My Guinea Isnt Well

[Louise69uk]

My guinea up until 2days ago was fine, I changed her bedding and she was racing round the bed like a greyhound however the following day she was unable to use her legs. She is eating fine, and can drink from her water bottle now but couldn't yesterday so I was feeding her lettuce and broccoli which I had left in a bowl of water. I was given her about 10weeks ago, her fur was coming out but I was told it was her malting and she had this tendency of shaking then lying on her back very rigid which she apparently had done from when she was bought . However she is now bald at her back end. I have tried to get a vets appointment but the receptionist said there wasn't any appointments till next week which I think is bad, the PDSA wont answer the phone and the RSPCA have nothing till Friday (tomorrow) not even for emergencies. She didn't fall or jump to hurt her legs, and as she is my 1st guinea I made sure I knew what she could and couldn't eat. I am sitting up at night feeding her and making sure she is getting her liquids. Please any advice she has become a much loved member of the family in such a short time. She is also able to do her business as normal

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Your poor piggy sounds like she has advanced untreated mange mites with heart straining fitting or a combination of fungal/mites, as is not at all uncommon in severely neglected piggies without vet care. She urgently needs knowledgeable care, as she is in agony.
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html
We have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/

Here is our hand feeding guide: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/
Our diet guide with further links: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

With members from all over the world, you can help us enormously if you added your county/city to your details (I assume you are in the UK?). Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.

 

[helen105281]

I agree with the above, she needs to see a vet as soon as possible, and will need pain relief too.

 

[coleygrant]

Hi
I'm having the same problem with one of my piggies. I thought he just had dry skin but then it got worse where he was drawing blood by biting and scratching himself and then one afternoon he had a fit whilst scratching which scared me to death, I thought he was dying. Shortly afterwards I shampooed him in a fungal treatment as I thought he had a skin fungal infection and although this seemed to help alleviate the itching and the flaky scaly skin improved it was not long until he was back to having dry scaly skin and he begin balding down the middle of his back (which I read is a sign of mite infestation), his skin was also red and looked sore skin -I could tell he was very unwell and in pain. Today I got him a treatment (drops) for mange/mites because I am now almost certain that this is the cause of his illness (perhaps also in addition to a fungal infection). I gave him the mite treatment this evening so fingers crossed I see some improvement, if the treatment doesn't work then I'll be sure to take him to the vets.

Here is a link that I found really useful -

http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html

Good luck with your guinea pig I wish her a fast recovery and I hope mine is better soon too. Its awful to see them in discomfort and pain. I actually feel guilty because I think my pig has been suffering for a months but I only noticed when he started showing discomfort.

 

[helen105281]

I would get him seen by a vet ASAP for a proper diagnosis before treating at home. The spot on treatments that pet shops sell are not strong enough to treat a full infestation and are more for preventative purposes. The vet will be able to treat accordingly, preferably with a round injections approximately a week apart for 3 doses. It is still possible that this is fungal too, a condition called broken back can look very much like mange mites which is why a vet diagnosis is needed. I would also ask the vet for pain relief, especially as he is scratching so much he is fitting.

 

[Wiebke]

Please get a proper vet diagnosis before you treat and - if the diagnosis is mites - do a proper course of high dosed ivermectin product; the most effective if via injection. You need at least three rounds at the interval the product recommends and you also need to treat any piggies living together. Also ask for pain relief for the first week.

Be aware that shop products are only geared for the prevention of but not for the actual treatment of mites. You can make things so much worse if you home treat on spec and put your piggy through unnecessary suffering!

 

[rosie and bramble]

How is your guines pig today ? Have you managed to get a vet appt ?