Mr Pig will be 8 years old on the 15th July. I did'nt think to long ago that he would make this birthday. But thanks to Vedras at the CCT guinea pig hospital support and advice I now believe he will.
Early/mid May I noticed Mr Pig become quite selective on what he ate. Refusing favorites such as carrots (not that he has to many) and celeriac. He began to lose weight rapidly.
Having owned many guinea pigs over the last 20+ years but none with the dreaded malocclusion. I stupidly thought to start it was his kidneys as Mr Pig was drinking more than usual and Mr Pig was geriatric in guinea pig years.
Making a mash of celery, cucumber, grapes and broccoli. I sat Mr Pig on the sofa and placed the processed veggies in front of his nose. Mr Pig tried to eat, in fact dived into the food.
I watched with dismay as it was promptly spat out. Appointment made at the vets and off we went.
The vet diagnosed malocclusion and as of Mr Pigs starving disposition suggested an immediate G.A and dental treatment.
Being completely opposed to G.A for dental work I stressed Mr Pig was now around 681 grams and very old. The vet bluntly said its that or euthanasia. Or Mr Pig starves to death.
Over a barrel I agreed. I asked that while Mr Pig was out could his mouth be checked for ulcers / abscess. As I couldn't get my head around why he would suddenly develop dental problems.
All my guinea pigs are fed tons of hay, vitamin C supplements and a multitude of fresh veg a day plus a commercial guinea pig food. They also have run time and free range in the garden.
The vet rang to say Mr Pig had come around from his G.A and was ready for collection. During Mr Pigs handover discussion I asked if there were any obvious signs to why Mr Pig had developed a nasty dental issue.
The vet confirmed no, provided me with some Oxbow and home we came.
Mr Pig had 10 ml of Oxbow ate half a diced red pepper and went to sleep on my knee. I was over the moon Mr Pig had survived his ordeal but knew the following 24/48 hrs could bring a rainy cloud.
Sure enough it poured. On return from the vets I did not attempt to look at Mr Pigs mouth as I felt Mr Pig had been prodded and poked enough for one day. Syringe feeding the morning after I noted a split in Mr Pigs mouth (bottom left corner) Pulling Mr Pigs lip forward it appeared red raw. Mr Pigs incisors were also two different lengths.
So much for state of the art dental treatment and vet advice at £120 a time. Back to the vets.
A different vet (same surgery) suggested anti biotics - baytril and metacalm (for cats!) painkiller. Stressing my disquiet about lack of observation i.e abscess / ulcer? incisors not straight. They advised I return Mr Pig after the weekend. We can G.A him again and put his teeth straight.
Not on my nelly - me thinks. We return home once again. Reading Peter Gurney Piggy potions. I mixed vitiman B complex with Mr Pigs oxbow. Feeding Mr Pig approx every 4 hours and after a good syringe full of daktarin considered what to do next.
I scored the net. Find this site and also find that the CCT is not too far from my home. Why I didn't research before I don't know. Blind panic.
On speaking to Vedra - immediate appointment. Off to Huntingdon we go.
Vedra clipped Mr Pigs incisors level. Said continue with daktarin. Oxbow etc as we were. Took a fur scrape. (Mr Pig had hay mites - I didnt know about!) and a poop sample. Advised alternative pain treatment. And change the commerical guinea pig food.
Proper care/advice.....................Home once again. Over the next two weeks Mr Pig put on weight - 852 grams. Was concerned that while eating we had every 4 or 5 mouthful a windmill ear effect occurring.
Confirmed by Vedra in between our next visit that Mr Pig had a bacteria in balance in his tum at the time of sample. This thankfully had cleared with healthy eating, daktarin, oxbow etc.
Mr Pigs lip healed - I used some gentian violet also. Mr Pigs incisors however continued to possibly poss a problem. One was growing longer and quicker than the other.
Back to Vedra - who clipped his front teeth again.
Over the next week Mr Pigs weight dropped a little, 20 grams. One incisor appeared to grow at a rapid rate.
Back to Vedra. Who found a wobble in the shorter tooth. It was removed by hand! I have picture! just having problems up loading to site.
Think maybe he had an ulcer/ abscess in the lower gum to start. Problems - touch wood have gone away. Mr Pig is now 994 grams. Thank you Vedra.
Mr Pig has to go back for a check next week.
Mr Pig will have a pig party on the 15th July.
Hooray for Mr Pig with only one bottom incisor.
