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Newbie to site - advice following tooth op

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pepsipig

Hi all

I'm new to site but hoping that someone may be able to throw some light on our poorly pig's symptoms. She is 3 years old and has been poorly for around 3 1/2 weeks. When we first took her to vets 3 1/2 weeks ago vet thought eating probs and weight loss were just due to a broken front tooth and gave us fibre sup. We took her back to vets this week as she had lost more weight had really bad dribble and looked a sorry state. They kept her in overnight, fed her up and she had a gen anaest. to investigate. Luckily she came through it and they said they had found a spike on one of her back teeth which they had removed. We bought her home on Tuesday and as the vet said it would be okay we returned her into the cage with her sister. To monitor her eating we had been feeding separately, she seems to manage nuggets and bits of veg. She has never actually lost her appetite she just struggles, though she's not interested in the hay any more but we are giving a fibre supplement given by the vet. She is drinking loads of water and dribbling loads too so she is soaked. Her sister appeared to be helping her clean up the dribble which we thought was quite sweet until we realised she had been grooming this area and was bald under her chin and on her chest. We have now separated them until poorly pig improves. Does anyone have any idea how long it should be before we notice improvement? Is the grooming thing common? How long will the hair take to grow back? She is full of beans just looks unhappy and tired. Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading.
 
Hi pepsipig, welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear your piggie is unwell. Dribbling is typical of molar problems, and if the chin gets wet enough hair loss does occur. Is she eating any hay?

It may be worth trying some Daktarin Oral Gel to soothe her mouth, it may help her eat more normally and reduce/eliminate the dribbling. It's possible her tongue or cheeks still feel sore as a result of the spur. I've found that piggies can do well on the Daktarin for a few days after dental work has been carried out, the dose being 0.5ml twice a day for at least three days. The gel will also treat any oral fungal infections, as well as soothing any sore patches.

Whereabouts are you? Maybe we can recommend a vet or rodentologist near you who could examine and treat your pigs dental problems without using a general anesthetic?
 
Hi Laura-CCC4

She isn't eating any hay at the moment though we are giving Fibreplex 3 times a day. She appears to be pooing. Is the Daktarin oral gel from pet shop?

We are based in Birmingham if you are able to recommend a rodentologist we could go to should she not improve. She seems quite scatty almost hyper like she's lost something, despite also looking worn out. She's having a drink of water about every 30 seconds could this be a side effect of the anaesthetic?
 
How would I administer the daktarin, would I need a syringe or put it on a piece of food? What would you suggest?
 
Has she been behaving oddly since her anesthetic? It's possible she's still struggling with the effects of it. Avoiding a general anesthetic for any future work is definitely worthwhile!

How is her weight - is she losing weight? If so, it will probably be necessary to increase her food intake so she's able to maintain her weight. Is she being syringe-fed, or just on the Fibreplex? I have heard good things about Fibreplex, but as it's not a complete formula it may not sustain her quite as well as products like Oxbow Critical Care/Science Recovert, or a pellet mash (normal dry food, soaked in water and mashed into a paste to syringe-feed).

The Daktarin is given with a 1ml syringe, the gel is syringed directly into her mouth. There are some tips for administering meds and syringe-feeding here: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36533

You could send a private message to alcesterpigs; he's based in Birmingham, very skilled with guineas, able to perform dental work without anesthetic. He may be able to help, it's worth asking. :)
 
You're advice and info is really helpful thank you both. Yes she has been behaving odd since the anesthetic, so hopefully this will wear off. She has gained about 30 grams since coming home from vets, she is eating small amounts of nuggets. So we will keep our eye on her weight. I will get some daktarin when the shops open again tomorrow. Do I get syringe from pet shop or chemist? (Sorry never had a poorly pig before).
 
