Poor Holly Piggy

[xxaimeexx]

She seems the same as Squiggles was when she started going downhill. Losing weight- but her teeth are fine and she eats plenty, She can't see or hear and behaves a little strangely because of this. Tonight she is being really weird. One minute fine and gobbling cucumber and waddling about. Next minute shes sitting in a corner shivering and breathing strangely(slowly) Then she will start moving about again totally normal. I can't really describe it well, she could just be sleeping but I have not really seen a fully healthy piggy sleeping. But she looks so bunched up and sad I wonder whether she might be in pain. I've seen the behaviour before in Squiggles a few weeks before she passed away. Her poops are the same as Squiggle's too. They had both been to the vets and they were as healthy looking as they could be, but obviously their weight was low. The vets could not diagnose anything from only seeing the outside or maybe just because she(squiggles) was so close to dying. There is nothing obvious with Holly that the vet could find on Wednesday I feel like she is going the same way...

 

[Deleted member 114675]

Are you happy with your vet ?

I recently took my sow , Bess to the vets as she had lost weight . She had X-rays, a scan and blood tests before to confirm her diagnosis

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

Sending healing vibes xx

 

[xxaimeexx]

Are you happy with your vet ?

I recently took my sow , Bess to the vets as she had lost weight . She had X-rays, a scan and blood tests before to confirm her diagnosis

I'm not sure. She is a pretty good vet but since it's usually my mum with me I don't usually get the chance to ask anything or suggest we look further into her problems. She doesn't seem to display anything that I can see in her at home when shes at the vets. Thats the problem. And I can't ask for anything more as I don't have the money and my parents won't pay for her to be looked at more thouroghly unless there is an obvious problem.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

Am I right in assuming you have 2 guinea pigs . So, she has company ?

I would monitor her weight . If she continues to lose weight, I would advise further investigations

 

[xxaimeexx]

I have three piggies! I think weight could be the only thing to really show an issue. But even if she is losing weight and they find something I'm not sure theres much you can do with a frail 6 year old pig.

 

[helen105281]

I am not sure what to suggest other than maybe a conscious xray to check for anything like gas or fluid on her chest, does her breathing just seem slow or would you say it is laboured?

 

[xxaimeexx]

I am not sure what to suggest other than maybe a conscious xray to check for anything like gas or fluid on her chest, does her breathing just seem slow or would you say it is laboured?

I'm not really sure just slow i think, thats why I thought it might just be like that when they sleep.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I have three piggies! I think weight could be the only thing to really show an issue. But even if she is losing weight and they find something I'm not sure theres much you can do with a frail 6 year old pig.

That's true. My Bess had weight loss and she has been diagnosed with tumour. The vet and I have decided not to proceed with surgery - but I'm glad we did tests to reach the diagnosis as she may have had something treatable.

 

[helen105281]

Their breathing does slow down when they sleep. How much weight has she lost?

 

[xxaimeexx]

Their breathing does slow down when they sleep. How much weight has she lost?

I'm not sure. I have to confess I'm not very good with regular weigh ins, definitely something I should work on. She just appears a lot more skinny and scrappy.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I'm not sure. I have to confess I'm not very good with regular weigh ins, definitely something I should work on. She just appears a lot more skinny and scrappy.

It took me a long time to get into a routine of weighing my guinea pigs. It's well worth doing and it really is the best way of nipping health problems in the bud.

 

[xxaimeexx]

It took me a long time to get into a routine of weighing my guinea pigs. It's well worth doing and it really is the best way of nipping health problems in the bud.

I know. You just don't really think when they are looking healthy.

 

[xxaimeexx]

I think I'm being paranoid with Holly really! I've been watching the others and they sleep a bit like her too! I am just worried because of how old and frail she is, I don't want her to be in pain. I'm now keeping a chart of all their weights too.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

I think I'm being paranoid with Holly really! I've been watching the others and they sleep a bit like her too! I am just worried because of how old and frail she is, I don't want her to be in pain. I'm now keeping a chart of all their weights too.

