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KingBoris&HisFollowers

KingBoris&HisFollowers

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hi everyone i need some help with Boris.He hasnt drank anything since i brought him home yesterday, the vet said this was ok because he was well hydrated before his splint was put in but to call in morning if he still hasnt drank anything.It is now morning so we tryed to give him water ourselves and that didnt work and he isnt eating enough water filled veges to help i dont know what to do i called vet and he is in surgery so i have to wait also the only thing i have seen him eat was a little grass and a tiny bit of his pellets I'm really worried please help:...
 
Dunno what Louise has advised but it will be good advice.

I would suggest trying to syringe a small amount of water into Boris. Take it easy and steady.

Just to get some fluids into him - its essential.

H.
x
 
Is Boris on any pain relief? I imagine, if his vertebrae is fractured, he will be in some pain - pain can sometimes stop piggies eating and drinking normally.
 
awwwwwwwww he was just all out of sorts i suppose, so glad to hear he's drinking normally again xx>>>xx>>>

btw it's so handy to have the 1ml syringes on hand, they're great for water and mushy foods if needed.
 
hi no he is not on pain relief which worrys me the vet said pain relief for piggys can be more difficult than usual animals because they are so small they said if i keep him as calm and still as possible then he should be ok.One thing i am concerned about is i have been told to avoid picking him up except when needed the vet said no playtime as thats more movement which is bad for his injurys soft foods if possible because chewing may cause him pain and basically to leave him in the cage for 6 weeks.Now not being able to move,pats by me through cage mainly an no toys I'm worried it wont take long for him to get depressed he doesnt even have his piggy friends anymore what can i do without jeopordising his recovery?
 
mmmm yes i see what you mean :{
as for pain relief i'd ask for metacam, the vets can get it for you and should have it on hand as they give it to buns as well. The dosage depends on piggies weight.......let us know what Boris weighed before going into his op......
BUT also if on any meds he needs some probiotics which are hard to come by in OZ grrrrrrr i had some sneaked to me from UK which i used and it was great. I tried the yakult but really it's not the right thing for them......not sure if being in NSW you might have a diff product? check that out too.....ask the vets.
Surely he could have some stimulus to help him recover.... i hope a few more people come on and suggest something as i'm afraid i'm not sure wht else to suggest :red I'd do heaps of TLC as often as you can :)
 
well that is the main plan i have metacam from my dogs lots of it infact do i use that just in much smaller dose he was a little thin when he got weighed right before his op he weighed just over 1.5kgs
 
i'm just going to check my box of metacam i still have......
I know i was allowed to give a couple of drops twice a day for our boy, i ended up measuring this on a teaspoon, dripped two drops and then sucked it up into 1ml syringe and then squeezed into the mouth.
I'd prefer to check the box tho and make sure it's the same........tho so hold on a tick :)
 
I would try to press the vet to prescribe pain relief, especially if the vet himself has acknowledged that he is suffering. Dosing guinea pigs is simpler than most vets seem to think, it only involves reducing the cat/dog dose to the guinea pigs weight then increasing by the species' metabolic rate. (Okay, sounds complex like that but it's just two basic steps). For most piggies, the medicines and doses suitable include:

Rimadyl (Carprofen) - 0.2ml injected OR a 5mg or 10mg tablet
Metacam (Meloxicam) - 0.1 - 0.3ml oral liquid

Children/infant ibuprofen suspensions can also be given, usually at the dose of 0.2ml orally. In UK, Chidren's Nurofen or Calpol (which contains paracetamol instead of ibuprofen) can be given.

I am not sure what is available in Australia (I think I read you live there?), but especially with Boris' condition I do think your vet ought to prescribe an animal pain-reliever, at least for the first week that his splint is in place. Definitely something to discuss with your vet, it may make all the difference.

Boris needs to eat normal hard foods - hay and dry feed - to keep his teeth in check; feeding soft foods only will allow the teeth (molars in particular) to overgrow and you will be faced with a whole other manner of problems which you may have difficulties treating with his spinal problem and splint.

