• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Pickles ate some ivy :(

Status
Not open for further replies.
Phoebe-PP

Phoebe-PP

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Messages
693
Reaction score
27
Points
370
Location
UK
The title is pretty self explanatory, Pickles escaped while my back was turned, needless to say with a Houdini-pig like her I should have eyes in the back of my head, but unfortunately I don't, and she ate a leaf or two of ivy. I'm not entirely sure how much but it can't have been much from the time she ran away to the time I found her. I'm pretty worried right now, and I was just wondering if anyone had any advice for me. I've never been in this situation so I don't know the best plan of action really 8... This was about 2 hours ago if this helps and she's acting perfectly fine. She gobbled down her dinner same as ever so nothing seems unusual, but of course you never know.

Sorry for my essay here, I'm just one worried Slave :(
 
I suggest you ring the emergency vet right away and ask their advice. Your guinea pig may need to be admitted for constant monitoring/intensive care depending upon how much she has ingested and what the symptoms are when they develop...which can include muscle tremors, spasms and an inability to hold its head up.

Guinea pigs can;t vomit so emetics can;t be used - you have to abosrb as much of the toxic substance as possible and hurry it through the gut.
You can mention to the vet that Peter Gurney's book Piggy Potions suggests treating with 100mg charcoal tablet (crushed with water and given by syringe) followed an hour later by 1.5ml liquid paraffin and a subcutaneous Vit B injection. This should NOT be attempted without veterinary supervision. The piggie may need also fluids, pain relief or other medication depending upon the symptoms.

You need to speak to the vet tonight rather than wait for any symptoms to appear - the success of any treatment depends upon how speedily it is given and/or the amount of toxic plant ingested.

HTH
x
 
Most of my piggies eat a leaf or two of ivy if they get the chance, I know they shouldn't eat it and stop them but I've never noticed any ill effects, one who used to eat it lived til he was 7!
 
Is there any news on Pickles please? Obvoiusly we're all concerned as to how she is getting on


Hope it's good news.....
x
 
Sorry guys, thank you all for your concern :) I've been so busy I forgot to go on yesterday. She seems absolutely fine so far, thank God! I had a little investigation at the scene of the crime, and there's a half-nibbled leaf, so I'm hoping that means she only ate a little! She's eating, drinking and popcorning as usual so I'm hoping she's in the clear! Personally, I think she's angry that I booked a holiday and she has to stay at home, so she decided to scare me :))
 
Last edited:
Phoebe-PP said:
Sorry guys, thank you all for your concern :) I've been so busy I forgot to go on yesterday. She seems absolutely fine so far, thank God! I had a little investigation at the scene of the crime, and there's a half-nibbled leaf, so I'm hoping that means she only ate a little! She's eating, drinking and popcorning as usual so I'm hoping she's in the clear! Personally, I think she's angry that I booked a holiday and she has to stay at home, so she decided to scare me :))
Click to expand...

Phew, that's a relief, glad to hear all is well!xox
 
Pickles if you knew what you'd put your mummy and everyone else thru! :x

awwwwwwwwwwww that's good news xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Keep a strict eye on her tho love xx>>>

PICKLES NO MORE EATING NON PIGGIE LEAFY FOODS :p
 
Good news! By now she should have passed any poison anyway.
 
Just read through this thread... it's all very worrying.

I wouldn't even know what guinea pigs should and shouldn't eat!

Mine run around eating everything in sight!

Maybe I should do some research :(
 
Wiebke said:
Good news! By now she should have passed any poison anyway.
Click to expand...

That's what my mum said :)p we were advised to encourage her to take in lots of fluid (ie: cucumber, and lots' of it!) to help flush the poison through her system, and if we noticed any changes in her behaviour etc.. to bring her in immediatley. Luckily, there was no need for that and she's as right as rain xx>>>
 
Glynis said:
Pickles if you knew what you'd put your mummy and everyone else thru! :x

awwwwwwwwwwww that's good news xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Keep a strict eye on her tho love xx>>>

PICKLES NO MORE EATING NON PIGGIE LEAFY FOODS :p
Click to expand...

But they taste so yummy! Plus when I'm ill mummy gives me extra treats and cuddles!

But on a serious note, we have now bought a 100% Pickles-proof pen so she can still go outside without running the risk of her eating something she's not meant to :)
 
BeautifulBoyz said:
Just read through this thread... it's all very worrying.

I wouldn't even know what guinea pigs should and shouldn't eat!

Mine run around eating everything in sight!

Maybe I should do some research :(
Click to expand...

There's a thread on here somewhere that has a list of all the major piggie no-no's, food wise anyway. I'm sure someone who has better navigation skills than me can find it for you! Anyway, most of the time, a pig won't eat something that's not good for it. It just so happens that Pickles has about the same amount of common sense as her name-sake!
 
Phoebe-PP said:
But they taste so yummy! Plus when I'm ill mummy gives me extra treats and cuddles!

But on a serious note, we have now bought a 100% Pickles-proof pen so she can still go outside without running the risk of her eating something she's not meant to :)
Click to expand...

ooooooh Pickles not yummy YUCKY! :)>>>
Yesh cuddles are lovely but not if you have to have medicine :p


Good on you love, good idea! :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top