• 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

Piggy going under GA

Thanks all. I have all my faith in Highcroft st the moment, really hoping it's not going to end in putting him down. Feeling very sad about it at the moment 😭
 
Emma85 said:
Thanks all. I have all my faith in Highcroft st the moment, really hoping it's not going to end in putting him down. Feeling very sad about it at the moment 😭
Click to expand...

I know it’s hard but try not to worry about needing to have him pts until you know exactly what you’re dealing with xx
 
Emma85 said:
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?
Click to expand...
Betsy didn't like it at all (she squeaked and kicked out her back leg so was clearly in discomfort) so I only did it for around 30 seconds first of all about every hour or two to begin with. Then after around 3 days (quite smelly!:vom:) her stomach all of a sudden deflated like a balloon.
 
@Emma85, would you consider a piggy train to Northampton as a last resort if you're unable to take him to see Simon yourself? I know there are forum members who've helped to transport guineas up and down the country to get them to a rescue. Not to put you on the spot; it's just to make you aware that it may be an option to you if you think it's worth trying. :) I'm in Manchester, but I'd love to help you and Graham if I can.
 
HeatherW said:
@Emma85, would you consider a piggy train to Northampton as a last resort if you're unable to take him to see Simon yourself? I know there are forum members who've helped to transport guineas up and down the country to get them to a rescue. Not to put you on the spot; it's just to make you aware that it may be an option to you if you think it's worth trying. :) I'm in Manchester, but I'd love to help you and Graham if I can.
Click to expand...
If that is going to be needed I’m in Marlborough
 
Would be a really good idea, unfortunately I live in Cornwall so no help but I thoroughly recommend you do this, if you get the opportunity, good luck with Graham x
 
Hope all goes well at Highcroft.
Poor Graham is having a rotten time of it and I’m sure it’s equally hard on you at the moment too
 
It is, and on the bank balance. With everything he has had so far in the past few weeks, it's totalled £370! His consultation (only) at highcroft is going to cos £84. Obviously if he has any treatment, it will be far more I expect. We really can't actually afford much more if I'm perfectly honest.

We have been silly in not getting pet insurance. But I fear that if we get it now, they are unlikely to cover current illnesses.

We're in a very tricky spot.
 
I am so happy to be typing this!

As many of you will know, Graham has been unwell for 10 days roughly and I have had many vet trips, with a specialist appointment now booked for Monday.

After his x-ray today, I collected him from the vets at 5pm and came home to give him his second dose of ranitidine, some water and critical care liquid feed. With this I mixed some pre-prepared nuggets that I dissolved in boiling water and cooled. I alsonspent some time massaging his belly to help move his bloated abdomen. He made slight chirping noises whilst i did this, but didnt try to get away at all. Then as I predicted, he went under his shelf and slept.

Nearly 3 hours later, for the last half an hour, Graham has been drinking water from his water bottle and shifting between eating both nuggets and hay!

It's a small step, but it is such progress and an absolute pleasure to watch him! Let's hope this continues :-)
 
Great news!

Keep massaging, monitoring his weight and continue to offer additional syringe feed if necessary for the time being. Bloat usually comes in waves.
 
I certainly will be sticking with the syringe feeding and medication.

The vet has given me enough for him to last until his appointment on Monday morning. I'm really hoping he has turned a corner now, but won't know until Monday whether the food is actually reaching his gut.

He spent a good 20 minutes going between hay, nuggets and water. The most I've seen his persevere with.

Even heard some wheaks! 🤗🤗🤗
 
Aw so pleased for you! Really hope he makes it. Keep watching for poops, and maybe save them to show the vet- when Puggle was so poorly and bloated with gas last weekend we kept up a poop collection vigil until we reached 21 poops in an hour and a half then she ate so much hay she pooped out too many to count.
Poops mean everything is going through ok but if they are weird poops (Puggle had small dry hard black poops for a while) it might give the vet some clues as to where the problem is.
 
I am so pleased for you and Graham, sounds like he is doing well. You must have got a cancellation appointment as I couldn't get one for an exotic vet until next wednesday at Highcroft. Keep us up dated on how he is doing.
 
I'm not sure about that, they spoke with our vet today and I got the impression that he is being seen as a high priority.

I hope your piggy is ok?
 
So pleased that Graham is now eating for himself. Keep up with the massaging it does make a big difference even if they don't like it. It helps the gas to go through.
 
I'm getting very worried to be honest, he's seen a general vet but I'm not happy. I'm going to try and get him seen again tomorrow or I'm going somewhere else as an emergancy.
 
New behaviour from Graham

Graham is still much the same, being syringe fed critical care, water, metacam and ranitidine.

I hope he was making progress a few days ago as I witnessed him eating a few nuggets and some hay, admittedly it was minimal amounts but it was progress from nothing at all. Sadly, we are back to hiding under his shelter and eating no food.

His appointment with the specialist can not come any sooner. Hubby and I are so concerned that we are checking under his shelter in the morning and before bed time to check that he hasn't passed away. We're hearing no movement from him. The only time we see him is when taking him out to feed.

This morning he has shown s new behaviour that I haven't seen before and I'm not sure what it means, but I'm guessing it's an unhappy sound/movement. He is making a very low grumbling sound whilst teeth chattering and head-butting (easiest description!) With any attempt to syringe feed. This is a new behaviour. Its been very tricky to feed him this morning with this happening.

What does it mean?
 
Here he is this morning, lying on a cushion quietly, wanting to be left alone 😭
 

Attachments

  • 20180914_080905.webp
    20180914_080905.webp
    37.2 KB · Views: 5
In all seriousness can you not call and advise it's an emergency, could they see him sooner? He definitely doesn't look happy, I hope he gets better soon.
 
That is my plan flintstones. The exotic vets - Highcroft, don't open until 8.45am. I'm going to call them as soon as they open to see if he can be seen today. I certainly don't want to go through the weekend with him like this.
 
Is he passing stool, I'm thinking the grumbling is the guts? The chances are if he's not eating he'll have gut stasis and potentially he's in pain also.

This is a really long thread is he on gut mobility medicine's?

I must admit I have had my own pig's look like him when in gut stasis and they have overcome it so don't give up!
 
Hope you managed to get an appointment. Bracken is there at the moment, he spent the night. You should be able to get a general vet appointment today, they are really good, the one I saw yesterday was very knowledgeable about guineas even though not an exotics vet. I'm waiting on a call to see if Bracken can come home today so I might see you later. Hugs to you and Graham.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top