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My piggie is ill - please read and see if you can help me!

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Clarage

Clarage

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My guinea pig Conker is unwell. He stopped eating his pellets and veg a week ago now. His eyes and nose sometimes have discharge coming from them and he just sits in his cage not moving around. He doesn't seem in pain at all he just looks very fed up. I took him to the vet as soon as I knew he wasn't eating and the vet put him on Baytril - a type of antibiotics which I have to give him twice a day. I have been feeding him a slurry of his normal pellets and a slurry of his vegetables. He lost a great deal of weight very quickly but with me feeding him he put some of this back on. When watching him in his cage he tries to pick up pellets of food and some veg but it is almost as if he can't. I looked his symptoms up on the internet and they seemed to point to teeth problems. So I took him to a vet who is very experienced in guinea pigs and she looked at his teeth. She said that although they were slightly long they shouldn't be stopping him eating. She clipped them anyway and filed down the back ones. She looked at his jaw and said that she didn't think it was meeting properly. She was concerned by how much weight he had lost so have me Oxbow Critical Care, which is a high fibre food used for guinea pigs who are unwell and have lost a lot of weight. I took him home hoping that having the teeth cut may help and he responded so well to the Critical Care being fed by the syringe. He was so enthusiastic and kept climbing up me trying to get more food. About 24 hours later he lost this enthusiasm and although he is allowing me to feed him I am having to place the syringe in his mouth. A few days ago I decided to take him back to the vets as he hadn't got any better with the antibiotics. I saw a different vet this time and she looked a great deal at his mouth and also mentioned as the other vet had, that his jaw wasn't feeling like it was sitting properly. She prescribed me some painkillers for him and told me to stop the antibiotics and just carry on with feeding him the Critical Care. I am booked back in for Monday to see how he is doing. This morning when I woke up to give him a feed I picked him out of the cage and noticed that where he had been for a wee there was a small bit of blood. I phoned the vet as soon as they opened because I had read that any blood in the urine was treated with antibiotics. They advised me to start the antibiotics up again and to also give him the painkillers. There has not been any sign of blood in his urine since. The diagnosis of a problem with his jaw makes sense as to why he would not want to eat and the not wanting to move around the cage and discharge from the eyes and nose may be a consequence of not eating. I have been reading that some guinea pigs can have problems with their jaws which may have occured from an accident in his cage. It seems to be that this can be helped by going to an animal chiropractor. I am running out of ideas and just wondered if anyone else has been through a similar situation with one of their guinea pigs. Please help if you can, Thanks.
 
I'm very sorry to hear your piggie isnt well. It sounds like he has a number of problems. Firstly the nose/eye discharge sounds like the start of a URI, which i would have hoped the Bayrtil would have helped clear up. While on Bayrtil it would have been an idea to pop him on a probiotic. As this the Baytril can destroy much of the good bacteria in the piggies intestines, giving them diarhoea. What other antib's has he been on. If he has cystitis then he would ideally need septrin which is best for this?

if your vets has found something wrong with your piggies jaw then i dont really know what to suggest. Have they done any kind of xray to confirm exactly what is wrong with it? Maybe a bit of light sedation to get a perfect xray of the skull/jaw would be neccessary as pugs dont generally sit well on there sides. If you could get a proper diagnoses that would be fab? Did your vets take his temp? Sometimes dental abcesses can cause jaw missalignment, and this could be the cause. Only a suggestion, it may well not be this.

Sorry I'm just babbling, I'm not a lot of help.
I hope someone can hep you on here.

x.
 
Wow, your poor little guy & poor you! I'm sure that all this has you quite worried. I'm so sorry to hear that he seems to have several things going on all at once.

First and foremost, I commend you on your commitment. Sounds like you've really made an effort to help him with all your vet visits and your attentive care.

Here are some thoughts on the different things you mentioned.

The eye and nose discharge could be an upper respiratory infection (URI) or could be an abscess associated with the teeth, as previously mentioned. Baytril should help with both things.

