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Should I follow vets advice?

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StannyUK

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Hello all

Been a long time since I've posted but I could do with the help of my fellow slaves please.

Merlot is just under three and always been a noisy and fidgety pig. Opened up to cage this morning and she was just sitting there looking very sullen. Her eyes had that tired look and she wasn't moving around much. I have been to the vets who said she could feel something in her belly. Merlot certainly made a lot of noise when the vet examined her stomach.

She has given her 4 injections. One is to help her pass whatever is making her poorly, 2 painkillers and some "fluid under the skin".

I have bought her home and put a small cage on top of the big one where her 3 sisters are. I have made it up and put a heat pad in there as she was cuddling up with her sisters in the main cage. Obviously fresh bran and water has been provided.

Now, the vet said to syringe feed her "sugar water". About a small spoonful dissolved in 250ml of water, hourly. That seems like a hell of a lot to me.

Can you guys please advise what to do? I have been asked to being her back in tomorrow morning to see how she is.
 
I'm sorry to hear that Merlot is not very well. Sugar water? Please think about finding another vet. Did the vet actually say what was wrong with her? If she was cuddling up with her sisters and they were accepting that, then let her go back with them. When you say fresh bran, what do you mean exactly? I'm sure that you are aware that hay is the staple diet of piggies and is high in fibre roughage. Bran has been known to cause constipation and gassy tummies.
 
Sorry to hear your piggy is unwell, know how hard it is :(
It sounds characteristic of bloat and the injections would be a gut stimulant but did they say what pain relief was given ? I've had a boy recently given sub.cut. fluids as he wasn't drinking much - it wards off dehydration.
I've never heard of sugar water being advised, is a home made remedy for colic for children so would steer clear.
Did the Vet give you any follow up medications to give to Merlot ?
 
Sugar water does not sound like a good idea to me. When mine are unwell I syringe them critical care and a little probiotic dissolved in water. If you are worried about water then maybe feed veggies with a high water content like cucumber.

I really think you need to seek a second opinion. What other symptoms is your piggy show?

Amy
x
 
Thanks for the advice guys.

I was given nothing to take home. She was a Dutch lady so her accent was quite thick. There was 2 painkillers which apparently would settle her. I am glad I haven't given her any sugar water. Just seemed an odd idea to me.

Trying to describe the symptoms is hard. She is very mopey, just sitting still. She feels a little cold so I have just been sitting in the sun with her and she just laid on me. Her breathing is quite fast. I have just tried to syringe some water into the side of her mouth and she didn't really take to it. I got a bit into her about 90 mins ago but want to keep her fluids up. I also tried some cucumber and she wasn't interested.

All she said was that she could feel something in her gut. She offered to x-ray or cut her open but I just don't think piggies are particularly robust so wouldn't want to put her under that stress.

I usually have a mix of foods for my piggies. They get fresh hay, supa guinea pig bran and some sort of veggie every say. Usually lettuce or cucumber.

Am I doing something wrong? :(
 
If your piggy is not eating there is a strong chance its gut could stop working. Really worth calling your vet and requesting critical care. Is your piggy pooping and peeing ok?

Amy
x
 
When you say lettuce that is fine but not iceburg lettuce. Guinea pigs are prone to bloat so please do not blame yourself. With bloat it is best to avoid any vegetables as it could make it worse. You can add a little hot water to the pellets and syringe feed them or buy critical care as this will help keep her strength up. When a little one will not eat it is vital you syringe feed them often as guinea pigs must have food passing through them constantly so they can poop.
 
I can't see any droppings :(

The vets are closed now. I have just checked my piggie box and I have a pouch of Critical Care but it expired on 09/12.

I am weary of feeding her as she obviously can't pass anything. How long would you expect to pass before the bowel stimulant took affect?
 
Please do not be weary of feeding her as it is vital she eats so she can pass some poops. What a shame the critical care is out of date. I really think you need to see an emergency vet but not the one you are currently seeing as she is useless. I cannot believe she advised cutting her open! What a bad idea. When my guinea pig had bloat she had an injection and it really helped her. She was fine the following day.
 
No that is about an hour away. I am just boiling some water and going to mush up some of her food. Then I'll let it cool and syringe it to her. :/
 
I cannot find any vet in Ashford. Is there no way you could travel the hour? I do think this is an emergency. :(
 
I found one! Here is what a member says:
I live in Kent. I recommend Barrowhill Veterinary Surgery in Ashford. We have used them, forever, with all our animals. I usually like to see Lindsay, as she takes into consideration every option, to find the best solution.

Is that close to you?
 
Can you feel her tummy to make sure if it's full or empty. If you're not sure then check one of your other girls to see if there's a difference. If her tummy is empty then you need feed her with a syringe. If you haven't got any emergency feed then finely grated carrots etc will help. If her tummy is full or bigger than the others then it could be bloat. Has she lost weight, if she has then weigh her daily until you've got her better. Try & keep her on your knee on a white towel to see if her wee is discoloured & also see if she's pooing. A visit to another vet may be neccessary to get her re-diagnosed. Is there anybody in the Ashford area who knows of a vet that's good with guinea pigs. I'm asking this so that other owners in your area may be able to get back to help you. I'm not an expert but I hope some of this info may be of use. I hope she's well soon.
 
I've just managed to get some food into her. Not a lot mind, as she seemed disinterested. I will repeat again in an hour. Least I know she has had a bit of fluid and something in her.
 
That is good. Will you take her to the vet just to make sure everything is okay? I really do not like the sound of the vet you saw. :(
 
I'm going to give it the night I think. I will move her back in with her sisters. I am not sure what else another vet could do for her? I have ignored the sugar water advice she gave and also I am dead against her being operated on but I imagine the antibiotics and injection to help her pass is the right advice.

I will be taking her back at 10:30 tomorrow morning for an assessment.

I have rearranged all my plans as I was meant to be driving a bunch of friends tonight and staying at someone's house. I am now on piggie watch.
 
Sorry to hear Merlot is unwell. Has she passed any poo at all since returning from the vets?
 
Do you have a strong.stomach? Might be worth collecting up the poops of healthy piggies and mushing it with water and feeding it to your piggy. This really works but you need a strong stomach.

Little and often is best for feeding. How is your piggy now? Eyes? Nose? Mouth? Fur? How do they look?

Amy
x
 
I am really sorry to hear she is poorly, i would keep her with her sisters, they will help stimulate her.

You really need to get food into her, weather she is interested or not, the food will keep her strong and get her gut going, without food her chances of surviving will be reduced dramatically. Please mash up some pellets and syringe her as much as you can (aim for 120mls in 24 hours) You may need to force her to eat, when my boy was porrly i had to force feed him, he was not interested and he tried to fight it, but with around the clock care and syringe feeding he recovered.

Healing vibes.

x
 
If it is bloat then I think you can use childrens medicine for colic like infacol, http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?100752-Ruby-is-gassy-again-(&highlight=infacol you can get it from the chemist just don't tell them it's for a guinea pig. You could give her mint if she will eat that, I have a mint plant to keep mine from getting bloat. You can gently massage her tummy to get things going. In the morning if she is no better let the vet xray to see what they are dealing with, there is no need for strong anaesthetic but the vet might insist on a tiny wiff just to relax her, if it is a blockage then it will need removing surgically. By the sounds of it your vet thinks it is bloat as sugar water is a remedy for colic but perhaps a trip to the chemists for infacol would be better.
 
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