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Possible poisoning

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*Nibbles&Nugget*

*Nibbles&Nugget*

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My friend's guniea pig has been unwell for two weeks now. It started with problems pooing then she just stopped eating. She has been taken to the vet and she was prescibed antibiotics and a recovery pack. Although she does take the watery food mixture to build her up she seems really weak and tired. She makes this sad little squeaky noise all of the time. My friend belives she may have accidentally eaten foxglove but I was just wondering what people know about poisoning and whether or not there is anything more we can do for Marmalade. :(

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Amy
x
 
I have no experience with poisoning in guinea pigs, so can't really offer any advice. Just wanted to say I hope Marmalade pulls through this and recovers x
 
Foxglove affects the heart (digitalis).

I hope that she can pull through with your friend's determined care - it CAN make the all the difference! Please feed her as often and as much as you can, add vitamin C once daily and don't forget to make sure that she gets enough fluids, too. Weigh her daily to make sure that she is keeping her body weight - you get more info about how much she needs in this link. http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html

Best of luck - it is hard to see a piggy not being its lively self. By now the poison is in the system, so there is not much that can be done.
 
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I just wanted to say thanks for the info. My friend goes on her PGL school holiday this week and she was so upset at the thought of leaving little Marmalade she almost didn't go. Though before I left their house I did manage to get half a spinach leaf down her and made sure she had a good drink. I know my friend's sisters and mum will do the three times a day feeding until she gets back. Poor Marmalade was always a bit of a podgy piggy but she's lost a third of her body weight and seems so weak and miserable. The vet did say to them that if this doesn't work they will probably have to put her down. She's only four and a half 8...

Does anyone have advice on encouraging them to eat?

Poor little Marmalady.

Amy
x
 
She needs about 120 ml of either mushed up pellets or critical care per day to keep her weight; three little veg feeds are not enough for that - little and often is the best thing you can do, if necessary through the night. More often than not, you have to force a piggy to eat, so it is not an easy job.

I am so sorry for your friend; it is a horrible time having to leave her piggy!
 
It sounds like the piggie is in pain and this is probably what's stopping her eating - you need to find out the cause of the pain and get her treated with pain relief (metacam) and whatever else is necessary. It is really important that any dental (or other eg urinary) problems are ruled out...and quickly as she has already lost a third of her bodyweight.bShe can be kpet going providing that, as already said, she recevies a good maount of syring feed every day...however i woudl strongly advise a visit to the vet

Whereabouts does your friend live - perhaps we can recommend a cavy savvy vet who will give her a thorough examination.

HTH
x
 
whee are sending lots of healing wheeeeeeky loves for little Marmalade XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I hope your friends family can take her to a vet a.s.a.p.
all paws crossed for Marmalade xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
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