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Thin Elderly Guinea Pig Recovering From Womb Infection - Advice Please

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dani

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Hi,

My elderly guinea pig has lost weight over the past few months. She did have mites a few weeks ago, ivermectin was used and she has recovered well. I rushed her to the vets this afternoon, as she was very lethargic, and has a discharge from down below, her tummy was also swollen and warm. They kept her in for 5 hours to monitor, and sent her home looking much better, with Baytril for for next few days.

I've had her for over 3 years, she was an adult of unknown age when she and her sister came to me - last owners moved and didn't want them. So her age is unknown, but must be at least 4. Her sister also had mites, but recovered quicker, and is a better weight.

I suspect that her immune system has been low for a while, and the mite (y) problem, and then the womb infection have affected her appetite.

So looking tips on building up her weight, and perhaps boosting her immune system.
 
Hopefully the Baytril will help with the womb infection, but it can really upset a piggy's gut, so give her a probiotic (Pro-C from P@H, or Bio lapis from the vet) about 1-2 hours after the baytril, which will help to counteract the tummy problems. As for building her up, you'll probably find that once she's feeling better, she'll get her appetite back anyway, but if not, I've found Metatone (a human vitamin tonic that smells lovely) is good for perking them up (0.5 ml daily for a week, then 0.3 ml for another week). Extra Vit C is always a good thing too. Hope she's feeling better really soon. x
 
I hope the Baytril helps and she is feeling better soon. If there is no improvement your vet may want to consider a stronger antibiotic like Marbocyl or Zithromax.

If you need to syringe feed her at all, our guide is here:

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
This is a tricky one as in my experience, Baytril will not really sort out a womb infection very easily. A better antibiotic such as Zithromax deals with soft tissue infections much better imo :) The other concern I have is that it could be early Pyometra, which my sow had last October which resulted in a full spay. As you can imagine, the womb is totally enclosed, so any infection is difficult for the antibiotic to clear up. I would consider getting an ultrasound if funds allow to see what you are dealing with & preparing for the possibility of an operation. Has she been given pain meds? If you can get adequate pain relief then she should hopefully start eating properly & supplement her with syringe feeds if not :)
 
Hi perhaps reduce the ivermectrin? that has a list of side efects as long as you arm. some of which
you have listed !
Red andyellow pepper, is suposed to be richer in vit C than almost any other food
l give mine a small peice of pepper every few days to keep there imune systim a boost
 
Thank you all!

I will look out the the melatone, and up the vit C foods for her - got peppers in the fridge :) . And i hadn't even thought about a probiotic - luckily I have a suitable one, from my last run of anti-biotics with a guinea pig. Feel silly for forgetting about that - have been in a bit of a panic since seeing her look so unwell at lunchtime.

She was given painkiller in the vets. Appetite has been good since getting her home this evening. If that dips again I'll take her back in. She is due a check-up on Tuesday, I have a very good vet practice, and they are always able to fit me in on the day it anything happens.

She hasn't needed any invermectin for just over 2 weeks now, thankfully - wouldn't like that in her system along with the anti-biotic. The mites seem fully cleared.

I have syringe feed guinea pigs before, although its been a while. So I have fresh syringes and good quality pellets. Really hope i don't need to.

With the next step, she'll have whatever is needed next. I signed a consent form in the vets this afternoon, in case she needed her womb removed, or any other intervention while they were monitoring, but am so pleased she didn't need it.

So good vibes for her wee appetite keeping up please, will keep you updated.
 
So far so good. My girl is eating well, is looking well with no further things to worry about. Taking syringe plus anti-biotic, and probiotic surprisingly well - stress free!
 
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