That is good to hear! Hope she continues to do ok in her age I like to keep a notebook dedicated to pig weights, and we keep the weighs on the same day and same time each week so it means feeding times etc won't affect the reading x

 

[xxaimeexx]

That is good to hear! Hope she continues to do ok in her age I like to keep a notebook dedicated to pig weights, and we keep the weighs on the same day and same time each week so it means feeding times etc won't affect the reading x

I will keep the day and times the same and I'm going to try to do it in the morning before they eat much!

 

[xxaimeexx]

Todays (average as after big meal hehe) weigh in.
Holly= 677g
Ruby=1kg 53g
Connie=1kg 97g

 

[Poppy'sMum]

As she is pretty old it could be as simple as arthritis which is causing her pain which would slow her eating. I think the vet should check her teeth & maybe feel her joints, one of mine has arthritis in both her rear hocks/stifles (Knees) so she is in a low dose of Metacam daily which has definitely made a lot of difference to her eating

 

[xxaimeexx]

As she is pretty old it could be as simple as arthritis which is causing her pain which would slow her eating. I think the vet should check her teeth & maybe feel her joints, one of mine has arthritis in both her rear hocks/stifles (Knees) so she is in a low dose of Metacam daily which has definitely made a lot of difference to her eating

If I find a weight loss over the next week or so i will go to the vets and see if I can get some pain relief for anything. Her teeth are fine so it might be arthritis, that could explain a lot. The vet did have a feel last week and didn't feel anything significant, but if she is losing weight then I think there is reason to go back if I can persuade my mum.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

If I find a weight loss over the next week or so i will go to the vets and see if I can get some pain relief for anything. Her teeth are fine so it might be arthritis, that could explain a lot. The vet did have a feel last week and didn't feel anything significant, but if she is losing weight then I think there is reason to go back if I can persuade my mum.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Sounds like Holly is very underweight. Even if the vets cannot find anything then there are other things that can be done. 677g is very underweight.

Could you get to Edinburgh? They have a great exotics service.

Overview | Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service |

x

 

[xxaimeexx]

Sounds like Holly is very underweight. Even if the vets cannot find anything then there are other things that can be done. 677g is very underweight.

Could you get to Edinburgh? They have a great exotics service.

Overview | Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service |

x

I don'r know I'm in a bit of a situation right now having just been to the vets. I will do my best. What could they do for her? I don't know if theres much that could be done.

 

[xxaimeexx]

I don'r know I'm in a bit of a situation right now having just been to the vets. I will do my best. What could they do for her? I don't know if theres much that could be done.

My mum trusts the vets I go to but I'm not so sure. I think they just treat her the same as a dog or cat... To be honest I know shes coming to the end of her time but all I wish to do is make her as comfortable as possible and make sure she isn't in pain.

 

[Caron's Cavies]

My mum trusts the vets I go to but I'm not so sure. I think they just treat her the same as a dog or cat... To be honest I know shes coming to the end of her time but all I wish to do is make her as comfortable as possible and make sure she isn't in pain.

Sorry I have just noticed this thread Aimee.

If you are in need of a trusted vet I can recommend my vets Taylor Veterinary Practice who are based in Cathkin. They look after all my pets from piggies and rabbits to my puppy. They have their own hospital attached to the surgery.

As it turns out I have just found out that @Adelle (I hope she doesn't mind me saying) uses them as well for wee Fudge.

Normally I see Laura Cawley who specializes in all things piggy including dentistry. However she is on maternity leave till February. Meantime she has left my brood in the very capable hands of Nikki Whelan. Over many years & with many animals I have rarely found a better vet practice than Taylor's and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Nikki has so far neutered my male & female rabbit & my male piggy Elvis. Not to mention she understands my pets are my babies and I love them to bits. She is so kind and reassuring when I get emotional and cry which happens every time when one of them is ill.

I am happy to chat to you further at the meet if you want more information xx

 

[Abi_nurse]

IT really is going to be up to you I'm afraid. Thy can do bloods, X-rays and more diagnostics rather than just leaving her to lose weight. But if you would rather not put her through such things then I can understand.

x

 

[Adelle]

Would second @Caron's Cavies on Taylor Vets cathkin. Eileen is also very good with my girls- listens to you as the owner, the person that knows your piggy most, and doesnt just read from a book. Have heard good things about Nikki also, from others on here as well Eileen the vet herself. Hope u get the help she needs x