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Piggy going under GA

I am syringe feeding critical care. He seems to prefer it to the recovery liquid feed, but he's not keen on it, or anything really.
 
I did try this yesterday but not with boiling water, I crunched them with the back of a spoon and used warm water but they didn't dissolve. I'll try that later (I'm feeding critical care at the moment.)

I will say that between each ml given, he takes s good 3 minutes to chew it (mouth movement).
 
I think there is still a dental problem. Simon always moves the jaw from side to side after he's finished, to make sure it slides across smoothly and there is nothing catching. You only have to have a mm of tooth not quite right and the jaw doesn't move properly and the piggy can't eat.
 
Tried to upload a video of him eating but it won't upload.

My vet filed 2 sharp teeth but couldn't see anything dental wrong. She said his teeth were in good condition. This is why I am do confused.

I've sought a second opinion, been back and forth to the vets and he's had treatment, but we are no further in getting him well.

It's like he has completely lost his appetite and love of people.
 
I wish you were closer and able to get to Simon. The problem with guinea pig teeth is, you have to get them exactly right, or the piggy doesn't eat. With rabbits, you can just get rid of any spiky bits and the rabbit will eat just fine. Did they say why they thought the food was trapping in his mouth?
 
No, I did ask this but she felt that he did have a gastric issue, and that his gut may have slowed down because of this. Apparently this can affect guinea pigs being able to swallow.
 
Poor Graham :( I really hope he perks up soon! I know you have been to the vets so many times :( but I am also based in the Bristol/Yate area. There is a vets called Highcroft in Whitchurch which are amazing with guinea pigs and have exotic animal specialists. I don't know if they might be able to advise you at all. I think it is a positive sign that he seems to be eating the critical care, even with tough love! I have everything crossed for you and your piggy and wish I could offer more than support.
 
Poor guy. I would really query an underlying dental issue that hasn't been addressed. One of my pigs once had a tooth-root abscess that caused eating disturbances for months before it finally puffed up and actually made a noticeable lump. If you run your hands along his jawline, are there any lumps or bumps? Has the vet done any x-rays of the teeth/jaw area to look for anything abnormal?
 
Sending you and Graham hugs, it's so frustrating when you can't pin point what's wrong.
I'm going through a similar situation at the moment, although at least Bracken likes his critical care and is taking it without too much of a fight.
 
Still sounds like there are dental issues. When Isobel had them she was still eating a fair amount but you could see from the mouth movements and tilting of her head that they weren't right. I would also mention thrush to the vet for them to check or rule out as it's been mentioned a couple of times on this thread
 
Sorry that Graham is still causing concern.
Hope that something positive comes out of the vet visit this evening.
Holding you in my thoughts
 
Update

On visiting the vets today, she checked inside his mouth and as I feared, food is building up in his mouth again and the vet is concerned. He also still has diarrhoea. Vet said that this is showing that he is getting something going through his gut but not enough. Yesterday he weighed 1.6 ounces and today he is 1.4 ounces.

During the GA the vet assures me that there was no obstruction to stop him from swallowing, no signs of oral thrush and other than a sharp tooth that was filed, his teeth look in good condition and he is able to move his jaw freely.

When feeling his belly, Graham made some very quiet squeaking noises, which she said she didn't like the sound of.

The vet has now suggested taking him back tomorrow morning for an x-ray so that she can look at what is going on inside him to hopefully rule out anything sinister, like a tumour.

I've made an appointment for 10am tomorrow and we have left it with the "We'll decide what to do next once we have seen the x-ray results, but it's not fair to Graham for him to continue like this". I am to continue with the ranitidine and critical care, along with another dose of metacam in the morning.

Feeling very sad. Can't bare the thought of my little Graham Groos being so poorly, and possibly in pain. Will be crying with a large glass of vino tonight :-(
 
Poor Graham, hope the xray gives you some answers, piggy medicine can be very tricky as their tummys are so sensitive and there still isnt enough research on piggy vet needs. Nearly all the medicines and treatments were designed for other animals. Best of luck tomorrow, you've really done your best for the poor boy and I really hope he pulls through for you!
 
Poor boy and poor you.
This is going to be a rough night wondering what tomorrow will bring.
Holding you in my heart and prayers
 
Poor you and poor Graham. :( Sending you hugs! I have my fingers crossed for you. x
 
Huge hugs to you. Keep him going with the syringe feed. I think furryfriends suggestion of little and often would be best and I hope the x-rays bring some answers tomorrow
 
Good luck to Graham and hope that his vets appointment goes well.
healing vibes Graham, come on you can do it! :nod: fingers crossed and speedy recovery.
love the girls and I x x
 
I hope that the x ray gives some answers, but I still think this is a dental issue. It is not unusual for dental issues to have a knock on effect on the guts. I really feel a visit to see Simon or Kim Maddock would throw up some answers, as they deal with these type of issues, on a daily basis. I was talking to Simon on Monday and he was saying he now does about 20 guinea pig dentals per week. Some vets won't do that many in their whole career.
 
Morning

I'd like to say s huge thank you to those who recommended changing the syringe to a smaller one. It suddenly occurred to me whike feeding him last night that he takes his medicine brilliantly with the smaller syringe. I had thought that he didn't like the critical care and recovery medicine. Without a smaller syringe, i have re-use the metacam syringe and wow, what a difference!

I hope I have done the right thing, but I have sprinkled in some of the pro-biotic into his feed this morning. I've been sprinkling it onto his fresh veg but as he isn't eating it, it's not going into him.

At the vets soon for his x-ray. Going to be on pins all day, but going into work to keep my mind busy.

Thank you all for your invaluable advice, it has helped greatly. I'll update later x
 
Hope the x-ray gives you some answers! Graham sounds like he is so lucky to have an incredibly caring owner! Everything crossed for you x
 
Update on Graham

Graham has had his xray, which has shown nothing severe thank goodness, bug it has show that he has gas in his abdomen. The vet has said this is normal when piggies haven't been eating properly.

The vet has found Graham a complete mystery and has given him a strawberry, which he attempted to eat. However, she did say that after he had eaten it she looked in his mouth and it was all in his mouth and just not going down.

She is now, after speaking to me for permission, in touch with a specialist exotic vets (Highcroft), where she wants to refer him before making any decisions to put him to sleep, which would be the kindest thing to do as he is unable to eat.

My poor piggy :-(
 
On poor Graham! :( Have you tried hand massaging his tummy to try and get rid of the gas in it? :hmm: Be warned it can be quite stinky when it comes out of the rear end. Betsy had a gassy tum and I hand massaged it and quickly wished I wasn't looking at her bum! I soon learned to be looking at her face. Gassy Piggy Farts are :vom:.
 
I haven't tried this, but will once he is home. I'm surprised the vet hasnt offered some gas-releasing medication and I'll be asking her when I collect him later on.

When he has had his tummy touched, he has made some very slight squeaking noises, although it is hurting him. Is this usual for bloated piggies? Do i continue to do It eventhough he is clearly in discomfort?
 
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