The blood in his urine could be several things as well: urinary tract infection (UTI), cystitis, a stone. The most common would be a URI and Septrin is the best antibiotic for any urinary issue.

All antibiotics have the chance of messing with the balance of good bacteria in a piggie's gut, so probiotics are always a good idea when pigs are on meds, but the Critical Care will also help keep his gut balanced as well.

Regarding his teeth issues, it's possible that he has some additional problems the dentist didn't detect. A good dental xray may help. It could rule out or confirm a dental abscess and should also help you determine if there really is a jaw misalignment problem. Guinea pigs can have TMJ and there have been a lot of people that have had success with using jaw slings on their TMJ pigs. Don't know if there is any info on this forum, as I haven't researched the subject, but I know there is a lot about TMJ on GuineaLynx so you may want to check that out.

I'm not surprised he doesn't want to eat, with everything he has going on, including the teeth trim and file. I'm glad he has pain meds as I'm sure that is helping. I'm also glad he is still taking in food. Having to "force feed" by pushing the syringe into his mouth isn't surprising. You often have to with sick piggies, and you're poor little guy has a lot going on all at the same time.

Again, it sounds like you're doing a really great job. I know it's frustrating and troubling when they are sick and you're not completely sure what's going on. It can make you feel helpless, but you sure sound like you have things pretty under control.

I'm sure some others will have some info for you as well. Hang in there. You're doing right by him. I really hope he is on the mend soon, for your sake as well as his!
 
I'm sorry to hear about your poorly pig. This is something that a number of people have encountered with their pigs and it's a mystery as to what is wrong. I know that sometimes pigs get oral thrush which is painful for them to eat. Oral daktarin can be given to help soothe this. I think0.2ml twice a day. It's a human medicine so you have to pretend it's for you. Where are you located? There's a couple of very experienced people on here furryfriends or pebble who are knowledgable about teeth and their vet Simon in northampton is very good indeed. Keep the critical care up i think feeding every 4 hrs 20mls per time will help with the weight. Definitely get probiotics too. Thinking of you x x
 
So sorry to hear this, having struggled recently with a similar situation, which was diagnosed at first as an abcess, next by elongated roots, but sadly my boy also had a heart condition ( linked with teeth issues) and after many weeks of filing and treatment there was no happy ending I'm afraid.

Don't let me put you off though I've seen happy endings on here, dental issues need regular filing to have any luck, and it can take a long time, but there are people on here who've got through it.

I'm not hugely experienced, so bear in mind I've only been through this once but the abcess sounds likely as I believe the pressure can cause the discharge and also bulgy eyes. However elongated roots can also cause this presure, but sometimes you can feel bumps along the jawline... Watch out for a hooting noise that finally convinced me my boy had a heart condition too, which is linked with dental issues.

I've mentioned these other things so you can have a look and research into them, and find other stories, but I think for me I'd be pushing for an xray (without anesthetic) to get a good look at his teeth and jaw....

Good luck, I really hope you get sorted out soon, also there are loads of experienced people on here so you've definitely come to the right place.

P.s. For a treat I used to syringe feed baby food (the ellas kitchen organic carrot one) that used to give him a bit of a perk up. But only along side critical care it's that he'll need the most.
 
I've got a lot of experience with dental guinea pigs as I have a Dental Sanctuary, so have piggies with many different types of dental issues. Wilfie arrived here with serious misalignment of the jaw and unable to close his mouth properly. He had already been seen by various vets and also Vedra. They had all failed to notice that it was his very back teeth that were overgrown and therefore forcing his jaw apart. My vet, Simon Maddock, immediately saw what the problem was and after just one treatment, Wilfie was able to eat again. However, his problems have been ongoing as the jaw was permanently pushed out of alignment. Wilfie needs fortnightly filing of his teeth and can live a normal happy life.

It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job with the syringe feeding etc, but just need to get a proper diagnosis as to what is happening with his jaw. Whereabout do you live? Simon Maddock is a fantastic guinea pig vet and is probably one of the most experienced in the country with regard to dealing with dental issues.
 
