illness in my guinea pig herd

[Laylajay]

Hey guys its my first time posting on here and i need some help! i had 6 guinea pigs in 2 seperate cages and after one passed away (5 years old) i got 2 babies for my male as he was lonely. Shortly after he got an eye infection and a runny nose, went to the vets and got some antibiotics and it cleared the infection but he was still becoming weaker and losing more weight and fur. Another trip to the vets and i was told there must be an underlying issue here, we tried more antibiotics but after a month of fighting he sadly passed away. Now its been another month and i just got back from a weeks trip where i had a friend taking care of my guinea pigs and she let me know that one of my other girls (in the separate cage) didnt seem herself and wasnt eating. I got home yesterday and she was weak and couldnt walk properly, in the same state as my male. Took her to the vets but they were absolutely useless and told me everything was fine and just gave her some antibiotics after hardly checking her over. She passed away less than an hour later, she was only 2 years old. I have another guinea pig who is starting to go down the same path so it must be contagious and I'm very worried about her, and my other guinea pigs getting it. The vets aren't being much help so i was wondering if any of you guys have any idea what could be going on, sorry for the long post thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this and so sorry for your losses.

We can only advise that you urgently step in with emergency care - syringe feeding and to switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead to daily weight checks so you can monitor that enough syringe feed is being given. I will add our emergency guides below.

Is there another vet practice you can get to as an emergency?

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry for your losses and new concerns.

Can you see another vet? Ideally, you have a lab test done to see what kind of infectious bug you are dealing with. There are some rather nasty ones around. They are thankfully rare in good care but it can unfortunately occasionally happen. It's all our worst nightmare.

Are your piggies indoors or outdoors? What kind of place did your two new boys come from?

Here is our recommended vets list if you are within reach of one of them: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

You may find some of the advice and information in this guide here helpful in terms of hygiene measures and a list of the more commonly encountered nasties (not exhaustive): Contagion - Inter-species Transmission and Pet Care During Owner Illness/Pregnancy (incl. Covid)

My fingers are very firmly crossed.

 

[Truffolo]

It might be worth checking for diseases rabbits can get and give to guinea pigs. Bordatella and E.Cuniculi? I don't know very much about rabbit diseases but I believe guinea pigs can get these diseases from rabbits and carry them, transmitting them but not always showings signs of them themselves

 

[Merab]

Holding you in my thoughts at this difficult time

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. I hope you can find out what’s wrong quickly. Sending you hugs and healing vibes to your piggies

 

[CTWC]

Know it's not necessarily the right time of year but if they are indoors could carbon monoxide be a cause? Sorry if I'm talking rubbish