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Poorly piggie? Vet recommendation?

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MissPiggy78

MissPiggy78

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Hello...after posting a comment about how lovely boars are, I noticed that my older one has a very messy bottom. He had a clump of stools there and I have cleaned it and offered what I cleaned off, to him- he nearly ate the cotton bud too! I wondered if it could be impaction but it was quite soft & he did have some Kale yesterday. I don't want to take any risks so will take him to the vet tomorrow. Does anyone know anything about Ashleigh vet centre in manchester? It is the nearest one to me, and says that it specialises in 'exotics' such as guinea pigs. Also any other advice in the meantime....should I seperate him from his cagemate (who seems to be cuddling a lot closer to him over the last day or two)?
 
Hi, I can't give you any advice on the vet centre, but if they are exotic vets they are the ones to go to with GP's. I wouldn't seperate them as this may stress them both out and if you are feeling ill yourself you like someone to keep you company and for warmth. Are they indoor piggies? If not it could be worth bringing them into somewhere slightly warmer if one is feeling under the weather. Maybe he has eaten too many greens perhaps, but I think a check up with the vet is a good idea to put your mind at rest. Good luck, I hope he is ok.
 
Yep, I agree - I'd keep him with his cage-mate and make sure he's warm. If he's got loose pooh then dry food and hay only (and water!) should dry him up, but if he's not eating then you need to make sure his guts keep moving.... is he eating / drinking ok?

Hope he's on the mend

Sophie
x
 
Thank you so much! Have kept them both together for that reason. Since my last post his bottom has cleared up and he's had a good few normal poos. He's been quite active, been eating plenty of hay, drinking lots and eaten pellets but I've weighed him twice today and he's lost about 3 oz since this morning. Will def try and get him in at vets. Very worried about him...x
 
I wouldn't weigh him more than once a day, it can drive you mad! And they fluctuate throughout the day anyway. So just weigh him at the same time, that way you're comparing like for like.

It's great that he's eating... have you checked his teeth? If he's showing any signs of drooling, with weight-loss, I'd suspect teeth first.

Hope the vet is a good one

Sophie
x
 
I know...I do need to step away from those scales! Have suspected the teeth myself actually as, though he doesn't drool, his mouth does appear to hang slightly open and he's begun to make gentle chattering/ grinding noises along with seeming to drink a lot more. His front teeth are fine, but will see what the vet says. Thanks again.

Rachel x
 
That is the exotic specialist that my vet has faxed Connie's notes too. I am still waiting for a phone call from them to see if they can help and advise us on what is wrong with Connie. All I know is that it's quite expensive. My vet said that it's around £40 - £50 for a consultation
 
Thanks Claire. Consultation was 24.80 but treatment sounded expensive- though they obviously couldn't give me an exact figure without knowing exactly what the issue was. Booked apt for tomorro as he didn't seem too bad this morning and have come home tonight to see him skipping around everywhere, eating & drinking as normal. His mouth is also not hanging open, he's back to his usual weight and bum is clean with regular droppings. A very confusing cavy.... Hope Connie is ok and they get back to you soon. x
 
He's doing absolutely fine thanks Claire. Think I had a complete over- reaction. He hadn't been eating much hay since I got him but I switched his brand for the Burgess Excel Sunday night and he seems to love it...been better than ever since he's had a good munch on that! As a result, I cancelled the vets appt so still have no idea what it's like there, but on the phone they did sound very knowledgeable and helpful. x
 
I'm pleased to hear that your boy is doing much better :) Did you phone them yourself and did you have to pay anything over the phone? My vet is still waiting to hear from them but it seems they are very busy :(
 
Here's a link to the one I called http://www.vets4exotics.com/

They may have other practices around the lancashire area, but I'm not sure? Just to warn you before you click on the link, the website does have some loud animal noises (!)

I phoned them myself as it's the nearest exotic I could find to where I live and they didn't charge anything over the phone, although I didn't have a 'telephone' consultation as such. The lady I spoke to asked me some very knowledgeable questions and booked an appointment for that same day, but moved it to the day after when I said I was at work. The exotic vet isn't in all the time but they do have a triage service where you can leave your pigs and have the nurses care for them overnight if things get serious.

I might be tempted to give them a ring to check their progress if you're worried. xx
 
Thank you so much for that :) If the specialist isn't there all the time, that probably explains why we're waiting for a reply. Connie seems fine at the minute so I'm going to leave it until the weekend and if I still haven't heard, I'll phone my vets back. If they are still unsuccessful, I'll contact the practice myself. Please keep me posted on your piggy xx
 
you have probably sorted the problem by cleaning out his bottom. he will be fine for a while but then the pooh can reaccumulate.
I have been with a rabbit to Ashleigh vets and they were good but have had mixed feedback about guinea pigs.
I have done the CCT rodentology course and I would be happy to check your pig if the problem recurs -I am in sheffield
 
pig in the city said:
you have probably sorted the problem by cleaning out his bottom. he will be fine for a while but then the pooh can reaccumulate.
I have been with a rabbit to Ashleigh vets and they were good but have had mixed feedback about guinea pigs.
I have done the CCT rodentology course and I would be happy to check your pig if the problem recurs -I am in sheffield
Click to expand...

Thanks so much. I've been checking his bottom daily and so far, so good. He's been so much happier and more chilled out since I cleared him. I think it probably had been building up for a bit and been making him feel quite uncomfortable. :(
 
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