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I think my Guinea pig is dying

lialooszoo

lialooszoo

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 23, 2019
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Location
Oxford
I think my guinea pig bibble has a respiratory infection, he has all the symptoms of a respiratory infection but the odd thing is he keeps trying to roll on his back. I’ve never seen him do this before. Guinea pigs don’t try to roll on their back because of how fragile their spines are? It’s horrible to see. This has come on so suddenly as well. It’s a Sunday today so the vets are closed- I’m taking him to the earliest appointment tomorrow morning. Bibble is not drinking or eating, he keeps refusing to eat which is not him at all. I’ve been giving him water through a syringe, and I’ve tried syringe feeding him but I don’t know if it’s dangerous or not. I’ve been watering down his nuggets and mushing them down with water? How frequently should I give him water and how frequently should I syringe feed him? Do you think he has had a stroke and that’s why he keeps trying to roll on his back or do you think he is dying. My heart is so broken I’ve been non stop crying. If tomorrow morning the vets say that he is drying and the kindest thing we can do is to put him down it’s going to absolutely tear me up. He has a brother and they are best friends. Bumble Bibbles brother had a big stroke 2 years ago and he is now blind- the result from the stroke. I don’t know how bumble is going to handle life without bibble. Bumble relies on bibble for everything. Bibble has been bumbles support system and guide for 2 whole years. I just don’t know how bumble will handle it. Advise would be so appreciated. How do I keep bibble comfortable?
 
Are you in the UK? All UK vets have emergency out of hours covers, so if you are in the Uk, then he must be taken to a vet right now. I can’t comment on any other country’s emergency out of hours cover.

I’m assuming he isn’t receiving treatment for a respiratory infection at this point?

Mushed pellets is a good thing to use as a syringe feed. You feed them as much as they can take at each sitting and enough over a 24 hour period to maintain their weight (you also need to weigh A poorly piggy daily so you can judge they are getting enough feed).
However, syringe feeding is only any good while a piggy is able to swallow. If his system is shutting down then he will not be able to take food, and he must be seen by a vet.

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
lialooszoo said:
I think my guinea pig bibble has a respiratory infection, he has all the symptoms of a respiratory infection but the odd thing is he keeps trying to roll on his back. I’ve never seen him do this before. Guinea pigs don’t try to roll on their back because of how fragile their spines are? It’s horrible to see. This has come on so suddenly as well. It’s a Sunday today so the vets are closed- I’m taking him to the earliest appointment tomorrow morning. Bibble is not drinking or eating, he keeps refusing to eat which is not him at all. I’ve been giving him water through a syringe, and I’ve tried syringe feeding him but I don’t know if it’s dangerous or not. I’ve been watering down his nuggets and mushing them down with water? How frequently should I give him water and how frequently should I syringe feed him? Do you think he has had a stroke and that’s why he keeps trying to roll on his back or do you think he is dying. My heart is so broken I’ve been non stop crying. If tomorrow morning the vets say that he is drying and the kindest thing we can do is to put him down it’s going to absolutely tear me up. He has a brother and they are best friends. Bumble Bibbles brother had a big stroke 2 years ago and he is now blind- the result from the stroke. I don’t know how bumble is going to handle life without bibble. Bumble relies on bibble for everything. Bibble has been bumbles support system and guide for 2 whole years. I just don’t know how bumble will handle it. Advise would be so appreciated. How do I keep bibble comfortable?
Click to expand...

Hi!

Please google for out-of-hours or 24 hour vet clinics in your area (there is UK-wide cover even in lockdown; health emergencies with pets are a valid reason for travel) and see whether there are any open ones within your reach, first and foremost.

Otherwise, please follow the advice in the two green links. It is very practical, detailed and step by step in a way that we cannot put in just one post and takes you through all aspects of emergency care and what to do if you are worried that your piggy may be dying.
We can unfortunately not tell you what is exactly going on without a hands-on examination and without any veterinary qualifications ourselves.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Fingers very firmly crossed.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Are you in the UK? All UK vets have emergency out of hours covers, so if you are in the Uk, then he must be taken to a vet right now. I can’t comment on any other country’s emergency out of hours cover.

I’m assuming he isn’t receiving treatment for a respiratory infection at this point?

Mushed pellets is a good thing to use as a syringe feed. You feed them as much as they can take at each sitting and enough over a 24 hour period to maintain their weight (you also need to weigh A poorly piggy daily so you can judge they are getting enough feed).
However, syringe feeding is only any good while a piggy is able to swallow. If his system is shutting down then he will not be able to take food, and he must be seen by a vet.

