Spoilt Or Something More Sinister?

[gus+walter]

I made a post a few weeks ago about my piggy Gus. He had a tooth spur and it was removed and his teeth realigned under GA 2 weeks ago and he still isn't eating by himself. I took him back to the same vet for a post op check and to rule out ulcers or oral thrush (his breath smelled a bit damp, but it turns out that's down to poor digestion/food storing). He's still happily eating via syringe and I've been adding bits of hay and rolled oats to try and boost his weight a bit. The vet couldn't find anything and said there's no reason that he shouldn't be eating by himself. He's tried little bits here and there, but quickly gives up. Could it be possible that he's just very spoilt and is liking all the attention of syringe feeds? Far fetched, but an amusing thought.
The vet gave me some appetite stimulant and said to take him back in a week if he doesn't come round and he'll need to take bloods to check for anything else.

 

[Wiebke]

I made a post a few weeks ago about my piggy Gus. He had a tooth spur and it was removed and his teeth realigned under GA 2 weeks ago and he still isn't eating by himself. I took him back to the same vet for a post op check and to rule out ulcers or oral thrush (his breath smelled a bit damp, but it turns out that's down to poor digestion/food storing). He's still happily eating via syringe and I've been adding bits of hay and rolled oats to try and boost his weight a bit. The vet couldn't find anything and said there's no reason that he shouldn't be eating by himself. He's tried little bits here and there, but quickly gives up. Could it be possible that he's just very spoilt and is liking all the attention of syringe feeds? Far fetched, but an amusing thought.
The vet gave me some appetite stimulant and said to take him back in a week if he doesn't come round and he'll need to take bloods to check for anything else.

Gus is certainly not spoilt, but he has got chewing issues as his teeth have likely overgrown from all the syringe feeding. Dentals usually need more post-op filing in the weeks after the op until they are all aligned. Teeth grow very quickly. Most vets are not experienced with guinea pig dentals.

If you can in any way, please have him seen by Simon Maddock at the Cat&Rabbit Clinic in Northampton. He can do conscious dentals in minor cases, which means that the teeth can be realigned gradually until everything works properly again. This is the only way to make sure that teeth are OK for the longer term. He is seen by people from all over the country and deals with dental piggies on a nearly daily basis, so he has all the experience.
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic - Home

Until you can sort something out, please try grated food in addition to syringe feed.

 

[gus+walter]

Gus is certainly not spoilt, but he has got chewing issues as his teeth have likely overgrown from all the syringe feeding. Dentals usually need more post-op filing in the weeks after the op until they are all aligned. Teeth grow very quickly. Most vets are not experienced with guinea pig dentals.

If you can in any way, please have him seen by Simon Maddock at the Cat&Rabbit Clinic in Northampton. He can do conscious dentals in minor cases, which means that the teeth can be realigned gradually until everything works properly again. This is the only way to make sure that teeth are OK for the longer term. He is seen by people from all over the country and deals with dental piggies on a nearly daily basis, so he has all the experience.
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic - Home

Until you can sort something out, please try grated food in addition to syringe feed.

Unfortunately I have no way of getting to Simon, I'm disabled so I can't travel far and I don't drive. The vet did his post op check on Tuesday and said that his teeth look fine and there's no reason that he shouldn't be eating by now. Is it normal for them to take a little longer to start eating again from time to time? I have another appt with a vet that I know is experienced with piggies to double check his teeth. A second opinion never hurts.
I have tried grating his favourite veggies, but he just sniffs at them, does a tiny munch and then waddles away and doesn't look at it again.
I have been cutting up bits of hay and sneaking it into his recovery feeds to encourage him to chew (and hopefully keep his teeth a little more grinded) along with rolled oats. I tried to pop a little bit of parsley and grated carrot in his mouth in case he just lost his confidence after his dental, but he just pushed it out of his mouth