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Three pigs who aren't eating

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GailM

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
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Location
Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
This evening I took all three of my boars to the vets. Two of them looked to have wet chins. They were checked over. Heart and lungs fine. When I give them vegetables they eat all of it. They're all refusing them, which is unheard of. I also have three sows (who are absolutely fine. The vet gave me Loxicom and Zantac, to be used for three days, and then monitor. I've never experienced anything like this before. They are as energetic as they usually are. I know animals are good at hiding illness. I also know guinea pigs can't go very long without eating. I'm dreading going in their room in the morning, even though they appear fine. Can anyone give any suggestions as to what might be wrong? Many thanks.
 
I'm so sorry. I'm afraid I don't have any experience of this but hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along soon. How long have they been refusing veggies? Are they still eating hay and pellets?
 
They only started refusing today. It's difficult to judge when you've got three, but I haven't seen them eat hay, and their food dishes don't look to have had much taken out either. The vet did say one had had a poo. I can't remember which one. I think his idea was treat all three with the same medication. He mentioned blood tests, if there's no improvement. I can't say for sure that they're not eating, but leaving their vegetables is totally unheard of.
 
Just a thought, did the vet check their back teeth? I’m no expert in this area but I know 4 out of the 5 vets I’ve used don’t check back teeth which can often be the cause of wet chins/drooling and not eating if damaged or overgrown. It would be odd if it were all three of them though.

Do they live together? If so, are they getting on alright? Sometimes dominance disputes can stop them eating too. Which is especially true with 3 boars as that can be a difficult bond to maintain unfortunately.

Have they lost weight? It might be worth starting to supplement their feed with critical care if they’re not eating and losing weight and weigh them regularly. If you haven’t already of course! If they’re not pooing a great deal they’ll definitely need critical care to keep their guts going.

Hope your boys are okay!
 
He had a quick look. He said the same as you, it would be odd for all three to have the same problem. They all live together, and have done for three years. When I feed vegetable I purposely do the "one for you, one for you and one for you", but pigs being pigs decide to quibble over somebody else's green bean etc! They actually get on well with each other. They've never been weighed till today at the vets. I'm wondering whether I can buy some critical care from them. There's a branch just round the corner from me.
 
GailM said:
He had a quick look. He said the same as you, it would be odd for all three to have the same problem. They all live together, and have done for three years. When I feed vegetable I purposely do the "one for you, one for you and one for you", but pigs being pigs decide to quibble over somebody else's green bean etc! They actually get on well with each other. They've never been weighed till today at the vets. I'm wondering whether I can buy some critical care from them. There's a branch just round the corner from me.
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Of course, someone else’s green bean is always better than your own! :))

It may be worth getting some kitchen scales and weighing them, when my pigs are poorly I weigh every 2-3 days just to keep an eye on their weights. Once a week or so if they’re well, just to be sure as they hide illnesses very well.

You might be able to! If not I just bought mine on Amazon, it’s £12.60 or £15 odd depending on how quick you need delivery. I always have some to hand now. Have a little look at the syringe feeding guides and give it a crack, it’s easier than it looks. I mix a bit of that, bit of wheat grass powder and pellets and they eat it off a little plastic spoon. Keep an eye on their poos if you can just to make sure their gut is working okay, if they’re shooting out like bullets in a Western film then you don’t have to worry about gut stasis :))
 
The thought of trying to weigh them....They weren't very cooperative for the vet:no: It is a good idea though. I have an Amazon account so I'll have a look. I had a rabbit with stasis a few years ago. It was hard work but he pulled through. I'm praying for bullets 💩
 
Just see this thread, i do know that a wet chin is a sign of dental problems in guinea pigs.( drooling) But you say all three are not eating? And one doesnt have the wet chin?

Have you tried picking some grass and see if they lap that up? I had a pig once, with broken front teeth, and he could manage grass to keep his gut working
 
If they are not eating you need to weigh them daily at the same time, if they are losing weight they need to be syringe fed. If the teeth are okay and they are all ill at the same time then I would suggest an infection or parasites - something that can be passed amongst them?

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

I hope they get well soon. It may be worth seeing another vet for a second opinion if they don't pick up quickly.

Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
 
Very strange to have all three showing the same symptoms at once. Could they have eaten something they shouldn't have?
Great advice given above.
Hope they feel better very soon.
 
Are they eating hay and pellets? when did this start?
 
piggieminder said:
If they are not eating you need to weigh them daily at the same time, if they are losing weight they need to be syringe fed. If the teeth are okay and they are all ill at the same time then I would suggest an infection or parasites - something that can be passed amongst them?

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

I hope they get well soon. It may be worth seeing another vet for a second opinion if they don't pick up quickly.

Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
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I'm going to ring the most local of the same veterinary practice I went to yesterday, when they open, and see if they have any Critical Care in stock. I've just cleaned their cage and am now on the hunt for poos (although I won't know who's done what. It's such a worry.
 
sport_billy said:
Are they eating hay and pellets? when did this start?
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I would say it started yesterday. They all refused their vegetables. I haven't seen them eat hay or pellets. If they have, it's not much. It doesn't matter what vegetable I give them, they aren't eating it. They put a piece in their mouths, but I'm pretty sure none of it is being eaten.
 
