Oreo Has Gut Stasis - Please Help!

[chesca_27]

Before I start this thread, I just want to mention Oreo is an elderly boar at 5 and a half years old. His cage mate also died a few weeks ago, and they had a very close bond, so he has been quite depressed.

Last night, Oreo wouldn't eat anything, including his favourite treats, so I took him to the emergency vets (Royal Veterinary College), as my normal vet practice is tiny and wasn't open. He wasn't pooping properly either. After a thorough examination, the vet concluded he had gut stasis. Apart from that, he seems to be healthy. Oreo's stomach kept making weird noises and he became tense when his belly was touched. Normally, he is very laid-back and doesn't mind anything.

He has been given four different medications. Buprenorphine 0.18ml every 8 hours for 5 days, Baytril 0.44ml twice a day for 5 days, Ranitidine syrup 0.3ml every 8 hours for 5 days and Meloxicam 5kg dose (equivalent to around 0.3ml) twice a day for 5 days.

I'm extremely worried about him. How can I help him? I've given syringe-fed him water, carrot puree and nuggets tonight, but I really don't know anything about what to do for him. He has been grazing on some hay, thankfully, but he is totally ignoring anything that remotely resembles a solid food. I've ordered Critical Care for him, but it won't arrive until Sunday and I can't buy it locally. Tomorrow I'm getting some probiotic and alfalfa hay to help him as well.

He seems extremely lethargic tonight and starts shaking every time you go near his back. His belly area seems really swollen, but I think it might be bloat? Oreo's paws feel very hot, almost like a temperature, but I don't know very much about guinea pig health.

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to try and take him back to the vets. Fingers crossed he's ok tonight.

Is there anything else I can do to help him? I love him so much. If there's any extra information that you need to find a way to help me (hopefully) then please just ask. I have been keeping a record on my phone of his behaviour every few hours or when I feed him and what, how much etc. I also weighed him tonight - he's 1066g, which concerns me because a few months ago he was just under 1200g. I didn't know I needed to weekly weigh him, and my only scales live wherever my hamster is (my parents are divorced and have separate houses).

Thank you so much for your help.

 

[Adelle]

I'm sorry to hear your little one is poorly!

If he is currently bloated he needs further gut stimulants such as metocloprimide along with the ranitidine. Buprenorphine can slow down the guts, and baytril is also very harsh on the guts so I'm not sure if these will help the situation. If he had a temp at the vets and signs of infection then I would see the need for the baytril, but sadly sometimes vets just throw this at pigs and hope it fixes the issue.

A bloated tummy is life threatening- is there anyway you can get him to a vet tonight for more gut stimulants such as metocloprimide or emeprid? He really needs these to get things moving. The only thing you can do it home is feed little and often,massage his tummy and give him baby's gripe water to shift the gas but these techniques are often not enough on their own in true bloat cases.

I really hope he can see a vet x

 

[chesca_27]

I won't give any more Baytril or Buprenorphine then until I speak to a vet. I don't have any gut stimulants at home unfortunately, for humans or guinea pigs.

He didn't have a temp or infection at the vet, but I am suspecting a temperature at the moment. The reason the vet gave me Baytril was because Oreo's cage mate died from unknown causes (he was ill his whole life but we never got anything conclusive and then one evening he just went downhill so fast and passed before we could take him to an out of hours vet. It's the reason I rushed Oreo the other night!) and so the Baytril was to rule out any infection that my piggie may have died from if it was contagious.

I can't take Oreo tonight, as it's very late and my dad said it wasn't safe for him to drive as he had a glass of wine. I am going to take Oreo to the vet at 8am this morning, whether it's my normal vets or the RVC.

I have been feeding as much and as often as possible. He definitely had 3.5ml water this evening and 3ml carrot purée. Last night he was given fluid injections to keep him hydrated. Oreo had all his prescribed meds a few hours ago.

I did try massaging him but I don't really know how! I'm worried I'll do more harm than good. He didn't appreciate my efforts though.

What is baby gripes water? I've never heard of it.

I don't know if it's truly bloat, as I'm not very experienced with pet health care.