Thanks for reading my ramble - this is my first thread! can you tell? Just had to share with all who loves piggies.
Early/mid May I noticed Mr Pig become quite selective on what he ate. Refusing favorites such as carrots (not that he has to many) and celeriac. He began to lose weight rapidly.
Having owned many guinea pigs over the last 20+ years but none with the dreaded malocclusion. I stupidly thought to start it was his kidneys as Mr Pig was drinking more than usual and Mr Pig was geriatric in guinea pig years.
Making a mash of celery, cucumber, grapes and broccoli. I sat Mr Pig on the sofa and placed the processed veggies in front of his nose. Mr Pig tried to eat, in fact dived into the food.
I watched with dismay as it was promptly spat out. Appointment made at the vets and off we went.
The vet diagnosed malocclusion and as of Mr Pigs starving disposition suggested an immediate G.A and dental treatment.
Being completely opposed to G.A for dental work I stressed Mr Pig was now around 681 grams and very old. The vet bluntly said its that or euthanasia. Or Mr Pig starves to death.
Over a barrel I agreed. I asked that while Mr Pig was out could his mouth be checked for ulcers / abscess. As I couldn't get my head around why he would suddenly develop dental problems.
All my guinea pigs are fed tons of hay, vitamin C supplements and a multitude of fresh veg a day plus a commercial guinea pig food. They also have run time and free range in the garden.
The vet rang to say Mr Pig had come around from his G.A and was ready for collection. During Mr Pigs handover discussion I asked if there were any obvious signs to why Mr Pig had developed a nasty dental issue.
The vet confirmed no, provided me with some Oxbow and home we came.
Mr Pig had 10 ml of Oxbow ate half a diced red pepper and went to sleep on my knee. I was over the moon Mr Pig had survived his ordeal but knew the following 24/48 hrs could bring a rainy cloud.
Sure enough it poured. On return from the vets I did not attempt to look at Mr Pigs mouth as I felt Mr Pig had been prodded and poked enough for one day. Syringe feeding the morning after I noted a split in Mr Pigs mouth (bottom left corner) Pulling Mr Pigs lip forward it appeared red raw. Mr Pigs incisors were also two different lengths.
So much for state of the art dental treatment and vet advice at £120 a time. Back to the vets.
A different vet (same surgery) suggested anti biotics - baytril and metacalm (for cats!) painkiller. Stressing my disquiet about lack of observation i.e abscess / ulcer? incisors not straight. They advised I return Mr Pig after the weekend. We can G.A him again and put his teeth straight.
Not on my nelly - me thinks. We return home once again. Reading Peter Gurney Piggy potions. I mixed vitiman B complex with Mr Pigs oxbow. Feeding Mr Pig approx every 4 hours and after a good syringe full of daktarin considered what to do next.
I scored the net. Find this site and also find that the CCT is not too far from my home. Why I didn't research before I don't know. Blind panic.
On speaking to Vedra - immediate appointment. Off to Huntingdon we go.
Vedra clipped Mr Pigs incisors level. Said continue with daktarin. Oxbow etc as we were. Took a fur scrape. (Mr Pig had hay mites - I didnt know about!) and a poop sample. Advised alternative pain treatment. And change the commerical guinea pig food.
Proper care/advice.....................Home once again. Over the next two weeks Mr Pig put on weight - 852 grams. Was concerned that while eating we had every 4 or 5 mouthful a windmill ear effect occurring.
Confirmed by Vedra in between our next visit that Mr Pig had a bacteria in balance in his tum at the time of sample. This thankfully had cleared with healthy eating, daktarin, oxbow etc.
Mr Pigs lip healed - I used some gentian violet also. Mr Pigs incisors however continued to possibly poss a problem. One was growing longer and quicker than the other.
Back to Vedra - who clipped his front teeth again.
Over the next week Mr Pigs weight dropped a little, 20 grams. One incisor appeared to grow at a rapid rate.
Back to Vedra. Who found a wobble in the shorter tooth. It was removed by hand! I have picture! just having problems up loading to site.
Think maybe he had an ulcer/ abscess in the lower gum to start. Problems - touch wood have gone away. Mr Pig is now 994 grams. Thank you Vedra.
Mr Pig has to go back for a check next week.
Mr Pig will have a pig party on the 15th July.
Hooray for Mr Pig with only one bottom incisor.
Thanks for reading my ramble - this is my first thread! can you tell? Just had to share with all who loves piggies.
