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Skinnie Eating Now, But Not Much

Barnyard Boars

Barnyard Boars

Junior Guinea Pig
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Location
Vancouver, BC
Hey all, I posted about my Skinnie not eating and being lethargic, I tried calling every vet in my area and out of and no one would let me come in today... assuming cuz it's Sunday...? Stupid, idk. I'm making him an appointment for tomorrow morning to go to the vet, I finally got the right size syringes to feed him and I gave him a warm bath and cuddled him while drying him off, he was super snuggly today... I put him back in his cage and him and his little buddy curled up and cuddled each other all day, and I noticed my Mel eating a bit today, I'm staying up all night to feed him again, any ideas of what this MIGHT be? I weighed him again and he went down 4 grams, I'll weigh him again before the vet tomorrow. I know only a vet can tell me I just hate being left in the dark and would like a little insight as to what others think
 
It could be anything from overgrown teeth to bloat to something else. Only a vet can diagnose what is wrong. Good luck at the vet and let us know.
 
Thank you, he didn't like the syringe feeding too much and is munching away pretty good on a carrot right now, hopefully the eating keeps up! Will update what vet says
 
Madditanne said:
Hey all, I posted about my Skinnie not eating and being lethargic, I tried calling every vet in my area and out of and no one would let me come in today... assuming cuz it's Sunday...? Stupid, idk. I'm making him an appointment for tomorrow morning to go to the vet, I finally got the right size syringes to feed him and I gave him a warm bath and cuddled him while drying him off, he was super snuggly today... I put him back in his cage and him and his little buddy curled up and cuddled each other all day, and I noticed my Mel eating a bit today, I'm staying up all night to feed him again, any ideas of what this MIGHT be? I weighed him again and he went down 4 grams, I'll weigh him again before the vet tomorrow. I know only a vet can tell me I just hate being left in the dark and would like a little insight as to what others think
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Please weigh daily and syringe feed asap anyway! Just watching a piggy nibble is not enough - you may survive on nibbling on the equivalent of a biscuit for a couple of days! A GUINEA PIG WILL NOT. Being lethargic means that your guinea pig is already running out of energy.
Not Eating And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding

All the best for seeing a vet today. Please make sure that you have him checked from top to bottom, including the back teeth.
 
Finally got an appointment for 8:30 tonight... he's doing a little shake thing and seems kind of cold which is scaring me immensely.... do you think he can wait 5 hours? I've been so worried I'm frantic
 
Last night he appeared to have a bit of energy as he was curious and exploring my bed and running under the blankets and pillows, I'm freaking out. And by he seems cold I mean his body feels a tad cool I'm panicking so bad
 
Madditanne said:
Last night he appeared to have a bit of energy as he was curious and exploring my bed and running under the blankets and pillows, I'm freaking out. And by he seems cold I mean his body feels a tad cool I'm panicking so bad
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I would get him to an emergency vet if you can xx
 
None will take me at this time I can't understand how there's barely any bets around me that won't take a piggie! They're so common to have, this is crazy. I guess all I CAN do is wait, I'm praying he's going to be okay... should I go out and get food suppliment like critical care I believe it's called? Or don't give him any of that kind of stuff until vet sees him
 
Madditanne said:
Finally got an appointment for 8:30 tonight... he's doing a little shake thing and seems kind of cold which is scaring me immensely.... do you think he can wait 5 hours? I've been so worried I'm frantic
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Please keep on syringe feeding fibre to keep his digestive system and his energy level going - that is absolutely vital, and keep him warm, but not hot.

Are you weighing him daily at the same time to check whether his independent food intake is enough to keep his weight and are you syringe feeding him either mushed up pellets and recovery food to keep him alive if his own food intake is not enough? Just watching a piggy nibble on food is not giving you the true picture, as I know from my own experience. Your support care at home is every bit as important as any medication. The medication cannot get to work if the body is closing down from lack of food.

As the vet to check his ears, too.
 
