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Swollen Tongue, Hungry But Struggling To Eat

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Nikki26

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Hi all,

I noticed at midday today that one of my pigs, Lexi, didn't look quite right although I couldn't put my finger on why. I checked her over and it looks like her tongue is swollen. I gave her some pain relief & antibiotic and gave her some peace & quiet. Later on, I let her out in the garden and she was her normal self & looked like she was eating grass.

At dinner, she looked really hungry but didn't seem to be able to take much food in. I've just popped down there with some mushed up pellets which she started eating straight away and the gave her some syringe feed which she was licking straight out of the syringe.

She will be going to the vet tomorrow but does anyone have any thoughts about what's going on or if I can do anything else? I'm thinking that it could be teeth related and maybe a spur has irritated her tongue? Thank you!

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I will tag @furryfriends (TEAS) as she is the most knowlegeable on dental issues, but I am not sure if she is about today.

I think it could well be a spur though from the sounds of it, or maybe oral thrush though that doesn't tend to cause swelling. You have done the right things so far with pain relief and supportive feeding. Just let the vet know what pain relief you have already given.
 
I agree with @helen105281 . As she is still eager to eat, a dental spur would be my first suspicion with oral thrush (fungal mouth infection) or an injury to the tongue a second. Please continue to syringe feed and water as much as she will take until you can have her seen. weigh her daily at the same time to monitor her food intake. You have done all the right things.
 
Where about are you based? This does look like it could be a dental problem, but unfortunately very few vets are experienced in dental issues in guinea pigs. Ideally I would suggest you get an appointment to see Simon or Kim Maddock at Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton. People travel the length and breadth of the country to get their piggies seen with dental issues, as the results they get are amazing. Simon and Kim provide all the veterinary treatment for the dental piggies here at TEAS.

www.catandrabbit.co.uk
 
Thanks everyone. It's so reassuring to know that I have done all that I can at the moment. We have a vet appointment for later on today so fingers crossed its something relatively easy to fix. Sadly, I am well aware of ability of most vets to treat Guineas (I have the same problem with my rabbits) but I do trust my vet and have a second vet a bit further away just in case. I also have the details of a Rodentologist (highly recommended by my local rescue) so hopefully, I have all bases covered!
 
Quick update- Lexi had an X-ray at the vet to check her heart & teeth. They all looked ok so he took a proper look in her mouth and some pus came up between her front teeth so it looks like she has an abscess somewhere. The vet isn't optimistic but we're trying pain relief, antibiotics and syringe feeding. She's still trying to eat but it's difficult with her swollen tongue so in chopping everything up small. Does anyone have any other thoughts about what I can do?
 
It sounds like an incisor root abscess as well as a general infection in mouth. Zithromax would probably really help. Would your vet consider using this antibiotic? If not, I still think a visit to see Simon Maddock would prove really worthwhile. He's dealing with these type of issues on a regular basis.
 
Nikki26 said:
Quick update- Lexi had an X-ray at the vet to check her heart & teeth. They all looked ok so he took a proper look in her mouth and some pus came up between her front teeth so it looks like she has an abscess somewhere. The vet isn't optimistic but we're trying pain relief, antibiotics and syringe feeding. She's still trying to eat but it's difficult with her swollen tongue so in chopping everything up small. Does anyone have any other thoughts about what I can do?
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furryfriends (TEAS) said:
It sounds like an incisor root abscess as well as a general infection in mouth. Zithromax would probably really help. Would your vet consider using this antibiotic? If not, I still think a visit to see Simon Maddock would prove really worthwhile. He's dealing with these type of issues on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

I fully second @furryfriends (TEAS) - seeing Simon has made all the difference for my old boy Hywel as my local vets were not able to really deal with Hywel's dental root abscess in lower right incisor, which has unfortunately led to a secondary abscess in his chin as it happened while Simon was holiday and my hub was having an operation. It is thanks to Simon taking over after his return that Hywel is still here and eating perfectly normally just with one lower incisor.
PS: Simon is a general vet specialising in dental care, but accordingly his fees are not as astronomical as some of the exotic vets demand.

Please continue to syringe feed; if necessary with mushed up pellets or a mix of recovery food and pellets.
you can find more tips on care for dental piggies in our syringe feeding guide.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
Thank you all. I sound like I am making excuses and normally I would do everything for my animals but the vet in Northampton is over 2 hours away and I currently have a broken foot so can't drive. I am going to struggle to find someone who can take me on at least a 5 hour round trip I am going to speak to my vet today to see if he's willing to try anything else.
 
@Stewybus - member with a broken foot and a guinea pig with a dental abscess. Could somebody from your group help with transport to Simon?
 
I agree with furryfriends (TEAS) & Wiebke that Zithromax (Azithromycin) would be the best antiobiotic to be used & have seen it's result on 3 occassions, all good. You could ask your vet to contact Simon at The Cat & Rabbit Clinic, Northampton. If this can't be done then a piggy train could be arranged if TEAS has a place for him. Whereabouts is he coming from, just general area would do for now. We have lots of volunters along the M1 & M6 north of Northampton x
 
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Hi all,

Thank you so much for your offers of help, they really are appreciated. I've spoken to the local Rodentologist, rescue and a Guinea pig expert and they all use my vet so I am going to stick with him for now.

Lexi's tongue has now gone back to pretty much normal size and she's back to eating normally. She had a check up at the vets today and he's really pleased with her so we're going to stick with the anti inflammatory & antibiotic for now. x
 
Hi, I have just read your post and it seems quite close to what's happening with our boy Oliver.

I hope you don't mind me messaging on here.

Oliver was admitted to vets (exotic) this morning due to his eating slowing down and acting like something was stuck in his mouth.

Vet has just phoned as he was sedated and X-rayed. Slight elongated roots but nothing to warrant the problem. His back teeth are ground right down with slight Spurs.

However his tongue is swollen and he hasn't been swallowing properly as food in the back of his mouth and long fibres of hay not chewed properly.

Vet said its not a classic case of dental problems due to how short teeth are and not much work to be done but he is going to file Spurs in the hope that's what has caused this problem.

How is Lexi now? Was she ok after her treatment? Will be making sure he has a painkiller when I pick him up as my mind was in that much of a whirl when he phoned I never asked about medication.

Thank you in advance x
 
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