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Emergency Swollen Stomach - Pooping Ok ***urgent**
- Thread starter ishy28
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He hasn't stopped eating at all through the whole thing.
The first thing we noticed was his breathing. He was given antibiotics for that.
So far I haven't needed to syringe feed him. I'm watching out tonight that he drinks also.
I'd say the breathing is very slightly better but the tummy is bigger since he had the needle.
The first thing we noticed was his breathing. He was given antibiotics for that.
So far I haven't needed to syringe feed him. I'm watching out tonight that he drinks also.
I'd say the breathing is very slightly better but the tummy is bigger since he had the needle.
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They do tend to take two steps forward and one back as they get over bloaty episodes so don't lose heart. It's good he's eating so just take it a step at a time.
It's heartbreaking to see them bloaty - I've got my girl through it twice but she's still delicate. We all feel like we've let the piggy down in some way but you are clearly very caring and doing your best for your little one. It's so good that he's eating and drinking.
If he's eating it's moving through. If it's moving through then so is the gas, hopefully.
Bloat happens when the gut stops moving. The food ferments before it can pass through and this causes the gas. Old food in the gut is bad news, food must constantly be going through the system for it to be healthy.
The best food is high fibre, which sounds odd because for us too much fibre can cause wind. x
Bloat happens when the gut stops moving. The food ferments before it can pass through and this causes the gas. Old food in the gut is bad news, food must constantly be going through the system for it to be healthy.
The best food is high fibre, which sounds odd because for us too much fibre can cause wind. x
As long as he is still tucking in as normal, he is by no means on his last legs! It means that despite the gas, his guts are still working fine.
Try to give him as much fibre and as little veg as possible; ideally stop all veg, so there is less that can ferment and cause gassing. Guinea pig guts need nutrionally poor fibre to work best. See whether he likes some brown cardboard or toilet/kitchen roll inners.
Try to give him as much fibre and as little veg as possible; ideally stop all veg, so there is less that can ferment and cause gassing. Guinea pig guts need nutrionally poor fibre to work best. See whether he likes some brown cardboard or toilet/kitchen roll inners.
It's his breathing that worries me more. Just been down and given him his antibiotics. He's making noises when he breathes still. I'd say it's about the same as it was this morning.
The vet said she would have expected it to improve after the gas was reduced. It didn't change at all.
I've also got hubby up to help and did some more toothbrush massage.
We are up again for work t 5:30/6am so need to sleep. I'm starting a new position at my job tomorrow and it's already stressful. If he needs me to take him to the vet then I will have to call in. But I don't know how I will decide that.
He was on oxygen today and I don't think it made a difference. Unfortunately hubby has been out of work until last week and I've had to reduce my hours slightly....money is tight
The vet said she would have expected it to improve after the gas was reduced. It didn't change at all.
I've also got hubby up to help and did some more toothbrush massage.
We are up again for work t 5:30/6am so need to sleep. I'm starting a new position at my job tomorrow and it's already stressful. If he needs me to take him to the vet then I will have to call in. But I don't know how I will decide that.
He was on oxygen today and I don't think it made a difference. Unfortunately hubby has been out of work until last week and I've had to reduce my hours slightly....money is tight
Update - not much change over night. Calling vet first thing to see if he can go in oxygen while I'm at work and they can give him his next dose of antibiotics. The breathing is just not fair on him.
If it doesn't improve today I think I will need to do the kindness thing for Percy.
If it doesn't improve today I think I will need to do the kindness thing for Percy.
Kerrie74
Adult Guinea Pig
*hugs* for you both.
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
If he is struggling to breathe please also ask the vet about diuretic if there is any fluid on is chest as it will help to clear it. If he has mucous in his nasal passages Bisolvon can also help. Keeping everything crossed for Percy and you.
Update - he's back at the vets. I gave in and couldn't leave him all day. He should be in an oxygen cage and they will give him meds.
Cost total now at £420.
Will be bringing him home tonight and it's up to him/us then. Money aside (there is no more) I won't see him suffer after trying this. Just wanted him to have oxygen while his meds kick in.
Cost total now at £420.
Will be bringing him home tonight and it's up to him/us then. Money aside (there is no more) I won't see him suffer after trying this. Just wanted him to have oxygen while his meds kick in.
