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Questions about suspected poisoning

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Laura-CCC4

Laura-CCC4

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A friend has suffered the sad loss of one guinea suddenly on Monday night, and his cagemate fell ill around two days later. The lady and her vet believe it to be poisoning, probably from a poisonous plant - the new batch of hay bought did not seem of particularly good quality - it has since been replaced with a fresh batch of hay.

I've helped her to the best of my knowledge but there are some things I can't figure out myself, so I am hoping for some advice to pass on to her regarding the particular questions.

In the past day the guinea pig has been given Lasix, Dexafort, "morphine-type injections", sub cut fluids and is being syringe-fed routinely. The vet preferred not to give Metacam due to its effect on the kidneys. The guinea pig has no fever, but has been in significant pain (as bad as to be described as agony) with his abdomen - believed to be around his kidneys and liver. He is currently eating well, he has some appetite and is being syringe-fed, but is still not moving by himself.

Questions:

- Buscopan - would this be any good (either injected or orally), or would it do more harm than good given the guinea may have ingested something toxic?
- Probiotic - would there be any benefits to giving a probiotic at this time? There is no evidence of diarrhoea, although there is a notably reduced number of poops.

I've suggested keeping things minimal - syringe-feeds little and often, and plenty of fluids. We have discussed the use of Buscopan and/or a probiotic, of which I've said I would avoid the probiotic since he is not suffering diarrhoea (keeping his treatment as simple as possible), and that I would have to find out if Buscopan is safe for a guinea with suspected poisoning, but that it can help guineas suffering certain abdominal pains/gut spasms.

Any other advice would be hugely appreciated, I will pass it all on to the lady.
 
poor piggies :(
Not sure if I'm right but does charcoal powder help with poisoning - sure I've read that somewhere & I have some in my first aid box :{
 
I did consider that but as far as I know, charcoal powder is to do with preventing the absorption of too many toxins through the gut wall. I've let her know about it but it's probably too late to try that, since it's been at least 24 hours since he ingested the toxic substance.

Thanks for thinking of it though.
 
Activated/powdered charcoal needs to be given as soon as possible after the incident followed shortly afterwards by liquid paraffin.
It is rather late to give charcoal now. I would not hesitate to give him Buscopan, any risk of kidney damage has got to be less than the risk of the pig going into shock because of the intensity of the pain.
Again, I would consider giving him Nurofen or Calpol in addition to the Buscopan.
I have treated a number of poisoning cases, including one pig who had decided to start eating a fox-glove plant...Thankfully, all cases made a full recovery, however, treatment was started within one hour of eating the poisonous plants.
 
Thanks AP - I knew there was some reason for having charcoal tablets in my first aid box :))
Hope the piggy will be ok Laura xx
 
There is a lot of activity on the forum, considering the time of night.
Are all of you allowed to stay up late on a Friday evening?
 
Now that the forum buddy has signed off I suppose we are allowed to leave the forum!
 
Hi Laura HUn

If there might be a problem with the liver then perhaps (just my opinion) probably it's not best to introduce more pharmaecuticals than necessary (unless you hav a valid reason for doing so) as said liver will have to metabolise/cope with them (even nautral remedies and by the way.......milk thistle is good for livers apparently)

Pain relief is the best option here I think...even if it means daily injections as opposed to the standard metacam etc. and syringe feed Vit C...100mg per pig daily - it might help

I have to say I have been somwehat surprised by the tenacity of guinea pigs in dire cirucmstances - like Beechie recently who developed full gut stasis - for over 24 hours - (eeek!) ....which against all my expectations did resolve given a week of CC feeding and intensive nursing.....plus regular motility injections ...(mind you he's a strapping bruiser of a lad :<>;)

I really do hope your friends gp pulls through and all fingers and paws are crossed down here

x
 
Laura how is the wee man doing this morning? We have all fingers and paws crossed for him here in Glasgow :)
 
Thank you for all the replies, I have passed them on to my friend just now and let her know you are all thinking of her and her guinea. I'll let you know as soon as I get news of how he's doing.

ETA: She's mentioned that he is still alive, but very, very unwell. Waiting for a message back for more of an update.
 
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My friend sends her thanks to everyone wishing her piggie well.

Things are not looking good to be honest. Temperature is low, eyes and nose are crusty, rear end is floppy, he is in full stasis and has blood in his urine. He's taking food well, nibbling some veg and enjoying his syringe-feeds, but there has been no proper "output" for three days. The emergency/duty vet prescribed oclopramide (0.1ml 3x daily) and vetergesic.

I think he would be an exceptionally lucky piggie to survive this, despite all the intensive care he is receiving. :(
 
Thank goodness for that! I have everything crossed for the poor baby, he's been through so so much.

Keep us updated Laura wont you and send on best wishes.
 
He's still fighting, back legs are completely collapsed but his abdomen has softened and he has maintained some appetite. He's still pooping, nowhere near normally yet but it's something.
 
He's come down with a respiratory infection but he's still going. Long way to go yet but he's trying.
 
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