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Rodentologist in Birmingham Area (Solihull)

  • Thread starter Thread starter JosieMoo
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JosieMoo

Hi all,

One of my piggies (Roger) is very poorly, he is almost 2 years old and is normally very lively, cheeky and eats like a horse.

He stopped eating and drinking and was just sat in a ball in his cage so we knew something was up.

He's been to the vets twice, where they've given him injections to get his tummy working properly and an injection for pain.

We've been given Recovery food sachets and Probiotic water sachets and have been syringe feeding him (not very well at first) since Monday.

He has lost so much weight and I'm so worried about him.

The vet told us if we have to take him back, they'll do an x-ray but that was VERY risky because they have to give him an anesthetic (sorry if spelt wrong) and that guineas don't take well to them.

Now we just don't know what to do.

We are trying so hard to syringe feed him and he has nibbled on a bit of green bean and some veg .... but he is still the same.

I've been searching on the internet for ideas on how to help him and wondered if anyone could recommend a Rodentologist within the Birmingham area.

If anyone has any other ideas - I'd be so grateful to hear them.

many thanks Josie x
 
Hi Josie, welcome to the forum; I am sorry your piggie is poorly. The cause of his loss of appetite needs to be found, although the initial problem may never be found he could have developed other problems which are fuelling the symptom...have all his teeth been thoroughly examined?

You can phone Vedra - the founder of BAR and the CCT guinea hospital - to ask if there's a rodentologist in your area, her number is 07721 026401.

You can also PM a member here, alcesterpigs - I don't think he's a rodentologist but he's very skilled and knowledgeable and I believe he's in the Birmingham area.

Good luck, I hope you're able to get to the bottom of Roger's problem!
 
Thank you soooo much for your help.

The vet checked his teeth and said that they were fine.

They also commented that they could see tiny bits of leaf on his teeth (at the back) so she knew that he'd tried to eat at least something.

I'll see if I can get in touch with the people that you recommend.

Many thanks Josie x

ps, next time I post something, fingers crossed that its a positive post! xx
 
My vet mentioned an exotics specialist vet in the Edgbaston area, but I don't know his address.
 
I do hope so! Glad to help, do keep us updated on how you get on.

There are a couple of things I can suggest in the meantime, if it helps any:-

- You can try giving Daktarin Oral Gel to soothe any soreness in the mouth - the dose is 0.5ml given twice daily. It is especially useful after any dental work, particularly in cases where the molars have been rubbing on the tongue or cheek. It's also good for oral infections (e.g. thrush).

- Make sure you syringe some water in between mouthfuls of food, especially after the last mouthful of food. This will help to keep the back of the mouth a bit cleaner.

- How much Science Recovery are you managing to get down him, and how often?

- Weigh daily if you can, this will give you an idea of whether he's getting enough food in him; if he continues to lose weight you'll generally need to up the food intake.
 
can someone link my thread up for this person about ralphie and his tummy problems think the thread reads (think i know whats up with ralphie) this has a list of all the medication he was on a few week ago when his tummy stopped working he is now 987g put 100g this week but still needs metacam every few days he also has food possitted at the back of his mouth read it and hopefully this will help you and tell your vet which treatment he needs
 
"I don't think he's a rodentologist but he's very skilled and knowledgeable"

So, you need an "...ology" to be really skilled and knowledgeable.
I have learned a little in 21 years of keeping pigs, about 300 in total, and in seeing pigs from upto 200 miles away, usually referred in by the CCT, together with knowledge/expertise/skills acquired from my day job.
Now it is the turn of other posters to declare their knowledge base and "hands on experience" as opposed to quoting from a text-book!


PS.
Don't worry, I am not offended, just amused!!
 
What interests me is what your day job is that helps you treat pigs!
 
I thought you knew what I used to do as a day job, apparently not.
 
"What interests me is what your day job is that helps you treat pigs! "

I often think that of you. Have you started to treat pigs yet, other than your own?
You do have the advantage of being only a mile from the CCT.
 
I also have the disadvantage of being agoraphobic.

How is your pig, Josie? I hope he's improving.
 
Yes, I know you have agoraphobia. Presumably you are completely self taught about guinea pigs with no other relevant background. In which case you are doing well.
From the way in which you post I would assume you have an interest in literature, it is a prosaic rather than a scientific style of writing.
 
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Well, I've learnt with the help of various forums and books, and the vets I've come across (even if I only learnt the weaknesses of the vets!) plus what I've learnt from Vedra. I've done the coursework for the RHA but can't progress to the hands on residential part until I've got over the agoraphobia again. But yes, all my hands on experience is thus far with my own pigs. I don't have as much an interest in literature, as just being an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I write as I speak...mostly. And science was never my strong point so scientific writing isn't quite natural to me yet!
 
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I read anything that is non-fiction, from sauce bottle labels to text-books.
As my typing is one/two-fingered, coupled with a science background I tend to keep my posts concise and, hopefully, precise!!
I must get myself another Skype address for pig use.
 
you two make a right amusing pair! I wonder how i am perceived as i definitely have a science background but read fiction rather than non fiction
 
I see you are up and about. Time for bed this end.
Part of the skill of "scientific writing" is to compose what you want to say, then go through it and delete every unnecessary word.
 
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Hi all,

I'm totally gutted to say that I had to take Roger back to the vets on Saturday and I had to make the worst decision ever and had to put him to sleep.

The vet said that he had lost 1/3 of his body weight in 3 days. We had been syringe feeling him every 2 hours with the recovery food and pro-biotic water but it made no difference at all.

The vet felt as though Roger had something serious going on inside and that he may have had an internal blockage as his tummy was just swelling up but he was loosing weight and gave me their professional opinion on that there wasnt anything they could do.

She was really good with me as I was just a mess. She explained that they could do an x-ray but if they did find a blockage it was doubtful that they could do anything to help poor baby Roger.

I was worried that Roger was so unhappy and in pain and the vet felt that yes he would have been uncomfortable and it would have been unkind to mess around with him further.

I can't stop crying, I feel so guilty and I keep questioning my actions.

I'm also worried about Sanchez... they used to live together in their cage and now that Roger is gone, I don't want Sanchez to feel lonely.

I do have two other guines, they live in a separate cage as they are girls, the cage is next to Sanchez's so they can hear each other but not really see each other.

Will Sanchez be okay? What can I do to help him?

many thanks a very sad Josie xx
 
Sorry to read of your loss, the second on the forum this morning.
Quite a number of pigs go this way ie a very rapid weight loss which does not respond to any treatment. I don't think that anyone really knows the cause.
You did what you had to do. You will work through the stages of bereavement/grief, it will take time.
Sanchez would be better with his own companion. Maybe a trip to a rescue centre to let him choose a new friend would be in order.
 
Companion

Thank you Alcesterpigs... would you know where there is one within Birmingham area (Solihull)?

Please excuse me being daft but could Sanchez really choose his own companion? Could I take him with me to see if he gets on with anyone?
 
I am so sorry for your loss, Josie. We were all hoping for good news, it is sad to hear that nothing could be done to help him. Big hugs.

Rest well, Roger. xx
 
I don't know of one in the Solihull area but which side of the town are you?
 
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