I Think My Female Guinea Pig Is Suffering From A Uri But I Have No Money To Go To The Vet

[Shannonk23]

I’m 17 my female guinea pig gave birth about 3 weeks ago and has been healthy the whole time it’s only last night she started having laboured breathing and is really weak and won’t eat or drink i don’t know what to do!

 

[Wheekallweek]

Unfortunately only a vet can really help her now. If she isn’t eating or drinking you must start syringe feeding her mushed up nuggets now and try to keep her warm.
When we take on a pet it can be expensive but we owe it to those animals to be able to provide veterinary care for them. Is there a responsible adult that can help?

 

[Wiebke]

I’m 17 my female guinea pig gave birth about 3 weeks ago and has been healthy the whole time it’s only last night she started having laboured breathing and is really weak and won’t eat or drink i don’t know what to do!

I am very sorry, but this is a life and death emergency if there ever is one! Please see a vet asap. It is either pneumonia or heart failure.

You can try to syringe feed mushed pellets and water her very carefully in small portions (1/10 of a syringe if she is still able to swallow). If she is no longer able to process food, then she is unfortunately dying.
Please keep her warm but not hot and as comfortable as you can make her. You can also place a bowl of steaming water next to the cage and keep it refreshed, but be aware that these measures are just about keeping your poorly little mum as comfortable as you can; they do not replace a vet trip and a much needed antibiotic to give her a chance of survival!

Please make sure that you save up every week for a vet fund, so you can pay for emergency care whenever needed; it NEVER happens at a convenient time so you need to be prepared for it. Vet care is unfortunately an integral part of responsible pet ownership; there are no cheap pets!

 

[Shannonk23]

I asked my dad because his the one who provide everything for them and his says that it’s not his problem and none of my other family members live close

 

[Wiebke]

I asked my dad because his the one who provide everything for them and his says that it’s not his problem and none of my other family members live close

As you are still a minor in his household, it is your dad's legal responsibility unfortunately. You are not the first teenager whose parents are refusing to pay for veterinary care.

Please make sure that you and your dad come to an agreement in view of the babies' lives. Thankfully they are just old enough to survive on their own.
Concentrate on making your little mum as comfortable has possible, but unless she is seen asap, there is nothing you can do to save her life.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sexing-separating-baby-boars-and-rehoming-babies.109391/

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Wheekallweek]

Have you spoken to friends or family, even try speaking to the vet?
She really really needs to see a vet!
You’re dad needs to understand that when you got your guinea pig he took full responsibility for it as the adult. To him it may just be a guinea pig but this is an animal’s life. Maybe show him this thread? I know this must be hard for you x

 

[Shannonk23]

I’m honestly heart broke I’m siting with her lucky enough she does take water but in small amounts and I honestly thought if anything like this happened my dad would help me and unfortunately I don’t get any money to save but in early January I’m starting my job so unfortunately it did happen at the worst time possible

 

[Shannonk23]

I’ve had a similar situation happen to me before and around my area the vets are all about the money as I turned up before with my kitten who had an infection and i was in tear they simply looked at me and said we don’t see animals for free

 

[Tiamolly123]

Vets to a certain extent make me cross, that all the money they earn, that they cannot put something back in the pot. They are quite happy to see an animal die, rather that treat it, as far as I am concerned because there attitude is no money no help.
Anyway your dad is actually breaking the law. He is legally responsible to make sure you pet does not suffer, & he pays for any vet treatment.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Vets to a certain extent make me cross, that all the money they earn, that they cannot put something back in the pot. They are quite happy to see an animal die, rather that treat it, as far as I am concerned because there attitude is no money no help.
Anyway your dad is actually breaking the law. He is legally responsible to make sure you pet does not suffer, & he pays for any vet treatment.

You might find this interesting from earlier in the year. Vet Cost Breakdown Article. It's also interesting to note the average salaries of vets in comparison to other careers that need a lot of training. Although they aren't on a low wage it's not exactly a high wage for the job they do and the amount of training etc they put in

 

[Lady Kelly]

Shannon, I'm really sorry that you have found yourself in this situation. You could try appealing to a vets for a payment plan (to pay when you are earning) though this isn't guaranteed to work. Have you explained to your dad that this is a life or death matter? My dad was always one that never understood why I bothered with the vets for a guinea pig but I was lucky to be in my late 20's when I started keeping them, living in my own place and earning my own money. Basically I was in a position where his opinion had no bearing on me because I had my own means.

Alternatively there is the pdsa or blue cross Veterinary they do have eligibility criteria but it might be worth calling and explaining the situation to them

 

[Tiamolly123]

Down here you have to be in a certain catch ups area for those charities to help but you can approach the RSPCA, they can normally help out.
Down here in the south Lady Kelly they are pretty well off if you go by the cars they drive

 

[Flutterby]

You could technically report your father for not complying with the law, and the RSPCA could help if it's an emergency. Worth trying.

 

[Merrypigs Sanctuary]

Please don't give up with your dad! Explain that this is life or death - offer to pay him back. Show him this thread like @Wheekallweek said! He needs to understand that as the responsible adult present when you brought your piggy he is required by law to ensure she gets veterinary treatment! Good luck, fingers crossed for you and your sow xxxc

 

[Hath]

I’m 17 my female guinea pig gave birth about 3 weeks ago and has been healthy the whole time it’s only last night she started having laboured breathing and is really weak and won’t eat or drink i don’t know what to do!

Hi, hope she's ok. If you haven't sorted the vet visit yet. Please, do contact RSPCA and sign her over before it's too late. Every day piggy is left unwell means less chance of survival and higher vet bills.

 

[Piggyluv+2]

Vets to a certain extent make me cross, that all the money they earn, that they cannot put something back in the pot. They are quite happy to see an animal die, rather that treat it, as far as I am concerned because there attitude is no money no help.
Anyway your dad is actually breaking the law. He is legally responsible to make sure you pet does not suffer, & he pays for any vet treatment.

Vets here are the same! They will let your pet die in the waiting room before offering any help at all! Ours won't even take post dated chks! U would think they become vets because they love animals, they don't! They love money more!

 

[Piggyluv+2]

Vets here are the same! They will let your pet die in the waiting room before offering any help at all! Ours won't even take post dated chks! you would think they become vets because they love animals, they don't! They love money more!

But yet a human goes to the ER with no money! They see them?!?! Why let our animals die?

 

[Reenie]

I think your best bet is to surrender her to the RSPCA. They will treat her if she has a chance and, as @Wiebke says, if she is dying, they will be able to help her on her way without suffering.

So sorry.

 

[Wizzy]

I’ve been in this situation before, it’s heartbreaking show your dad your guinea pig, and show him this thread to show that she needs to go to the vet. If you show him this and he still refuses, all you can do is surrender her to the rspca, or make her as comfortable as possible.
So sorry x