• 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 Pippin

Status
Not open for further replies.
Rosie2009

Rosie2009

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
May 3, 2009
Messages
657
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Suffolk
Hi all,

Any ideas on what could be wrong with Pippin? He's normally so bouncy and enthusiastic and eats like a trooper, but last night he just became really quiet and huddled in his hay. He's only managed to eat a couple of pieces of lettuce, not interested in hay, pellets or other veggies, and looks really sad. I can't see anything wrong with him, but he does feel a bit warm. He's got the first appt with the vets I could get this evening, but I'm really worried about him. He's only about 1 or 2 (rescue from Teresa J, so not sure of age 100%).
:(:(:(
 
I'm sorry to hear he is poorly! Unfortunately, the symptoms you describe are fairly vague, as they can be present in almost any illness.

Is his breathing ok? Does he live indoors? Is he peeing and pooping ok? Does his abdomen feel normal, or is it swollen or tender at all?

Best of luck for his appointment tonight, do keep us updated.
 
Have you checked his breathing (hold your ear to his chest)? Is his belly painful? How is his poo looking?

It sounds like he has some kind of bug or infection, if he has got fever. If he is very hot, you can make him more comfy and bring down the temperature by gently wiping him with a cool (not cold!) damp (not wet!) rag - you do not want to shock his body.

Make sure that he still drinks - syringe him some water; if he has fever, he will need fluids. Try syringe feeding him mushed up pellets or purreed veg.

Please keep us updated.
 
I've just had another look at him. He is pooing fine, no runs. His belly seems fine, not swollen or tender, his breathing also seems fine. One of his eyes has started running though, and he is still warm, but not hot. Hes an indoor pig, lives with his friend Merry. I really hope the vet can help him, but its just such a change from how he normally is. I'll let you know how he gets on. Thankyou all x
 
You mention a runny eye - does his eye look normal i.e. is it cloudy and is he keeping it open, or is he squinting? What colour )if any) is the eye discharge?
 
His eye isn't cloudy, and he is keeping it open. Its a clear to brownish discharge and its beginning to form a crust now. I've managed to syringe some water into him, and persuaded him to eat a little more lettuce (round). He sneezed a couple of times. But no interest in anything more substantial. He's now retreated to hide under his hammock.
 
Pippin has been to the vets, and he thinks it is a spur from one of his back teeth. :( So he is going back in tomorrow morning to have them sorted out. The vet said that this could be genetic though, and may happen again. He eats lots of hay and veggies. Is there anything else I can do to help prevent this happening again?
xx
 
Is he going to use general anaesthetic to do the teeth? If so, it is not needed. If there is any way you can get him to Vedra at Cambridge Cavy Trust, she'll sort the teeth out with the piggy still conscious - she's brilliant and she sorted out one of my in moments.

Sometimes they do need regular dental work, it depends. Guineas teeth grow constantly, hence the need for unlimited hay to keep grinding them down.

Hope he's ok

Sophie
x
 
hi rosie

I have not long had my guinea pig maurice at the vet to have a spur sorted on one of his back teeth as he turned his nose up at carrot and he was just kinda lying about not interested in much - vet sorted his teeth out great stuff using GA I'm afraid to say and he has been fine back to his normal cheeky self but i keep an eye on him now. he was sneezing alot too more recently he had been sneezing really lots so think he was mibbe trying to sort the problem out himself lol
 
Unfortunately I don't have a car. I can only get to this vets as its within walking distance. He is planning on using anaesthetic yes. Should I ask him to do it without? Pippin was very stressed as it was and I don't want him to be any more stressed than necessary.
 
There is no need to use GA on a pig to do dental work, if the person is experienced with pigs. However most vets are not experienced, hence the common use of GA.
 
The thing is, if a pig needs regular dental work, it is simply not right to put them 'under' every single time. Some pigs need dental work every 2 weeks, or even more often (not saying that will be Pippin's case, Rosie)...in those chronic cases it's barely ethical to sedate them for every treatment, that takes a matter of minutes. And most guineas take a good day or two to recover from being anesthetised. The case can be very convincing for avoiding GA...the difficulty is in finding a vet willing to do it.
 
