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Sick Piggy again

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MrPid

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Hi All

Remind me to give something back to the forums. I'll post some pics of Morgan and Red after we bathed them a couple of weeks ago. I only post when the piggies are ill!

I noticed Morgan was squeaking yesterday whilst he peed. Wasn't doing it on Sunday as far as I'm aware, so I took him to the vets. Vet checked him and said he had a water infection and was quite bloated. The vet then gave him a jab of Engemycin and Dexafort.

Today he's still quite lethargic and I noticed that he is pooing very small sticky bubbles along with some that have a poo like substance in.

Is he just reacting to the antibiotic in the same way that we do? I know antibiotics in humans will get rid of the good stuff as well as the bad.

He seems a little better than yesterday (more perky) not squeaking when peeing.

Any thoughts among those that are vastly more experienced (as most of you are)?

Thanks

Stu
 
You should ask your vet to give you a probiotic for him. That will keep the good bacteria while the antibiotics work on the bad. Or if you have a healthy pig you can take his poop and mix it with water to make poop soup to syringe, which will act as probiotics. If always your concerned, bring him back to the vets. Hth
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll check on him tomorrow and if in doubt will take him back.

Trying to sort out some webspace to post the piccies to. Having a few issues, but do not adjust your set, will sort it out and post a link to the new post here.

Stu
 
Sorry Stu saw your other thread first......

Sorry to hear about Morgan :...
Probiotics are a must for piggies when taking antibiotics :) but remember to take them a couple of hours afterwards, otherwise i'm sure they react and then the antibiotics doesn't do it's job !

HEALING WHEEEEEEEEEEEKS FOR MORGAN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
Glynis said:
Sorry Stu saw your other thread first......

Sorry to hear about Morgan :...
Probiotics are a must for piggies when taking antibiotics :) but remember to take them a couple of hours afterwards, otherwise i'm sure they react and then the antibiotics doesn't do it's job !

HEALING WHEEEEEEEEEEEKS FOR MORGAN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Vet didn't mention this at all. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Stu
 
My vet doesn't think they're necessary either rolleyes yet he is highly regarded in OZ with piggies!
I always use a powder probiotic and syringe it 2hrs either before or after antibiotics :)
If you're having problems offering the probiotics or antibiotics try dipping the end of the syringe into some juice (light cranberry NO SUGAR which is also handy to give with UTI's) or into a piece of fruit
 
My vet told me that piggies shouldn't react to antibiotics like humans do, she quickly took Jem off Baytril when he had problems. Can you ring and have a chat with her?
 
That sounds to me like he isnt eating enough, and his digestive system is not taking in enough fibre.

Have you noticed him eating? If he isnt eating then you will need to syringe feed him either some Critical Care, or some pellets softened with warm water.

Its important to keep his digestive system going.

There are some threads on here that help with syringe feeding -
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=67020&highlight=how+to+syringe+feed
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=74729&highlight=how+to+syringe+feed

Good luck, hope he gets better
 
first_time_piggie_mum said:
That sounds to me like he isnt eating enough, and his digestive system is not taking in enough fibre.

Have you noticed him eating? If he isnt eating then you will need to syringe feed him either some Critical Care, or some pellets softened with warm water.

Its important to keep his digestive system going.

There are some threads on here that help with syringe feeding -
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=67020&highlight=how+to+syringe+feed
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=74729&highlight=how+to+syringe+feed

Good luck, hope he gets better
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Hi

He isn't eating his normal amount but he is eating. Especially lettuce he will still munch like there is nothing else coming.

I think he's okay, just a bit lethargic due to being unwell and the antibiotics. If he doesn't start eating his normal amount by Friday I will take him to the vet again.

Stu
 
Dont give him too much lettuce, it has no nutritional value and will make his poo very soft.

if you are going to give him veggies, I would suggest peppers as they contain vitamin c. if hes not eating much his vit c levels will be depleted.

Try and get some hay into him too.
 
first_time_piggie_mum said:
Dont give him too much lettuce, it has no nutritional value and will make his poo very soft.

if you are going to give him veggies, I would suggest peppers as they contain vitamin c. if hes not eating much his vit c levels will be depleted.

Try and get some hay into him too.
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Thanks. We have some red pepper for them and fresh hay every day.

They love lettuce but they aren't that keen on carrots at the moment (or past few weeks). Any recommendation for veggie or snax that have more nutritional value that piggies seem to eat more readily?

