Piggy not well...

[Kimmy]

Hello! It's my first post I need help with a piggy health concern.

Epiphone (the love of my life in rodent form) has been treated recently for hair loss. We did a blood test, they gave some medicine and off she went. Since she also had crusty nipples and the hair loss was on the sides, I read that she probably has ovarian cysts too... The hair on her tummy grew back after the medicine, she stopped scratching, but the hair on her sides is still missing.

This is the scary part: just these past few days her tummy swelled up very much, but not only at the bottom where I would think her ovaries are, all over. She also seems to prefer dry food & hay, sometimes feels pain after eating (retreating to a hiding spot, shivering) and her eyes are watery. It hurts her when I take her or touch her belly. I'm very stressed and sad/angry about the situation! I have an appointment with the specialist vet on Monday, but since that's a few days away I was wondering if you had any idea of what I could do to help my piggy in the meantime?

I'll get an ultrasound, but I'm almost more scared about her dying of stress and fear while being operated or receiving injections... The blood test last summer nearly killed her, and she's so sensitive that she's been weird ever since that medication. She's over 5 years old, would it be too risky to operate?

Thank you for reading, any advice is most welcome. I feel so powerless and angry at myself for not detecting this sooner...

 

[Suzygpr]

Hello - I would suspect bloat from your description. It does need fast treatment to resolve it - if it were my pig I would be on the phone to the emergency vet.

Suzy x

 

[Poppy'sMum]

If a piggy is shivering or facing a corner with their fur fluffed up/ears starting to feel cold then it is an emergency as Suzy says. Please get her to a vet tonight as bloat must be treated immediately.

 

[Wiebke]

I agrree with the others - it sounds like acute bloat. The sooner she is seen by a vet the greater her chances for survival. Bloat can kill.
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/bloat.htm

 

[Abi_nurse]

How is she? Any news on your piggie?

x.

 

[Kimmy]

Thank you so much for your help and concern :rose x>>

The vet said that it wasn't a mega emergency and she could wait to see the ultrasound specialist this Friday (meh...{:| ) So I took an appointment. She's still eating and in better spirits, so that's good. But the vet couldn't even feel her tummy because she was so bloated. She weighted a lot more than a couple months ago, too... I'm worried but I know that I will have answers on Friday.

I'm wondering if surgery would be recommended for a piggy over 5 years old, in case I need to go that route? Anyone has experience of a piggy over 5 going into surgery? Is that too old?

Thank you! x>>

 

[Glynis]

Hi Kimmy welcome to you and your piggie to the forum
I'm sorry but i don't understand why a vet would say it's not an emergency with a guinea pig with bloat? Bloat is very dangerous to piggies :...
Please look up a cavy savvy vet in your area, whee do have a list on here (not sure where you live, sorry)
Piggies hide their illnesses very well......often by the time whee notice it means they've been sick for quite awhile. This is just from my experience.

HEALING WHEEEEEEEEEEEEKS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Vet list: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38481

 

[Connie]

I agree. If it is bloat its definatly an emergency, however if the vet checked her out she may have ruled out bloat, did she give any indication of what she thought the problem was? Or give any bloat medication?

 

[Kimmy]

Once again, thank you for your replies! :rose

The vet said it could be a couple things and wants to see with an ultrasound, which scares me lots because I know my piggy will be nervous and I won't be there to hold her 8... I'm having nightmares about it! waa! And the thing is, this vet is a small animal specialist, the only one I could find in town. Meh... ?/

Epiphone (my piggy) did have small ovarian cysts, but it seems like something else... it happened quite quickly when she was in care of my boyfriend while I was on a small business trip. When I came back, she got a bit better but is still like a little piggy balloon

I hate having to wait! I keep her warm, feed her well and handle her with care until then. Should I try anything else until I know exactly what's wrong?