3 days ago he was 699g, yesterday 695g, today 598g... he's losing and I've been syringe feeding him pellets but it's obviously not enough... what else could I give him? Blended carrots? Something?
 
Madditanne said:
3 days ago he was 699g, yesterday 695g, today 598g... he's losing and I've been syringe feeding him pellets but it's obviously not enough... what else could I give him? Blended carrots? Something?
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Have you read the syringe feeding guide? If he’s loosing weight then he’s not getting enough syringe feed.For a piggy that is not eating you have to get 120ml of food into them a day xx
 
Okay I'll feed him more, sorry I know I sound so incompetent I'm new to owning piggies this is my first real illness and I'm just panicking, I appreciate all the advice so much
 
Madditanne said:
3 days ago he was 699g, yesterday 695g, today 598g... he's losing and I've been syringe feeding him pellets but it's obviously not enough... what else could I give him? Blended carrots? Something?
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How much have you syringed? He needs at least 60 ml if not more in 24 hours to slow down any weight loss. That kind of weight loss means that he has not eaten or drunk anything apart from what you have given him. Please switch to feeding him every 2 hours round the clock, as much as he will take with every feed. You can mix in some carrot into the pellet mix, but the more fibre goes in the better. Right now you are at the stage where anything that goes in can be a life saver; whatever works - but don't expect him to like veg juice or baby food any better; a piggy off food won't generally like anything.
Tips on how to handle an unwilling piggy: Administering Medications And Syringe Feed
Tips on how much to feed during a crisis (mind that skinnies need a bit more) in the chapter on how much and how often to feed: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

All the best! I know what an anxious time it is for you. skinnies need even more feed than normal piggies. Getting it into a piggy that is completely off food can be very difficult, but it has to be done.

If he struggles well beyond his strength to not eat or is so apathetic/weak that he struggles to swallow, then it can mean that his body is closing down and he can no longer process food. In that case, please stop and concentrate on keeping him warm and as comfy as you can.
 
I've got him in my arms right now feeding he's taking it well what are these little hiccup movements he's doing?
 
Melvin has been put to sleep tonight, I am absolutely crushed and cannot stop crying... I have never been in so much pain...
 
Oh no... I am so sorry for your loss.
RIP Melvin & popcorn free over rainbow bridge :luv: x
 
Madditanne said:
Melvin has been put to sleep tonight, I am absolutely crushed and cannot stop crying... I have never been in so much pain...
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HUGS

I am ever so sorry; it sounded like he was very ill and deteriorating fast. :(
What was the cause?
 
Melvin was very poorly and he's left for the bridge. I'm really sorry and send you best wishes.
RIP Little guy. x
 
Melvin had pneumonia... he was hypothermic despite me desperately trying to keep him warm... we had planned to incubate him and medicate him with a 50/50 chance of survival... Mel got his medication and went into the incubator and dr came and got me to come sit with him as he wasn't looking well, when I saw him my heart broke and stomach dropped, he looked so ill... we agreed that putting my sweet baby to sleep was the best option as I did not want to see him suffer any longer... I am absolutely heart broken and was hysteric on my way home... I let my Harvey say his goodbyes and he was so shocked and heartbroken, he was all over him licking him, it broke me even more... I believe very much he is in heaven eating all the carrots, snap peas, hay, and parsley he can muster up and running and jumping around with the other piggies... Harvey is upset, and as much as I cannot imagine loving another baby this soon, i will be searching for another companion for Harvey soon... I am so heart broken but do not regret putting him to sleep as he was in pain and suffering, we laid him to rest today, and come summer I will be planting wildflowers on his resting spot to brighten up where he lay as he brightened up my life in a bad time, he brightened every day he lived and I will love him forever; just wish I could've done more... goodnight my sweet boy ❤️ There will never be another quite like you...

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What a beautiful memory of a great piggie. Yes he's at rest now and you can be very proud of what you did for him in his final days.
We all think we can do better and we ask for help and what shall we do. NON of us can beat nature and Melvin has skipped away to Rainbow World.
Be very happy with the love you have shared.
 
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