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Piggy in pain can I give calpol?

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Mutlow

Mutlow

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My piggy Fudge has been poorly with a uti for ages now and on baytril (0.2 straight into mouth no water) and protexin. I've posted before for advice but I think he is at the end now after a constant battle, two weeks ago he made a good improvement (tho his weight had been up and down previously, I weighed him daily and he went from 0.965 to 0.990 then when he seemed better up to 1.012) so I thought great. However in the last three days he has gone down slowly like before but since yesterday he had suddenly dropped from 0.965 down to 0.942 this morning and I've weighed him tonight and he is 0.921, his lowest weight ever and he isn't happy, every time I pick him up he grumbles at me, all he is doing is sitting there looking unhappy and he is wet and smelly do I have to keep wiping him clean. He has stopped eating, not even grass, just about eating a spoon of critical care and he seems to be in pain. His blood in his urine has returned despite the medicine and is squeaking horribly when he wee's, it's horrid and I feel helpless. Until I can get him to the vet tomorrow I wondered if I can give him some calpol to ease his pain.
 
I wouldn't give calpol. I think you need to contact your vet (or their emergency service provider) and discuss this with them. The pain and not eating are concerning, not eating can quickly become a big, potentially fatal problem.

Please call your vet, they may prescribe some pain relief for you to pick up tonight and see him tomorrow, or they may wish to see him tonight.

There is info here regarding contacting your vet out of hours if you're not sure http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?90842-How-to-contact-a-vet-out-of-hours
 
My Terry recently had a bad UTI and went from 1.1kg to just over 800g. I would definitely chat to the vet, they can maybe try an alternative antibiotic such as septrin combined with a pain killer. Speaking from my own experience (I know its not the same) but I had a kidney infection once and I was in huge amounts of pain and didn't eat myself, laid in bed for days and lost half a stone. I would make him as happy as possible, feed him yummy food, including veg rich in vitamin c to boost his immune system. Weigh him daily to monitor his progress.
 
I agree with Amanda - you need to ring the vet tonight as he seems to be very uncomfortable. He needs some pain medication - please don't give calpol. Also, a spoon of critical care is certainly not enough to keep him going until the morning. A piggy that is not eating is at risk of all sorts of other problems, in addition to the main concern. He needs some help as soon as possible.

After two weeks of little to no improvement then it would perhaps be wise to have your piggy x-rayed to rule out a bladder stone. It may just be that the UTI is resistant to Baytril and a different antibiotic is required, but unless a stone is ruled out then you can't be certain.

Sending lots of healing vibes for Fudge
 
Fudge had a ultrasound few weeks back but no stones present, but an inflamed bladder wall so the vet reported, so bad case of cystitis suspected. She believes his kidneys are failing too poor lad. He is nearly 6 so hasn't done too bad but I rather hoped his last few days wouldn't be in pain if he is Indeed suffering, unless I sit watching him 24/7 it's not something I can be entirely sure of but I suspect he if feeling pretty poorly at the moment hence not eating. I'm going to check on him and see if he wants any parsley, he did eat a few sprigs this morning but I don't like to give him too much in case it upsets his tummy. I've been giving him vit c tablets too to boost him. Ill see if he wants any critical care too in a minute. Shame about the calpol really, I googled earlier and lots said its ok but lots also said no so I thought I'd check. :(
 
Please call your vet if you haven't already. I'm surprised he's not been given pain relief anyway, but they may be happy to prescribe something without seeing him tonight, as they've seen him recently. You say that you don't want his last days to be in pain - these may be his last days if this (particularly the not eating) isn't sorted ASAP. He may recover with correct treatment. Please call your vet.
 
Well he ate a few sprigs of parsley and another spoon of critical care before turning his nose up. Not touched his dinner despite his favourite bits in it.
Calling a vet isn't possible this time of night, I can't drive and my kids are asleep in bed so not possible for my husband to drive me, and sadly I don't have the money to pay the extortionate prices they charge either. I've made him comfy with his bed heater pad and will go to the vet first thing (that's this weeks wages gone before I've got it) so fed up, poor lad. I feel so helpless
 
0.2 of the 6month and under calpol (1 every 24 hours for only a few days). It can cause liver problems if given for too long. Suck water into the syringe also to make it go down easier. Obviously don't mix with other medicines.

