Urgent - Anaesthetic Query

[Lynette09]

our boy Oliver had an X-ray and dental done today and I phoned the vets back to see when I can pick him up.

I am to phone back at 16:30 as he is still sleeping The nurse said he made slight movement 15 minutes ago so they are hoping he will come around naturally before having to give him something to reverse it.

Oliver is 5 and so I am panicking with worry and wondering how long it can take a Guinea pig to come around?

Oliver is a much loved member of our family.

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry you are going through this

It is quite natural for some piggies to take a while to recover from anesthetic. One of our piggies took a while and the vets released her far to early she could barely stand.

Make sure the vets give you some metacam for pain relief after dental work and be prepared to syringe feed if needed as mouths can be sore. Something like watermelon (seeds removed) can be nice for their mouths and provides moisture too.

Please keep us updated on Oliver and sending lots of vibes x x

 

[Lynette09]

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly and your kind words.

I will be making sure he has metacam when I pick him up and will get some watermelon for him (removing seeds).

Just panicked that he's not woken yet but you have put me a bit more at ease as wasn't sure if this was normal or not time wise.

Guess I'm just eager to get him home and comfortable but know he's in good hands at the vets. They won't let him leave until they know he's ok xx

 

[sport_billy]

It's okay, I have been their with our piggies so I know the pit of the stomach feeling Hoping you get some news soon x

 

[Lynette09]

I am phoning in half an hour and praying it's good news. The knot in my stomach has been there all day.

For such small animals they take a massive piece of your heart

We are not even sure if what he's had done will be effective but it's the only thing we can try.

I had posted this morning what was happening which will put you in the picture.

Not sure how to link but will try or you may see it on my profile. xx

 

[sport_billy]

Just reading your original thread x

 

[GPTV]

healing vibes being sent to Oliver - agree with Sportbilly make sure you have enough metacam/painkiller for when he gets home. he may have had a 24hr injection of it so not need any until tomorrow, but it helps them recover quicker if not in pain & having pain related complications (not eating, thus gut mobility, etc).

my Grace had a bladder stone removed a couple of months ago & she's around the 5years age, she came round reasonably quickly i think, but she was very sleepy & wobbly for about 24hrs afterwards, i had to keep her warm, dry & draught free, not too much running around (not much chance of that with her )
she was fine two days later - you wouldn't beleive she' had anything done

speedy recovery Oliver
xx

 

[Adelle]

My 5.5 year old sow has had 4 anaesthetics all in the past year, one spay and 3 dentals. Obviously she was under fully with the spay and didn't start moving around steadily until a good 12 hours after they brought her round. With light anaesthetic she still takes about 4/5 hours x

 

[Lynette09]

Thank you so much for your messages. He is just home Unsteady on his feet but eating, very slowly like he was before he went in but he's eating so hope what's going on is rectified.

Know he will be sore anyway from having the stuff in his mouth. Just hope he goes back to the way he ate before . . . Devour food within the blink of an eye ha ha

Oliver is the same GPTV as Grace, he likes his floor time everyday and scurries about and into everything ha ha

The way Oliver looks on his feet it will be a good few hours until he regains better mobility Adelle.

He had eaten his tomato (I always scrape seeds out) and bit of cucumber at the vets

He had an injection of metacam when he was under but no metacam had been prescribed for after. Vet wasn't in as he goes to another clinic too so nurse is going to speak to him and phone me tomorrow and I can pick some up as injection will last until then xx

 

[sport_billy]

Thank you so much for your messages. He is just home Unsteady on his feet but eating, very slowly like he was before he went in but he's eating so hope what's going on is rectified.

Know he will be sore anyway from having the stuff in his mouth. Just hope he goes back to the way he ate before . . . Devour food within the blink of an eye ha ha

Oliver is the same GPTV as Grace, he likes his floor time everyday and scurries about and into everything ha ha

The way Oliver looks on his feet it will be a good few hours until he regains better mobility Adelle.

He had eaten his tomato (I always scrape seeds out) and bit of cucumber at the vets

He had an injection of metacam when he was under but no metacam had been prescribed for after. Vet wasn't in as he goes to another clinic too so nurse is going to speak to him and phone me tomorrow and I can pick some up as injection will last until then xx

Great he is home, Metacam is a must for after the injection wear off (normally 24hrs) as discomfort will stop him from eating so good you have this under control.

