Syringe Feeding

[lauralucy]

Hello,

I have a poorly piggy who has not eaten by herself since Sunday.

I have been syringe feeding, the vet has also given me domperidone (sp) and zantac.

I have tried grass, herbs cucumber which yesterday she ate the seedy bit of one half. Yesterday she also willingly took the syringe.

Today nothing she doesnt want the syringe and wont eat anything.

she has lost 90g since Friday.

vet said if she doesnt start eating by herself by the end of the week then we'll have to say goodbye to her.

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas on how to try and get her to eat for herself. or is she too far gone?

 

[eileen]

hi,I'm sorry you are having a difficult time.Is your vet a piggie savvy vet?it maybe worth getting a second opinion.try little and often wih syringe feeding.maybe get her teeth checked.Mushed pellets can work well,put some pellets in a bowl and put hot water over to soak the pellets.then mash them,try syringe a small amount.please take alook a the threads for syringe feeding.it is a very emotional and exhausting time for both you and your piggie.i would take her back to see a guineapig savvy vet,she has lost alot of weight.give water and vitamin c in the mix if possible.i hope your lady rallies round.s to you.

 

[lauralucy]

she has seen a piggy savvy vet. i have been syringe feeding mashed up nuggets.

thank you. i hope so to but i have a bad feeling.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,

I have a poorly piggy who has not eaten by herself since Sunday.

I have been syringe feeding, the vet has also given me domperidone (sp) and zantac.

I have tried grass, herbs cucumber which yesterday she ate the seedy bit of one half. Yesterday she also willingly took the syringe.

Today nothing she doesnt want the syringe and wont eat anything.

she has lost 90g since Friday.

vet said if she doesnt start eating by herself by the end of the week then we'll have to say goodbye to her.

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas on how to try and get her to eat for herself. or is she too far gone?

Please continue to syringe feed, little but often round the clock if she is not eating much in one go. You can find all the relevant tips for what to do with an uncooperative guinea pig and how much to give in what kind of situation in our syringe feeding guide. Try mushed pellets or a mix of recovery food and mushed pellets and see whether that is going down a bit better. Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Has your vet checked for the causes for her weight and appetite loss and given you a diagnosis other than just giving her an anti-nausea/anti-sickness and anti-bloating gut stimulant to treat the obvious symptoms?
Has she had a scan to see whether there are internal problems? Has he considered putting her on a painkiller?
@Adelle @helen105281

Please have your girl seen and checked by a piggy savvy vet if that is possible. There is quite obviously something going on that is progressing and that is not being addressed by her current treatment.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

 

[lauralucy]

Vet is thinking possibly a kidney or liver issue but wouldn't know for sure with out further investigation (xrays scans etc) and I'm not sure she would do well under anesthetic to do this. (she currently weighs 780g) in her prime at the begining of the year she was a nice little fatty at 1250g

she originally went in on Friday due to a popped abcess on her back, i thought she might need antibiotics. so she was put on Baytril, i stopped this on monday morning as i thought that might be why she stopped eating.

she is not herself at all she sits in her hidey all day, when i take her out to feed her she sits and shakes on me will take head rubs and fusses even went to sleep on me yesterday, which for her is not normal she doesnt like attention and cuddles and tries to run away.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Baytril can upset them. Has the vet given you any pain relief to give her, like Metacam/Meloxidyl?

 

[DM030819]

And are you using probiotics?