Stu
 
Hi Stu on mobile ...
Piggies can react to antibiotics I have been thru / going thru 4mths with my girl Onyx she reacted to baytril. Probiotics and lots of tlc critical care hand feeding is what has pulled her thru along with brilliant advice and support from everyone on here. Do not give up. Keep up feeding whatever it takes. Take it step by step. It might take time but it's so worth it :)
 
Took the piggies to the vet again.

The good news is that Red is absolutely fine, perhaps just a little empathy for Morgan.

The other good news is Morgan is definately better. The vet checked him over again and can feel through his bladder, where on Monday it was very bloated, and no mention of stones. The reason for being off the food is probably due to it not being completely healed through.

Vet gave Morgan some additional anti-inflammatory injection to speed the process along. So, just got to keep checking him but it looks like he will be okay.

Stu
 
It's good to read this morning (oz time) that Morgan is feeling a little better and the vets were happier with him x)

All paws crossed for Morgan, give him some little loves from us all XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
Got home this evening and Morgan is totally wiped. He couldn't even raise his head for water so we've given him water by hand. I'm very worried now. He has drunk quite a bit of water but no interest in food. Should I go get a syringe kit and try feeding him. If so, with what?

Thanks

Stu
 
I would take him straight to the vet, that doesnt sound good at all.

Sorry to be so blunt but when a piggy is in that condition, they need serious vet treatment asap :...:(
 
I agree with first_time_piggie_mum. If he is in this state I wouldn't want to risk syringe feeding as it's possible he would struggle to swallow it and could choke on it. I'm sorry things have taken a turn for the worse. I hope the vets can help you. Good luck.
 
Took Morgan to the emergency vet and she has checked him over. He has been given another antibiotic and antiinflamatory, along with a gut kickstarter. We have been given a recovery food satchet and syringes for 24 hours recovery food. Hopefully this will kick start his stomach again.

Will post again a bit later.

Stu
 
Fingers and paws crossed for wee Morgan hope he pulls through x
 
Ass crossed that the recovery food helps him xxxxx
You need to feed 120mls per day to maintain weight. I'll be into work in an hour will check how things are going. Keep up the fluids too :)
 
Thanks everyone for the kind support.

I've tried to feed him by syringe twice now and I'm sure he's eating some of it. the rest is going on his face! He's still really lethargic and not interested in eating, but he is smelling things now. Hopefully this is a good start but I need some sleep myself.

I've also been giving him water, which he is taking without much objection.

We'll see... :(

Stu
 
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first_time_piggie_mum said:
Fingers crossed Stu.

If you can, keep track of his weight by weighing him daily.

Did they have any idea whats wrong with him?
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Unfortunately not really. She thinks it may just have stemmed from the infection and perhaps a reaction to the drugs.

However, she did check his chest and other areas and seemed to think there wasn't a concern. Also, she weighed him and he hasn't lost as much weight as I thought.

Stu
 
MrPid said:
Thanks everyone for the kind support.

I've tried to feed him by syringe twice now and I'm sure he's eating some of it. the rest is going on his face! He's still really lethargic and not interested in eating, but he is smelling things now. Hopefully this is a good start but I need some sleep myself.

I've also been giving him water, which he is taking without much objection.

We'll see... :(

Stu
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Stu it's not always easy to syringe feed..... firstly stay calm :)
wrap Morgan in a small towel so he feels secure, then gently cup your hand under his body with fingers facing up to his chin, i'm right handed so i do this with my left hand, then with right hand pop the syringe into the side of his mouth (you could try dipping the end in something sweet so he likes the idea of it) and syringe about 1/2 in (i use the 1ml syringes and cut off the tip - but not too far otherwise the little rubber stopper comes out)

You're doing well, keep up the fluids and continue the feeding. If it ends up on his face gently wipe off and pop back to be resyringed!

COME ON MORGAN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
Morning guys

Its not good this morning. Morgan is sniffing food but not eating and I can't seem to get enough into him via the syringe. To add to this his chest sounds very wheezy now.

I'm going to take him to the vets for 9.30 this morning.

Stu
 
Hi Everyone

Unfortunately I took Morgan to the vet and she advised he was very sick and unlikely to recover. She did offer further antibiotics and pain relief but she has 39 years experience as a vet and I respected her advice.

After talking it teary eyed with the missus we decided to end his suffering, I'm sorry to say. RIP Morgan.

We don't actually know how old he was as we got him and Red from a rescue place in the town we live in. The vet also said that guinea pigs tend to go downhill very quickly.

We have enjoyed the (not quite) year that we have had him and Red and I hope that Red will be fine for many years to come.

Now we have the problem that Red has been used to company for such a long time we are going to speak with the rescue owner about getting him another buddy.

Stu
 
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