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Joining for help and support

Idris

Idris

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
386
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689
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Location
Llundain, Cymru
Hi, joined on behalf of Idris (4), Crumble (3) and Biscuit (1). Sadly we lost Snowball (3) at the vets on Monday so Biscuit is temporarily on his own. Now Crumble is having to be syringe fed and we are about to go back to the vets with him for a third time in two days. Sadly they seem to know a lot less than this forum. The specialist has booked us in for Tuesday. 😨 Hoping that this afternoon's vet is a bit more aware.
 
Hello and welcome.
I am sorry for your loss of Snowball.
What has happened with Crumble to lead him to needing a to be syringe fed?
 
Idris said:
Hi, joined on behalf of Idris (4), Crumble (3) and Biscuit (1). Sadly we lost Snowball (3) at the vets on Monday so Biscuit is temporarily on his own. Now Crumble is having to be syringe fed and we are about to go back to the vets with him for a third time in two days. Sadly they seem to know a lot less than this forum. The specialist has booked us in for Tuesday. 😨 Hoping that this afternoon's vet is a bit more aware.
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Sorry u lost Snowball and hope Crumble gets better. Xx
 
Piggies&buns said:
Hello and welcome.
I am sorry for your loss of Snowball.
What has happened with Crumble to lead him to needing a to be syringe fed?
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He suddenly developed diarrhoea on on Thursday and went off his food. No obvious cause. Went to the vets on Friday (we've had enough trauma and didn't want to waste any time). Given something to stop the diarrhoea but now may have gut stasis as the vet this morning said she couldn't hear gurgling. He now seems in pain hence back to emergency vet.
 
So sorry for your loss sounds like you are having a hard time of things. Hope Crumble starts picking up.
 
Really sorry for your loss and to hear Crumble isn't well. What medication have you been given? It's unusual to be given something to stop diarrhoea. Have you taken him off veggies? He should have no veggies and you need to make sure he gets enough fluids as well, you can use some rehydration sachet like diarolyte (have no idea if I spelt that right). Have you been given anything to keep his guts moving?
 
Idris said:
Hi, joined on behalf of Idris (4), Crumble (3) and Biscuit (1). Sadly we lost Snowball (3) at the vets on Monday so Biscuit is temporarily on his own. Now Crumble is having to be syringe fed and we are about to go back to the vets with him for a third time in two days. Sadly they seem to know a lot less than this forum. The specialist has booked us in for Tuesday. 😨 Hoping that this afternoon's vet is a bit more aware.
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Is crumble ill or just missing her friend?
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry it's under such sad circumstances. Sending Crumble lots of healing vibes.
 
Thank you for all your positive messages. Crumble is still not too keen on the syringe but we're slowly getting through the feeds. Better still he was spurred on by Idris to eat some veg and ate a whole carrot stalk in front of the vet! His guts aren't moving yet but other signs are positive for now. Will keep on feeding and hoping. It wasn't anti diarrhoea but Fibreplex probiotic he's been given.
 
Crumble at the top, Idris below. Both Abyssinian. Changed my profile to Biscuit (left) and Snowball.
 
Lady Kelly said:
Really sorry for your loss and to hear Crumble isn't well. What medication have you been given? It's unusual to be given something to stop diarrhoea. Have you taken him off veggies? He should have no veggies and you need to make sure he gets enough fluids as well, you can use some rehydration sachet like diarolyte (have no idea if I spelt that right). Have you been given anything to keep his guts moving?
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I meant to ask about rehydration formula but they injected fluids at each visit and have not been too concerned about that on the last 2 visits. We have some human version sachets - would they have been OK to use? We had feeding mix left from Snowball and he was initially off veggies. Need to get him ''moving and independent eating again.
 
Idris said:
I meant to ask about rehydration formula but they injected fluids at each visit and have not been too concerned about that on the last 2 visits. We have some human version sachets - would they have been OK to use? We had feeding mix left from Snowball and he was initially off veggies. Need to get him ''moving and independent eating again.
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You need to keep him off veggies until poops have normalised and then slowly introduce them one by one. I've not used rehydration sachets myself so hoping another member can advise on that
 
This is slow progress. He has eaten some hay but is still reluctant with the syringe. At this rate it'll be time to start tomorrow's half sachet by the time this one's done. Could be a long night.
 
