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Muffin Is Willing, But Unable To Pick Up Solid Food...

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MommyPig

MommyPig

Junior Guinea Pig
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Muffin has been struggling with dental problems for several months. It started with an incisor that broke continuously and eventually did not grow back above the gum line. His other incisors had to be trimmed every three weeks since they were not being worn down. During this period, he was not eating his veggies, even if it was cut in small pieces, and was syringe fed RecoryPlus several times a day. Muffin started salivating a lot and it became smelly. We took him to another vet and the broken incisor was removed and his molars trimmed too. After this treatment, Muffy was interested to try the veggies, but I noticed that he was still unable to pick them up. I continued the syringe feeds, but after two weeks, so did the salivating. Last week we took him to the vet at PetsAtHome and he was put on antibiotics for inflammation and had more dental treatment this morning.

The nurse said that he showed interest in the food, but did not manage to pick any up, just proceeded to lick the apple. We had the same at home.

I would appreciate any advice on how to get Muffin back eating solids by himself and gaining the 500g he has lost since the teeth problems began.
 
If you feed him a sprig of coriander or parsley can he eat it or can he not manipulate it?
 
Furryfriends has already been tagged for you.
But have you tried gratering vegetables or cutting into very thin strips for muffin to try nibbling at?
Xx
 
Has the vet felt around the jaw to see if there is a brewing abscess? I wouldn't be surprised if there was an incisor root abscess. I see you live in London. I know it's a long way, but is there any way you could get your guinea pig brought up to see the vet my sanctuary use. Simon or Kim Maddock of The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic. They get excellent results and people travel from all over the UK to see them. www.catandrabbit.co.uk
 
Has the vet gave you any painkillers to give at home, these are often vital after dental work as piggies mouths can be sore. Also how experienced is the vet in dentals do you know?
 
Just a bit of sringe feedin imfo.:zzz:
I have had several pig that for one reason or other could not eat for one reason or another
There are no rules cut in stone , syinge feeding can be different for each individual .
On average a long term syring pig will require 4 to 8 15ml fibraplex seringes in a 24 hour period
The consisancy of the mix should be such as the pig will eat it readely with out gagging .
Never forse feed , they can choke ,
Spered feeds out , say every 3 to 4 hours ,
Do it gentaly as if you are nursing a baby , and with a bit of luck they will run after you for the syringe.
Anyone remember the photos l posted of my Polly,
She was a fisty little sow that would come up to me and nuge my leg to tell me she was hungery
 
Debbie is amazing and so is Simon -he is amazing on all things piggy and is regarded as an expert especially with dental problems, but maybe if Northampton is too far to get to you could consider this vets in London, @Abi_nurse works there - they are recommended on our vets locator. It sounds like your piggy does need to see a more experienced vet.

Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital
Nadene Stapleton
Royal College Street
Camden
London, London NW1 0TU
020 7387 8134
www.rvc.ac.uk/BAH/BSAH-vet-in-camden.cfm

Sending Muffin lots of healing vibes and love
 
sport_billy said:
If you feed him a sprig of coriander or parsley can he eat it or can he not manipulate it?
Click to expand...
He is crazy about parsley and yesterday he had his head buried in the pot, but did not manage to eat any...could not get it in this mouth and when I popped a leaf in his mouth, he just spat it out.
 
Can he actually close his mouth? A piggy arrived with me last week who had such a huge amount of overgrowth of the molars that the mouth was cranked open. Thee was no way he was ever going to eat anything with teeth like that. After having the teeth burred, he was able to close his mouth and start eating. The vet who had been seeing him had said his mouth was fine! Scary!
 
GPTV said:
Furryfriends has already been tagged for you.
But have you tried gratering vegetables or cutting into very thin strips for muffin to try nibbling at?
Xx
Click to expand...

I've tried strips and grating, but Barney (fatty pig) showed more appreciation than Muffin. If I pushed a piece of veg far enough into Muffins mouth, he would chew and swallow.
 
Is there any chance you could get muffin to preferably the cat &rabbit clinic or the practice that abi nurse works at suggested by sport billy?

Debbies sanctuary specialises in dental problems &the cat n rabbit clinic does wonders with her pigs.

Speedy recovery to muffin &I'm glad Barney enjoyed his prepared food!
Xx
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Can he actually close his mouth? A piggy arrived with me last week who had such a huge amount of overgrowth of the molars that the mouth was cranked open. Thee was no way he was ever going to eat anything with teeth like that. After having the teeth burred, he was able to close his mouth and start eating. The vet who had been seeing him had said his mouth was fine! Scary!
Click to expand...
Poor piggle! Our usual vet is not very experienced with piggy teeth either, hence a visit to another. Muffin is able to close his mouth. The vet who removed the broken incisor did burr his molars and mentioned that the ones right at the back were abnormal. This vet was experienced, just a far for regular visits. The PetsAtHome vet had to trim his molars again and she also mentioned that the back molar appears to be crumbling. She said there was an abscess. He is still on antibiotics and metacam and we have to go back on Monday for a check-up.
 
Which antibiotic is he on? If you would like your piggy to be seen by Simon at The Cat and Rabbit Clinic, I am willing to offer a temporary place here at the sanctuary. I really feel this needs to be dealt with properly and quickly, before you are left with an ongoing dental issue.

Check out our Facebook page to see all the piggies we have been able to help. The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary (for guinea pigs with extra needs)
 
gizzy said:
Just a bit of sringe feedin imfo.:zzz:
I have had several pig that for one reason or other could not eat for one reason or another
There are no rules cut in stone , syinge feeding can be different for each individual .
On average a long term syring pig will require 4 to 8 15ml fibraplex seringes in a 24 hour period
The consisancy of the mix should be such as the pig will eat it readely with out gagging .
Never forse feed , they can choke ,
Spered feeds out , say every 3 to 4 hours ,
Do it gentaly as if you are nursing a baby , and with a bit of luck they will run after you for the syringe.
Anyone remember the photos l posted of my Polly,
She was a fisty little sow that would come up to me and nuge my leg to tell me she was hungery
Click to expand...
Muffin is very quick to tell you if he wants "pap" (porridge in Afrikaans) and when he has had enough. We often have to battle in getting him to let go of the syringe!
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Which antibiotic is he on? If you would like your piggy to be seen by Simon at The Cat and Rabbit Clinic, I am willing to offer a temporary place here at the sanctuary. I really feel this needs to be dealt with properly and quickly, before you are left with an ongoing dental issue.

Check out our Facebook page to see all the piggies we have been able to help. The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary (for guinea pigs with extra needs)
Click to expand...
Septrin. If we do not see progress in the next 7 days, my partner has agreed that we will make the arrangements to have Muffin seen by Simon. Thank you very much for your interest and advice.
 
Sounds like your having a lot of problems. Muffin ideally needs a full dental work up, a full set of dental and skull X-rays and an evaluation of his back molar teeth as his front teeth have been a problem, it's likely the back may be the primary cause, or an abscess or potentially some jaw trauma/joint disease.

Your welcome to book him into the Beaumont to see our specialists but I see your taking him to Simon now.

Hope he feels better soon. In he meantime please continue to syringe feed him.

x
 
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