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Sunken eyes but still active...

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mysteriousdave

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Hello all,

After some advice on one of my guinea pigs if poss! About a month ago Ben became very lethargic, with sunken eyes. He'd stopped eating and drinking, so I took him to the vets who gave him some fluid via an injection, and gave me antibiotics and liquid feed stuff (diet replacement with vitamins etc). Kept him inside for a week, and fed via syringe, and by the weekend he was back to normal.

The past few days though his eyes have become really sunken again. He's still eating and running about like normal, so I'm not sure if theres anything majorly wrong. I gave him some water by syringe yesterday in case he was dehydrated, but his eyes look no better today.

He lives with his brother, Bill, but they seem to get along ok (to be honest after being seperated for a week Ben seems to have become the dominant one!). They living in a hutch in a wood shed, which is fairly sheltered.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Just not sure whether to go back to the vets or not, or even if I do what they'll do for him... :(
 
Sunken eyes can indicate dehydration and possible kidney problems.
How old is the pig?
 
I think he's about 3 or 4. Inherited them from our landlady, who found them abandoned as babies in a car park.

I've given him some more liquid this afternoon, and he's happily munching away on the hay. I have noticed the past few days his belly is fairly noisy and gurgling a lot...!
 
I think it's better to give dioralyte (or similar diarhhea treatment drink) for dehydration than just water.
Personally, I would take him to the vet again, or a rodentologist.
 
Welcome to the forum Dave, I am sorry Ben has not been well.

I agree that a rehydration solution such as Dioralyte would be worth trying, if it is a case of dehydration you're likely to see a more marked improvement. Also when you feed fresh veggies, leave them wet after you wash/rinse them, just to provide a little extra water.
 
Welcome to the forum Dave, I am sorry Ben has not been well.

I agree that a rehydration solution such as Dioralyte would be worth trying, if it is a case of dehydration you're likely to see a more marked improvement. Also when you feed fresh veggies, leave them wet after you wash/rinse them, just to provide a little extra water.
 
Thanks for the advice so far! He's still fairly active, so will give him till tomorrow evening to perk up, and if not I'll take him to the late surgery.

The thought did occur - I ran out of hay a week or 2 ago, so they've just been eating dry food and veg. Is this likely to affect their digestion/health particularly? As when I put a pile in earlier both pigs went mad for it!
 
Guinea pigs are grazing animals; their digestion is adapted to consuming large quantities of low-value food, unlike humans,cats and dogs which eat small quantities of highly nutritious food. They need 24hour access to either hay or grass, to keep their digestion working, and to keep their teeth from getting too long.
 
I'm certainly no expert on guinea health but I think the lack if hay for even a short time would have quite a significant effect on their digestive function.
 
While a lack of hay would cause some problems, I don't think they'd be as severe and sudden as this.
 
Hmmm well both of them seem to have gurgly bellies, which I guess could be to do with lack of hay? Ben still seems happy enough, and is eating and drinking, but his eyes are still more sunken than normal.

When I picked him up this evening he was quite squeaky - possibly a tender belly?
 
I took Ben to the vets yeterday, and it turns out he's hurt/dislocated one of his front legs. Explains why he's looking so sorry for himself! :(

She gave him a shot of anti-inflammatory, and sent him home with me. She said it was fine to put him back in his hutch with his brother, but he just looks so sad it's breaking my heart. No idea how I can help him to feel better!
 
Sadly we went to feed Bill and Ben this morning, and found that Ben had passed away in the night... :(

Am broken hearted, and wish there was something more I could have done for him.

Thanks for the help in the meantime everyone.
 
Sorry to hear this. Keep a close eye on Bill just incase there is any underlying illness. I would also get them hay asap because it is the most important part of the diet as they need to be able to constantly graze...I know hay is at a shortage right now but you can get it from Pets at Home or other pet stores in smaller bags.
 
Sad news but not unexpected. As I said in my reply to your first post, it seems as though he had gone into kidney failure. There was nothing you could have done for him.
 
I'm so sorry Ben passed away. Sending hugs to you and Bill, I hope he's doing ok.
 
Thanks all. Bill is a very laid back pig, so I don't think he's going to be too lonely. Been giving him lots of attention, and will keep an eye on him. Just looking forward to warmer weather so I can get him out in the run!
 
Char-x said:
Sorry to hear this. Keep a close eye on Bill just incase there is any underlying illness. I would also get them hay asap because it is the most important part of the diet as they need to be able to constantly graze...I know hay is at a shortage right now but you can get it from Pets at Home or other pet stores in smaller bags.
Click to expand...

Yup there's been plenty of hay since last week, so all is well on that front...
 
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