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Click to expand...
Thank you for your advise, we can’t take him down for an emergency because it is just way too expensive. Me and my family have been really struggling with money recently so taking him up for an emergency is not an option unfortunately. We’re taking him first thing in the morning
 
Could you borrow money from someone to pay for the vet visit? I’m sorry you’re between a rock and a hard place. But it cannot wait.
 
Siikibam said:
Could you borrow money from someone to pay for the vet visit? I’m sorry you’re between a rock and a hard place. But it cannot wait.
Click to expand...
Well I don’t talk to any of my dads side as we have stopped talking. Me, my mum & my sisters all live alone. My dad walked out on us. My mum brothers are very selfish with money and wouldn’t even consider it. And my grandad also really struggles with money. Just no way we can do it. Tomorrow the cost of the vets will be over 200 pound. And If he doesn’t make it and Deteriorates we will have not only to pay for putting him to sleep but we will also have to pay for cremation. We’re just not able to do it. It’s breaking mine and my mum and sisters hearts.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Please google for out-of-hours or 24 hour vet clinics in your area (there is UK-wide cover even in lockdown; health emergencies with pets are a valid reason for travel) and see whether there are any open ones within your reach, first and foremost.

Otherwise, please follow the advice in the two green links. It is very practical, detailed and step by step in a way that we cannot put in just one post and takes you through all aspects of emergency care and what to do if you are worried that your piggy may be dying.
We can unfortunately not tell you what is exactly going on without a hands-on examination and without any veterinary qualifications ourselves.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Fingers very firmly crossed.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your advise. We are not able to pay for emergency treatment. It’s just not an option.
 
Follow the guides that Wiebke linked to earlier. And continue with syringe feeding. You’ll have to do it every 1-2 hours for now and maybe once before bed. Hopefully he will be okay until tomorrow.
 
Siikibam said:
Follow the guides that Wiebke linked to earlier. And continue with syringe feeding. You’ll have to do it every 1-2 hours for now and maybe once before bed. Hopefully he will be okay until tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for advise, me and my family really appreciate it. I just and pray he pulls through and it is just respiratory infection that he can recover from with antibiotics and pain killers. Thanks again
 
So sorry to read the awful predicament you are in. If you can keep him fed and watered until the vet appt then that’s the very best you can do. Hope you can get him better with the vets help x
 
Bill & Ted said:
So sorry to read the awful predicament you are in. If you can keep him fed and watered until the vet appt then that’s the very best you can do. Hope you can get him better with the vets help x
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Thank you so much for your lovely message. He seems to have a little bit of appetite at the moment and is drinking a little bit more so fingers crossed!
 
I’m so sorry for the predicament you are in :( It’s hard when we don’t have the money for the vets. Hopefully he can last until tomorrow and he will get better with treatment x
 
Claire W said:
I’m so sorry for the predicament you are in :( It’s hard when we don’t have the money for the vets. Hopefully he can last until tomorrow and he will get better with treatment x
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Thank you so much I appreciate your kind words x
 
When one of my piggies was unwell after an op it took two of us to syringe feed. We found wrapping a tea towel around him helped. Thinking of you x
 
So sorry for the dreadful situation you are in. Have you thought about contacting the PDSA?
 
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. 😩 I hope he recovers soon. Xx
 
Her Nibship said:
So sorry for the dreadful situation you are in. Have you thought about contacting the PDSA?
Click to expand...
I haven’t heard of PDSA before? Bibble is making a bit improvement and it seems very promising. He’s not starting to drink more and is now eating quite a bit! I just hope and pray he is stating to make a recovery slowly but surely!
 
PDSA is a UK based organisation that supports people with sick animals who for whatever reason can’t afford vet bills.
Hope he holds on until morning but you are going to have a very long and anxious night.
Holding you in my thoughts
 
Make sure you syringe feed him fibre rich food (mushed pellets or recovery feed) regularly and switch to weighing him daily so you can really be sure he is getting enough food as you can’t judge hay intake by eye. Watching them eating hay can be deceptive.
I hope he is ok
 
It seems a bit mean but if he does the back-rolling again it might be an idea to try and get a short video to show the vet? I hope he doesn't though and that he continues to convalesce comfortably. It's so touching to hear about the two brothers... I hope Bumble can help Bibble feel better now 💕

