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Three pigs who aren't eating

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.
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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.
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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
 
I'm so sorry for your loss.you are doing all you can.i agree with previous posters that it could be an infection or enviromental .i hope you can get some answers from your vet.
 
eileen said:
I'm so sorry for your loss.you are doing all you can.i agree with previous posters that it could be an infection or enviromental .i hope you can get some answers from your vet.
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The wet chins she mentioned made me think dental, especially with them not eating anything.
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
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
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I thought teeth when I saw wet under the chin of the one who died tonight. I then noticed another with wet under the chin. The vet said it couldn't be teeth problems with all three at the same time. I bought them all the boys at the same time, but don't think they're all from the same litter. I can't remember. I remember choosing them but there were a few litters. I could ask Lindsay, who I bought them from. She might remember. The vet had a look at their teeth. Maybe he didn't look close enough? I'm really stressing them keep giving them meds so trying to get a look at the teeth myself may prove difficult. The vet I'm seeing tomorrow is my Avian vet. I think she will examine them more closely than the previous one maybe. I have also found two lumps on one of the pigs (on his back). I found them yesterday. Looks like the first vet missed them. Either that or he felt them and didn't say anything.
 
GailM said:
I thought teeth when I saw wet under the chin of the one who died tonight. I then noticed another with wet under the chin. The vet said it couldn't be teeth problems with all three at the same time. I bought them all the boys at the same time, but don't think they're all from the same litter. I can't remember. I remember choosing them but there were a few litters. I could ask Lindsay, who I bought them from. She might remember. The vet had a look at their teeth. Maybe he didn't look close enough? I'm really stressing them keep giving them meds so trying to get a look at the teeth myself may prove difficult. The vet I'm seeing tomorrow is my Avian vet. I think she will examine them more closely than the previous one maybe. I have also found two lumps on one of the pigs (on his back). I found them yesterday. Looks like the first vet missed them. Either that or he felt them and didn't say anything.
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Your first vet, sorry to say because this doesnt help, but is absolutely terrible tlat their job. Its not impossible for all three to have teeth problems, but yea unlikely, a good vet would check everything they can by eye to rule out any obvious things. Youll never be able to check the back teeth yourself, you need a vet that will use a gag to hold open the mouth, whilst a vet nurse holds the back end of the guinea pig. Checking only front teeth isnt good enough. Those lumps on the back should have been spotted and checked out. But because your pigs are weak and not eating, i doubt a vet will want to do an xray or scan atall to look for anything else.Difficult one really🤔
 
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