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Neutering And Appetite

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Gemmas1987

Gemmas1987

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Hi, I'm looking for any advice or any experiences people have had after neutering, Freddie was neutered 5 weeks ago and around 4 weeks was put on metacam for potential infection however vet thinks he had a reaction to metacam, stopped it and he was hand fed as he wasnt eating for himself. Freddie di start eating again but not a great deal and has continued to be v picky therefore hes been handfed and just seems to have forgotten how to eat?! I'm taking him to vets tomorrow but he looks v depressed and plan is to get him friend, is 5 weeks after the op too risky to introduce a sow in an effort to treat hs depression?
 
I would have your boy checked for a potential abscess, infection, hernias or gut adhesion issues (the latter are rare, but can happen and are very painful). Some piggies can struggle with eating after an operation, but protracted loss of appetite should be investigated; it is often caused by ongoing pain issues. Your vet may want to consider a strong antibiotic like zithromax (azithromycin) in case of an abscess or infection (this has saved several boys' lives where baytril would not cut through) and a different painkiller.

Since I have got a surprise baby courtesy of an over 5 weeks post op boar (not one of mine!), I would strongly advise you to wait with any sows until 6 weeks are up anyway. If you really want to cheer him up, you could consider having a girl or two next door to him, but I wouldn't introduce them fully until he is healthy again. Have you got a good rescue with mandatory quarantine and pregnancy watch within your reach? Otherwise, you'd best conduct your own quarantine to make sure that your struggling boy is not picking up anything in his weakened state.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/importance-of-quarantine.108034/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/ (We can provide contacts for good standard guinea pig rescues outside the UK as well.)
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/ (for the UK)
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/

PS: With members from all over the world, we find it very helpful in always beng able to give you the best possible advice and recommendations for your part of the globe straight away if you added your country, state or (for the UK) your county. Please click on your username, go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!
 
Thanks for the info, I've got him booked in the vets today, hes just has some grass but is struggling with the harder foods I've noticed even the harder bit of hay. Hes always been a picky eater but I'm not sure if I'm just comparing him to my other 2 girls now coz they eat everything!
 
Gemmas1987 said:
Thanks for the info, I've got him booked in the vets today, hes just has some grass but is struggling with the harder foods I've noticed even the harder bit of hay. Hes always been a picky eater but I'm not sure if I'm just comparing him to my other 2 girls now coz they eat everything!
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I would recommend to ask your vet to check his back teeth (pre-molars). Weigh him daily at the same time to monitor his food intake.
 
I feel like Ive been living at the vets lately I should set up an account card but Freddies worth it :D
 
Gemmas1987 said:
I feel like Ive been living at the vets lately I should set up an account card but Freddies worth it :D
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I call a time like that "rent a tent in the waiting room"! :(

Hopefully you and your vet can get to the bottom of the problem and find where the pain is located.
 
I'm back from vets with a weeks supply of metacam, hopefully it'l work better than the baytril, vet checked his teeth and couldn't find anything wrong with the, how long does it take for piggies to respond to metacam?
 
You should see them perking up noticeably within 24 hours, but it is building up over the course of several days.
 
Well his appetites coming back woo hoo! roll on Sunday when he meets is new girlfriend:luv:
 
I dont know if I'm just paranoid about him getting ill again because is appetite going up and down, could metacamb causing any problems?
 
It is very difficult to say what is the cause of the wavering appetite. If a recovery is not quite smooth, it is often an up and down with hopefully an upward overall trend.

Please weigh your boy daily at the same time and keep an eye out for any swellings in the groin area, any signs of acute pain. Also keep topping him up with hand feed whenever necessary. Your good care is very important and can make a difference in the outcome. See your vet as soon as something is not right and also speak to him if the recovery is not going well.
 
I think the metacam has made his poops a bit soft, weighed him and he's lost 10 grams in about 5 days but il get on hand feeding him still
 
Gemmas1987 said:
I think the metacam has made his poops a bit soft, weighed him and he's lost 10 grams in about 5 days but il get on hand feeding him still
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30g is the daily variance between a full/empty bladder and tummy, so nothing to worry about. You need to see a vet if your boy loses 50g.

With soft poos, just cut down the amount of fresh veg you are feeding for a day or two and see whether that is firming them up. If not, speak to your vet.
 
Oh right ok then, is it still a good time to be taking him to meet a friend though and would it perk him up a bit
 
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