Chief Guinea Pig
Senior Guinea Pig
I'm so sorry you're in this position. ((Hugs))
I'm at my wits end now!
I asked the vets to have him in an oxygen tank today and he's been in a normal one! Barr them being able to give him his antibiotics it's been a total waste!
I can't cope anymore.
I don't want to give up on him but I've paid for all this help and not getting anywhere! There's no more money or time that I can spend on this. It's heartbreaking! His stomach went down a bit overnight but now it's back up apparently.
Picking him up at 6:30 and will give antibiotics for next few days. There is no way I can stay home with him or afford to keep him in the vets.
He's probably suffering! The vet won't give him anything else.
He's having a jab agains today that should get his gut moving.
I'm a person as he was probably poorly long before I noticed. We only have them out now and then to cut nails and stuff. They've always hated being out.
I feel evil.
I asked the vets to have him in an oxygen tank today and he's been in a normal one! Barr them being able to give him his antibiotics it's been a total waste!
I can't cope anymore.
I don't want to give up on him but I've paid for all this help and not getting anywhere! There's no more money or time that I can spend on this. It's heartbreaking! His stomach went down a bit overnight but now it's back up apparently.
Picking him up at 6:30 and will give antibiotics for next few days. There is no way I can stay home with him or afford to keep him in the vets.
He's probably suffering! The vet won't give him anything else.
He's having a jab agains today that should get his gut moving.
I'm a person as he was probably poorly long before I noticed. We only have them out now and then to cut nails and stuff. They've always hated being out.
I feel evil.
Kerrie74
Adult Guinea Pig
It's a shame really, if you were someone that got help with council tax or housing benefits, you probably could have taken him to the PDSA.
Kerrie74
Adult Guinea Pig
Just an idea, have you tried calling the RSPCA, sometimes they can offer financial support, but I don't know what the criteria is. I looked it up for someone else on the forums. They might even be able to advise you.
http://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/vetcare/financial
http://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/vetcare/financial
Kerrie74
Adult Guinea Pig
PS - Your not evil at all or poo, your doing your best.
Tbag
Adult Guinea Pig
You're doing all you can in an awkward situation. I feel for you.
However, if you really feel you can't support Percy any more in terms of time and finances then would you consider surrendering him to a rescue where he would get the treatment and care he needs in an environment you can guarantee will also have his best interests at heart like you do?
However, if you really feel you can't support Percy any more in terms of time and finances then would you consider surrendering him to a rescue where he would get the treatment and care he needs in an environment you can guarantee will also have his best interests at heart like you do?
Posyrose
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Please don't feel guilty; you are doing everything and more to do your best for Percy.
I'm not an expert, but several here have said that Percy is not on his last legs and I would agree; if he's still eating that's a really good sign. Even if he has not been on oxygen, he will have been kept warm, given his meds and kept an eye on in case anything changed. It's really annoying that you asked for him to have oxygen and they have not done so, but it would seem that in their clinical opinion they felt he didn't need it, which would be a good thing.
You are such a good guinea pig Mum to care so much, take advice and help Percy through these difficult days. I'm always beside myself with worry and terribly depressed when any of mine are ill, you're not alone. The pages on the forum prove that! Please don't add to your anxiety by thinking you could be doing more.
xxxxxx
I'm not an expert, but several here have said that Percy is not on his last legs and I would agree; if he's still eating that's a really good sign. Even if he has not been on oxygen, he will have been kept warm, given his meds and kept an eye on in case anything changed. It's really annoying that you asked for him to have oxygen and they have not done so, but it would seem that in their clinical opinion they felt he didn't need it, which would be a good thing.
