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It breaks my heart to see him like this!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Maizie
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Maizie

Cadbury is a 5 year old boar who has recently gone down hill. His eyes are weepy and nose is crusty and has lost alot of weight recently (his bones are sticking out). Tuesday he just sat in the corner of his cage and didn't move, his fur was all fluffed up and very impacted so yesterday I took him to the vets.

He listened to his chest and said it didn't sound too good, he gave him a painkiller and antibiotics. He said that his teeth look like they are growing at the back and possibly starting to curl round his tongue but they wouldn't do anything yet because he was very poorly. I have to give him eye drops, antibiotics and fibreplex twice a day. The trouble is giving him the fibreplex is really difficult, he hates it. Ive tried putting it in a smaller syringe and going in from the side but this morning he just wriggled and it squirted all over him even though I had him wrapped in a towel to stop him moving. I gave him lots of cuddles and kisses and said I was sorry. He seems to really be going down hill and I don't know what else to do. How can I get him to feed on this paste? Any suggestions?
 
I have no advice to give, but it would maybe help if you could tell us were you are. There maybe another vet or rodentologist you could take him too! I do hope he gets better xx.
 
If he isnt drinking by himself you will need to syringe water into him every hour, just a bit, also surely he should be on a recovery mix as well, have you also tried food mixing (grinding) some veggies and syringing him.
If you phone Anna at Wheak and Squeak Rescue she will probably know a good piggie vet. Her website is http://www.freewebs.com/cavylover1/
 
Hi Maizie, I am sorry Cadbury is not well.

This seems like a tricky condition to be in, but his teeth should be easily corrected without the need for a general anesthetic, which is where your current vets are probably less able to help. Rodentologists and some vets could help with the dental work.

How much weight has he lost, over what period of time? He is a good age, ill health due to his senior years is possible, but it's also possible he has two "simple" medical conditions that can be solved.

What antibiotic is he on for his respiratory problem, what dose and for how long? Are the eye drops helping to clear his eyes at all? Has there been any improvement in his

I've not used Fibreplex before, but most syringe-feed preparations (e.g. Critical Care, Nutri Powder, Science Recovery and a home-made pellet mash) can be made up and served on a plate. Some guineas like helping themselves to this, but it's only a useful technique if they have an appetite and do want to eat.
 
I am very sorry that your boy is so poorly!

Try to find a specialist in exotics (i.e. guinea pigs); an experienced vet or rodentologist will treat teeth without a general anaesthetic.
It might be worth asking either your vet for a referral or a local specialist rescue for which vet they use.
Here is a link: http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp

Tooth trouble can be very painful and cause a guinea pig to stop eating. The weepy eyes can also be an indication of tooth trouble. Has your vet given you some painkiller to easy his discomfort?

Has your vet given you some Critical Care or similar to syringe feed your boy in order to keep him from losing any more weight?
 
Hi

He is on 2 mls of fibreplex twice a day, eye drops two drops twice a day, and I think its Baytril 0.5mls once a day for ten days. Only started on it all yesterday so I know early days.

I knew he was losing weight but it seemed slow and gradual and I honestly put that down to his age but recently its been really quick. They weighed him and said he was 1kg and to observe it every couple of days.

He hasn't been drinking a great deal and not into his food as he used to be. He used to lick my hands but doesn't anymore so putting the paste on my hands won't work. The antibiotics are easy to administer because they are fluid and go down easily but the paste is quite thick.

The vets seem to think its not his teeth that are the problem but his chest because it doesn't sound good.
 
Hi Maizie,

I am also in Southampton & have previously asked Anna which vets she takes her piggies to. Mrs Richardson @ Orchard Vets in Romsey Tel 01794 830288. Make sure that it is Mrs Richardson she specialises in guinea pigs so maybe able to help/

Hope this helps you. :)
 
It seems as though he is "wearing out", give him fluids and syringe feed him. If you do find a vet to look at his teeth, then under no circumstances give consent for a general anaesthetic.
 
Try giving him something he really likes through the syringe, eg orange juice, that may help make him less panicky when you give him the fibreplex with it.
 
If * are in Southampton then go to vets in romsey. The lady vet is very good with guinea pigs which is hard to find. orchard vets, and ask for Richardson. Good luck x
 
Sleep Well Cadbury xx

Thanks for all your kind replies. Unfortunately Cadbury took a turn for the worst on Thursday night, he spent all night in my dressing gown sleeve. I stayed with him all night then on Friday we took him to the vets.

It was awful, the vet said keep going with the antibiotics because they take a while to work etc. I asked him to check his bottom, he picked him up to sort his impaction out and Cadbury had a gasp of breath and when the vet put him back on the table Cadbury slumped and squeeked and that was it. He decided it was all too much and gave up. I was absolutely devastated. The vet said do you want me to revive him and we said no, let him go. I haven't stopped crying, we buried him yesterday with loads of his favourite treats and a flower. I just feel so guilty and sad. If I hadn't asked the vet to check his bottom, he may still be here. I wanted him to pass at home and I didn't have time to say goodbye because as far as we were concerned we were bringing him home again.

I keep seeing his little face, struggling for breath and he must have been so frightened.
 
I am so very sorry to hear about Cadbury's turn for the worst.

when you feel the time is right, PM me re: syringe feeding for future reference. I developed quite a successful technique with my late 2 piggies.
 
I am so sorry that you lost Cadbury the way you did - please don't blame yourself; it wouldn't have happened if things hadn't been worse than the vet thought! You certainly didn't kill him!

Cadbury spent the night before the died with all the care and lave that he wished for - remember that!
 
Don't feel guilty for asking the vet to sort out his impaction. Its something that needed to be done and if thats all it took for him to sadly take his last breath, the chances are it would have happened later on that day anyway.

I am very sorry to hear about poor Cadbury. RIP little angel. I am sure he loved his 5 happy and safe years with you and knew that you did everything you could for him.
 
I'm so sorry you lost him, Maizie. Big hugs to you.

Rest well, dear Cadbury. xx
 
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