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My poorly William - Any advice PLEASE.

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do guinea pigs get thyroid problems?

Sounds similar symptoms to what cats get. Our tortie was screaming for food all the time, eating absolutely normally but became skin and bones rather quickly. Once she was put on tablets to treat the thyroid she put it all back on again. (dogs get it but its the reverse, they become overweight, and I cant remember if its over active or under active that causes weight loss or weight gain :red )

Either that or I would be wondering if some trace element/mineral is not being absorbed.
 
We've separated William from Alan & Clive.

William will be living indoors with grass time next to the boys until he gets better and the boys will be living in the outside hutch.

Hopefully when William is better and the boys are a little older and not so hormonal we can try a re-introduction.

I've NOT separated them due to aggression, but due to William's illness.
 
Pepperdog said:
do guinea pigs get thyroid problems?

Sounds similar symptoms to what cats get. Our tortie was screaming for food all the time, eating absolutely normally but became skin and bones rather quickly. Once she was put on tablets to treat the thyroid she put it all back on again. (dogs get it but its the reverse, they become overweight, and I cant remember if its over active or under active that causes weight loss or weight gain :red )

Either that or I would be wondering if some trace element/mineral is not being absorbed.
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In answer to my question, yes they can.

http://attrition.org/~jericho/gpigs/case-figlet.html

I am not saying this is what he has but the symptoms are very similar and I just think its worth considering.
 
isnt it, I read through all of that and another paper just now of thyroid tumours in pigs, again not common but a cause for sudden weight loss - i think the two are actually connected but I am not a vet so I am speculating (gut feeling that infact its a little more common than assumed).
 
Thanx for the extra info it's clear now that if he is eating normally then you are more than likely looking at something metabolic (or unfortunately neoplasia)
Thyroid is definitely something that needs to be looked at provided a proper blood sample can be taken. However whatever is causing William's problems does appear to be quite advanced/rapid and if the thyroid was the cause then it would possibly be large enough to be palpable (felt) by now (and hopefully would also show up on ultrasound) so coud be checked up in this manner if he is too weak for a blood test.

x
 
This is so sad for William (and you of course :()
Truly hope this unexplained weight loss can be pinpointed and William makes a full recovery.
It is threads like this that help other members to recognise when things are not quite right with our loved ones - I have searched the forum for threads in the past that have helped me with a poorly piggy and will be forever grateful.
Lots of gentle hugs and healing vibes to the little fella x>>
 
Thanks guys.

He is in his own cage now and we just went out and bought his own run :))

He's been eating more leafy dark veg to try and get his weight up - so spring greens and things.

He has the vet again on Friday.
 
William&Keith said:
Thanks guys.

He is in his own cage now and we just went out and bought his own run :))

He's been eating more leafy dark veg to try and get his weight up - so spring greens and things.

He has the vet again on Friday.
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HUGS !


x
 
William is now in his hospital cage, being a prince.

He's managed to pop on 2oz through aggressive Critical Care feeding, and round the clock feeds.

I've had some terrific and invaluable advice from people on here and I genuinely cannot thank them enough.

We are collecting more urine today for another test - if the protein & blood from his urine have gone, then HURRAAAAY! we are on the right course. If they have NOT gone, then it's down the road of more tests and more bits and bobs.

William is still very active walking about eating and very aware of what is going on, he still has his quiet moments, but at the end of the day he is very poorly still. He gets to interact with Alan & Clive who miss him very much, but only though the runs we put them in. I'm praying we are on the right course with William now, but if we are not, we'll just keep searching :)

Thank you again for all your healing vibes, support and love. William, the boys and I really appreciate it x>>x>>
 
William started off ok this morning, but my little sister and dad have just had to whisk him to the vets.

He started getting agitated about an hour ago, lying on his side and he was clearly in discomfort. I rang the vets and the earliest appointment they could give us was 3:30pm.

We ignored this and they have run him down now.

We have a feeling he may be trying to pass a kidney stone or something. We're not sure.

I'm trying to keep level headed, he's just in SO much discomfort and I don't want him to be in any pain. 8...8...8...

I've not taken him to the vets as unfortunately I have to get to work in about 10 minutes (although I will never forgive myself for not being able to take him myself). My sister though is fantastic and she is spot on with the vets - she has accompanied me to every vet appointment/emergency.
 
awwwww William...thinking of you and your mummy.

Dont beat yourself up about not going to the vets love, life goes on you have to work to pay Willys vets bills!

Fingers crossed he is ok and not in too much pain xx
 
It brings me great heartache to say this but we had to put little William Wotsit to sleep.

He was too weak to have any more tests run on him and he was in far too much pain to get any further treatment. He was at his lowest weight EVER, his kidney was inflamed and he had massive pockets of gas in his digestive system.

I didn't want to cause him any more pain/grief so I made the tough decision to pop him to sleep.

I was still at home when he got back so I was able to say goodbye to him.

This was not an easy decision, but at the weight he was and the pain he was in it would not have been fair on him to keep him going.

8...8...8...8...8...
 
Oh no....I'm so sorry to hear that. I have been catching up on this thread today and cannot believe hes gone 8...

You did everything you could for the little guy, and he couldnt have asked for anything more.

RIP William, run free xx
 
Oh no, I am so sorry to read this. William was a piggie I think most of us have took into our hearts on this forum. You did everything you could for him. Hugs to you Alan & Clive at this sad time. x

RIP William
x x
 
Thanks guys.

I am obviously very upset, but unfortunately he was just too weak. Poor little mite.

Him and Keithy are now free to scoff as much hay as they want in the Rainbow Bridge!

All the vets at the practice were upset for us too - they had all taken William into their hearts and they were so gentle towards the end.

He's in a better, peaceful place now. x
 
i just posted on your other thread, but i wanted to say i am so glad you were with him to be able to say goodbye and i am so sorry he has lost his battle

i am actually sat here sobbing at another loss of a piggy

Thinking of you all tonight, so sorry x>>
 
I am so very sorry, it breaks my heart to hear this. I was so hoping he would get better.

Big hugs for you.
 
oh bless you hun I'm so so sorry to hear that 8...
I've been following this with hope and interest so we could get to the bottom os his problems but i think you made the best decision. And you did so much for the little guy, i dont think you could have done much more.
Team WAC won't be the same! 8...
RIP Little wotsit xx>>>
 
Oh no poor William 8...

He did fight like a trooper bless him, but it sounds like you made the right decision.

He'll be running in the long grass in the land of endless carrots with Keith now :)

Thoughts are with you, Alan and Clive!
 
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