You are such a good guinea pig Mum to care so much, take advice and help Percy through these difficult days. I'm always beside myself with worry and terribly depressed when any of mine are ill, you're not alone. The pages on the forum prove that! Please don't add to your anxiety by thinking you could be doing more.
xxxxxx
helen105281
Senior Guinea Pig
I'm sorry the vets didn't do what you asked. Did you ask them about diuretics like I mentioned on your other thread?
dotty44
Junior Guinea Pig
Piggies are really good at hiding illness. We always had our first one out and she passed quickly. You cannot always spot these things. You are a loving mum, you wouldnt be doing all this for him if you were a bad person. What ever happens now, he is still a lucky piggie to have found you. X
AuntyC
Adult Guinea Pig
Hey there ishy28, you are doing everything you can. Some battles we win, some we lose. It is such a tough time and these little fur balls of ours get under our skin and into our hearts, unfortunately they can't talk to let us know what is going on inside them! Hoping there is some light at the end of the tunnel, but please try not to beat yourself up too much. I have Fibromyalgia with related anxiety so can empathise entirely. Sending hugs. You will always have friends on this forum, whatever the outcome is. XxxxxTake care x
Marshmallows
Junior Guinea Pig
I've been dropping by this thread to read your updates. Your doing your best, it must be hard seeing your little baby like this. Thinking of Percy xx
I have spoken at length to Ishy this afternoon. As you can imagine, she is extremely worried about Percy and his condition - and so far she has done everything she can with the resources she has had available to her (especially over the weekend) - but as you may have gathered, she is also very good at beating herself up! (as many of us slaves are!)
I have advised her to stay off her threads for a little bit.
To update:
Percy's breathing is noisy rather than laboured and indicates an upper respiratory developing rather than pneumonia. Diuretics and oxygen therefore could be considered as not necessary at this current time although Bisolven to clear his snotty upper airways (that is what is making the noise) might be beneficial.
He was started on baytril yesterday so hopefully there should start to be an improvement by tomorrow evening. He is also not showing any signs of pain and is still eating and drinking well.
HOWEVER - as we know from the other thread, Percy is also having intermittant gut motility problems and has just had a lot of gas withdrawn by needle at the emergency vets yesterday. Unfortunately her vets do not appear to have much experience on treating guinea pigs with this condition (although you wouldn;t think it from the charges she has had to pay to date!) He is allegedly having a gut stimulant injection today at the vets prior to being discharged this evening. However the administration of baytril could start bloat symptoms again and decisions need to be made on how best to support Ishy and Percy if this happens again given her current situation
Not every guinea pig owner has the luxury of a part-time or flexible working hours job (to the extent that they can drop everything when their guinea pig is ill - or take them in to work to syringe feed very 2-4 hours)....nor a bottomless pit of money to throw at vets who clearly know nothing about guinea pigs.
...I have therefore discussed with Ishy the possibility of some temporary care for Percy and Piglet (with an associated cavy savvy vet) until Percy gets better and I think we have some positive options that Ishy is now considering and she will post when she feels able to.
In the meantime - I would like to respectfully request that any further posts on her threads are supportive and positive. We are a lovely forum and it is only right that we should pay due consideration to the mental and physical well-being of the slave as well as their piggies!
I have advised her to stay off her threads for a little bit.
To update:
Percy's breathing is noisy rather than laboured and indicates an upper respiratory developing rather than pneumonia. Diuretics and oxygen therefore could be considered as not necessary at this current time although Bisolven to clear his snotty upper airways (that is what is making the noise) might be beneficial.
He was started on baytril yesterday so hopefully there should start to be an improvement by tomorrow evening. He is also not showing any signs of pain and is still eating and drinking well.
HOWEVER - as we know from the other thread, Percy is also having intermittant gut motility problems and has just had a lot of gas withdrawn by needle at the emergency vets yesterday. Unfortunately her vets do not appear to have much experience on treating guinea pigs with this condition (although you wouldn;t think it from the charges she has had to pay to date!) He is allegedly having a gut stimulant injection today at the vets prior to being discharged this evening. However the administration of baytril could start bloat symptoms again and decisions need to be made on how best to support Ishy and Percy if this happens again given her current situation
Not every guinea pig owner has the luxury of a part-time or flexible working hours job (to the extent that they can drop everything when their guinea pig is ill - or take them in to work to syringe feed very 2-4 hours)....nor a bottomless pit of money to throw at vets who clearly know nothing about guinea pigs.
...I have therefore discussed with Ishy the possibility of some temporary care for Percy and Piglet (with an associated cavy savvy vet) until Percy gets better and I think we have some positive options that Ishy is now considering and she will post when she feels able to.
