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Sick Guinea

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Gorgeous Guinea

Gorgeous Guinea

New Born Pup
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
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Location
Merseyside
hi everyone I am new to the sight and was wondering if anyone could help. We addopted our Guinea pig"chip" from a well know pet store on Christmas Eve 3 years ago, two days later chip had to go to the vet as he has respiratory issues since then he has been on and off antibiotics and has scar tissue on his lungs. After a year of frequenting the vet with rattling teeth they eventually operated on him last week and filed down his very sharp teeth, he has taken all week to recover and has required critical care food due to not eating, he has now begun to eat his veggies but is not himself, I have noticed that all of his paws have scabs and what look like blisters I think it may be bumble foot but I don't know. Will my piggy be ok or will he get sicker we love him so much he is gorgeous and I can't bare to put him through more painful treatment, I would really appreciate any advice.
 
Hi welcome to the forum, please could you update your location on your profile as it will help with any advice we can give. I am also going to tag our dental expert, though it is possible she won't be online tonight @furryfriends (TEAS)

It does sound like Bumblefoot, which can often be a side effect of a heart issue, so it could be possible that the scarring on the lungs has contributed to it. Has the vet given any medication for his feet?
 
helen105281 said:
Hi welcome to the forum, please could you update your location on your profile as it will help with any advice we can give. I am also going to tag our dental expert, though it is possible she won't be online tonight @furryfriends (TEAS)

It does sound like Bumblefoot, which can often be a side effect of a heart issue, so it could be possible that the scarring on the lungs has contributed to it. Has the vet given any medication for his feet?
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Thank you for your fast reply, chip was sent home in a lot of pain after his tooth surgery, I had to return to collect metacam pain relief. I have only seen his feet tonight when I returned from work so I bathed them and they look really sore, I will take chip to the vet tomorrow. Chip is an inside Guinea pig and is a very well looked after piggy, he has his own indoor garden and does not reside in a cage so he has the freedom of the outside, inside!
 
Aww bless you! I don't have any advice as there are much more experienced people on here just wanted to wish you well cause I can tell your worried and its clear that you love him very much... let us know how it goes at the vet xx
 
It sounds like he has a wonderful set up. Is he on his Metacam still? Has the vet ruled out fluid on his chest? Had he had a period of not eating due to his illness before his dental issues? Can I just check that the vet has ruled out a heart problem too?
 
Gorgeous Guinea said:
hi everyone I am new to the sight and was wondering if anyone could help. We addopted our Guinea pig"chip" from a well know pet store on Christmas Eve 3 years ago, two days later chip had to go to the vet as he has respiratory issues since then he has been on and off antibiotics and has scar tissue on his lungs. After a year of frequenting the vet with rattling teeth they eventually operated on him last week and filed down his very sharp teeth, he has taken all week to recover and has required critical care food due to not eating, he has now begun to eat his veggies but is not himself, I have noticed that all of his paws have scabs and what look like blisters I think it may be bumble foot but I don't know. Will my piggy be ok or will he get sicker we love him so much he is gorgeous and I can't bare to put him through more painful treatment, I would really appreciate any advice.
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Please continue to top him up with syringe feed and to weigh him daily at the same time in the feeding cycle to check his food intake. Up to 80% should be hay, which you cannot control. He needs the fibre to keep the guts steady. Try to offer veg in small strips for easier picking. Guinea pigs are usually off eating after dental treatment because of the pain, especially if the dental work is not done well. it usually takes several rounds to balance the whole dental system up.
We have got a section on dental guinea pigs in our syringe feeding guide: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

I agree with @helen105281 that the bumblefoot/foor infection can be caused by issues with the blood circulation and potentially heart problems. They are often not easy to diagnose.
 
niklovesrats said:
Aww bless you! I don't have any advice as there are much more experienced people on here just wanted to wish you well cause I can tell your worried and its clear that you love him very much... let us know how it goes at the vet xx
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Thank you so much he is a very loved lil piggy!
 
helen105281 said:
It sounds like he has a wonderful set up. Is he on his Metacam still? Has the vet ruled out fluid on his chest? Had he had a period of not eating due to his illness before his dental issues? Can I just check that the vet has ruled out a heart problem too?
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Hi yes he began to struggle eating befor the op but I gues that was due to the malaclusions, he has stopped the metacam now but I still have some. The vet didn't say if he has fluid on the lungs or a heart issue
 
