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Specialist Mysterious pig illness

Cookies&Glitter

Cookies&Glitter

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Really hoping for some guidance here cuz I can’t figure out what’s causing the wax/wane in my little piggies health.
Wednesday night I think, 2 weeks ago took my piggy to pet ER ad was told possible kidney failure s/s were pain on bladder palpation and some lethargy. X-Ray showed some gas in belly but it wasn’t distended and nothing appeared in bladder/urethra. Small scrape on eye so started erythromycin ointment. Started everything as ordered:
Cisapride 0.05mg BID
Gabapentin 0.15mg q8-12hrs
Simethicone 0.3mg q4-6hrs
20 cc subq fluids BID
BeneBac 1gm BID
Critical care about 5cc every 4-6h
Thursday was rough and then the weekend was improving but then on Monday it seemed like she was getting lethargic again so I took her back in Tuesday to a vet that is willing to see exotics but can’t currently get in with a specialist . (Also myself for tonsillitis yay) Did some blood work and kidneys were ok it’s liver enzymes that are elevated, no anemia but some changes in rbc shape, so here’s what we did:
Added
Baytril 0.7cc BID
200u vitamin c crushed with critical care daily
Unable to continue subq fluids due to wiggling
She improved more and was eating lots so on Friday we stopped gabapentin and cisapride and went down to about 10cc critical care daily. Saturday I was thinking she was totally back to normal just underweight from the issues, then Sunday she seemed a little more subdued and Sunday night I bathed her little bottom as it had been messy.
Monday gave her meds and critical care and she was miserable and puffy in the corner, her bottom freshly wet. Gave her another dose of gabapentin but it didn’t help much, she refused lettuce and did eat some hay and drink some water but not much. Absolutely hating syringes so critical care takes a while. Called and made vet apt but I feel like we are missing something cuz she was soooo much better Saturday then slide back and this happened the weekend before too.
Feels like we get about 3 good days (she eats and does zoomies and drives her sister crazy l) then she regresses and this has happened twice idk what to do for her. Any experts or ideas?
Would greatly appreciate advice, don’t want to give up on my girl when keeps showing improvement. Also forgot to mention she’s almost 5yo and intact female that lives with another totally healthy female (had for the entire almost 5yrs I’ve had her)
Thanks
 
Having dealt with many poorly piggies, I find this couple of steps forward and then one or two back isn't unusual. I don't reduce the syringe feeding when they start to appear a little better, but keep this going. It won't stop them eating for themselves, but it does ensure that food keeps passing through them, if they are a bit stop/start with eating. I also add probiotic to the syringe food (a big scoop to a cupful of syringe food). I also find that giving sub cut fluids at this stage can really help too. Not sure why your vet is finding it difficult, as they should be able to deal with a wiggly guinea pig. They are only tiny animals, so holding them firmly really shouldn't be a problem. Keep giving little amounts of the foods she normally enjoys, although I do find they often have different preferences after being poorly, so sometimes trying something they don't normally have can really help. During this time I would be keeping the gut motility drugs going, so re-introducing the cissapride may be something to discuss with your vet.
 
Oh crikey that's a lot going on and I really hope you get to the bottom of it. I had a piggy with renal failure but she had no symptoms other than weight loss. I'm not sure whether pain on bladder palpitation etc is a usual symptom of it or not.
Is your next apt with a specialist? It sounds like something complex is going on and it might be more than one issue. I know when bumble was getting a wet bum she first had an emergency spay which improved it for a few months as she had sizeable cysts, then after she started again we found she had quite marked arthritis in the bottom of her spine so going toilet was painful and she was "leaking" rather than going properly.
Has she had any scans or x-rays? That'd show if there is an underlying mass or gas build up causing issues. Though after reading Debbie's response it could just be that she needs longer on the meds
 
Lady Kelly said:
Oh crikey that's a lot going on and I really hope you get to the bottom of it. I had a piggy with renal failure but she had no symptoms other than weight loss. I'm not sure whether pain on bladder palpitation etc is a usual symptom of it or not.
Is your next apt with a specialist? It sounds like something complex is going on and it might be more than one issue. I know when bumble was getting a wet bum she first had an emergency spay which improved it for a few months as she had sizeable cysts, then after she started again we found she had quite marked arthritis in the bottom of her spine so going toilet was painful and she was "leaking" rather than going properly.
Has she had any scans or x-rays? That'd show if there is an underlying mass or gas build up causing issues. Though after reading Debbie's response it could just be that she needs longer on the meds
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She mentions x rays were done, but of course the positioning of the guinea pig during x ray can make a huge difference as to what is seen. I have also seen some very poor quality x rays, so the quality is also very important.
 
@Cookies&Glitter What was the original problem that you had to take her to the vet? The use of Gabapentin is interesting. How is her poop and pee output now?

It sounds like she might have a stomach upset currently, and as has been mentioned above a decline can happen. I'd definitely keep up with the syringe feeding.

I can't see any pain relief mentioned. Is she getting any?
 
Ugh maybe it is just stomach upset. The gabapentin was for pain as it is not removed by kidneys instead of narcotics or nsaids. I’m hoping the vet can help me get in with a specialist but it’s an hour away at the closest and booked 2 weeks out. Her pee is very clear when I’ve caught her and no pain apparent with urination, when poos were normal and start getting smaller and tear dropped when she starts getting lethargic and eating less. It’s been 13 days since emergency vet for what I figured was a UTI and I am more confused than ever.

Jaycey said:
@Cookies&Glitter What was the original problem that you had to take her to the vet? The use of Gabapentin is interesting. How is her poop and pee output now?
It sounds like she might have a stomach upset currently, and as has been mentioned above a decline can happen. I'd definitely keep up with the syringe feeding.

I can't see any pain relief mentioned. Is she getting any?
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