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Sick Piggy

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Angus

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Hi All,
Our piggy Angus, has been poorly for about 4 weeks now, he's had x-rays (teeth and full body), blood test, poo test and has been on 2 different types of gut stimulant, antibiotics and pain killers (metacam and buprecare).
The vet queries a lymphoma or a serious infection (maybe caused by an abscess in intestines) his blood test shows it could be either of these things and the only treatment would be to give aggressive anti-biotics for the next ten days to see if that fixes him. If not by process of elimination it's lymphoma.

He's lost so much weight (300grams in the past week) so now weighs under 800grams so we have started feeding critical care, vitamin/probiotic mix)

What can I do to make him more comfortable? Has anyone had these 2 conflicting diagnosis possiblities and can shed any light on recovery or treatment options?

He really is part of the family and would do anything to see him get better! Please keep your fingers crossed that he just has an infection and recovers.
 
Angus said:
Hi All,
Our piggy Angus, has been poorly for about 4 weeks now, he's had x-rays (teeth and full body), blood test, poo test and has been on 2 different types of gut stimulant, antibiotics and pain killers (metacam and buprecare).
The vet queries a lymphoma or a serious infection (maybe caused by an abscess in intestines) his blood test shows it could be either of these things and the only treatment would be to give aggressive anti-biotics for the next ten days to see if that fixes him. If not by process of elimination it's lymphoma.

He's lost so much weight (300grams in the past week) so now weighs under 800grams so we have started feeding critical care, vitamin/probiotic mix)

What can I do to make him more comfortable? Has anyone had these 2 conflicting diagnosis possiblities and can shed any light on recovery or treatment options?

He really is part of the family and would do anything to see him get better! Please keep your fingers crossed that he just has an infection and recovers.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Please take the time to read our detailed syringe feeding guide; many vets are not aware just how important feeding a guinea pig that is losing weight/not eating fully is and they also often completely underestimate the amounts needed to keep a piggy going. You care in that respect can make a real difference, if there is a difference to be made.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Lymphoma is sadly not curable. It is on the rise in guinea pigs (or at least it is more diagnosed now), but it is unfortunately one of the nastier things that a guinea pig can come down with. Pain relief is very important in the later stages.

Depending on the infection, a guinea pig may or may not pull through. Can you please tell us what antibiotics you have been prescribed and in which doses. Your piggy may need a very strong antibiotic as a last ditch attempt.

Since we have members and enquiries from all over the world, you can help us by adding your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can tailor any recommendation to what is available and relevant where you are straight away. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. This makes it appear with every post you make. Thank you!
 
HI All, I'm very happy to report Angus seems to be responding well to antibiotics and is back to his normal self albeit a bit of the skinny side :D
 
Angus said:
HI All, I'm very happy to report Angus seems to be responding well to antibiotics and is back to his normal self albeit a bit of the skinny side :D
Click to expand...

That is great news! Keep him on a good diet with a wide range of nutrients and if necessary, top him up with syringe feed, as much as he wants to take for a while to help bolster the guts and prop up the weight. if you have access to fresh grass that is dog and fox pee free then feed that additionally; it is rich at this time of year, especially the new grass! Just start slowly in order to not overset the guts, and combine with offering additional dry fibre.
 
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