The Wheaky Beans herd

[Viennese Furbabies]

I'm very sorry!

 

[AidaB]

So sorry to hear about Cino.

 

[thewheakybeans]

It’s been a tough several days coming to terms with the huge loss of Cino. Fortunately, Macchiato and Espresso seem to be getting along well. I rescued them together as a pair and they are either mother/daughter or aunty/niece with Maccy being the boss! Their weights have remained stable.

However, I have heard a slight hooting noise from Maccy once or twice so I’m not sure if she’s still fighting off something or whether I’m overthinking it after being used to the constant hooting background of Cino in the room.

 

[Merab]

It’s been a tough several days coming to terms with the huge loss of Cino. Fortunately, Macchiato and Espresso seem to be getting along well. I rescued them together as a pair and they are either mother/daughter or aunty/niece with Maccy being the boss! Their weights have remained stable.

However, I have heard a slight hooting noise from Maccy once or twice so I’m not sure if she’s still fighting off something or whether I’m overthinking it after being used to the constant hooting background of Cino in the room.

It could be anything with Marcy.
She may be fighting something off or she just has dust in her nose.
If you are at all concerned take her to the vet.

Glad she and Espresso are settling again and you are slowly beginning to heal after losing gorgeous Cino.

 

[thewheakybeans]

Tribute post to Cappuccino:

In late 2021, I went on a desperate trip to Jollyes pet shop after reaching out to every rescue in Scotland in search of a single female piggy as a companion for my elderly sow Caramac to no avail (please note I never condone this except in exceptional cases such as this and all of my other five piggies have come from rescues). I spotted a bold little baby piggy happily munching at hay out in the open while her two companions hid in a tunnel, all huddled together. I knew instantly that she was the one. She gave grieving Caramac a second burst of life. They were inseparable until Caramac suddenly passed from a heart attack.

Cappuccino then came into her own when she was bonded to Macchiato and Espresso from Ayr's Guinea Pig Rescue. She promptly peed on both of the girls at first meeting to establish her new role as Boss Pig and swiftly became an absolute unit as she grew and became an adult jumbo pig (her favourite veg being cucumber)! She hit the scales at almost 1.3kg! Her quirks were death napping like a queen, hogging all the nuggets from her sisters and every time you picked her up, she'd freeze and play dead with her legs sprawled out like superman. Despite her life-long heart problems, she had three happy years with Macchiato, Espresso and Pig Mum. Her huge presence (both physically and personality-wise) is sorely missed and there will never be another like her.

Sleep peacefully Cino Triple Chins

 

[Merab]

Tribute post to Cappuccino:

In late 2021, I went on a desperate trip to Jollyes pet shop after reaching out to every rescue in Scotland in search of a single female piggy as a companion for my elderly sow Caramac to no avail (please note I never condone this except in exceptional cases such as this and all of my other five piggies have come from rescues). I spotted a bold little baby piggy happily munching at hay out in the open while her two companions hid in a tunnel, all huddled together. I knew instantly that she was the one. She gave grieving Caramac a second burst of life. They were inseparable until Caramac suddenly passed from a heart attack.

Cappuccino then came into her own when she was bonded to Macchiato and Espresso from Ayr's Guinea Pig Rescue. She promptly peed on both of the girls at first meeting to establish her new role as Boss Pig and swiftly became an absolute unit as she grew and became an adult jumbo pig (her favourite veg being cucumber)! She hit the scales at almost 1.3kg! Her quirks were death napping like a queen, hogging all the nuggets from her sisters and every time you picked her up, she'd freeze and play dead with her legs sprawled out like superman. Despite her life-long heart problems, she had three happy years with Macchiato, Espresso and Pig Mum. Her huge presence (both physically and personality-wise) is sorely missed and there will never be another like her.

Sleep peacefully Cino Triple Chins

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl.
Your love for Cappuccino shines through every word.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hugs

 

[weepweeps]

Aw what a wonderful piggy. Gorgeous too.
Popcorn high over the bridge. I bet Caramac was waiting for you

 

[thewheakybeans]

Sadly, Macchiato was back at the vets last night after I noticed a sudden drop in her weight and diarrhoea again. She’s gone from her new average weight of ~920/930g to 825g.

She’s had chronic diarrhoea and very gradual weight loss for the last couple of years after all her surgeries to remove an abscess and ovarian cysts. So far, we’ve done an X-ray to check for arthritis, lump biopsy, pee sample, poo sample, blood tests which have failed three times and I’ve also attempted poo soup, Fibreplex and Protexin probiotic treatments - none of which have helped or revealed anything wrong.

Next steps are vitamin B12 injections in case it’s trouble with nutrient absorption and re-attempting the blood test sample next week. I’m syringe feeding her to hopefully keep her going until then. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

 

[weepweeps]

I’ve no advice sorry. Sending hugs and healing vibes

 

[thewheakybeans]

I’ve no advice sorry. Sending hugs and healing vibes

No worries, it’s just nice to have a place to go to where people understand how much you love your piggies. It’s definitely been a year of firefighting health issues but my herd are almost or over 4 years old now so to be expected I guess!

 

[Roselina]

No worries, it’s just nice to have a place to go to where people understand how much you love your piggies. It’s definitely been a year of firefighting health issues but my herd are almost or over 4 years old now so to be expected I guess!