Sending lots of recovery vibes to Oliver x

 

[Lynette09]

Thank you

I will be making sure they give me metacam tomorrow as not risking him not eating at all until he's had at least a good few days recovery. Going to call first thing in morning.

Feel so sorry for him when he walks due to him being unsteady xx

 

[Freela]

I know that Sundae was very out of it for about 24 hours after having anesthesia and a painkiller after an abscess draining. The vet kept her most of the day and even when she came home in the evening she was very unsteady/drowsy. She got back to normal in about 24 hours. Hope this helps a bit!

 

[Lynette09]

Thank you Freela, that does help as I keep watching him tonight wondering when it will wear off. If he was still like this in morning I would have panicked more but will be on guard that he may be like this for a bit tomorrow.

He's now back in his house relaxing and looking so sleepy on his fleece blanket to keep him warm

Hoping beyond hope that after what he's been through today it has worked but only time will tell xx

 

[Lynette09]

Oliver stopped eating last night altogether so I started to syringe feed him Recovery Plus. Not as much as I would have liked though as he's like a toddler. My concern is that I may choke him with his tongue being swollen and struggling to swallow.

Went out 1st thing and picked dandelion leaves and grass which he ate some of and also had a drink (probiotic in it)

I have a wide variety of vegetables (safe ones) in his cage chopped up and whole for him to choose. He also has his 3 hays which he gets (mountain hay, burgess excell and Timothy alfalfa King).

He has his mint and also black current burgess excell nuggets dry and mushed up. I am desperate for him to eat and whatever takes his fancy I am trying to tempt him.

I am wondering if anyone knows of any particular foods that they can't resist and is great for them I could try or any techniques that may prompt him?

He has a vets appointment at 14:20 as I told them I want Metacam as every bit of help to aide him eating is critical right now xx

 

[sport_billy]

I would ask for some metachlopromide (emeprid) also this will help keep pushing food through and avoid gut statis

Chop the veg up really really small tiny cubes and offer it on your fingers in case he is struggling picking it up. Tagging in @furryfriends (TEAS) for you she is a whiz with dental piggies x

 

[Lynette09]

Thank you He has a small dish I've put in his cage with veg that's chopped up. Tried to feed him bits by hand but he turns away.

I have tried to hand feed him but he just turns away. Rolled the dandelion leaves so it was easier for him to take but after about 5 he stuck to the fresh grass taking bit by bit but managed and then gave up but see that as a positive he had some following nothing at all through the night apart from syringe feed. He is interested in his foods.

Will ask for the emeprid too. I don't think the vet prescribed it as he had been eating before the procedure (although very slowly) and ate a bit of cucumber and tomato at the vets before he came home.

Just want him eating again and back to normal but like my other thread says this is a wait and see and if it was the Spurs causing it xx

 

[sport_billy]

Thank you He has a small dish I've put in his cage with veg that's chopped up. Tried to feed him bits by hand but he turns away.

I have tried to hand feed him but he just turns away. Rolled the dandelion leaves so it was easier for him to take but after about 5 he stuck to the fresh grass taking bit by bit but managed and then gave up but see that as a positive he had some following nothing at all through the night apart from syringe feed. He is interested in his foods.

Will ask for the emeprid too. I don't think the vet prescribed it as he had been eating before the procedure (although very slowly) and ate a bit of cucumber and tomato at the vets before he came home.

Just want him eating again and back to normal but like my other thread says this is a wait and see and if it was the Spurs causing it xx

Hopefully the pain meds will pick him up. Keep up with the syringe feeding, we use mushed up pellets. Are you using a 1ml syringe with the end cut off? This makes it easier x

 

[Lynette09]

Pinning my hopes on the metacam helping him but appointment isn't until 14:20 so the injection he had yesterday will have worn right off.

Yeah I cut the tip off a 1ml syringe. Learnt that a few months ago when Oliver's brother was ill and was syringe feeding him. Unfortunately he had elongated roots at his eye socket and jaw bone so it was only fair to let him go to sleep peacefully

That was why I thought maybe Oliver's problem was elongated roots but it's not and no definitive answer which makes the Unknown worse. I would never allow him to suffer though, however I will do anything possible to make him better whilst he wants to xx

 

[Guinea Slave]

Another option is fibreplex, I mix it with syringe food or mushed up pellets and helps move the food along better in the syringe (its slightly oily) and really helps their guts and then their appetite. All mine have loved it and I swear by it.

Different types of lettuce chopped up may help perhaps? Mine also love chicory.