My pig is on 0.2ml a day for an inflamed leg which atm he can't move. To try and ease the pain and the inflammation.
 
Veterinary advise can be sought by phone 24 hours a day. They don't charge for telephone advise. Could you not call, explain the situation and see if they'll give some pain relief (and gut stimulants if deemed necessary) and get your husband to collect them while you look after the children? They shouldn't charge a consult fee for just prescribing the medication without seeing him.

I honestly think that waiting until the morning will be too late.
 
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How is Fudge today? I do hope he had a comfortable night.

When you take him back to your vet, ask your vet if Fudge could be prescribed Septrin. It is a better antibiotic for stubborn UTI's and is kinder on the gut.
 
Been to vet, have metacam and septrin, he ate a little in the night and some critical care this morning. I bought do e dandelion rolls at the vets which he has nibbled on. I gotta try fatten him up now poor boy.
 
Must say I was dreading going to him this morning fearing the worst but he is a fighter. Vet said the pain relief should work quickly, I opted out of the injection as I knew it would really hurt him so I syringed it as soon as I got home. She felt a lump near or in his bladder which could be something or his bladder. He is booked in for another scan Friday so I'm hoping he will eat something soon.
 
Mutlow said:
Must say I was dreading going to him this morning fearing the worst but he is a fighter. Vet said the pain relief should work quickly, I opted out of the injection as I knew it would really hurt him so I syringed it as soon as I got home. She felt a lump near or in his bladder which could be something or his bladder. He is booked in for another scan Friday so I'm hoping he will eat something soon.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear he's hanging on. Do he get anything with regards to him not eating?
 
Fudge is nibbling on some romaine lettuce and I'm hoping he will eat some of his other bits in his dinner bowl too. Thanks to everyone for your advice and good wishes, it's a relief to have someone to turn to in times of need no matter what the time of day or night!
In still confused with regard to the calpol as there seems to be mixed views. My vet said it wasn't a good idea but I was very tempted at 12 last night as I was upset seeing him so unhappy. Everyone had gone to bed and I was alone in the garage cuddling Fudge feeling so helpless. I knew I had calpol in my cupboard which could possibly help him.
 
I know it's heartbreaking seeing them in pain :(

I hope the scan goes well and that Fudge starts eating properly again soon
 
I've been following this thread and want you to know I've been sending lots of healing vibes for Fudge. :laluot_29:
I really hope the medication soon kicks in and that it will be good news on Friday.
 
Unfortunately I made the heartbreaking decision to put Fudge to sleep last night after a visit to the emergency vet, I'd been syringe feeding him the last few days and now and again he would eat a bit for himself, a piece of tomato or some grass but not nearly enough. He never shook off his uti and scans were inconclusive showing an inflamed bladder wall, the blood continued and he kept wheeking when he passed urine, it must have been horrid and made him so miserable. His weight was up and down with this understandably, if he felt rough he wouldnt want anything so i hand fed him as much as i could and gave him critical care and grass but Saturday it started to go down and down, last night at about 8.30 he started hunching his back and wheeking, obviously in discomfort it was horrible poor boy. The emergency vet checked him over and said as I suspected the possibility of stones but a scan would be needed to confirm this, he was in pain and old and so frail I just wanted him free of this awful condition so decided to end his pain. I feel so horrid as after losing my other two boys recently Fudge kept me going but with him gone too I feel so sick. I'm so angry that life subjects these innocent beautiful creatures to horrid diseases, they don't deserve it. They are all together now running in the grass enjoying the sun. I can't bear to look at his cage or his outside pen without bawling :(
 
So sorry for your loss hun. You did all you could and its obvious how much you love Fudge, He knew he was loved and he loved you very much also. ((Lots of Hugs)) x
 
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