• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Need Advice For My Topsy

winnie

winnie

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
53
Reaction score
68
Points
220
Location
london
I have had Topsy and his brother Rufus for nearly 2 years they were approximately 1 1/2 when I adopted them . They were in a bad condition with matted fur and mites. Topsy also had a head tilt and neurological problems which he still has. A few weeks ago Topsy started having trouble eating and would cry when he tried. Took him to the vets and they looked at his back teeth and said one of his gums was a bit red so was given antibiotics incase of an infection. It didn't get better so back I went and they looked again and sais that one of his back teeth was slightly pointy so would need a dental. A few days later they did the dental but discovered that his there was nothing wrong with his teeth but he had a small splinter of hay stuck in his gum which they removed. They also did xrays which came back clear. I have been back and forth to the vets since but they have said that they don't want to put him through another dental when they found nothing wrong the firat time which I completely understand, they have also said that it may be something to do with his neurological issues. He has been on painkillers and I am giving him critical care and soaking his food so it is soft for him but he is in constant pain whenever he eats so I hate trying to syringe feed him when I know it is causing him pain when he eats it. He has also just started to bite bits of fruit/veg then spit them out so isn't eating that. He will only eat pureed vegetables/baby food and even his he had trouble with. I honestly dont know what to do anymore and am completely at a loss! I have seen so many vets and just wanted him to get better . I can't cope with h being hungry but can't eat! I haven't stopped crying the last few days because I love him so much and want whats best for him . What would you do ? I cant keep him going like this and it's not fair on him
I don't want to let him go but if there is nothing more I can do for him I am wondering if it is time . Sorry for the long post . Any input would be appreciated. IMG_20170204_131835_358.webp
 
winnie said:
I have had Topsy and his brother Rufus for nearly 2 years they were approximately 1 1/2 when I adopted them . They were in a bad condition with matted fur and mites. Topsy also had a head tilt and neurological problems which he still has. A few weeks ago Topsy started having trouble eating and would cry when he tried. Took him to the vets and they looked at his back teeth and said one of his gums was a bit red so was given antibiotics incase of an infection. It didn't get better so back I went and they looked again and sais that one of his back teeth was slightly pointy so would need a dental. A few days later they did the dental but discovered that his there was nothing wrong with his teeth but he had a small splinter of hay stuck in his gum which they removed. They also did xrays which came back clear. I have been back and forth to the vets since but they have said that they don't want to put him through another dental when they found nothing wrong the firat time which I completely understand, they have also said that it may be something to do with his neurological issues. He has been on painkillers and I am giving him critical care and soaking his food so it is soft for him but he is in constant pain whenever he eats so I hate trying to syringe feed him when I know it is causing him pain when he eats it. He has also just started to bite bits of fruit/veg then spit them out so isn't eating that. He will only eat pureed vegetables/baby food and even his he had trouble with. I honestly dont know what to do anymore and am completely at a loss! I have seen so many vets and just wanted him to get better . I can't cope with h being hungry but can't eat! I haven't stopped crying the last few days because I love him so much and want whats best for him . What would you do ? I cant keep him going like this and it's not fair on him
I don't want to let him go but if there is nothing more I can do for him I am wondering if it is time . Sorry for the long post . Any input would be appreciated. View attachment 73896
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Please start syringe feeding and sringe watering asap. You can use mushed up pellets in an emergency until you can get hold of recovery formula. Apart from illustrated step by step instructions for newbies, we also have a section for looking after dental guinea pigs on longer term feed.


If you can at all, please make an appointment with Simon Maddock at the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton. He is the currently most experienced vet for dental guinea pigs and does about 15 dentals in a week (that is more than most vets do in their whole career) as he sees guinea pigs from all over the country that other vets can cope with, from as far as the West Country and Edinburgh. Sadly guinea pig dentals are not an area that most vets are familiar with.
It is the one place that can save your Topsy. The good news is that Simon is a general vet that specialises in cats, rabbits and small rodents, but he does not fetch the over the top prices of an exotics clinic.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

PS: Northampton is off the M1 by car or lies on the London Midlands line from London Euston.
Guinea pigs travel surprisingly well. Travelling with guinea pigs
I have seen Simon with my own piggies repeatedly, both by train and by car. Hywel would not have had the last year of his life without Simon's dental care.



The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic
 
Aw poor piggy :(
I have no advice apart from maybe to try some herbs? They have a really strong flavour and smell that can sometimes tempt guinea pigs to eat.
Good luck to you and Topsy!
 
winnie said:
I have had Topsy and his brother Rufus for nearly 2 years they were approximately 1 1/2 when I adopted them . They were in a bad condition with matted fur and mites. Topsy also had a head tilt and neurological problems which he still has. A few weeks ago Topsy started having trouble eating and would cry when he tried. Took him to the vets and they looked at his back teeth and said one of his gums was a bit red so was given antibiotics incase of an infection. It didn't get better so back I went and they looked again and sais that one of his back teeth was slightly pointy so would need a dental. A few days later they did the dental but discovered that his there was nothing wrong with his teeth but he had a small splinter of hay stuck in his gum which they removed. They also did xrays which came back clear. I have been back and forth to the vets since but they have said that they don't want to put him through another dental when they found nothing wrong the firat time which I completely understand, they have also said that it may be something to do with his neurological issues. He has been on painkillers and I am giving him critical care and soaking his food so it is soft for him but he is in constant pain whenever he eats so I hate trying to syringe feed him when I know it is causing him pain when he eats it. He has also just started to bite bits of fruit/veg then spit them out so isn't eating that. He will only eat pureed vegetables/baby food and even his he had trouble with. I honestly dont know what to do anymore and am completely at a loss! I have seen so many vets and just wanted him to get better . I can't cope with h being hungry but can't eat! I haven't stopped crying the last few days because I love him so much and want whats best for him . What would you do ? I cant keep him going like this and it's not fair on him
I don't want to let him go but if there is nothing more I can do for him I am wondering if it is time . Sorry for the long post . Any input would be appreciated. View attachment 73896
Click to expand...

Hi, can you get up to Simon, if not its possible, perhaps travel could be arranged.
 
Thank You everyone for your suggestions, I have been back to my vets today with Topsy and he has referred me to a specialist so hopefully we can get some more answers . I will keep you updated
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top