Oh I m so sad to read about Macchiato - I hope this treatment will help

 

[thewheakybeans]

I really hope so as at a loss really as to next steps and she can’t keep dropping in weight so drastically. The vet has even done extra reading and research to get to the bottom of it as she’s his favourite piggy client! She’s been through the wars but is soldiering on and is so sweet natured despite all the vet trips she’s had.

 

[Merab]

So sorry that things are not so good with Macchiato.
I wish I had advice to offer but I do assure you of my support.
Hugs

 

[Truffolo]

Very sad to hear lovely Macchiato is struggling. I hope she improves soon, beautiful piggy ❤

 

[Truffolo]

Tribute post to Cappuccino:

In late 2021, I went on a desperate trip to Jollyes pet shop after reaching out to every rescue in Scotland in search of a single female piggy as a companion for my elderly sow Caramac to no avail (please note I never condone this except in exceptional cases such as this and all of my other five piggies have come from rescues). I spotted a bold little baby piggy happily munching at hay out in the open while her two companions hid in a tunnel, all huddled together. I knew instantly that she was the one. She gave grieving Caramac a second burst of life. They were inseparable until Caramac suddenly passed from a heart attack.

Cappuccino then came into her own when she was bonded to Macchiato and Espresso from Ayr's Guinea Pig Rescue. She promptly peed on both of the girls at first meeting to establish her new role as Boss Pig and swiftly became an absolute unit as she grew and became an adult jumbo pig (her favourite veg being cucumber)! She hit the scales at almost 1.3kg! Her quirks were death napping like a queen, hogging all the nuggets from her sisters and every time you picked her up, she'd freeze and play dead with her legs sprawled out like superman. Despite her life-long heart problems, she had three happy years with Macchiato, Espresso and Pig Mum. Her huge presence (both physically and personality-wise) is sorely missed and there will never be another like her.

Sleep peacefully Cino Triple Chins

Rest easy at the bridge little Cappuccino

 

[thewheakybeans]

Maccy enjoying some rocket in a bid to get her munching more. She’s a little fighter! Round the clock syringe feeding has been exhausting - hoping for a break and full sleep tonight as she’s perked up a wee bit.

 

[munchmonster]

Sending a lorry load of positive vibes your way

 

[JaseChase]

Lots of healing wheeks for Macchiato
Also for you, syringe feeding is very tiring on you as well. Take care of yourself and your lovely piggies

 

[thewheakybeans]

Macchiato’s weight has stabilised and increased slightly with the top-up feeds and she’s been popcorning and running about the last couple of days!
Hoping to learn more at her vet check-up on Tuesday as to how we can help her fully recover from this chronic issue.

 

[thewheakybeans]

While we nervously wait for Maccy’s blood test results, today is Espresso’s 4th birthday!

She is the only guinea pig I’ve owned where I know her exact birthday because she was born in the rescue I got her from. She’s gone from being afraid of her own shadow to a bold, confident baby who loves to beg for food every time she hears me in the room. She will get her favourite oat grass as a birthday treat!

 

[Roselina]

Happy birthday lovely Expresso
Enjoy your oat grass

 

[Merab]

Happy birthday beautiful.
Hope you had lots of treats

 

[thewheakybeans]

So Macchiato’s blood test results indicate something potentially wrong with her liver. Does anyone have experience of guinea pigs with liver conditions? I’ve honestly never heard of this before! Next steps will be a scan of her liver (to see if there’s a mass there) and liver medication - I won’t know what this is until tomorrow’s vet visit.

 

[thewheakybeans]

Espresso was very confused when her slave picked her up for a cuddle and to wipe dried Emeraid off her head. She keeps trying to worm her way into Macchiato’s Emeraid feeds despite being told off by slave and Maccy!

 

[Merab]

So Macchiato’s blood test results indicate something potentially wrong with her liver. Does anyone have experience of guinea pigs with liver conditions? I’ve honestly never heard of this before! Next steps will be a scan of her liver (to see if there’s a mass there) and liver medication - I won’t know what this is until tomorrow’s vet visit.

Sorry to hear this news.
Prayers for a hopeful result from the scan

 

[JaseChase]

I’m sorry for what you’re going through I’m afraid I have no experience with liver issues but wanted to wish you well

 

[thewheakybeans]

It looks as if we finally have a diagnosis for Macchiato after countless vet trips. Her scan showed inflammation of her gall bladder and possible fatty deposits in her liver. She’s going to be put on cat liver meds. Poor baby has been through the health wars her whole life but it’s just about making the most of every day I have with her now. If anyone has any experience with gall bladder or liver issues in piggies, I’d love to hear your experiences. From searching this forum, the prognosis doesn’t look good or isn’t commonly diagnosed.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for this diagnosis.
Holding you in my heart

 

[munchmonster]

Treasure every day. I am sorry the diagnosis isn't what you hoped for. Thinking of you x

 

[thewheakybeans]

Just been watching my guinea pig TV (The Wheak Show) from the living room and witnessed Macchiato run around with zoomies for a few laps of the cage and she is now resting. Thankfully, she isn’t feeling sad about her diagnosis and is completely oblivious!