In the meantime - I would like to respectfully request that any further posts on her threads are supportive and positive. We are a lovely forum and it is only right that we should pay due consideration to the mental and physical well-being of the slave as well as their piggies!
Already posted on Percy's other thread here:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/percys-breathing.126970/
I have spoken at length to Ishy this afternoon. As you can imagine, she is extremely worried about Percy and his condition - and so far she has done everything she can with the resources she has had available to her (especially over the weekend) - but as you may have gathered, she is also very good at beating herself up! (as many of us slaves are!)
I have advised her to stay off her threads for a little bit.
To update:
Percy's breathing is noisy rather than laboured and indicates an upper respiratory developing rather than pneumonia. Diuretics and oxygen therefore could be considered as not necessary at this current time although Bisolven to clear his snotty upper airways (that is what is making the noise) might be beneficial.
He was started on baytril yesterday so hopefully there should start to be an improvement by tomorrow evening. He is also not showing any signs of pain and is still eating and drinking well.
HOWEVER - as we know from the other thread, Percy is also having intermittant gut motility problems and has just had a lot of gas withdrawn by needle at the emergency vets yesterday. Unfortunately her vets do not appear to have much experience on treating guinea pigs with this condition (although you wouldn;t think it from the charges she has had to pay to date!) He is allegedly having a gut stimulant injection today at the vets prior to being discharged this evening. However the administration of baytril could start bloat symptoms again and decisions need to be made on how best to support Ishy and Percy if this happens again given her current situation...and that includes the appropriate gut stimulant meds.
Not every guinea pig owner has the luxury of a part-time or flexible working hours job (to the extent that they can drop everything when their guinea pig is ill - or take them in to work to syringe feed very 2-4 hours)....nor a bottomless pit of money to throw at vets who clearly know nothing about guinea pigs.
...I have therefore discussed with Ishy the possibility of some temporary care for Percy and Piglet (with an associated cavy savvy vet) until Percy gets better and I think we have some positive options that Ishy is now considering and she will post when she feels able to.
In the meantime - I would like to respectfully request that any further posts on her threads are supportive and positive. We are a lovely forum and it is only right that we should pay due consideration to the mental and physical well-being of the slave as well as their piggies!
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/percys-breathing.126970/
I have spoken at length to Ishy this afternoon. As you can imagine, she is extremely worried about Percy and his condition - and so far she has done everything she can with the resources she has had available to her (especially over the weekend) - but as you may have gathered, she is also very good at beating herself up! (as many of us slaves are!)
I have advised her to stay off her threads for a little bit.
To update:
Percy's breathing is noisy rather than laboured and indicates an upper respiratory developing rather than pneumonia. Diuretics and oxygen therefore could be considered as not necessary at this current time although Bisolven to clear his snotty upper airways (that is what is making the noise) might be beneficial.
He was started on baytril yesterday so hopefully there should start to be an improvement by tomorrow evening. He is also not showing any signs of pain and is still eating and drinking well.
HOWEVER - as we know from the other thread, Percy is also having intermittant gut motility problems and has just had a lot of gas withdrawn by needle at the emergency vets yesterday. Unfortunately her vets do not appear to have much experience on treating guinea pigs with this condition (although you wouldn;t think it from the charges she has had to pay to date!) He is allegedly having a gut stimulant injection today at the vets prior to being discharged this evening. However the administration of baytril could start bloat symptoms again and decisions need to be made on how best to support Ishy and Percy if this happens again given her current situation...and that includes the appropriate gut stimulant meds.
Not every guinea pig owner has the luxury of a part-time or flexible working hours job (to the extent that they can drop everything when their guinea pig is ill - or take them in to work to syringe feed very 2-4 hours)....nor a bottomless pit of money to throw at vets who clearly know nothing about guinea pigs.
...I have therefore discussed with Ishy the possibility of some temporary care for Percy and Piglet (with an associated cavy savvy vet) until Percy gets better and I think we have some positive options that Ishy is now considering and she will post when she feels able to.
In the meantime - I would like to respectfully request that any further posts on her threads are supportive and positive. We are a lovely forum and it is only right that we should pay due consideration to the mental and physical well-being of the slave as well as their piggies!
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