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Penny has taken a serious turn for the worse

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missbrittany

missbrittany

Junior Guinea Pig
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I am beside myself with worry. We've been to the vets 3 times now in 2 1/2 weeks. Her initial head tilt issue is long gone, but now she isn't eating. She was 913g three weeks ago and now she's 797g. Vet isn't quite sure what is wrong with her but her fur is all puffed up like she is in pain and that worries a lot. She's on some metacam and benebac but she just isn't her normal self. Hoping to get into the vet today or tomorrow for an xray to try to figure out what's causing her pain. She's been making these strange rasping sounds, but her lungs are clear. I also noticed today that she's been chewing on her own fur, there's a bald spot down by her rear leg. :(

Please, Penny and I both need all the positive vibes we can get. I feel sick just knowing she's in pain. I have a call into the vet so I'll update when they get back to me.
 
Gosh I am so sorry to hear how poorly Penny is. I wonder what could be causing her to lose weight and be in pain. Hopfully the xray will show what the problem is. I really hope she gets better soon.
 
i'm so sorry to hear about Penny. sending you lots of positive vibes from me and my 11 piggies. i hope you have more promising news for us soon
 
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I know this has no connection to the hooting noise, but has the vet checked her back teeth, with you saying she had a head tilt I was wondering if her teeth were giving her some trouble.
Hope you can get to the bottom of what is wrong, poor Penny.
Don't wish to worry you but may be worth mentioning to your vet a website called guinea pig lynx mentions hooting sounds. Thought I would share this with you, but I might be wrong. It is sometimes good to arm yourself with some knowledge though.
http://www.guinealynx.info/heart.html
 
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Vet checked her teeth yesterday and they are fine. Just got off the phone with the vet, he put her on a new regiment of meds yesterday so he wants to give it a couple of days to see if the new meds make any difference before getting an xray. He told me to check back in with him on Friday or sooner if she continues to decline.
 
That is understandable, keep a close eye on her and don't be affaid to go back if she is giving you cause for concern.
Glad her teeth are ok though. Sounds as if she is in pain and biting her fur trying to get some relief.:(
I don't want you to panic about my last post, but just read it and use it if you think fit.
Hope she gets well soon.:laluot_29:
 
Poor Penny, it so horrible not knowing what is wrong. Really hoping the new Meds may help her out and the X-ray may give you indication of what me be causing her pain. It may also worth talking to the vet regarding different pain relief to see if you can help her pain while you are trying to figure out what's causing it.
How are her poo's? Is she weeing okay?

Big hugs to you and healing vibes to Penny x
 
Sorry to hear Penny is not well :(
Puffed up piggies is a definite sign of illness and they fluff up to trap warm air so make sure she's cosy.
If she has been pulling her hair out, that is a symptom of pain. Piggies do have small natural bald patches on the inner legs (ankles) and behind their ears. Some girls will 'barber' their sides which may indicate ovarian cysts.
Healing vibes to Penny, hope your Vet can solve the mystery.
Hugs x
 
I am so sorry to hear this. I have a sick piggy on my hands at the moment as well with no clear diagnosis as yet so I know how frantic that makes one. At least my boy is not in pain, that I couldn't bear. Has the vet given any meds for pain relief for Penny?
 
Oh I'm so sorry to hear of your poorly piggy, it's a real worry especially as you don't know what's wrong. I hope things get better and you find out what's wrong with her
 
I'm so sorry to hear about poor Penny. I wonder if it may be worth seeking a second opinion? I hope Penny starts feeling better soon. :)
 
sharonS said:
That is understandable, keep a close eye on her and don't be affaid to go back if she is giving you cause for concern.
Glad her teeth are ok though. Sounds as if she is in pain and biting her fur trying to get some relief.:(
I don't want you to panic about my last post, but just read it and use it if you think fit.
Hope she gets well soon.:laluot_29:
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Thank you so much, I will definitely read through it in the morning. The vet thought the same thing, that she was biting her fur because of pain/stress.

sport_billy said:
Poor Penny, it so horrible not knowing what is wrong. Really hoping the new Meds may help her out and the X-ray may give you indication of what me be causing her pain. It may also worth talking to the vet regarding different pain relief to see if you can help her pain while you are trying to figure out what's causing it.
How are her poo's? Is she weeing okay?

Big hugs to you and healing vibes to Penny x
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Her poo's have definitely been abnormal and small. At first they were tear dropped shaped when this first started so I started syringe feeding her some water but now she's drinking enough, just not eating enough. Her poos are small so I've been getting as much critical care into her as possible (which is no easy task). She seems to be weeing just fine, no blood or squeaks or anything. The good thing is is that she still seems lively, still interested in her food just not eating it.

Guinea pig slave said:
Sorry to hear Penny is not well :(
Puffed up piggies is a definite sign of illness and they fluff up to trap warm air so make sure she's cosy.
If she has been pulling her hair out, that is a symptom of pain. Piggies do have small natural bald patches on the inner legs (ankles) and behind their ears. Some girls will 'barber' their sides which may indicate ovarian cysts.
Healing vibes to Penny, hope your Vet can solve the mystery.
Hugs x
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Thank you! This bald spot is on her thigh on the outside and I've seen her nibbling at it.

Lilly said:
I am so sorry to hear this. I have a sick piggy on my hands at the moment as well with no clear diagnosis as yet so I know how frantic that makes one. At least my boy is not in pain, that I couldn't bear. Has the vet given any meds for pain relief for Penny?
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She's on meloxicam (metacam) right now and we're doing it twice a day to see if that helps at all.
 