Hi Love i hope you can let everyone know where you are, so they can advise....... you've had such a lovely response i do hope you know whee all care :)
 
I just want to say thank you so much to all of you that have replied, I really do appreciate it. I have sent an email to the person on guinealynx about the chin sling so thanks for the advice on this. I think from what everyone has said I just need to arrange for my guinea pig to have an x-ray and hopefully this will show some more. Can they do an x-ray without anaesthetic? I don't think he would be able to cope with an anaesthetic after all the weight that he has lost. Thanks again x
 
Sorry I also meant to say I live in Surrey which is about an hour south of London. Many Thanks.
 
Clarage said:
I just want to say thank you so much to all of you that have replied, I really do appreciate it. I have sent an email to the person on guinealynx about the chin sling so thanks for the advice on this. I think from what everyone has said I just need to arrange for my guinea pig to have an x-ray and hopefully this will show some more. Can they do an x-ray without anaesthetic? I don't think he would be able to cope with an anaesthetic after all the weight that he has lost. Thanks again x
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Hi there,

Firstly I am very sorry that your pig is unwell. I know it will be very stressful for you.

you are doing really well with the syringe feeding so please keep this up as this can make all the difference whilst she is being diagnosed and treated. she will need around 50-60ml (depending on her weight) of the critical care a day to keep her weight on. Not sure if you have been told but it is best to syringe feed little and often - as often as you are able to really. every 1-2 hours is ideal but I realise this is not always possible with work etc...

I know you have seen a couple of vets already but can I recommend that you see a good piggy vet. Please dont be offended if you have but they can be hard to come by and too often the wrong diagnostic can be fatal for a pig.

If you are in Surrey can I recommend that you see Anne at this vet: http://www.goddardvetgroup.co.uk/index.php?id=41

She is absolutely amazing with pigs - unfortunately she doesn't work everyday but do give them a call.

At this moment I would tend to agree and avoid anaesthetic as your pig is probably quite weak. Obviously its entirely up to you but personally I would focus of getting her diagnosed properly in the first instance.

Keep up the good work with the feeding thought, you are doing amazing.

Keep us posted

Lx
 
Hi, thanks for asking. He picked up a little yesterday and even managed a few tiny pieces of spinach from my hand. He can't pink anything up himself and any large bits he can't seem to keep in his mouth. We are off to the vets in half hour and hopefully I can arrange for an x-ray to be done. I will keep you posted. x
 
Conker us going for a dental x-ray tomorrow with anaesthetic. If he struggles too much I will be asked if he can go under anaesthetic. Please everyone keep ** paws crossed and I will update when I can. x

also just to let * know, I'm caught him drinking from his water bottle all by himself!
 
Hope he doesn't struggle for them at the vets all paws crossed!
I'm hoping that they can do his dental work without the GA so that he can recover quicker. If he does have a GA he'll be groggy and not really with it for awhile...... you'll need to offer him shredded food / or grated food and also syringe him........ ask the vets exactly what they did so you can update us here too :)

PAWS CROSSED XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Good news re the drinking by himself x)
 
Clarage said:
Conker us going for a dental x-ray tomorrow with anaesthetic. If he struggles too much I will be asked if he can go under anaesthetic. Please everyone keep ** paws crossed and I will update when I can. x

also just to let * know, I'm caught him drinking from his water bottle all by himself!
Click to expand...

I'm glad to hear that he's scheduled for an x-ray. Hope it shows you what's really going on so you can help him get better.

Be sure to feed him plenty of critical care before he heads off to the vet so his belly will be good and full if they do need to sedate him. Pigs can bloat up with anesthesia, especially if not taking in enough food, which is always a fear when it comes to a weak or compromised pig that is being "force fed."

I would hope any vet that treats pigs knows this and would ensure that your piggie receives a hand feeding before being sedated if you actually have to leave him at the vets office. I always ask and remind vets about particular things, like cleaning out the piggies jaws before sedating as food stuff can collect back there and cause problems with breathing and aspiration into the lungs of food particles, etc. upon waking up from anesthesia.

