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PLEASE HELP!

  • Thread starter Thread starter penelopeclovis
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penelopeclovis

Just tonight my wife and I were at a friends house because they had told us of a new little guinea pig they have. Needless to say, we left their house with there new guinea pig with us. She is about 3 weeks old and is about 2/3 the normal weight for that age. She is "coughing" about ever 5 minutes or so, and when she makes sounds you can hear the congestion. She is also occasionally "ducking her head" under her front leg and just standing like that for several minutes at a time.

After getting her back to our house we looked her over and noticed that she is also producing an unusually small but firm stool, but is experiencing some minor rectal bleeding. She had been shaking a lot, but is not doing that nearly as much now that we've been handling her more.

I need some help knowing what to do. It's almost midnight, there are no vets available, we're the only people anywhere nearby that know anything about guinea pigs and I'm quite honestly afraid of what's happening. I've been looking up anything I could find online and have found some things that match some of the symptoms, but nothing that is completely accurate.

PLEASE HELP ME! I'll be logged on for the next half hour or so. PLEASE HELP ME!

Rev. Jason M. Hood
Sis. Amy N. Hood
 
I hope by now this poor little pig has been taken to a vet.....

Vet cover is available 24 hours a day as long as you are prepared to pay the emergency fee.

Do give us an update asap.
 
Oh god the poor little piggy I to hope you have got her to the vets asap! Please Please let us know!
 
see if there is an emergancy vet or rodentoligist in the yellow papers?(is it called that over there to?) and get to a vet asap
 
It sounds like she has several problems, she also is very young to be away from her mother, but if shes been ill for a while then she probably hasnt been feeding properly from mum which is likely to be a cause of the hard stools.

She really needs to see a vet there is nothing you can do with out a clear diagnosis and medicine to hand- keep her warm, wrapped in a towel or on a covered hot water bottle and seek veterinary help asap- if you dont have a vet near by call Vedra on 07721026401 she runs the cambridge Cavy Trust and is probably the most knowledgeable Rodentologist in the world!.

Please let us know how shes doing
 
Looking at the time difference this piggie may be in USA so Uk info may not help.
 
As an update...

Yes, we are in the US. Unfortunately, there are no vet clinics in our area that will treat guinea pigs. The nearest one is almost three hours away. I have had luck with obtaining information from one person that was somewhat helpful.

There has been some improvement in one way and some set back in other ways. From the discussion that I have had, I have been advised to be prepared. We have likewise been advised to take some steps first to give the girl a chance. I'll keep everyone informed.

Rev. Jason M. Hood
Sis. Amy N. Hood
 
Have you tried to syringe feed her, there are various powdered foods available, I think Oxbow are based in the USA. It is possible that someone on one of the USA forums may be able to advise you of what is available. There are others on here from the USA who may be able to help.

Good luck and I hope she pulls through.
 
Here's hoping she will pull through. It's a real pain that there are no vets near you who can see her.
 
Thank you all for your concern. We have been in consultation with several on forums here in the US and have had an almost unanimous message: "Be prepared". We really think that a lot of her issues are simply because of her size. She is rediculiously underweight and was not being cared for in a way at all suitable for her. Come to find out, they were keeping her in a cage with a much older male (which explains part of why she was getting no food), the cage was being kept on the floor near an air conditioning vent (which explains the breathing and congestion problems), and the water bottle was not being cleaned out properly resulting in alge and fungal buildup (which could explain the stool problems and rectal bleeding).

As of right now the rectal bleeding has stoped entirely, she is eating very healthily and she's even attempting to walk (which she was NOT even able to do this time last night). What I can't get over is the look in her eyes when you do feed her by hand. It's amazing how trusting she is of my wife and I, especially since, until yesterday, she had never seen us. She looks at us with such trust. I know that might sound silly, but some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Anyhow, we are keeping close watch on her. We have her isolated from our other three (Penelope, Clovis and Collar) just incase there is something more than meets the eye going on. I will be sure and post an update as soon as anything of her condition changes. I'm sorry for the time difference, but Texas is where the Good Lord put us! :) We don't consult a lot of local forums because we have found there to be such knowledge and sincerity on this forum. Thank you all for your input and concerns. If anyone else has anything to offer on her condition, please let us know.

Rev. Jason M. Hood
Sis. Amy N. Hood
 
We'll be crossing our paws for your little one, it doesn't sound good, but you never know they can rally back. Keep her warm comfortable and syringe feed critical care or recovery, mushed up pellets or even some canned pumkin the one without onion etc.. and water.
Poor little girl thank goodness you happened go there, take care sending healing piggie kisses from us here in OZ.
Good luck :)
 
Reverend Jason & Sister Amy I'm thinking of you & preying for your little girls recovery :)
I must admit when i read your first post yesterday morning I thought the worst myself but the fact that she is now eating well & trying to walk is all good. O0 I guess your not out the woods yet but aslong as this progress continues then she is going to get stronger by the day

All the best to you & all your pigges. What lovely names they have by the way :)
 
I am so glad this piggy has been adopted by such nice people.
You are doing all you can.I expect you are giving her plenty of fluid by syringe to prevent her getting dehydrated.
Mushed up banana is another nutritious food for sick piggies.
Paws crossed for you.
 
UPDATE

There's an amazing turn around in our new little girls health. She's gaining weight, walking freely, eating healthily, drinking normally, other than still being underweight (which she's working on) she's just about normal. It's amazing that she's turned around in such a short time. We must have gotten to her just in time.

Just goes to show what a little consentrated effort and a lot of hope can do in a short time.

Will post a picture soon.

Rev. Jason M. Hood
Sis. Amy N. Hood
 
wow that is excellent news, you have done a great job, really happy for you x
well done little piggie
 
O0 well done, sounds like she is a real pampered piggy now, I am so pleased you have seen a turn around in her health :) :) :)
 
well done you, she was obviously meant to stay this side of rainbrow bridge, i hope she eats well gets some sun and gets back on track,


give her a kiss from me

them
 
penelopeclovis said:
UPDATE

There's an amazing turn around in our new little girls health. She's gaining weight, walking freely, eating healthily, drinking normally, other than still being underweight (which she's working on) she's just about normal. It's amazing that she's turned around in such a short time. We must have gotten to her just in time.

Just goes to show what a little consentrated effort and a lot of hope can do in a short time.

Will post a picture soon.

Rev. Jason M. Hood
Sis. Amy N. Hood
Click to expand...

Congratulations, :)
 
I've been wondering how things were going with this little girl. Thats sure great news :smitten:

Look forward to seeing the pictures. :) Have you named her?
 
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