MargaretB said:
I'm so sorry to hear about poor Penny. I wonder if it may be worth seeking a second opinion? I hope Penny starts feeling better soon. :)
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I thought about it, but this is the most highly recommended exotics vet in the area. I think there is only one other one even remotely close to my area.
 
Also I want to thank you all for all your kind words and thoughts. It really means a lot to me to have a support group when going through hard times like this one. I'm so worried about her I can barely stand it and I just hope that I am doing what's right by her.
 
missbrittany said:
Also I want to thank you all for all your kind words and thoughts. It really means a lot to me to have a support group when going through hard times like this one. I'm so worried about her I can barely stand it and I just hope that I am doing what's right by her.
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You are doing everything you can at the moment. Folowing on from the teardrop and small poo's it may be worth asking the vet for some gut stimulant like metachlopromide (I think its Reglan in The States) it'll just keep everything going through and help avoid gut statis. Hopefully the xray may give a further clue of whats going on. Gentle cuddles to Penny, We are thinking of you both. They are such a worry at times, I hate the sick to the stomach feeling you get when they are poorly. x
 
sport_billy said:
You are doing everything you can at the moment. Folowing on from the teardrop and small poo's it may be worth asking the vet for some gut stimulant like metachlopromide (I think its Reglan in The States) it'll just keep everything going through and help avoid gut statis. Hopefully the xray may give a further clue of whats going on. Gentle cuddles to Penny, We are thinking of you both. They are such a worry at times, I hate the sick to the stomach feeling you get when they are poorly. x
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When she was at the vet on Monday he listened to her gut and he said the motility skinned good. He said it almost sounded overly active.
 
Ohh bless healing vibes from the girls & I for poorly piggy, & a hug for you.
one of my girls was really poorly at the beginning of the year, i managed to get her interested in food again by feeding her freshly picked grass, sweetcorn- corn on the cob, cucumber, fresh coriander leaves & dandelion leaves, it was the winter so grass & dandelions hard to come by!
Has she lost any weight?
Any inner ear infection, mess in ears, etc
one of mine barbered the other one when she had a growth, & she had never done it previously.
heres the link to Ellies bad spell, puffyness & lack of appetite etc, i dont know if it will be of any use or not.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?103820-Ellies-not-well-(&highlight=gptv


Good luck & keep us updated. xx
 
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Mizzpigz said:
Hello, how is your piggy doing now?
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I actually saw her munching on her veggies today! She still has lost another 10g from yesterday when I weighed her last but this is at least a slight improvement. She ate nearly as long as Sophie did and ate everything except for the carrots (which used to be her favorite). I don't want to get my hopes up too high yet, still going to top her up with some critical care or pellet mash but I'm hoping this is a good sign. Before she would just pick through her veggies for a couple of minutes and then walk away.

GPTV said:
Ohh bless healing vibes from the girls & I for poorly piggy, & a hug for you.
one of my girls was really poorly at the beginning of the year, i managed to get her interested in food again by feeding her freshly picked grass, sweetcorn- corn on the cob, cucumber, fresh coriander leaves & dandelion leaves, it was the winter so grass & dandelions hard to come by!
Has she lost any weight?
Any inner ear infection, mess in ears, etc
one of mine barbered the other one when she had a growth, & she had never done it previously.
heres the link to Ellies bad spell, puffyness & lack of appetite etc, i dont know if it will be of any use or not.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?103820-Ellies-not-well-(&highlight=gptv


Good luck & keep us updated. xx
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Thank you so much. She's lost a significant amount of weight - over 100g in three weeks. I could definitely try some fresh grass or corn to spark her interest.
 
I hope that you can pull her through and find the cause of her problems! It is certainly not down to lack of care!

Wishing Penny and you all the best!

PS: While the weight loss is worrying, it is not yet critical; just to give you a bit of a thumbs up. Penny has still way to go.
 
Wiebke said:
I hope that you can pull her through and find the cause of her problems! It is certainly not down to lack of care!

Wishing Penny and you all the best!

PS: While the weight loss is worrying, it is not yet critical; just to give you a bit of a thumbs up. Penny has still way to go.
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Thank you! That does make me feel a little bit better. She's been eating a little of her veggies this morning so I think that's a good sign!
 
Some good news! Penny has been running around her cage today and even playing with some of her favorite toys, something she hasn't done since this whole episode started!
 
missbrittany said:
Some good news! Penny has been running around her cage today and even playing with some of her favorite toys, something she hasn't done since this whole episode started!
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Great news! C'mon Penny x
 
Penny is eating again today :) Still won't eat her carrots but she's begging for food again. I finally got a video of that strange raspy sound she's been making when she wants to wheek. You may have to turn your volume up a little to hear it. What do you guys make of it?

 
My Taffy also does it, and she's not my first one - some piggies just don't have a big wheek. Nothing to worry about!

I am glad that Penny is feeling so much better in herself.
 
Wiebke said:
My Taffy also does it, and she's not my first one - some piggies just don't have a big wheek. Nothing to worry about!

I am glad that Penny is feeling so much better in herself.
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I guess that only thing that worries me is that she never used to make this noise, she used to wheek just fine. Perhaps she just feels a little weak from not eating as much. Thank you! I'm beyond happy that she's finally eating her food :)
 
She may get her big hweek back or not. You just never know!
 
Awwww good news she's feeling brighter x
 
So pleased she is on the mend, will watch the video on the Laptop later. Love to Penny x x
 
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