A general anaesthetic is never necessary under any circumstance for looking at, or trimming teeth.
You must make sure that your vet knows why the teeth need attention and also what to do as regards treatment.
Vets receive very little, if any, training about guinea pigs, certainly none as regards dental treatment.
 
Well, he had his teeth done on Wed. I've been syringe feeding him on mashed up pellets and water, and I've got some critical care on order. But hes looking so miserable still. Hiding under his hammock. Showing no interest in anything.Should he have started to perk up by now, or I am expecting too much from him? Ive tried tempting him with all kinds of veg and herbs, and all the things he normally loves are just ignored.
Please dont shout at me about giving him a ga. It was either that or not get his teeth done at all, as I dont have a car for medical reasons, and the person I normally get lifts from has just come out of hospital.
thankyou x
 
Did the vet give him anything to perk up his appetite (B vitamin injection, normally?)

Will he eat fresh grass?
Have you tried grating carrot, cucumber etc. for him - they can often manage this easier.
I give Metatone tonic (human) to convalescing pigs, on the basis that it can't do any harm and might do some good! They seem to like the taste.

Is he on antibiotics?

When should your Critical Care arrive (the vet should have given you some, or Science Recovery or similar!)? I have some here, you're not far from me, let me know

Hope he perks up soon

Sophie
x
 
All other things being equal a pig should be up and running after as little as 15 minutes after the end of the anaesthetic, certainly after a couple of hours. This assumes the correct use of the safe form of anaesthetic agent suitable for guinea pigs.
 
Ive got another appt with the vet at 2.30. I'm not convinced that the teeth were the root of the problem. He still has weepy eyes, and he has no appetite at all. All the vet gave him was a pain killing and rehydrating injection on Wed. He was a wee bit wobbly on wed night, but quickly returned to just being miserable again. I've tried grated salad and veg, and small pieces of parsley and grass. He absolutely goes wild for parsley normally, and hes just turning his face away. I can only get a syringe into him, which initially he doesnt like but then gets a bit more enthusiasm for it.
I'll ask the vet to give him something to stimulate his appetite, and some critical care. My order is due to come tomorrow. I'll also ask him if he should be on antibiotics. Thankyou for your advice, I haven't had a poorly guinea pig before, and I really don't know what to do. x
 
Sending healing vibes to the wee mite and supportive ones to you hun.
 
From your last post description he needs help, sooner than later.
 
I hope pippin is ok! hope the vet appointment went well for pippin and you have found the root of the cause of his misery so he can bounce back to full health!
 
Back from the vets. Pippin has been taken in to be 'treated aggresively'. He says that he is hydrated ok (all the syringes), but he isnt forming droppings, and he couldnt hear any digestive activity at all. He's going to give him medication to try to get his digestion going again, and regular force feeding :(
He'll ring me tomorrow with any news.
 
sorry the news was not better. has his cagemate gone with him to keep him company?
 
Fingers crossed tightly for Pippin, I hope you're able to update with much better news soon. xx
 
Unfortunately Pippin died last night. His intestines just refused to work again. He hadn't passed any droppings since last Wed, so I'm surprised he lasted that long, but the vet had him over the weekend and there was nothing he could do which worked.

I feel so bad for him. He had such a bad start in life, and was only with me for 6 months. Only 6 months of decent quality life, such a shame, and he was a lovely wee pig, very inquisitive and really enjoyed everything he did. He was completely transformed from how he was when Teresa rescued him, when he was bald in places and so thin.

I'm completely gutted and feel so guilty.

And worried about his friend Merry. I know I ought to get him a friend, but he actually seems quite chipper and content at the moment. Pippin was quite dominant and Merry seems relaxed and quite happy without him. Have to think about that.
 
I'm so sorry Rosie. Instead of looking on the 6 months as being "only" 6 months, think of them as the best 6 months of his life. He was loved, cherished and nurtured. You and Merry were the best thing that happened to him!
Big hugs.

Rest well, dear Pippin. xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top