and bounds for piggies in fairly recent years so that's working in everybody's favour too. It really is exhausting, and surprising how much the cost can add up, I made a joke today with the vet saying Honey should have a Gucci logo on her considering how expensive she's become 🤣 I wouldn't have it any other way though. My fingers are firmly crossed with her, and the vets haven't been in contact so I'm assuming she's still all okay
 
So Honey is home, but I'm still concerned about her. This morning she was 750g, when I got her home and weighed her, she's 736g.

She's been fed 27ml of critical care at the vet and I was told she's been nibbling on hay and pellets today too.

The X-ray showed a potential bladder stone, however they couldn't quite see so are going to ask the main exotics vet there kate (the vet that did Honeys spay) on Monday.

She's been given pain relief, and I've been adviced to give her vitamin C supplements, so I'll will be getting them tomorrow.

She seems a bit brighter than she did this morning but I'm concerned about the additional weight loss, despite her being fed.

£110 later and I don't feel any more knowledgeable on anything 😪
 
Merab's Slave said:
It can be so frustrating, however, hopefully Monday will bring clarity to the situation.
The not knowing is often the hardest thing to cope with.
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I'm mostly confused how she's lost weight but has been fed all day? Her tummy also just doesn't feel right, like she seems a bit firm, but surely critical care wouldn't have caused bloat?
 
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