Poorly 4 Year Old...

[Debby64]

This is my first post, and I'm hoping someone might be able to offer some advice. It's a pretty long story, but I'll try to be brief.

I have a 4 year old male (Alfie) who three weeks ago started to go off his food. It was a slow decline over a few days. I took him to our local vet who gave him a look over, clipped his nails, checked his teeth (which at the time were OK) and off we went with some Rescue sachets.

The next week things took a turn for the worse and he pretty much stopped eating completely, so off we went to the vet again (same practice, different vet) who then said that his teeth needed filing, so he went in the next day to have this done. He came through the procedure fine but he has still been off his food. This is now a week ago. We have been hand feeding him over the last week, and he will take cucumber (a little) and tries to eat other bits and pieces but seems to struggle. Watching him yesterday it really looks like it's his back teeth that he's having issues with...I'm not sure that it's not a confidence thing...

His fur is separated, and on top of all this he has been pulling out his fur on his left flank to the point where it is red and sore.

So, yesterday he wouldn’t even try the cucumber, and flat refuses to be syringe fed with the Rescue sachets that he has been having so we managed to get him into the animal hospital and that's where he is now.

There is so much wrong, and he's so fed up I'm thinking it might be time to let him go, any advice thought would be really appreciated.

 

[The3LittlePigs]

Dont let go yet, there could be many explanations I'm sure. Now I'm no health expert to say the least, but I'm sure one of the health gurus will get to you in time. However, here are some things I've seen around the forum that could be involved. Do you know if they checked his molars as well as his front teeth? There could be a problem with those, mouth ulcers or sores could also be contributors, or issues with teeth roots, which I believe - correct me if I wrong - would require x-rays to find. As for the hair pulling, it could be a related issue or it could be entirely separate; have you checked for mites and fungal? It could also be dry skin, or ringworm. Obviously I'll just throwing out relatively common ailments that I've came across, but regardless I hope all goes well, wishing you both the best of luck. Healing vibes all around.

 

[Wiebke]

This is my first post, and I'm hoping someone might be able to offer some advice. It's a pretty long story, but I'll try to be brief.

I have a 4 year old male (Alfie) who three weeks ago started to go off his food. It was a slow decline over a few days. I took him to our local vet who gave him a look over, clipped his nails, checked his teeth (which at the time were OK) and off we went with some Rescue sachets.

The next week things took a turn for the worse and he pretty much stopped eating completely, so off we went to the vet again (same practice, different vet) who then said that his teeth needed filing, so he went in the next day to have this done. He came through the procedure fine but he has still been off his food. This is now a week ago. We have been hand feeding him over the last week, and he will take cucumber (a little) and tries to eat other bits and pieces but seems to struggle. Watching him yesterday it really looks like it's his back teeth that he's having issues with...I'm not sure that it's not a confidence thing...

His fur is separated, and on top of all this he has been pulling out his fur on his left flank to the point where it is red and sore.

So, yesterday he wouldn’t even try the cucumber, and flat refuses to be syringe fed with the Rescue sachets that he has been having so we managed to get him into the animal hospital and that's where he is now.

There is so much wrong, and he's so fed up I'm thinking it might be time to let him go, any advice thought would be really appreciated.

Hi and welcome!

In order for us to help you, could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, as we have members from all over the world. please click on your username at the top, then go to personal details and scroll down location, so we can tailor any advice accordingly to what is available and doable for you.

How piggy and piggy dental savvy your vets? Sadly it is not an area where many vets are experienced in.

It is perfectly normal for guinea pigs not eating normall after dental treatment, as it usually takes several rounds of filing to get them rebalanced again. if a guinea pig is not chewing well, they can also regrow very quickly.

Please continue with syringe feeding and watering. Try mushed up pellets or a mix of pellets and recovery food. Also ask your vets for painkillers.
Our syringe feeding guide has got a chapter on dental guinea pigs: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Please have your piggy checked for fungal or mange mites; either can hit when the immune system is lowered. It may also be a consideration to have an x-ray of the dental system done to see whether there is an underlying cause why the teeth are going wrong.
@furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[Debby64]

Dont let go yet, there could be many explanations I'm sure. Now I'm no health expert to say the least, but I'm sure one of the health gurus will get to you in time. However, here are some things I've seen around the forum that could be involved. Do you know if they checked his molars as well as his front teeth? There could be a problem with those, mouth ulcers or sores could also be contributors, or issues with teeth roots, which I believe - correct me if I wrong - would require x-rays to find. As for the hair pulling, it could be a related issue or it could be entirely separate; have you checked for mites and fungal? It could also be dry skin, or ringworm. Obviously I'll just throwing out relatively common ailments that I've came across, but regardless I hope all goes well, wishing you both the best of luck. Healing vibes all around.