A chemist should have 1ml syringes, or you can pop into your vets and they're usually happy to provide you with some for free. :)
 
If just one New Year's Resolution were allowed for guinea pigs it would be that no pig ever again is given a general anaesthetic for either a check up or for any dental treatment.
 
Piggy started improving but now deteriorating

Hi all

Following all your useful advice. We tried the daktarin oral gel and we have been syringe feeding mushed nuggets and giving fibreplex and she did put on about 40g. She has been trying to eat nuggets herself without much success. She can't manage fresh veg and has no interest in hay. I'm concerned about her vitamin C intake so have tried to syringe 1/2 vitamin c tablet mixed with water today.

The dribbling eased off but has today started again. Some more of her fur appears to have gone too from round her chin area though I think this may be where her sister is licking her to try to help. I have emailed the website link given for the association of rodentologists trying to locate a local rodentologist but not heard anything back yet.

Alcesterpigs, sincere apologies that I didn't find your message until today if you are able to help I would really appreciate it, are you in Birmingham too then?

I am really concerned about her but am reluctant to visit the vets again as I'm pretty confident they will insist on another GA to look in her mouth and I don't think she can cope with another.

Any support would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.
 
Pepsi pig fantastic improvement since last time on site!

Hi all

Thought I would just provide an update of how Pepsi has progressed since New Year when we really thought she possibly wouldn't make it! I know it's always encouraging to hear positive stories.

Pepsi has come on leaps and bounds over the past few months. In the New Year her weight dropped to 525g we were so worried. Her weight last week peeked at 830g! At a time when we were at our wits end the advice we received here was invaluable and also we were put in touch with Alcester Pigs. Thankfully with regular contact with Alcester Pigs since then Pepsi now eats all sorts of food independently and is full of beans. Her fur has grown back and she has a lovely podgy tummy. Her fur is lovely and shiny and she is now more affectionate. Without the regular contact and visits with Alcester Pigs who knows what could have happened with Pespi. The vets we originally took pepsi to were more of a hinderance than help and clearly do not have the experience or expertise required with pigs and just fobbed us off as we knew no better at the time. Thanks again to Alcester Pigs - very highly recommended and a pleasure to know! :):)
 
Yay! Good news! So nice to hear about a happy outcome :)

I'm really glad that Pepsi is doing so well and hope she continues to do well and stay happy! Sounds like she has a lovely, committed owner and no doubt your care and TLC will have played a really big part in her getting to where she is now. Well done you!
 
pepsipig said:
Hi all

Thought I would just provide an update of how Pepsi has progressed since New Year when we really thought she possibly wouldn't make it! I know it's always encouraging to hear positive stories.

Pepsi has come on leaps and bounds over the past few months. In the New Year her weight dropped to 525g we were so worried. Her weight last week peeked at 830g! At a time when we were at our wits end the advice we received here was invaluable and also we were put in touch with Alcester Pigs. Thankfully with regular contact with Alcester Pigs since then Pepsi now eats all sorts of food independently and is full of beans. Her fur has grown back and she has a lovely podgy tummy. Her fur is lovely and shiny and she is now more affectionate. Without the regular contact and visits with Alcester Pigs who knows what could have happened with Pespi. The vets we originally took pepsi to were more of a hinderance than help and clearly do not have the experience or expertise required with pigs and just fobbed us off as we knew no better at the time. Thanks again to Alcester Pigs - very highly recommended and a pleasure to know! :):)
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Thanks for coming on and letting everyone know about the turnaround. 525g is very close to not coming through, I'm told. Very scarey.

Alcesterpigs made an amazing difference to my little guinea, too, so I know exactly how you feel. The forum put me in touch also. Lovely chap - and doesn't he handle guineas well. You are very lucky, living so near such an expert (on teeth). it's a 300 mile round trip for me!
 
so glad Pepsi has made it through! it's so nice to hear it when poorly pigs are restored to their balanced, healthy state :)
 
Good to hear Pepsi is doing so much better, well done to all involved. :)
 
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