I really hope I can get him to a good exotics vet.

What vegetables can I give him though? I've held off today in an attempt to encourage him to eat more hay. I just didn't want to give him anything that would make him worse. Also do I need to get up in the night to feed him?

Thank you, you've been really helpful.

 

[LavaGuineaPig]

i really hope your guinea pig gets better! hang in there I'm sure it will be fine

 

[chesca_27]

i really hope your guinea pig gets better! hang in there I'm sure it will be fine

Thank you so much!

 

[kenken123]

Hope oreo has a complete recovery

 

[madguinealady]

You can soak pellets and make a soft paste to give him instead of critical care.That would help to keep him going.Good luck with Oreo.Everything crossed for you.

 

[Adelle]

How did you get on? Please speak to the vet about the buprenorphine and baytril as I'm not a vet and can't advise you to stop meds, it's just from my personal experience. X

 

[chesca_27]

Hope oreo has a complete recovery

Thank you so much !

You can soak pellets and make a soft paste to give him instead of critical care.That would help to keep him going.Good luck with Oreo.Everything crossed for you.

Thank you but the vet already gave me critical care.

How did you get on? Please speak to the vet about the buprenorphine and baytril as I'm not a vet and can't advise you to stop meds, it's just from my personal experience. X

He ended up having a delayed dosage instead as I waited to speak to the vet.

He still wasn't well this morning, so we took him in. Oreo was being very lethargic and had a very swollen belly area. He was given a thorough examination and had heart rate, temperature and weight etc taken. Heart rate and temperature were normal. He had lost a bit weight, not tons but at least 25 grams since last night! Oreo had more fluid injections, to keep him hydrated.

After the vet finished examining him, we had a long talk about treatment options and medication. I voiced my concerns about Baytril and Buprenorphine, and was told to keep giving Buprenorphine as it is effective for pain relief. The Baytril has now been swapped with Septrin though, as Oreo takes it better and I don't think it will upset his stomach as much. He was also prescribed Emeprid, so thanks for the suggestion. I managed to get Critical Care from the vets (at a lovely premium price) and luckily, Oreo likes it.

After being given all his meds, he seems to be a lot better. Oreo is being more active, eating more food and I even saw him at the water bottle! He's had water and Critical Care syringe fed as well. I'm feeling a lot more hopeful.

I also discussed further treatments and investigations. If Oreo doesn't seem to get better after his medicine courses finish, X-rays may be required. I was advised to book an appointment at my usual vets early next week as a check up. If he needs medical attention in the meantime, I was told to go back to the RVC.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Keep up with the syringe feeds, even trough the night, give small ones about 4 hours apart. I would stop the veggies for the time being, particularly ones that produce gas (cabbage/brassica family) Check our syringe feeding guide for tips. Hope he recovers well.

 

[Adelle]

Thank you so much !



Thank you but the vet already gave me critical care.



He ended up having a delayed dosage instead as I waited to speak to the vet.

He still wasn't well this morning, so we took him in. Oreo was being very lethargic and had a very swollen belly area. He was given a thorough examination and had heart rate, temperature and weight etc taken. Heart rate and temperature were normal. He had lost a bit weight, not tons but at least 25 grams since last night! Oreo had more fluid injections, to keep him hydrated.

After the vet finished examining him, we had a long talk about treatment options and medication. I voiced my concerns about Baytril and Buprenorphine, and was told to keep giving Buprenorphine as it is effective for pain relief. The Baytril has now been swapped with Septrin though, as Oreo takes it better and I don't think it will upset his stomach as much. He was also prescribed Emeprid, so thanks for the suggestion. I managed to get Critical Care from the vets (at a lovely premium price) and luckily, Oreo likes it.

After being given all his meds, he seems to be a lot better. Oreo is being more active, eating more food and I even saw him at the water bottle! He's had water and Critical Care syringe fed as well. I'm feeling a lot more hopeful.

I also discussed further treatments and investigations. If Oreo doesn't seem to get better after his medicine courses finish, X-rays may be required. I was advised to book an appointment at my usual vets early next week as a check up. If he needs medical attention in the meantime, I was told to go back to the RVC.

