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Poorly Pig - Not Eating

Emmnpete

Emmnpete

Junior Guinea Pig
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Oct 5, 2015
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Location
Durham
Well fri night, our big 2.5yr old boy started to look a little off colour..he lives with his bore friend in a large cage, in our utility.

I noticed - He wasn't running about and no wheeking... Just lounging around...not like him. I popped some of their fave foods in the cage and hoped he would pick up.
Well Saturday morn he wasn't eating at all..by last night he was flopping and unresponsive, I popped him on sat morning - in a smaller cage in the living room to keep him warmer and observe him.
He wasn't drinking or eating at all. Then watery diahorea appeared.
I've weighed him and he's lost a lot of weight, in what just appears to be a very short apace of time.
I've been feeding him by syringe every 3hrs since yesterday afternoon, and through the night and all today..; (
He's not managing well at all to swallow - barely 2mls of mashed pellets and 1ml of water each time... which makes me think molar teeth maybe ?
I'm going to ring the vet at 8am in the morn and beg for an emerg appoint - wish me luck over night !
;(...
 
@Emmnpete Good luck! The handfeeding of food and water is what's keeping him going so well done for doing it for him. It'll be a long night but keep it up. I've got my fingers crossed for him!
 
Hi Jacey,
Yes I think that's what's kept him going..
If it wasn't for the support and advice from all on this site - I wouldn't have known what I do..mind I've been a member for years - just usually browse - I've never had the need to post for a long long tine until now.

Just wish he'd have a nibble and a drink ;(..

I spoke to the children, last night to prepare them for the worst...I was very surprised he was still with us this morning ;) he's definitely a fighter ;)
 
@Emmnpete Hopefully the vet can prescribe something to help him tomorrow. It's hard to work out why they stop eating, he could have teeth problems, it could be a digestive issue, who knows but the vet should be able to diagnose it.

Ask the vet for probiotics as they can help massively and vets don't always remember about them as they're not actually medicine. If they don't have any Pets at Home sell some called Pro-C. It's in a white tum with a yellow label.

I have everything crossed for him. He sounds like a tough little guy, what's his name?
 
Thanks, I have a local pets @ home, I can grab that if the vet doesn't prescribe.
Yes it could be a number of things, its such a worry that they go down hill so quickly.
His name is chewy... The long haired piggy in the pic ;)..

IMG_20171209_145045_989.webp
 
Vetark Critical Care Formula
This link is for critical care formula (not to be mistaken for oxbow critical care )
Critical care formula is a white powder that is mixed with water to form a highly nutritious, electrolyte feed supplement , containing all the nessessary minerals via syringe,
Worth its weight in gold for post opp pigs, pigs off there food, it rehydrats a run down pig , in a short amount of time!
and can be a life saver
 
If you are thinking of syringe feeding, then if you feed dried food pellets simply mill them in a coffee grinder and and mix with water to make a syinge slurry ! Could well be better than oxbow c c f as you pig is eating the same food
 
Hi yes I've been grinding his usual pellets up and been syringe feeding since yesterday every 3hours. .defo a visit to the vet in the morning ;(
 
I don't have any advice but didn't want to read and run. It's horrible having poorly piggies. I hope you can get to the vets in the morning. Please keep us updated xx
 
I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you. Do you have an emergency night vet near You?
 
I'm going to have to wait until the morning
;( as I don't drive,
I've arranged for a relative to care for him in the morning, whilst I'm at work and hope I can get a vet appoint then another relative to collect him and me and take us to the vets....in my lunch hour - its a pain not being able to drive sometimes..
But I have plenty of chauffers on hand ;)
 
Good luck at the vets tomorrow. Fingers and paws crossed for you :wub:, come on Chewy, be brave & strong & get better x
 
Hi everyone..

After my last post, last night, chewy sadly passed away.
I tried to syringe feed him and he couldn't take any of it ...he could barely lift his head.
1 hour prior to this he had managed to walk across his cage ;)
His death was very upsetting for us and unfortunately wasnt nice - But I held him and cuddled him until the end, so I'm pleased I was there for him.
I'm so upset and our children where devastated..when I had to tell them this morning.
This was just so sudden and I was hoping he would hang on in there until this morning... Friday night a little off colour to last night, isn't long at all. Considering he was a big fatty, fun boar that weighed a ton and ate a ton...;)
I feel so sorry for his cage mate - who was very quiet this morn..
I will move him into our living room for a bit to help comfort him. I'm also going to have him checked at the vets this week - it doesn't hurt for him to have a teeth / health check...although he's fit and healthy, but it will ease my mind a little.

Thanks everyone for all your support.
 
Oh no... I’m so sad & sorry to read this. Popcorn free over rainbow bridge lovely little Chewy. :luv:
Your piggy slaves did everything they possibly could for you & you were loved so much.
RIP Chewy x
 
I am so sorry for your loss. I was in a very similar situation just a few months ago. I feel your heartache.

They go down hill so quickly. These things always happen at the weekend too x

Sleep tightxxxx
 
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