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I Think My Guinea Is Dying, Please Advise.

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Bernado

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Hello forum members, I'm sorry my first post here is not a happy one.
I have a nearly six year old guinea who is very poorly, a few days ago I noticed she was extremely unsteady on her back legs and had lost interest in food.

I took her to a vet who after some tests (ultrasound) diagnosed she had ovarian cysts, which they thought were causing her symptoms due to the pain she would have been experiencing.
They successfully drained a fair amount of fluid from them (quite a big syringe full!) and were happy she should make a recovery.
They checked temperature and teeth and were satisfied she had no infection but gave her some antibiotics as a precaution, which I repeated the following day.

Sadly a few days later there is little change, she seems quite bright in herself and shows interest in food when it arrives but nibbles it halfheartedly before finally giving up.
I've tried syringe feeding her Critical Care a few times but this seems to distress her and she resolutely won't take it. I can't bring myself to do this anymore as she made such a sad whimpering sound this morning when I tried, I've never heard her sound like that before.
She does take water from a syringe without complaining so I will continue to do this.

I fear there is little I can do other than keep her as comfortable as I can, she seems quite perky though goodness knows how long she can remain that way on an empty stomach.
She tried to clean her hind regions this morning and over-balanced in such a way it clearly frightened her, sending her 'running' to her house for security.

It's very sad to watch and whilst her thinning fur, cataract affected sister continues to charge around the cage like a loon, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next.
 
I'm so sorry she is so poorly. Unfortunately if you are unable to syringe feed without her becoming distressed it would be kinder to make a decision to let the vet help her on her way. I hate saying it but without food her guts will shut down and she will starve. Did your vet suggest hormone injections at all after draining the cyst? Would your vet be able to admit her for supportive feeding? Is she on any pain relief?

Welcome to the forum, I am sorry it's not under happier circumstances.
 
Thank you for your reply.

The vet said spaying was a long term solution but didn't recommend it until she was better.
Whilst she clearly does have cysts (I was shown the fluid!) I don't think they are the cause of her current problems, though I imagine they may have made a bad situation worse.
I have just read the forum section on syringe feeding and notice a smaller one is used than the one given to me by the vet for this.
The one she gave me for the antibiotic administration (and the one I've successfully used for water) is the same smaller size. I'll try feeding her again with that one in case it is more successful.

They are endearing creatures, when her sister spotted her returning in the box I used for the vet she started chattering away to her, the poorly one then broke her silence and started chirping back.
All very sad, I should be grateful for the nearly six years of good health she has had.
 
Just a very quick question.
Is she on some form of pain relief as well as the antibiotics.
I only ask because she might not want to eat due to pain and feeling a bit rubbish, and maybe some pain relief would help her get back on top of things.

She is a good age and you sound like a very caring and knowledgeable owner.
I really wish you all the best with her.
 
Good luck with the hand feeding. Sometimes it's really hard to get them to eat, but like Helen mentioned they really have to keep food moving through their systems or they will shut down really quickly. If it's an impossible task, then it's kinder to make the awful decision to help them, and have them euthanized.

Here's the guide for handfeeding:
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Welcome to the forum, and I hope she feels better soon.
 
Hope the smaller syringe helps. Just remember to cut off the tip as it makes it easier. Take it slowly too, maybe half a syringe at a time. Use the small one for water too. I don't like the big syringes as have heard a lot of horror stories about them.
 
Another thing... other than syringe feeding, have you tried to offer some critical care just on a spoon, if a piggy wants to eat but just in pain or unable to then they can be willing to eat from a spoon which is obviously much less distressing than trying to syringe feed (I have been lucky enough that most of the time mine has been happy to eat it from a spoon). If I'm honest I would be cautious with considering spaying. I had a 4.5 year old piggy done as an emergency due to the size of the cysts but given your piggys age the general anaesthetic is going to be tough on her body. There are hormonal injections though that are becoming more widely used for guinea pigs and on this forum they appear to be very successful.
 
Thank you for your comments and support, I will have one more go at assisted feeding. The more I watch her I'm of the opinion she has a neurological condition, she doesn't seem to be in control of some of her movements including chewing.
Fingers crossed I have some success but I'm not optomisic.
 
apparently ovarian cysts can be very painful, especially small or growing ones.
please make sure she has plenty of pain relief available, as a piggy in pain is reluctant to eat generally, which can also cause teeth & digestive problems which then turn into a viscous circle, she needs to get food into her or as helen said her digestive system will shut down & then the prognosis isn't good.
chewing &teeth grinding can be a sign of pain too.

I had an elderly 6yr old piggy that had chorulon hormone injections for ovarian cysts as she was considered by the vet too old & the risks were too high to spay her, the injections were 7-10 days apart & the lump/cyst started shrinking & disappeared really quickly, the injections lasted about 12months & then she had another set when the lump/cyst grew again, which worked well both times.

remember that whatever happens she must be comfortable & pain free.
fingers crossed for a full & speedy recovery. xx
 
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