It’s good he’s eaten a little hay. Is he still eating his pellets, and was he given any pain medicine? Syringe feeding can be hard but do persist.

How is his weight as well? And is he pooping at all? Hopefully the next visit will bring better news. 💕
 
Thanks. Haven't seen him eating pellets yet. Weight was stable at 1.28kg after losing about 100g initially. Vet thinks pooping by tomorrow evening. He heard Idris munching hay and wanted to join in. Will weigh everyone tomorrow. He is passing water!
 
Sorry, I don’t know if you mentioned it. But when are you seeing the vet again?
 
Siikibam said:
It’s good he’s eaten a little hay. Is he still eating his pellets, and was he given any pain medicine? Syringe feeding can be hard but do persist.

How is his weight as well? And is he pooping at all? Hopefully the next visit will bring better news. 💕
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No pain meds given as he seemed ok and she didn't want to risk affecting his appetite as can make them lethargic. Also anti inflammatory can adversely affect the stomach/ digestion. So avoided in this case.
 
Siikibam said:
Sorry, I don’t know if you mentioned it. But when are you seeing the vet again?
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Booked first thing Monday morning but can take him in tomorrow if not looking good. Part of the same chain has 24/7 hospital a couple of miles away. That's where we went this afternoon. Saw our local branch this morning but limited hours on Saturday only.
 
Beautiful boys. Was the vet he saw cavy savvy?
 
I've popped your thread over to health and illness section. I didn't notice yesterday but it's likely to be seen more readily there for more input from members
 
I would work on the syringe feeding, I know it’s difficult when they don’t want to take it but you are bridging that need until he can start eating properly for himself so you must be firm and gentle but keep it up. You can used soaked mushed up pellets, you can add a bit of banana too if that helps him eat it but don’t loose heart x
Have you tried a gentle tummy massage, that might help release the wind and get this tummy moving again too x
Good luck, I would go back to the vets for some pain relief, it will help relax his tummy
 
Lady Kelly said:
I've popped your thread over to health and illness section. I didn't notice yesterday but it's likely to be seen more readily there for more input from members
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Thanks. I wasn't expecting much response. After 4 years of guinea pigs this is the first time we've had to deal with health issues like this. With hindsight all owners should learn about first aid kit and syringe feeding. Most vets are not knowledgeable enough as they don't get the practise.
 
So 10ml feed plus 1ml Fibreplex and 2ml of water between 8.30 and 11am. Have given him a break but thinking should restart at 12, even if for a smaller session? Not too happy about the sounds he's making. I'll post a link to a video soon.
 
Idris said:
He suddenly developed diarrhoea on on Thursday and went off his food. No obvious cause. Went to the vets on Friday (we've had enough trauma and didn't want to waste any time). Given something to stop the diarrhoea but now may have gut stasis as the vet this morning said she couldn't hear gurgling. He now seems in pain hence back to emergency vet.
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Hi!

Please follow our detailed advice for gut stasis care and treatment; gut stasis can develop as a secondary issue if there is another problem.
Any piggy that is no longer able to process food will be reluctant to accept any. With GI stasis it is very much a matter of persisting until your piggy is out of the woods, which can take a few days or even a full week.
it is a very encouraging sign that your boy has started to nibble food on his own; it means that the guts have started up again. Please persist with syringe feeding until his weight and poo output (which will initially reflect the gap) have normalised again.
Bloat, GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Here is our emergency, crisis and bridging care link. I have bundled all the relevant information together in order to give anybody with a serious ill piggy as much help with the least amount of time wasted on research and not on their piggy.
It also makes a good resource to prepare for the case of an emergency. Sooner or later they will happen, but never in a form that you can anticipate. GI stasis always happens out of the blue. :(
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Here are our tips on what you can do for a bereaved piggy: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
And here is our support guide for human grieving: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Our Health/Illness is specially monitored by members whose knowledge we fully trust to make sure that you will get support as quickly as we can (being UK based).

All the best for this difficult time!
 
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Welcome to the forum and so sorry that you're having such a rough time.
I can't add to the advice but want to offer support
 
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