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Not sure what's wrong.

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willow33

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Hi, just after a bit of advice before I can phone the vet in the morning.
For the last 2 weekends we have brought home Leticia, the guinea pig from my daughter's daycare centre. She was normally left alone over the weekends.
Last weekend she was fairly happy apart from a lump on her back with pus coning out. Booked her into the vet last Monday and all was well. Today when I went to collect her she looked puffed up and not happy. I bought her home gave her hay and celery and left her to it.
I've been sat with her now for the last hour. She doesn't like being picked up and looks very uncomfortable and squeaks (but not in a happy pig way). I've looked at her lump and a small amount of pus came out.
She seems tender towards the lower half of her body. When I looked at her bottom it looked all crusty and had small stringy poos attached to her. The hair is matted and stuck. I've gently cleaned the area as best I can. I've popped her back into her hidey home and given her hay.
She seems reluctant to move. I've given her water from her bottle and she's eaten spinach and celery. She doesn't look bloated and her stomach doesn't sound hollow when I've tapped it.
Is there anything else I can do before tomorrow for her? I don't want to keep disturbing her as she squeaks.
Last weekend I commented to my hubby that she didn't seem to move much. My previous piggies have always run about. She is kept on her own and I'm planning on explaining to the daycare centre that she needs a friend.
Any advice greatly received. It's just after 1030pm here in Melbourne
 
It sounds like she has a burst abscess or infection. She will need to go to the vet for some antibiotics.

Small stringy poops suggest a digestive issue. She might have eaten something that she's not used to or she's not eating enough.
 
Thanks. Hopefully the vet tomorrow can shed some light
 
I agree with @Jaycey re. burst abscess. It should be lanced, kept open and flushed regularly to allow it to heal from the inside and prevent any fleck of infection starting it up again. A strong antibiotic is a must. Abscesses can be tenacious and require determined care.

Please take any piggy with stringy poos off veg and have her eating as much hay as she can to help rebalance the guts. Unlimited hay should make over 80% of the daily food intake for long term dental and gut health and longevity.
Weigh her daily and step in with topping her up with extra feed (mushed up pellets will do in an emergency) as well as water if she loses more than 50g. Be very careful when re-introducting veg again and do not overfeed it.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
 
Hi l hope she picks up.
I don't think she should be left alone over the weekend.
She needs daily fresh hay, & veggies, and clean water.
Also a clean twice a day.
I don't think a school is the right environment for piggies.
As you have said she needs a friend.
If the day care wants to have a piggy it is their responsible to make sure that she has a friend.
I'm not saying she isn't taken care of, I am in no doubt you give the best you can.
It must be bad enough looking after all the children, never mind a pig as well. Lol
As you've had guinea pigs before, I'm sure you know the routine.
By the way a burst abscess must be vet treated quickly & it will need treating 1 to 3 times a day.
 
Please let us know how the vet goes tomorrow.
 
Hi all, phoned the vet first thing and got her booked in. Got there and Leticia was in a bad way. She was trying to move and couldn't. Every time the vet touched her she squealed. Vet weighed her and she'd lost 200g (1/4 of her body weight) in nearly 2 weeks. The vet checked her for injury and found nothing. She looked so uncomfortable and obviously in pain that with a heavy heart (and consent from daycare) she was pts. The vet didn't think antibiotics or pain relief would help. The vet was very kind and gentle with Leticia. She said she has piggies and would take good care of her. Very emotional morning. 😭😭
 
Oh so sorry for your loss. Leticia is now out of pain and running free at the Rainbow Bridge.
 
So sorry for your loss.
That’s a tough decision to have made but you made it out of love.
Take time to grieve now. Be gentle with yourself
 
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