Sounds like a productive vet trip! It sounds like it's helping. Keep an eye on his bloated tummy and poo output, and if he wants to run around , let him, on the floor of a piggy proofed room . Keep massaging his tummy, even Use the handle of an electric toothbrush (the vibrations help things move). If you can get some probiotics to give 1-2 hours after each dose of Septrin this will help too :-)

 

[chesca_27]

Keep up with the syringe feeds, even trough the night, give small ones about 4 hours apart. I would stop the veggies for the time being, particularly ones that produce gas (cabbage/brassica family) Check our syringe feeding guide for tips. Hope he recovers well.

I will try regular feeding, but I have very long school hours so I can't feed him in the middle of the day. He's had a small anount of carrot today, to encourage him to eat something solid again. Thank you!

Sounds like a productive vet trip! It sounds like it's helping. Keep an eye on his bloated tummy and poo output, and if he wants to run around , let him, on the floor of a piggy proofed room . Keep massaging his tummy, even Use the handle of an electric toothbrush (the vibrations help things move). If you can get some probiotics to give 1-2 hours after each dose of Septrin this will help too :-)

Certainly was productive! He doesn't seem remotely bloated anymore thankfully. He isn't pooping that much, but I think it's just a task of waiting until the food has been digested. Oreo has never been an active piggie, at all. If I take him out and put him on the floor to have a run around, he just gets really freaked out and sits extremely still. I'm going to get him probiotic tomorrow or Monday hopefully.

 

[chesca_27]

I just came back from Sainsbury's. I got a couple of fruit baby foods to try and encourage Oreo to eat and take his meds.

They are both by Ella's Kitchen and have the following ingredients. In the Peaches and Bananas one, there is: 52% Organic Banana, 58% Organic Peaches and a dash of Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate.

In the Strawberries and Apples one, there is: 79% Organic Apples, 21% Organic Strawberries and a dash of Organic Lemon Jucice Concentrate.

Are these ok to feed as a treat?

 

[Adelle]

I just came back from Sainsbury's. I got a couple of fruit baby foods to try and encourage Oreo to eat and take his meds.

They are both by Ella's Kitchen and have the following ingredients. In the Peaches and Bananas one, there is: 52% Organic Banana, 58% Organic Peaches and a dash of Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate.

In the Strawberries and Apples one, there is: 79% Organic Apples, 21% Organic Strawberries and a dash of Organic Lemon Jucice Concentrate.

Are these ok to feed as a treat?

The ingredients are fine it's just probably safer to feed him critical care and lots of hays due to his stomach just recovering from bloat. The extra fibre will only help, strong fruit purée may make him gassy again. If you add some boiling water to pellets, let them cool to luke warm then mush them up, he may eat them like that x

 

[chesca_27]

I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while.

Oreo has been taking meds very well. He had another appointment on Monday at my normal vets, as the RVC recommended a check up early this week. They did an X-ray on him, concious (he is so chilled all the time), but then I think they only took one. The X-ray didn't show anything that would be causing gut stasis, apart from large (I think) amounts of gas on both sides. He has always been a slightly bloated kind of guinea pig, because he has always just wanted veggies, not hay. Because of this, and because I've seen how he is at home, I'm not too concerned anymore. I was also prescribed Fibreplex, at the vet, and that seems to really be helping.

I was advised to stop antibiotics today, which I did, as that doesn't seem to be doing anything. He also finished the course of Buprenorphine (none left). He was supposed to have the last of his Loxicom and Ranitidine, but I think as they are still helping him, and I have plenty left, I will keep giving him that until I speak to my vet again. This means he only has Loxicom, Ranitidine and Emeprid left.

He really has perked up the last couple of days. He's always been lazy, so him being lethargic is hard to notice, but I have seen him this active in quite a while. He is trying to chew again, which is good to see, but I haven't seen him touch pellets or his water bottle in a while. I've definitely seen him eat hay, though, and even if I haven't seen him constantly, he must be eating plenty because his weight only has fluctuations of around 10g, in fact, I have seen him increase in 10-15g overnight, without additional feeding sessions in the night.

