Sick Guinea Pig

[Guinea Pig Momma]

Guinea pig is 4.5 years old. Quit eating hay, but was still eating grain and veggies. Then, quit eating grain and was only eating veggies. Went to the vet twice. Vet says no teeth problems and gave antioxidants, probiotics, pain med and gas medicine along with critical care. Now, we have diarrhea and are only eating critical care. Guinea pig has lost a lot of weight and has no appetite. Should I continue syringe feeding critical care and giving meds even though she is not getting better? Help! I don’t want to put her down, but not sure she will ever start eating again. Has anyone experienced this?

 

[Siikibam]

Yes, please keep syringe feeding her. What did the vet think was wrong? And was he/she cavy savvy? If not I would look for a second opinion if possible.

 

[Livia Rabideau]

Guinea pig is 4.5 years old. Quit eating hay, but was still eating grain and veggies. Then, quit eating grain and was only eating veggies. Went to the vet twice. Vet says no teeth problems and gave antioxidants, probiotics, pain med and gas medicine along with critical care. Now, we have diarrhea and are only eating critical care. Guinea pig has lost a lot of weight and has no appetite. Should I continue syringe feeding critical care and giving meds even though she is not getting better? Help! I don’t want to put her down, but not sure she will ever start eating again. Has anyone experienced this?

I would get a second opinion if you can. Keep up the syringe feeding until you can figure it out. Do you have another piggy that you can get fresh poops from? Sounds odd, but poop soup is supposed to help diarrhea. Mix water with fresh poo from a healthy pig and syringe it. How experienced is your vet with guinea pigs? Did they check the back molars? Or just the front? The back ones that are difficult to see are the ones that usually cause trouble.

 

[Guinea Pig Momma]

How much poop soup and how many times, etc.? Thanks!

 

[Guinea Pig Momma]

Yes, please keep syringe feeding her. What did the vet think was wrong? And was he/she cavy savvy? If not I would look for a second opinion if possible.

Both veterinarians said it wasn’t her teeth and it seemed she had an upset stomach for some reason that we may never know. Basically, just a guess.

 

[Livia Rabideau]

If you search on here there are many threads. I haven't found any that say how many times. I would think at least once a day until it clears up. Take a freshly laid poo or two and mix with a little water. If it an upset tummy getting the piggy to move around might help too. To get the gas moving around. Also, some people on here have used an electric toothbrush or something that vibrates on the piggies tummy to help break up the gas too. I hope your piggy feels better soon!

 

[Wiebke]

Guinea pig is 4.5 years old. Quit eating hay, but was still eating grain and veggies. Then, quit eating grain and was only eating veggies. Went to the vet twice. Vet says no teeth problems and gave antioxidants, probiotics, pain med and gas medicine along with critical care. Now, we have diarrhea and are only eating critical care. Guinea pig has lost a lot of weight and has no appetite. Should I continue syringe feeding critical care and giving meds even though she is not getting better? Help! I don’t want to put her down, but not sure she will ever start eating again. Has anyone experienced this?

Hi!

Please keep syringe feeding but get a second opinion if possible. Ask to check for internal growths/tumors, reproductive tract problems (large ovarian cysts or a womb going wrong) or urinary tract issues (bladder or kidney stones).

Have you got other healthy piggies? In this case, please try 'poo soup' by soaking fresh healthy poos that have literally just dropped out (feed a companion some veg; this generally triggers poos) in a little water. Then syringe the water to the ill piggy while the gut biome is still alive. This mimics natural behaviour and inoculates the devastated gut fauna with the 'right stuff'. Do this twice daily, always fresh. When done properly, it is a lot more effective than probiotics. Additionally give a course of fibreplex to help stabilise the gut again.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Here is the link to a collection of tips for looking after very ill guinea pigs: Emergency and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Looking after guinea pigs with digestive problems. The tips also work for diarrhea/soft poos: Bloat, GI Stasis ( No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Continue with the gut stimulants.