It's good that you have been to the vet and are going again.
I can't add to what has already been said but do keep us posted.
The fact that all 3 may be under the weather is odd.
Hope things get sorted for you.
Holding you in my thoughts
 
I've just returned from the Vets with three 20g sachets of Recovery. It looks like one sachet is for one day? Could that be enough to get them eating again? Otherwise it will be £20 every day. I don't think they have any more sachets either, so I would have to get two taxi's to get to the other branch. They mentioned about seeing the Exotics vet tomorrow as she has some free morning appointments. Should I have taken an appointment? This would also be two taxi's and is even further away. Plus I was told last night to give the meds for three days. Am I doing the right thing by giving the sachets? I don't really know what to think or do.
 
I would weigh them to see if they are losing weight. Give the meds for 3 days as instructed by the vet. If they are losing weight then they aren't eating enough and need syringing. You can mush up pellets if you don't have recovery food. How much syringe feed they need really depends on how much they are eating for themselves and how much weight they are losing. You can buy recovery food on line much cheaper than at the vets. I think my last box was £20ish for 16 sachets. Have a read through the guides, speak to a vet again if the meds don't help, straight away if they get worse or present with other symptoms. I am so sorry you are having this worry, it's so hard when they can't tell us how they are feeling.
 
Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, that's devastating. How are the other two?
 
I've managed to get some critical care down them. I'll give it every four hours. I've got an appointment in the morning with my avian vet. I'm not sure whether I'm doing the right thing. They might not even be with us come morning....I hate the critical care stuff. It always gets stuck in the syringe, even though I stir it really well. If I'm honest, I think I will lose the other two as well, whether it's in the morning or a day or so's time. What I don't understand is why.
 
What a terrible time you and your piggies are having. I cant give you any advice but am sending your piggies some hugs and hope they pull through. You are doing your best for them and send you my best wishes
 
GailM said:
I've managed to get some critical care down them. I'll give it every four hours. I've got an appointment in the morning with my avian vet. I'm not sure whether I'm doing the right thing. They might not even be with us come morning....I hate the critical care stuff. It always gets stuck in the syringe, even though I stir it really well. If I'm honest, I think I will lose the other two as well, whether it's in the morning or a day or so's time. What I don't understand is why.
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So sorry to hear this. When a group of piggies is ill it is either infection or some form of environmental problem, either something they have eaten or come into contact with.
The only way you can perhaps get answers is by having a post mortem on the piggy that died.

Don't give up on the other two . To stop the critical care sticking add extra water or something moist like some vegetable based baby food.
Regular syringe feeds and fluids, plus the medication you have been given should help. Are they indoor piggies? Are they in a different room to the sows? Be careful not to spread any infection to the girls.
 
GailM said:
I've just returned from the Vets with three 20g sachets of Recovery. It looks like one sachet is for one day? Could that be enough to get them eating again? Otherwise it will be £20 every day. I don't think they have any more sachets either, so I would have to get two taxi's to get to the other branch. They mentioned about seeing the Exotics vet tomorrow as she has some free morning appointments. Should I have taken an appointment? This would also be two taxi's and is even further away. Plus I was told last night to give the meds for three days. Am I doing the right thing by giving the sachets? I don't really know what to think or do.
Click to expand...
I would give them the sachets as the vet has prescribed them. I’m not sure on the dosages of recovery sachets though. And make that appointment with the exotics vet, if they say continue with those sachets you could try amazon to get next day delivery? It’s going to be hard work syringe feeding 3 piggy’s do you have family/friends who can help you? I noticed your in Wakefield, holly house vets in Leeds are very good and one of the recommended vets on this forum, I hope everything works out for you and you get to the bottom of the problem.
 
GailM said:
I've managed to get some critical care down them. I'll give it every four hours. I've got an appointment in the morning with my avian vet. I'm not sure whether I'm doing the right thing. They might not even be with us come morning....I hate the critical care stuff. It always gets stuck in the syringe, even though I stir it really well. If I'm honest, I think I will lose the other two as well, whether it's in the morning or a day or so's time. What I don't understand is why.
Click to expand...
Are you cutting the narrow part off of the end of the syringe?
 
Oops, i missed the horrible news post. I'm sorry for the loss. I think you have guinea pigs with dental problems, are they blood related? Have a look at the front teeth, see if they look too long, or if there are any gaps or breaks, tells you that the back teeth might be going bad.

Just thinking you could have a family of pigs with malloclusion troubles
 
HI Gail
I see you're in Wakefield which is where I live. I always take my pigs to the guinea pig vet which is a bit of a drive but she is a specialist so will be able to help you:
Specialist Guinea Pig Vet | Matlock, UK | The Guinea Pig Vet
If you can't get to Matlock, I did have a good experience at Chantry Vets on Batley Road.

Really hope your 2 other pigs recover
 
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