Dental Suspected Teeth Trauma, Loss Of Weight And Intermittent Drooling

[Cavy2009]

My guinea pig Smudge has lost quite a lot of weight in a few days. On Monday he was absolutely fine. He sticks his head out to see who's there and then hides. He's also known as SAS pig. However, I cleaned the pigs out this morning and when I lifted him up his chin was soaked and he felt a hell of a lot lighter. Checked his weight he weighs 900g as instead of his usual 1.2kg. Alarms started ringing. I looked at his teeth but the seemed okay. However, he's making a 'sloshing sound'. Obviously, I have phoned the vets and we're booked in early morning tomorrow.

I have put vitamin C solution in his water bottle - specially formulated for Guinea Pigs. And i am feeding him mushed down nuggets, whilst still encouraging him to eat a little independently.

However, I suspect he may need his teeth looking at and am worried about the aftermath of having his teeth cut. He's nearly 5 years old and I have never had a guinea pig survive an operation long after. I have ordered some Critical care and lucky enough to be off this week to take care of him.

Q: What else can I possibly do to ensure his survival? Thanks x

I am quite surprised he's having trouble with his teeth because I give them appropriate things to chew on and plenty of hay.

 

[AuntyC]

Hi there. Sorry to hear you are having problems with Smudge. Are you anywhere near Northampton? I will tag in one of our forum dental experts @furryfriends (TEAS) for you who uses AN AMAZING VET renowned for his dental expertise with guinea pigs.

 

[Cavy2009]

Awe, thanks. I'm nowhere near Northampton. Although, my vets does have a small animal specialist, so I should be in safe hands. It's just the shock of it because he's the first of my guineas that's made it to 5 x

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig Smudge has lost quite a lot of weight in a few days. On Monday he was absolutely fine. He sticks his head out to see who's there and then hides. He's also known as SAS pig. However, I cleaned the pigs out this morning and when I lifted him up his chin was soaked and he felt a hell of a lot lighter. Checked his weight he weighs 900g as instead of his usual 1.2kg. Alarms started ringing. I looked at his teeth but the seemed okay. However, he's making a 'sloshing sound'. Obviously, [you]I have phoned the vets and we're booked in early morning tomorrow.
[/you]
I have put vitamin C solution in his water bottle - specially formulated for Guinea Pigs. And i am feeding him mushed down nuggets, whilst still encouraging him to eat a little independently.

However, I suspect he may need his teeth looking at and am worried about the aftermath of having his teeth cut. He's nearly 5 years old and I have never had a guinea pig survive an operation long after. I have ordered some Critical care and lucky enough to be off this week to take care of him.

Q: What else can I possibly do to ensure his survival? Thanks x

I am quite surprised he's having trouble with his teeth because I give them appropriate things to chew on and plenty of hay.

Hi!

Please contact The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary for guinea pigs with special needs (TEAS), which is looking especially after guinea pigs with dental issues in conjunction with the (by now) best and most practised piggy dentals vet in the whole country. I agree that your guinea pig needs to see a preferably piggy savvy vet. Sadly, most vets are not experienced with dental issues and mouth/face problems.
http://www.teasnorthampton.co.uk/
@furryfriends (TEAS) @MintyAndGarry (TEAS)

Until then, please start topping him up with syringe feed; he is not eating enough. You can still do this by encouraging to eat normally first, but dental piggies usually are not able to chew and process food properly. Our detailed guide has got lots of tips, including a chapter about dental guinea pigs. Weigh daily at the same time. Please do not add vitamin C to the water. Pretty much all guinea pig drink noticeably less with additives in the water. Any supplement goes off very quickly, promotes the growth of algae and you can't control the intake either. it is much more effective to syringe additional vitamin C.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/

Could you please add your country and UK cunty to your details, so we can help you better in your emergency? click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

 

[7squeakers.]

I can't add to the good advice given above. Just sending healing wheeks and vibes! Hoping that Smudge will be okay soon.

 

[piggieminder]

Sending you very best wishes for a happy outcome from your vets visit. Everything crossed for Smudge. X

 

[Flutterby]

Sending healing vibes for your little one! Hope all goes well at the vets

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

As long as you continue to syringe feed him, you should be able to sustain him with dental issues for the immediate. You should be looking at 100-120ml per 24 hour period of syringe food, be it mushed up nuggets, Critical Care or a combination of both. You can even add some pureed fruit or 100% fruit/veg baby food to keep him interested. If you are syringing nuggets/CC and/or pureed veggies, there should be no need for additional vitamin C. He should also be getting in enough liquid from the syringe food, so there is no need to syringe additional water.

Simon really is the dental expert when it comes to piggies. Please do get your piggy checked over as you have planned, but if as you suspect they suggest the need for dental treatment, I really would encourage you to do your best to get Smudge down to Northampton to see Simon and not let anyone else work on the teeth. He often finds himself sorting out cases that have been started unsuccessfully by others and can have excellent results where others have said the only option would be to PTS. He also treats 99% of piggies that come to him with dental issues, without the need for anaesthetic. Sadly, there is a severe lack of understanding in the wider veterinary world when it comes to dentistry. Simon (and Kim) are the reasons why TEAS can exist as the only dental sanctuary for guinea pigs in the UK.

Unfortunately, Simon is currently on annual leave (trust me, we're feeling it here!) until 4th August. But, with good supportive care, a visit for preliminary dental treatment by Simon would still be my personal preference.

 

[Cavy2009]

Thank you everyone. x