When we were young we could only afford the PDSA vet. If it wasn't for them we wouldn't have been able to have any pets as children. They have certain criteria for their clients so have a look and see if they could help and if there is one near you
Check if you're eligible
 
Tara95 said:
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. 😩 I hope he recovers soon. Xx
Click to expand...
Thank you very much! Xx
Merab's Slave said:
PDSA is a UK based organisation that supports people with sick animals who for whatever reason can’t afford vet bills.
Hope he holds on until morning but you are going to have a very long and anxious night.
Holding you in my thoughts
Click to expand...
oh okay something definitely to look into! Thank you so much for this x
 
Piggies&buns said:
Make sure you syringe feed him fibre rich food (mushed pellets or recovery feed) regularly and switch to weighing him daily so you can really be sure he is getting enough food as you can’t judge hay intake by eye. Watching them eating hay can be deceptive.
I hope he is ok
Click to expand...
Thank you for your advise I will definitely do this!
 
As @Her Nibship said pdsa might be able to help. I've had free treatment from them and payment plans to help on financially difficult times. Sending healing vibes and positive thoughts for bibble
 
Free Ranger said:
It seems a bit mean but if he does the back-rolling again it might be an idea to try and get a short video to show the vet? I hope he doesn't though and that he continues to convalesce comfortably. It's so touching to hear about the two brothers... I hope Bumble can help Bibble feel better now 💕

When we were young we could only afford the PDSA vet. If it wasn't for them we wouldn't have been able to have any pets as children. They have certain criteria for their clients so have a look and see if they could help and if there is one near you
Check if you're eligible
Click to expand...
So far bibble hasn’t rolled on his back since I posted this so hopefully fingers crossed! But if he does it again I will definitely film it and show it to the vet- really good idea! Bumble is taking good care of him he keeps giving him lots of cuddles. Bibble so far is managing to drink quite a bit and also a eat a little, he’s even tried walking around a bit which is really hopeful! Hopefully medication from the vets will help him pull through and recover, I’m praying this is the case anyway. PDSA sounds really interesting I will definitely look into this more! Thank you for your kind words! X
 
Piggies&buns said:
Make sure you syringe feed him fibre rich food (mushed pellets or recovery feed) regularly and switch to weighing him daily so you can really be sure he is getting enough food as you can’t judge hay intake by eye. Watching them eating hay can be deceptive.
I hope he is ok
Click to expand...
I will definitely do this thank you for your advise! X
 
dan3008 said:
As @Her Nibship said pdsa might be able to help. I've had free treatment from them and payment plans to help on financially difficult times. Sending healing vibes and positive thoughts for bibble
Click to expand...
Thank you so much will definitely look into pdsa! Thank you for the advise!
 
lialooszoo said:
I think my guinea pig bibble has a respiratory infection, he has all the symptoms of a respiratory infection but the odd thing is he keeps trying to roll on his back. I’ve never seen him do this before. Guinea pigs don’t try to roll on their back because of how fragile their spines are? It’s horrible to see. This has come on so suddenly as well. It’s a Sunday today so the vets are closed- I’m taking him to the earliest appointment tomorrow morning. Bibble is not drinking or eating, he keeps refusing to eat which is not him at all. I’ve been giving him water through a syringe, and I’ve tried syringe feeding him but I don’t know if it’s dangerous or not. I’ve been watering down his nuggets and mushing them down with water? How frequently should I give him water and how frequently should I syringe feed him? Do you think he has had a stroke and that’s why he keeps trying to roll on his back or do you think he is dying. My heart is so broken I’ve been non stop crying. If tomorrow morning the vets say that he is drying and the kindest thing we can do is to put him down it’s going to absolutely tear me up. He has a brother and they are best friends. Bumble Bibbles brother had a big stroke 2 years ago and he is now blind- the result from the stroke. I don’t know how bumble is going to handle life without bibble. Bumble relies on bibble for everything. Bibble has been bumbles support system and guide for 2 whole years. I just don’t know how bumble will handle it. Advise would be so appreciated. How do I keep bibble comfortable?
Click to expand...
Hey everyone, just got back from the vets and all is well with Bibble! They told us that he is making a recovery from a respiratory infection and that I did a good job in taking care of him! I woke up every hour and a half to give him fluids and he seems so much more perkier and almost back to his old self! The vets said that he has a little bit of a a cackle in his lungs but the antibiotics that he gave us will give him a full recovery! Thank you for everyone’s advise and love I can’t thank you all enough x
 
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