I do agree that keeping him in a limited cage space is important, but perhaps position the cage next to his friends so he has some interaction with them, and work out a way to lift him (perhaps encourage him to step onto/into a hard surface or enclosure) so you can let him out for regular cuddles - preferably at least 3 times a day.

You are doing the right thing by questioning and aiming to improve his quality of life while he is in the splint, as piggies do become depressed if they are not allowed normal routine or natural behaviours. I'm sure, with lots of TLC, good vet treatment, and a gentle understanding, he will learn to cope with his condition and it's treatment.
 
yes i am in Oz and i will certainly be calling the vet currently Boris is quite perky and doesnt seem to be in pain but i want to have correct dosages etc in case he does need it
 
CCC4 said:
I would try to press the vet to prescribe pain relief, especially if the vet himself has acknowledged that he is suffering. Dosing guinea pigs is simpler than most vets seem to think, it only involves reducing the cat/dog dose to the guinea pigs weight then increasing by the species' metabolic rate. (Okay, sounds complex like that but it's just two basic steps). For most piggies, the medicines and doses suitable include:

Rimadyl (Carprofen) - 0.2ml injected OR a 5mg or 10mg tablet
Metacam (Meloxicam) - 0.1 - 0.3ml oral liquid

Children/infant ibuprofen suspensions can also be given, usually at the dose of 0.2ml orally. In UK, Chidren's Nurofen or Calpol (which contains paracetamol instead of ibuprofen) can be given.

I am not sure what is available in Australia (I think I read you live there?), but especially with Boris' condition I do think your vet ought to prescribe an animal pain-reliever, at least for the first week that his splint is in place. Definitely something to discuss with your vet, it may make all the difference.

Boris needs to eat normal hard foods - hay and dry feed - to keep his teeth in check; feeding soft foods only will allow the teeth (molars in particular) to overgrow and you will be faced with a whole other manner of problems which you may have difficulties treating with his spinal problem and splint.

I do agree that keeping him in a limited cage space is important, but perhaps position the cage next to his friends so he has some interaction with them, and work out a way to lift him (perhaps encourage him to step onto/into a hard surface or enclosure) so you can let him out for regular cuddles - preferably at least 3 times a day.

You are doing the right thing by questioning and aiming to improve his quality of life while he is in the splint, as piggies do become depressed if they are not allowed normal routine or natural behaviours. I'm sure, with lots of TLC, good vet treatment, and a gentle understanding, he will learn to cope with his condition and it's treatment.
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You've just been given such fab advice, our Laura is a whizz and so fab with piggie knowledge xx>>>xx>>> and really lovely girl too x)

Do you feel confident with the info? if not ask more questions now.
I'd start Boris on some metacam tonight to help relieve the pain he'd be in :(
 
yes i feel confident to trust my instincts with him now ill give him some metacam when my OH gets home from work in an hour or so he is a master at administering medication thanks for the advice to both of you xxxxxxx
 
Happy to help. :) Please do keep us updated on his progress routinely, we are all rooting for him and wishing you and Boris the best of luck. It certainly sounds like you and he are a strong and determined team. You're doing a great job. :)
 
If you feel at all in doubt i could ask questions from my vet here ... you could pm me and i could then find out for you, i'd be prepared to give you my mobile if that helps too :)
 
Poor Boris :( He really does need some pain relief. My Connie is on Metacam at the minute the same one that glynis has described. She has 0.2ml once a day. Mine came with a massive syringe as it is for dogs but I just use a 1ml syringe as it goes in to her mouth nicely. The problem is that there isn't any pain relief that is licensed for guinea pigs so ones that are prescribed for cats and dogs are the only ones available but should be fine if given the correct dosage. Healing vibes for Boris and (((hugs))) for you xx
 
thankyou to all of you this has been a great help my OH has given Boris the metacam and he seems calmer i wish i had of done it sooner i will keep you updated on his progress and yes you can say we are a determined team the moment i met him it was like he was my piggy soulmate and i have been to determined to give up i guess Boris feels the same wayx)
 
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