• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

I've got a sick piggie -- help please!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alexandra
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Alexandra

I recently adopted a new piggie from someone who felt that he couldn't offer enough attention to her. He was also concerned about her as she lost a lot of weight when her baby (who lived with her) died. I honestly believe that her owner did care about her, but didn't know what to do as a guinea pig owner.

When I went to pick her up she was wheezing, which startled me. He said not to worry as she always sounds like that. I didn't really say anything to him, but I suspect that she was living in her home with bedding that hadn't been changed often and probably had a lot of bedding in it, which probably contributed to this wheezing (which sounds like asthma).

At first her poo was yucky. It wasn't liquidy, but it was soft and would make yucky smudges on the floor or my bed when she was out. After giving her lots of veggies and fruit, though, her poos have been becoming much more normal in consistency.

I noticed that her front paws don't look quite right. Some of her toes are a bit inverted as her nails weren't trimmed and the skin is discoloured. I took the time to clip her nails, so that they weren't as long. I'm hoping her toes will go back to normal, but I don't know if they will :-\ I was also concerned about her paws looking a bit tender and swollen.

She still appears a bit skinny, so I've been doing my best to fatten her up.

I can't afford to take her to the vet at the moment, though I feel I need to. Taking Cornelia in for just an exam and an x-ray cost over $200 (which in pounds would be over £100).


I'm hoping to sell some vintage records on eBay, and if they sell, I'll use the money to take her to the vet straight away.
 
You really need to go see the vet pronto, it may only cost a consult fee and that's usually not too bad. For the gp's sake at least call the vets and get some verbal advice or they can advise you if they need to see them. Please for the little one :'(
You obviously care greatly to have done this wonderful deed, but you do need to continue on from your rescue mission and see what you can do :) :) :)
 
I do care about her lots. I'll see if I can possible convince my father to loan me some money. If not, I'll see if there's a different vet I can go to as the I'm still upset about the visit that Cornelia and I made.
 
i no the feeling mate.I couldnt take mine to the vets straight away :( just try to clean her up and help her as much as possible.Couldnt your mum and someone lend you some?

Hope she gets well soon.
 
oh no :( hope everything turns out okay...
 
I understand a bad experience at the vet can put you off, but you now have to consider your littlie :-*
Great idea speak to someone else, see if you can get a second opinion.
Is there anybody near you that can help...or a rescue centre they can be very helpful on advising who can help you
 
daz94 said:
i no the feeling mate.I couldnt take mine to the vets straight away :( just try to clean her up and help her as much as possible.Couldnt your mum and someone lend you some?

Hope she gets well soon.
Click to expand...
No, my Mum couldn't lend me any money. I normally work and help her out with bills and such.

I'm going to see if there's a place (even 30+ minutes away) that can see her at a friendlier cost than my trip to the previous vet.

I know I shouldn't hold a grudge towards that vet, but when Cornelia was pregnant, she was very rough with her and had the nerve to squeeze her :tickedoff: The doctor tried to tell me it was normal for Cornelia to have been spotting for over 24 hours, which wasn't true. She did something (an x-ray I believe?) and said that the baby DID have a heartbeat and was alive. Funny how the next day the baby was born stillborn... :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff:


I'm going to call up my father tonight and see if I can figure something out. My guess would be an URI, but I'm not a doctor and don't have the medicine to help it. I don't want this to be fatal :'(
 
Alexandra, if you are not happy with your vet try a different one. Ask them if you can make an arrangement about the bill to pay it in parts as some places do let you. I hope that you manage to get her help soon and that she makes a full and speedy recovery. I think its lovely you offered her a home when she needed one, but it is important you get her vetinary treatment if she needs it. Good luck and we would love to hear how she goes
 
i agree it sounds like she needs a vet and the one that squeezed her doesnt sound good
 
I agree that she sounds like she needs to see the vet - especially since she probably has an upper respiratory tract infection, which could be fatal. I don't think it would cost as much as last time, though, as x rays are expensive.

For the soft poo I'd recommend some probiotic in the water, to replace the good bacteria in the gut. Also probably cut out fruit and veggies and feed hay instead until it settles.

Good luck with her. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top