I haven't completely cut out veg, but I am only giving cucumber for the water content during the day, when I'm at school. His teeth do seem very long (front ones only) as he hasn't been eating properly, so I haven't seen him use his waterbottle, but he is getting water and food syringe fed 3-4 times a day, with plenty of hay in between.

As I just mentioned, his teeth look extremely long since he hasn't been wearing them down. I could be wrong though, and they could just be a bit too long. I can tell he really wants to eat, as he will accept anything fed from the side of his mouth, behind his teeth. Fingers crossed I can get an appointment tomorrow for his teeth, and get them trimmed. They have tried to do a conscious dental on him, a couple of years ago, but he got too stressed, and the vets said it wasn't worth the stress for him, if they weren't bad enough. Luckily he didn't need to go back.

The last few days he has been much happier at home. He is spending a lot of time out of the cage and just generally being spoilt. I can see he is much more active, and looks a lot better. His weight is staying very regular, apart from maybe losing 10g in the morning and gaining it back with a little extra in the afternoon. He's currently around 1060-1070g, depending on when he's weighed. I'm weighing 2-3 times a day.

The thing I'm not too sure about is how much he's pooping. Is it possible he is re-ingesting everything or the majority of what he's pooping? They doesn't seem to be many signs in the cage, of his droppings. They are a little darker in colour as well, would the medication affect that? On the plus side, they seem very well formed and his normal size (the other day they were the same size as my dwarf hamster's!) so there must be some improvement? The X-ray didn't show any blockages (as far as I'm aware) and an anti inflammatory like Loxicom would clear up any inflammation blockages? Could it also be that he's just not eating quite as much as he used, bearing in mind he has always been a very greedy pig, who probably ate too much and weighed a lot more? Over the last year, I think he's lost around 150-200g, but very gradually.

Anyway I'm sorry that was long, but your help is much appreciated!

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I would be very wary of getting his front teeth trimmed, are you sure they are overgrown? Guinea pigs have very long front teeth naturally & sometimes they are mistaken for overgrown. If you can get him to the Cat & Rabbit Clinic in Northampton, Simon Maddock can do conscious dentals & is probably the best dental expert on piggies. Does he look like he is struggling to pick food up at all? I'll tag @furryfriends (TEAS) for you to see if she can help with advice about teeth. Buprenorphine can slow the guts down, so he will probably feel better without it. If you can sit him on your lap & hand feed him the softer bits of hay, he will enjoy that & it will increase his fibre.

 

[helen105281]

I agree about getting to Simon Maddock if you can (have posted on the other thread you commented on). My partner travels from Herts to see him, usually by train but is only about an hour in the car. Where abouts in Herts are you?

 

[chesca_27]

I would be very wary of getting his front teeth trimmed, are you sure they are overgrown? Guinea pigs have very long front teeth naturally & sometimes they are mistaken for overgrown. If you can get him to the Cat & Rabbit Clinic in Northampton, Simon Maddock can do conscious dentals & is probably the best dental expert on piggies. Does he look like he is struggling to pick food up at all? I'll tag @furryfriends (TEAS) for you to see if she can help with advice about teeth. Buprenorphine can slow the guts down, so he will probably feel better without it. If you can sit him on your lap & hand feed him the softer bits of hay, he will enjoy that & it will increase his fibre.

His teeth are certainly a lot longer than normal. The Cat and Rabbit clinic is over 60 miles away and would take around an hour and a half plus traffic. The only time I would be able to take him is the weekend and I don't think we can wait. Plus I'd have to convince my parents to take me and he's had very expensive vet bills in the last week. He doesn't seem to be using his bottle very well and he can't pick up larger food.

Oreo has finished his Buprenorphine course, so he's not having any more.

He can feed himself hay, but I will try.

I agree about getting to Simon Maddock if you can (have posted on the other thread you commented on). My partner travels from Herts to see him, usually by train but is only about an hour in the car. Where abouts in Herts are you?

See above.