Sickness?

[Puddles1999]

Hey everyone! So yesterday around 4:30 I noticed my 5 month old guinea pig was facing the corner and all puffed up. I know sometimes they puff up when they’re cold or sleeping, eating veggies etc.

However, she had been in the corner for a while and immediately rushed her to the vet. He said her teeth seem perfect, her stomach doesn’t feel hard or weird. Her eyes looked clear. However, she stopped eating, had a puffed up coat, and is so cold all the time. Could she possibly have a fever?

She was prescribed baytril and an anti-inflammatory. She has eaten since then, not much but something. Tried giving her some critical care last night but she ended up eating some hay and today she ate a carrot, some lettuce and some hay. It’s not a lot but seems to be progress and we’re trying our hardest. She doesn’t have a runny nose, no sneezing, nothing.

I am completely stumped as to what could be wrong, I’m hoping these antibiotics cure it but I would love some other people’s opinions on the situation and if y’all have experienced anything similar.

 

[Wiebke]

Hey everyone! So yesterday around 4:30 I noticed my 5 month old guinea pig was facing the corner and all puffed up. I know sometimes they puff up when they’re cold or sleeping, eating veggies etc.

However, she had been in the corner for a while and immediately rushed her to the vet. He said her teeth seem perfect, her stomach doesn’t feel hard or weird. Her eyes looked clear. However, she stopped eating, had a puffed up coat, and is so cold all the time. Could she possibly have a fever?

She was prescribed baytril and an anti-inflammatory. She has eaten since then, not much but something. Tried giving her some critical care last night but she ended up eating some hay and today she ate a carrot, some lettuce and some hay. It’s not a lot but seems to be progress and we’re trying our hardest. She doesn’t have a runny nose, no sneezing, nothing.

I am completely stumped as to what could be wrong, I’m hoping these antibiotics cure it but I would love some other people’s opinions on the situation and if y’all have experienced anything similar.

Hi!

Good that you have seen a vet promptly. Guinea pigs very rarely have fevers, but has your vet checked her heart?
'Mystery weight loss/loss of appetite without symptoms' is my least favourite issue, simply because all kinds of problems can present that way and it can take a lot of detective skill for a vet to work out the problem.

Please continue with weighing daily and support feeding as necessary. Keep in mind that over 80% of the daily food intake is hay, which you cannot judge the intake of by eye. Seeing a piggy nibble on it can be very deceptive as I know from my own experiences! Weighing is crucial as it feeding top-up until the weight has stabilised and is going up again.
Tips for crisis care (which your piggy is still in): Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Fingers very firmly crossed! If things don't get better, then a scan or blood tests (which are not easy to take in guinea pigs) may be needed.

 

[Puddles1999]

It sucks so much when they’re not feeling good and they can’t tell you what’s wrong! It’s a guessing game and it sucks.

I definitely will! She got her baytril today and her metacam and it has seemed to work! She’s starting to seem a bit more lively. She’s been pretty lazy and lethargic: she has however started eating way more. I’ve been keeping track of her eating habits and times today and she’s been eating hay off and on for the past five hours or so. Praying she gets better.

Part of me thinks it’s a uri but I’m not sure if they can show up without any symptoms?

Thank you so much for your advice! I’ll be weighing her today and keeping an eye on that. Seems that the medicine is kicking in and helping her out. She hasn’t had her fur puffed up for most of today!

Keeping my fingers crossed for the better