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Rum has lost weight

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Rosierum

Rosierum

Adult Guinea Pig
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Noticed Rum had weepy eyes earlier so pick her up and found she has lost 150g in 2 weeks. She is still eating although seems more reluctant than usual and is chewing slowly. Going to take her to the vet tomorrow as soon as I can (thank goodness its my day off). Anyone have any ideas as to what may be wrong? Also is there anywhere to get things like critical care other than online around Edinburgh?
 
Going through the weight loss thing myself hon, good luck at the vets, thats the best thing you can do x
 
Check teeth as well, if she's eating slowly, she may have a little spur on a back tooth and is trying not to catch her tongue as she eats.
 
Update

Rum went to the vet this morning and was thoroughly poked and proded. As she is still eating the first assumption is she has an infection so she is on Baytril for the next week I have also been advised to give her supplementary Vit C. Anyone suggest anything else I should give her to help her pick up?
I will be weighing daily to see how she is getting on if she doesn't pick up within the week she is to get her back teeth checked.
 
I would give her a probiotic along with the baytrill as it can give piggies poorly tummies. I hope she gets better soon.
 
Update:
Rum is still not eating pellets so have been syringe feeding. Started with pellet mush as I had no Critical care or similar. Now have CC so am continuing with it. She will eat some hay and a little veg.

I have to assume now its dental issues.
 
I'm dealing with a very fussy piggie atm.. eats all the plain stuff.. not eating the tasty veg on offer.. going to get lettuce, spinach and cabbage tomo, she seems to still like those.. might be worth trying Rum on those.. anything just to get them going again xx
 
Sorry to hear Rum is unwell, I would definately get her teeth checked over. Hope you can find out what is troubling her x
 
Had Rum back to the vet today and news is not good. She has a large lump under her chin and enlarged lymph nodes. Preparing myself for the worst.
 
The vet said it was something akin to leukaemia. He says that even with treatment it wouldn't cure her just delay.

Its been a horrible day all round as we lost one of our chickens today as well.
 
Oh no I am so sorry. How awful for you. So sorry for your loss. You will have my support whenever you need to talk. I know how it is to have a terminally ill piggy.
 
Really sorry for this awful news. Just wanted to send you and Rum our love and thoughts xx
 
Aw I'm so sorry, i really hope they can do something. :(

Sorry about your chicken too, rip little one xx
 
Did your vet do a biopsy of the lumps to confirm his diagnosis?

The symptoms sound similar to those of my piggy, Peppermint. She has lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system.

You are right, there is no cure but you can give them an extra couple of months with steroid treatment. We considered chemotherapy but couldn't find enough evidence that it would have any significant impact on her lifespan or quality of life. It hasn't been been tried very often on pigs.

It is interesting to me that your pig, Rum is the 4th pig that I know of on here to be (possibly) diagnosed with lymphoma in the last couple of months. I thought cancer was rare in pigs. Could this be caused by a virus or is it just that we are more vigilant and have better vets or am I just paranoid?

If it is leukemia and not lymphoma, I believe they can still live a good long life but with a compromised immune system. Pebble has a lot of knowledge on this, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you PM her, she is lovely.

If it is lymphoma, the steroids will improve the quality of life. This has certainly been true in my Peppermint's case. Although I know she is dying, she doesn't and is still a happy little piggy enjoying lots of extra treats. Long may it continue!

I am so sorry for the heartache this brings and wish you all the best for Rum. x
 
My Theo has some sort of terminal lymphatic disease. All his lymph nodes are swollen and he has a third of his normnal body weight in odema now.
His sympotms started as bald patches with slightly raised lymph nodes which deteriated as did his general condition.
Unlike peppermint unforunatly Theo has not responded to aggressive diretic and steroid treatment and has developed fungal due ot being so run down.
I also opted against chemo as in animals it is not for cure, purely for extending life. Which consdering the stress to administer it in piggies I decided against it.
Theo was first spotted with any illness symptom on the 23rd July. He wont live for a month even with treatment. Whateve rhe has its veyr aggressive. This is now the thrid piggie is Scotland that I know of. Can we all list what our routines are, what food we feed, bedding etc. To see if we find a common theme.

I feed excell, bed on megasorb and feed a mixture of farm hay form the glasgow area and alfaf king hay. Water is just ordinary tap water.

Vegetables is everything any normal piggie eats and it is washed before they get it.
 
The vet took samples from the lump to check if it was an abscess. Rum had been on Baytril for a week before the lump was found.
 
The lump is in the skin not sure if it is attached. He took the sample away for analysis.
 
OMG i've just seen your thread on Rum, i'm so sorry i haven't sent any loves or wheeeeeeeeeeks mallethead:red

SENDING LOADS OF HEALING WHEEEEEEEEEKS AND LOVES FROM US ALL XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

AND MEGA HUGS FOR YOU ALL XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
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