Poor sick little boy =[

  • Thread starter Thread starter Batgirl
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Batgirl

I'm only back on the forum, but I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice!

Dexter has recently become very ill. He's hardly eating (still munching his greens, but no dry food) and not drinking at all. He seems to be uncomfortable when he's moving, and he's hardly pooping at all. I've been worrying myself sick.

I took him to the vet this morning, who gaveDexter some fluid injections (wee man is obviously quite dehydrated) and checked his teeth, his tummy and his bum, but there's no visible problems. I'm so confused, I've checked everything it could possibly be, and although the vet assures me my Dexy is in no pain, I won't be happy until he's 100% better.

Anyone ever seen this before? He's only 2 and a half, it's hardly old age! :(
 
Is your vet cavy savy? Does he really know what to look for with regards to teeth etc?

I don't have any advice as I have no idea BUT I would start syringing him mushed up pellets and water now to get him pooping and weeing properly again and helping his body not shut down.

Hopefully someone will come along soon with much more advice for you.

Good luck

x
 
Has your vet really checked Dexter's back teeth? He could also suffer from sores/fungal infection in his mouth.

Have you checked how Dexter is chewing/picking food? Is he dribbling or still keen to pick up food, but not able to chew it?
How are his poos looking? Are they normal or smaller and tear shaped? Have they changed colour/consistency?
Are you monitoring his weight daily and has the weight loss been sudden or gradual?

Many piggies are drinking less with increased access to fresh grass right now, as they get a lot of fluid from that.

Here is a list of possible causes for weight loss:
http://www.guinealynx.info/anorexia.html
 
Yep, my vet definitely knows what's he's doing, I hunted my entire home city for someone who knows the difference between a guinea pig and a cat. I know it sounds stupid, but I've met some stupid vets.

He checked Dexter's teeth this morning and said they are all fine and clean and dandy, especially since I kept harping on about thinking it was a tooth problem.

I do track his weight, and Dexter has always been a big boy, but is steadily losing weight, which was my second clue that something was wrong after noticing his poop problems.

He's not interested in dried food at all, but I haven't seen any dribbling or dropping food. And his poop is very small and dry, and seems to be in small clumps rather than normal pellets.

I think I've answered everything there...I've never had a problem with any of my boys before in the whole 3ish years, I'm only so panicky because I have no idea what to do!

Thanks for the advice, guys!
 
Sorry to hear he's not himself.

I know you mention that he checked his teeth, but did he open up his mouth and examine Dexter's molars?

How much weight has he lost in what period of time?
 
Yep, Dexter really did not enjoy the probing, but I'm sure the vet had a good look all around Dexter's mouth.

He's lost about 2 and a half ounces, maybe slightly more, over the past 2 weeks (2 weeks ago was the last time he was weighed).

I phoned my vet this morning to give him an update, and we talked about the possibility of scurvy! Dexter gets lots of greens, but he's very picky, so I'm thinking maybe I don't give him enough of the right stuff? =[ He's got lots of spinach now and is munching away, and I've been syringe feeding him water and Vit C supplements.

He's definitely perkier this morning, moving more, and peeing more, so I'm gonna keep doing the same stuff over the next few days.

Thanks for all the help.
 
Woo! Checked on Dexter this morning and he is much more like himself! He's eating and drinking, and pooping a bit more normally. (Which I never thought I'd be so happy to say about anything! :p)

Still keeping an eye on him, and the vet said I should keep up the antibiotics, but there's definitely a huge improvement!
 
That's such good news.

What are your thoughts about the scurvy? Does he have a pellet with vitamin c in it? If so then I doubt it's scurvy?
 
I'm really jsut guessing at what it could be, to be fair, and he does have pellets with added Vit C, but I read somewhere that this is unreliable.

I'm still confused, but so relieved he's getting better!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top