I hope he doesn't need sedation as that would be best for him, but, if he does, and the vet is knowledgeable, I'm sure that he will be well cared for! Sounds like progress is being made, even if you don't yet have answers. Glad for you and Conker! Take care and do let us know how things go.
 
sorry to hear about your piggy, but good luck with the vets - i am going through the same thing as you, though my piggies teeth are fine, but he has URI - he's 3 1/2 and is on baytril but wont eat so i am feeding him every hour or so but i dont know if he's going to make it. good luck x
 
Update on Conker

Sorry I haven't posted for so long been very busy taking care of Conker and working. Conker had his xray and he has no breaks or problems in his mouth. The vet said she thinks his front teeth were cut too short and this has now resulted in his back teeth getting too long! She didn't want to put him under anaesthetic and file them because she didn't think he would survive due to the amount of weight he has lost. I have been told to keep going with the syringe feeding and to encourage him to eat solid food.

He has definately improved and has gained a small amount of weight. He seems much more alert in himself and is now eatting spinach by himself.

Wales - how is your guinea pig doing?

I'd like to thank you all for your advice, kind words and thoughts.
 
Update on Conker

Hello everyone

Sadly Conker passed away this afternoon. I came home from work at lunchtime to feed him and he had taken a turn for the worse. He was lying on his side and didn't want to be picked up so I left him where he was and just stroked him instead. I tried to give him some water but there was just no response, his head was all slumped. It has all been a bit of a shock because he had improved so much. Last night he was running around the bedroom nibbling on everything and he really enjoyed eating some celery.

As we haven't had much help from the vets and we have got most of our information from the internet we would just like to tell you what we did and see if any of you might know why he may have died.

My Mum and I were feeding him Critical Care using a 1ml syringe, he was getting about 10 syringes every 2 hours and water also but not as much of the water. His last feed was normally about midnight and his first one between 5-6am. He was having a very small amount of cranberry juice diluted with water to help with his vitamin C intake. We were changing the towels he was lying on every time we fed him and kept his cage clean. Over the last few days he had started to eat small cubes of veg and spinach leaves. He was being given a pain killer (Metacam) once a day which the vet prescribed and he also had a probiotic (which he loved) twice a day that the vet also prescribed.

After doing all of this he was improving, he was much more alert and was moving around the cage more. He had a lot more strength when we were feeding him and enjoyed running around the bedroom. His poos were starting to look normal again and he was doing loads of them.

It just seems so strange that he ended up the way he did today after such an improvement over the last few days.

Let us know what you think. Thanks
 
i dont know your answers love, i just wanted to say I'm sorry that he lost his fight after everything, you did a great job, he will be at peace now.

Rip Conker,sleep well x

Thinking of you x
 
Oh no whee'd so hoped that Conker would pull thru :(
I will reply to your rainbow bridge thread when you do one xx>>>xx>>>
HUGE HUGS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
Conker

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear this, all the way through reading this tread I was hoping it was going to be good news :(

Sounds like you did everything you could for him, he was a very well cared for piglet.

I cant give you the answer to why he might have died, its awful when you dont know the reasons why. I can totally relate to that right now :(

RIP Conker x
 
Sometimes you try everything there is too try and it still doesn't work 8.... So sory he didn't make it, but at least you know you did everything you possibly could. Sometimes fate just decided when it's time to go.
I know it may seem a kind of odd comparison but sometime when people are ready to pass away from illness etc they can have a really good pain free day before they pass away. My step father did a lot of work in a hospice and on a hospital ward and seen it quite a lot. Maybe theres a similar type thing with guinea pigs. Not sure why it happens wit people mabe a whole heap of endorphins get realesed for some reason or another.
I had a very porly piggie two years ago I rescued with a similar situation but thinking back now it was just his little time to go over the rainbow bridge.
*hugs*
 
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