Wiebke said:
Please continue to top him up with syringe feed and to weigh him daily at the same time in the feeding cycle to check his food intake. Up to 80% should be hay, which you cannot control. He needs the fibre to keep the guts steady. Try to offer veg in small strips for easier picking. Guinea pigs are usually off eating after dental treatment because of the pain, especially if the dental work is not done well. it usually takes several rounds to balance the whole dental system up.
We have got a section on dental guinea pigs in our syringe feeding guide: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

I agree with @helen105281 that the bumblefoot/foor infection can be caused by issues with the blood circulation and potentially heart problems. They are often not easy to diagnose.
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Hi tbh I couldn't put him through another round if it was suggested as he was so sick after the surgery and very traumatised, when I collected him he just clung to my hand! He is eating cucumber so he's getting water and he is eating quite a bit of hey too he is doing his best to eat his carrots and kale. Thank you for your help
 
Gorgeous Guinea said:
Hi tbh I couldn't put him through another round if it was suggested as he was so sick after the surgery and very traumatised, when I collected him he just clung to my hand! He is eating cucumber so he's getting water and he is eating quite a bit of hey too he is doing his best to eat his carrots and kale. Thank you for your help
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Please keep monitoring his weight daily for the time being. Just watching a piggy eating, especially a dental piggy, can be deceptive.
 
Wiebke said:
Please keep monitoring his weight daily for the time being. Just watching a piggy eating, especially a dental piggy, can be deceptive.
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Thank you, I will do, he looks like he's lost weight but then he didn't eat for days and didnt wee or poop either but that area seems ok now.
 
I would second the possibility of a heart issue- this could be the root of his lung problems, reduced appetite causing overgrown teeth and also the bumblefoot due to poor circulation.

A chest xray or an ultrasound with a specialist is good for picking up enlarged hearts and fluid on the lungs. The latter can be managed with diuretics and the heart issue controlled with heart meds such as fortekor.

It would definately be worth looking into. Xrays and ultrasounds can be done consciously with fairly little stress for the piggy. I have a now 7 year old sow with advanced heart failure- shes still plodding along with treatment and doing well.. We're not far off a year since her issues started. Shes never needed any anaesthetic or sedation from the start, which is good as obviously isnt ideal to put a heart piggy through either of those.

If your vet isnt keen to consider the idea, it would be worth seeking a second opinion from someone more specialised.

Wishing you both luck you get some answers soon xx
 
Adelle said:
I would second the possibility of a heart issue- this could be the root of his lung problems, reduced appetite causing overgrown teeth and also the bumblefoot due to poor circulation.

A chest xray or an ultrasound with a specialist is good for picking up enlarged hearts and fluid on the lungs. The latter can be managed with diuretics and the heart issue controlled with heart meds such as fortekor.

It would definately be worth looking into. Xrays and ultrasounds can be done consciously with fairly little stress for the piggy. I have a now 7 year old sow with advanced heart failure- shes still plodding along with treatment and doing well.. We're not far off a year since her issues started. Shes never needed any anaesthetic or sedation from the start, which is good as obviously isnt ideal to put a heart piggy through either of those.

If your vet isnt keen to consider the idea, it would be worth seeking a second opinion from someone more specialised.

Wishing you both luck you get some answers soon xx
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Thank you so much, we wish you and your little piggy all the best x
 
Just to let you know that chip went to the vet, he has been given 4 huge injections pain relief, anti inflamitory and two of fluids. He has to go back tomorrow to see how he is if he's no better they will put him under again to double check they didn't miss any sharp pieces of teeth during the filing. He also has bumble foot but the vet doesn't want to prescribe any anti fungal yet as his breathing is poor. My poor piggy he really is poorly x
 
I really hope they help. Poor boy is really going through it.
 
I think before they do anything with his teeth they really should be xraying his chest consciously- this is all shouting heart to me and putting him under to recheck teeth would be dangerous without pursuing this possibility..

If you could afford the xray it is definately worth it- taking precautions before another GA and also possibly diagnosing his issue, without stressing his little body as he'll be conscious. X
 
I mentioned the heart issue like you said and he said it's a possibility but didn't offer to X-ray I will request an X-ray tomorrow as I just want him well again the vets fees have already reached over £200 but he's worth every penny. He's sleeping now the pain killers must have kicked in. Thanks for the advice X
 
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