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Is The School Guinea Happy Or In Distress?

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Latest update.I noticed a huge pellet of poo in the cage today , at least 3 cms in diameter. I squeezed Hapso a bit and a normal size pellet came out. So now thinking constipation as he is still doing it. Any suggestions? The book says lettuce and cucumber but that is what he is mainly on anyway recently.
 
poor you... you are doing what you can.. do you work at the school ?
 
wow what a very difficult situation for you. As @Mrs Sport_Billy said you could report it to the board of governors but to be honest that could result in the teacher taking them home herself and you might not be able to influence any care at that stage. Another option is reporting them to the RSPCA as not getting required treatment but again it could impact on your job. The only other thing you can do is to continue offering the little guy as much support as possible and keep him as comfortable as possible.
 
Lady Kelly said:
wow what a very difficult situation for you. As @Mrs Sport_Billy said you could report it to the board of governors but to be honest that could result in the teacher taking them home herself and you might not be able to influence any care at that stage. Another option is reporting them to the RSPCA as not getting required treatment but again it could impact on your job. The only other thing you can do is to continue offering the little guy as much support as possible and keep him as comfortable as possible.
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Thanks so much for understanding, I am trying to give him as much support as I can.
 
It is also worth reminding staff/governers that failure to seek veterinary treatment is actually an offence under the animal welfare legislation. I can understand a school doesn't have money to spend on procedures etc but leaving an animal in discomfort (which he obviously is at least some of the time) is not fair and against all welfare advice. They could seek a diagnosis and appropriate treatment without spending a fortune. Perhaps a decent local rescue can help you make a case for his removal from school or support you in asking for further investigation...

Mrs Sport Billy's advice is good and if you aren't getting anywhere with the class teacher then going above is the logical next step.
 
He is absolutely adorable/gorgeous!

However, when taking the age, and symptoms into consideration, it is quite possible that the guinea pig in question has a bladder/urinary tract stone - And will be in considerable discomfort/pain!

Therefore, an X-ray is highly advisable.
 
Some sad news to report. I am afraid that Hapso had to be euthanized. I took him to a different vet for advice as he was so distressed. He was so impacted internally that the vet said the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep. After a few days I noticed that a similar thing is happening to Jack.I think I have solved the mystery.Our teacher changed their food about 1 and a half months ago. To dry fruit pellets.On reading the back of the packet it states that the food needs to be gradually added over the period of a month as their digestive systems are so sensitive. This didn't happen so I think from that point onwards he started getting blocked up. I have got Jack at home, I am cleaning him out regularly and am feeding him wet veg such as cucumber and lettuce in the hope of easing his digestion. Any suggestions? Really don't want to lose him too. Thanks, Alison.
 
Ahh sorry to hear the sad news.. you did all you could and you will hopefully prevent the same thing happening again... xx
 
Aww I'm so sorry to hear that, I don't think some people realise how much care guinea pigs actually need and advice about impaction isn't given out on the sale of guinea pigs, it's a shame and I think before getting pets for school the teacher should have done research, although this is a very sad time it could be good to teach the children how to deal with this sort of thing with their own pets and what to look out for because knowledge is priceless
 
Hoping that I am now doing the right thing for Jack to help clear him.I am feeding him mainly veg with a very small amount of dry food and am manually helping him to pass blockages.Hope that is the best way forward , Any advice would be welcomed. thanks.Ali
 
I'm so sorry.

It sounds like you are doing a good job with his brother, is he with you permanently? You could try adding probiotics in? Pets at Home Sell Pro C which is the easiest to get hold of but there are other available online such as Avipro and Bio Lapis. I would also give him plenty of fluids.
 
I would not feed too much veg though, but increase his hay instead if he will eat it? You may find he gets the runs if you feed too much veg.
 
helen105281 said:
I'm so sorry.

It sounds like you are doing a good job with his brother, is he with you permanently? You could try adding probiotics in? Pets at Home Sell Pro C which is the easiest to get hold of but there are other available online such as Avipro and Bio Lapis. I would also give him plenty of fluids.
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Thanks for the advice Helen, will look into probiotics.Jack will be with me for 5 days a week and in class for 2. Didn't want him being left on his own for too long but the class teacher wants him back for a few days during the week.
 
Ali7a said:
Some sad news to report. I am afraid that Hapso had to be euthanized. I took him to a different vet for advice as he was so distressed. He was so impacted internally that the vet said the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep. After a few days I noticed that a similar thing is happening to Jack.I think I have solved the mystery.Our teacher changed their food about 1 and a half months ago. To dry fruit pellets.On reading the back of the packet it states that the food needs to be gradually added over the period of a month as their digestive systems are so sensitive. This didn't happen so I think from that point onwards he started getting blocked up. I have got Jack at home, I am cleaning him out regularly and am feeding him wet veg such as cucumber and lettuce in the hope of easing his digestion. Any suggestions? Really don't want to lose him too. Thanks, Alison.
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very sorry to hear this sad news x
 
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