Poorly Piggy. Anyone Used Recovery Powder?

[Bert and ernie]

On Tuesday Bailey was pestered by Ernie who has clearly reached his stroppy teenage time. As a result he was squashed and this resulted in him appearing to loose the use of his back legs.

We have kept him quiet and calm and hand fed for a couple of days which seemed to work as his legs are now being used equally. However yesterday he stopped eating and I started syringe feeding him pellet paste and also plain water.

Today I've fetched recovery powder and started syringing him with that. He's quiet, upright but preferring to lie in one spot on his hay. A little smelly as I think he's been lying in wee and has dehydrated tiny poos.

How soon do you think ill see him perk up with the recovery paste?

I think his legs made him sedate and quiet then he's not eaten enough to keep him strong.

 

[paulalovespiggies]

Syringe him as much as possible with mashed up nuggets and water, if you make this with hot water Guinea pigs seem to love it when it's warm. I would weigh him every day and make sure there's no drastic weight loss as this could be fatal.

I've used recovery powder before but can't remember dosage etc. My gp was fine it and it gave him the nutrients he needed but doesn't really help with keeping your pigs weight up, it's more for nutrition I think.

I would take him to the vet if I were you just to make sure he hasn't damaged himself.

If it's nerve damage sometimes a high dose of vitamin c helps the nerves fully repair. I also can't remember the dosage but maybe other members will! Hope he is OK.

 

[sport_billy]

Has he been to a vet, this would be really vital. He may need pain relief if he is hurt, pain can stop a piggy from eating. The vet can also give a gut stim to keep everything moving through

Science Recovery is good stuff, but piggies also like the taste of mashed up pellets this is our choice of syringe food. Have a read of the syringe feeding guide here especially the part about adapting the 1ml syringe it really helps Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Please get him checked over by a vet in case there is something Neurological going on

 

[gizzy]

Dito, safest to get him looked at by your vet, asap

 

[Freela]

I would see a vet to assess why he is not using his legs well and to possibly give him pain relief. A lot of guinea pigs do not cope with pain well and it can cause them to stop eating completely. With a squash injury and not using hind limbs, I would be really concerned about a broken bone or nerve or spinal injury. I have used Critical Care recovery food a few times with sick pigs- make a thick mash with warm water. Make sure it's thick so that the risk of aspiration is minimized. Some pigs like it more than others. Also, weigh daily when pigs are ill and not eating normally. However, I think the number one priority is assessing and treating the initial injury and relieving any pain and getting a diagnosis in regard to that.

 

[biscandmatt]

as others have said, he needs to see the vet urgently.

recovery feed is good and some pigs will prefer it, but i find poorly piggies much prefer the oxbow critical care or their own pellets mashed up. critical care is great stuff though and i always see such a difference when using it with poorly piggies.

 

[Bert and ernie]

Thankyou everyone for your feedback and wishes we have been to the vets and gave us the recovery powder. He is starting to fight the syringe feeding (messy business on a white piggy) so I know he is getting his strength up, we weighed him yesterday and today and his weight hasn't changed, still 500grams but he's still a baby and always been kind of on the smaller side. We have been feeding him every two hours, I will let you know what tomorrow brings.

 

[gizzy]

Thinking of you both

 

[biscandmatt]

Thankyou everyone for your feedback and wishes we have been to the vets and gave us the recovery powder. He is starting to fight the syringe feeding (messy business on a white piggy) so I know he is getting his strength up, we weighed him yesterday and today and his weight hasn't changed, still 500grams but he's still a baby and always been kind of on the smaller side. We have been feeding him every two hours, I will let you know what tomorrow brings.

did the vet have any ideas what could have happened or give any other meds to help, like a gut stimulant? i hope he can build his strength with syringe feeding and feel much better soon.