• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Poorly Neville

M

meva33

New Born Pup
Joined
May 21, 2018
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
35
Help, my guinea pig Neville has been ill for about a week. He started off with reduced appetite and defecation. I took him to the vet suspecting that he was impacted. The vet felt his tummy and said he had gas (mild bloat) and prescribed Emeprid and ranitidine for his tummy, metacam for pain, baytril in case of infection and syringe feeding (which I had already started).One thing that troubled me slightly was that the vet didn't seem that interested in my amateur diagnosis of impaction until I insisted a little. He then squeezed out a large ball of soft matter and said it was possibly a symptom of the bloat.
Nev went downhill a little for the 1st couple of days then seemed to perk up, he had never stopped eating of his own accord until yesterday.
I have been syringe feeding him and emptying his sack. Yesterday I don't think he ate anything so I upped the amount of critical care I gave him. This morning he was very quiet and by lunchtime very lethargic so I made an emergency appointment this afternoon. The vet examined him and then suggested an ultrasound followed by surgery. I went with the ultrasound and his stomach and intestines are very bloated. They are suggesting surgery now to possibly clear out whatever is blocking him up (they don't know)
My problem is I have lost a bit of confidence in the vets. I'm not sure about spending £500 with them or taking him for a second opinion. Obviously time is important as he is uncomfortable.
 
Hello, welcome to the forum. I am sorry your piggy is poorly.

Are they sure it is a blockage rather than gas? Have they identified a blockage? Is he pooing?

Coudl I ask your location? We may be able to suggest a cavy savy vet in your area.
 
Hi, thanks for looking, we are in Cornwall so no vets on the list. If I find one I'll report it on here.
 
sport_billy said:
Are they sure it is a blockage rather than gas? Have they identified a blockage? Is he pooing?
Click to expand...
He isn't pooing although there was some poo in his sack when the vet looked at it. They told me he's blocked up, his tummy is making sloshing noises when he walks. He isn't puffed up or in obvious pain just very lethargic. I gave him some metacam before taking him in and he had that OK. Is there anything that can be done to flush his system other than surgery? A blockage makes sense as it it sounds as though everything I syringe fed him yesterday is still slushing around in his body.
 
So sorry your little one is poorly. I don't know any vets in Cornwall but I can ask around for you. The only other suggestion would be getting advice or a referral to Swindon as they have a good exotics vet at great western referrals. A blockage is very unusual but also not impossible. It's sounds like you have him on most of the medications we would give. How often are you feeding and how much. And how often are the emiprid and ranitidine. I would be giving these three times a day and feeding a minimum of 10-15ml five times a day of probably slightly sloppy syringe feed (we make sure it's very thick usually) to aid the movement of anything through the guts.
 
I'm sorry, I'm not that knowledgeable about bloat or gut stasis so I will defer to some of the more experienced members here. I hope he makes a recovery for you.
 
Asked around for some vets for you

Albert Cottage Veterinary Clinic
66 Liskeard Road,
Saltash,
PL12 4HG
Cornwall
01752 843397

Calweton Pet Health
79 Tavistock Road,
Callington,
Cornwall
PL17 7RD
01579 383231
 
Welcome to the forum.
Sorry to hear about Neville and glad that others have been able to help you.
Hope all works out well.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum! I would definitely be looking at getting a second opinion with one of the recommended vets as I'd be hesitant to want him operating on for a blockage that may or may not be there.
 
Hi thanks for your help and concern. Unfortunately after consulting with another vet we decided to put Nev to sleep. He had some evidence of internal bleeding and we didn't think he would make it through the surgery. I'm really missing the little guy. His cagemate Milo seems to be doing ok though which is good. This is a great forum.
 
I am so sorry to see this. It’s always hard to make the decision to put to sleep even though we know in our hearts that it is the best gift we can give our beloved piggies.
Take time to grieve and be gentle with yourself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top