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Impaction

Cat1397

Cat1397

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Sep 11, 2018
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Location
Berwyn, IL (United States)
Hello everyone,
my male pig is about to be 4 years old and he is suffering from impaction. I first became concerned when I noticed he constantly had crusty eyes and began walking around a bit weird. Soon after I noticed the clump of poop in his rear end. I did some research and found out it was just something I had to help him with and I've been cleaning his butt ever since (about a week or two).
He still eats and drinks water (slightly less but he still gets really excited for fresh veggies) and he also seems a little bit smaller than before. He also doesn't move as much. He's been peeing in the same spot inside his little castle. He just lays in that same spot so he is always wet and crusty!
Does the impaction cause him to be in a lot of pain?
Does it shorten their life? He is only 4.
Why does he still have crusty eyes? Is it possible that he has something else wrong with him?
My husband brought up the idea of possibly putting him down if he is in constant pain and although I rather not I just don't want him to be suffering.
Any knowledge or advice will be greatly appreciated!
 
I would go to a vet for a check up as it sounds like there could be an underlying condition causing the impaction. I'm not aware of crusty eyes being a symptom of impaction but then I have not had much experience of it.
Most illnesses, when caught earlier and vetinary treatment sought promptly, can be easy to treat. I personally would not even entertain the idea of putting an animal to sleep without the guidance and advice of someone trained and knowledgeable
 
Crusty eyes wont be caused by impaction. My old pig had impaction. And only that, sounds like.your pig could.have a respiratory infection or bad molars, and even a urine infection. Get to a vet whos knows about guinea pigs asap. They go downhill very fast. Get him on a course of antibiotics and some painkillers to syringe orally at home. Dont put him to sleep, no.one gives up that easy with a dog or cat, not being funny, hes likely able to get better if you take him to a vets
 
Remember though a guinea pig experienced vet. Else you could be wasting valuable time
 
Skypipdot said:
Crusty eyes wont be caused by impaction. My old pig had impaction. And only that, sounds like.your pig could.have a respiratory infection or bad molars, and even a urine infection. Get to a vet whos knows about guinea pigs asap. They go downhill very fast. Get him on a course of antibiotics and some painkillers to syringe orally at home. Dont put him to sleep, no.one gives up that easy with a dog or cat, not being funny, hes likely able to get better if you take him to a vets
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Thank you, the last thing I want is to put him down it was just my husband talking nonsense!
 
Lady Kelly said:
I would go to a vet for a check up as it sounds like there could be an underlying condition causing the impaction. I'm not aware of crusty eyes being a symptom of impaction but then I have not had much experience of it.
Most illnesses, when caught earlier and vetinary treatment sought promptly, can be easy to treat. I personally would not even entertain the idea of putting an animal to sleep without the guidance and advice of someone trained and knowledgeable
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I called multiple places and due to my work schedule and availability with the vet, the soonest appointment I could get was Friday, I'm not sure if I should wait or take him in for emergency visit?
 
Betsy said:
A vet visit certainly wouldn't do any harm. I'd pop him along for a quick check up just to make sure there is nothing sinister going on.
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That's what I'm afraid of, there isn't many exotic animal vets in my area. I found two about thirty minutes away but can't get in until Friday or Tuesday next week.
 
Cat1397 said:
Hello everyone,
my male pig is about to be 4 years old and he is suffering from impaction. I first became concerned when I noticed he constantly had crusty eyes and began walking around a bit weird. Soon after I noticed the clump of poop in his rear end. I did some research and found out it was just something I had to help him with and I've been cleaning his butt ever since (about a week or two).
He still eats and drinks water (slightly less but he still gets really excited for fresh veggies) and he also seems a little bit smaller than before. He also doesn't move as much. He's been peeing in the same spot inside his little castle. He just lays in that same spot so he is always wet and crusty!
Does the impaction cause him to be in a lot of pain?
Does it shorten their life? He is only 4.
Why does he still have crusty eyes? Is it possible that he has something else wrong with him?
My husband brought up the idea of possibly putting him down if he is in constant pain and although I rather not I just don't want him to be suffering.
Any knowledge or advice will be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Hi!
I agree that crusty eyes are a sign of a respiratory infection or an eye injury or conjunctivitis (which all need to be seen by a vet) and are not connected to impaction. But if your boar is severely impacted, he needs to be assessed and cleared out the first time by a vet in case there is an infection. Please also ask the vet to check the penis shaft for sperm rods or hardened smegma. A huge build-up of hardened poo in the anal sac can make walking very uncomfortable and painful.

With regular care, impaction boars can still have a good quality of life and live a good life span. In milder cases, impaction can be reversed (but not healed) with the correct diet and regular cleaning out. It is however a very smelly job! Impaction affects about 10% of mostly older boars as their weakening muscles at the back are no longer as efficient or able to push the redigested poos (caecotrophs) through the anal sac between the testicles.
You will find our impaction care guide most helpful: Impaction - How To Help Your Guinea Pig.
 
Thank you for the advice everyone, really appreciate it.
I'm a little disappointed. I ended up taking him in for an emergency visit.
When my husband called in he specifically asked if there was someone available who would be able to diagnose and treat a pig and they informed us there was. It was an exotic animal hospital and we took him around midnight on Tuesday. When we got there they checked his vitals and gave him a vitamin C shot. They gave us some liquid food to syringe feed him at home, some antibiotics and an eye ointment to prevent an infection "if there was one". Afterward, we were told that we had to take him to a "specialist" for him to be diagnosed. I paid $300 and they weren't even able to tell me what was wrong with him! They didn't even mention the impaction at all after I had informed them I was concerned about it.
They recommended I take him to the specialist within the week. I expressed my financial concern and they informed me to give him the antibiotics until finished and see if he does better.
If I would have known I would have taken him directly to the specialist! I really feel like they weren't completely honest.
He is doing well so far, I really hope the medication works since I won't financially be able to take him to the specialist so soon :no:
 
I am very sorry; with emergency appointments you very much take your potluck. But I would recommend to lodge an official complaint with the management after you have had your boy fully diagnosed.
 
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry; with emergency appointments you very much take your potluck. But I would recommend to lodge to lodge a complaint with the management after you have had your boy fully diagnosed.
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Definitly complain. They have taken advantage of you there. Dont give up on your pig. It isnt always like this
 
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