Hi! Thanks so much for your vibes : ) I had a call from the vet yesterday afternoon and I was expecting the worst. As it happens, the vet said that they had checked all his teeth (again) and his mouth and all is well there...no sore spots etc etc.

Added to that he has eaten celery, carrot and was happily munching away on hay.

They have also treated him for mites, so I'm guessing that time will tell if that's the cause of the hair loss.

I'm going to leave him at the hospital for another day, what I dont want (as much as |I want him home) is to take him out of there too soon and it all spirals down again.

Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Debby64]

Hi and welcome!

In order for us to help you, could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, as we have members from all over the world. please click on your username at the top, then go to personal details and scroll down location, so we can tailor any advice accordingly to what is available and doable for you.

How piggy and piggy dental savvy your vets? Sadly it is not an area where many vets are experienced in.

It is perfectly normal for guinea pigs not eating normall after dental treatment, as it usually takes several rounds of filing to get them rebalanced again. if a guinea pig is not chewing well, they can also regrow very quickly.

Please continue with syringe feeding and watering. Try mushed up pellets or a mix of pellets and recovery food. Also ask your vets for painkillers.
Our syringe feeding guide has got a chapter on dental guinea pigs: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Please have your piggy checked for fungal or mange mites; either can hit when the immune system is lowered. It may also be a consideration to have an x-ray of the dental system done to see whether there is an underlying cause why the teeth are going wrong.
@furryfriends (TEAS)

Hi Wiebke - I have updated the info as requested, and thanks so much for your reply and advice.

The vet has said that he was eating yesterday afternoon, but as regards syringe feeding I had been doing that for a week prior to taking him in, and he was starting to refuse and getting very stressed when we tried to feed him that way. I thought at the time that this wasn't helping with his overall recovery as he really was very upset whenever he saw the syringe. So...we'll see what happens with any news from the vet today, but as I said to The3LittlePigs, I'd much rather he stay in hospital where they can keep a much closer eye on him that I can (having to be out at work all day).

 

[The3LittlePigs]

Glad things are going well, good luck to you and your piggie, keep us updated! ^.^

 

[Debby64]

Just had a call from one of the nurses at the vets. They said he was eating little bits and pieces, still on the syringe Rescue, and will be sent home today with loads of medication.

Dont think I mentioned previously but this is his second stay in hospital in two weeks, and too my mind he was sent home too soon from his previous vsit. Again with a big bag of medication that really just doesnt work at home...it stresses him out so much being poked and prodded every few hours.

I feel like I shouldnt have him home until he is totally sorted out, eating a normal amount and is off all medication.

What do you guys think?

 

[Wiebke]

Just had a call from one of the nurses at the vets. They said he was eating little bits and pieces, still on the syringe Rescue, and will be sent home today with loads of medication.

Dont think I mentioned previously but this is his second stay in hospital in two weeks, and too my mind he was sent home too soon from his previous vsit. Again with a big bag of medication that really just doesnt work at home...it stresses him out so much being poked and prodded every few hours.

I feel like I shouldnt have him home until he is totally sorted out, eating a normal amount and is off all medication.

What do you guys think?

It is your decision, which you have to make on the basis of his stable/unstable weight, your work commitment, your confidence in looking after him, his health issues and for how long you can afford it.

The best vet to have him seen for dental issues and any related problems (and who sees guinea pigs from all over the country on a near daily basis!) is Simon Maddock at the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton. He is a general vet, but has been working with The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary which is caring for guinea pigs with chronic ongoing dental issues and is likely the vet with the greatest experience because of that. If you can get there in any way, that would be best.
Without him, my Hywel, who has made it through a series of dental abscesses, would not be here anymore, even though it means a train journey every time. The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic - Home

 

[Debby64]

Hi Wiebke - another call from the vet, they no dont think it's a dental issue, more a gut issue. They are adamant they send him home today with new medication which I'm really not happy with but I'm going over there this afternoon and try and talk them out of it. Not entirely sure why I need to justify his treatment, but there you go.

On another note I just noticed you're in Cov...I'm originally a local girl myself! (Leamington). Small world...

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Wiebke - another call from the vet, they no dont think it's a dental issue, more a gut issue. They are adamant they send him home today with new medication which I'm really not happy with but I'm going over there this afternoon and try and talk them out of it. Not entirely sure why I need to justify his treatment, but there you go.

On another note I just noticed you're in Cov...I'm originally a local girl myself! (Leamington). Small world...

A small world indeed - we are at the southern end and are planning to nip into Leamington this weekend for lunch!

If it is a gut issue, would your vets consider a fecal float or worming to see whether you can get to the bottom of it?
Please list the meds he is getting.

 

[Debby64]

Hi Wiebke, apologies for not relying sooner. Only meds he is on is the zantac. Over the last few days he seems to be pretty happy in himself, and was munching on his pellets last night (which I havent seen him do for days) and was eating a carrot when I left this morning. Talk about swings and roundabouts!