 

[Lynette09]

Where would I get fibreplex from? Does Pets at Home do it or is it only available to order online? He has pro-c probiotic in his water which he has drunk.

I never even thought to chop his lettuce up as just gave him the leaves as he loves little gem and romaine lettuce but away to chop some up the now, thank you xx

 

[helen105281]

I really hope he picks up once you have more metacam. We had a dental issue with our Barley recently and he was on pain relief for about 3 weeks in total. His issue was an infected incisor though. Hopefully Debbie (Furry Friends) will be online later, she runs a sanctuary for dental pigs so knows a lot more than the rest of us. She also has a wonderful vet who is the most knowledgeable in the country when it comes to dental issues. He is in Northampton though but well worth seeing if you are able to travel. I know it is a long way though.

You can buy Fibreplex online, from Vet Uk and other places.

 

[Lynette09]

Thanks Helen. We are just back from vets where he was given an injection of metacam (awful hearing him squeel : ( ) and got oral metacam to start giving him once a day starting tomorrow.

His gut feels and hears good and after being prodded he certainly done a lot of poos after. No wet chin which he didn't have beforehand anyway.

Now it's a wait and see and praying beyond belief he's just sore after yesterday Xx

 

[chesca_27]

I hope your piggie gets better soon .

I'm just wondering, what did the dental consist of? My piggie has very long teeth (he hasn't been able to wear them down because he has gut stasis but it's almost completely sorted) and I think he may need his teeth trimmed, probably with anaesthetic. He's also around 5 and a half years.

Good luck with recovery. Fibreplex is excellent, my vet prescribed it and I think it's really helped my pig the last couple of days. He's also on Ranitidine and Emeprid to help with the gut stasis. I have been giving a Metacam equivalent as well. Those would all help if he's not eating properly.

Have you tried Oxbow Critical Care? That would help as well. When syringing it, I add a bit of Pro-C and extra water so my syringe doesn't get blocked. The other thing that I give is crushed up pellets, which he prefers. You can get it off Amazon but I also got a pack from my local veterinary hospital. Amazon was cheaper though .

It sounds like you're doing a lot to help with recovery !

 

[Guinea Slave]

Another option is fibreplex, I mix it with syringe food or mushed up pellets and helps move the food along better in the syringe (its slightly oily) and really helps their guts and then their appetite. All mine have loved it and I swear by it.

Different types of lettuce chopped up may help perhaps? Mine also love chicory.

Hiya, I get Fibreplex from the vet but I have found this link for you: Fibreplex for Rabbits and Small Rodents - From £7.60

Where would I get fibreplex from? Does Pets at Home do it or is it only available to order online? He has pro-c probiotic in his water which he has drunk.

I never even thought to chop his lettuce up as just gave him the leaves as he loves little gem and romaine lettuce but away to chop some up the now, thank you xx

I get Fibreplex from the vet but I did find this online link: Fibreplex for Rabbits and Small Rodents - From £7.60

 

[Lynette09]

I have a question about medication if anyone can help?

Oliver has the dog metacam strength 1.5ml. I am to give him 0.2ml on a daily basis. I won't be due to give him it until 14:30.

He seems to be struggling again to eat after doing great yesterday following the injection of it. He ate dry hay, fresh hay, some pellets and small chopped up pieces of veg. Not as much as usual but still a fair bit.

It seems 24 hours is a long time for one dose and wondering if it's something I can give sooner or 12 hourly? Xx

 

[Lynette09]

I hope your piggie gets better soon .

I'm just wondering, what did the dental consist of? My piggie has very long teeth (he hasn't been able to wear them down because he has gut stasis but it's almost completely sorted) and I think he may need his teeth trimmed, probably with anaesthetic. He's also around 5 and a half years.

Good luck with recovery. Fibreplex is excellent, my vet prescribed it and I think it's really helped my pig the last couple of days. He's also on Ranitidine and Emeprid to help with the gut stasis. I have been giving a Metacam equivalent as well. Those would all help if he's not eating properly.

Have you tried Oxbow Critical Care? That would help as well. When syringing it, I add a bit of Pro-C and extra water so my syringe doesn't get blocked. The other thing that I give is crushed up pellets, which he prefers. You can get it off Amazon but I also got a pack from my local veterinary hospital. Amazon was cheaper though .

It sounds like you're doing a lot to help with recovery !

Hi

Oliver had an X-ray done as he was eating extremely slowly and not a lot. We had to say goodnight to his brother Keiko only 4 months ago due to him having severe elongated roots They were protruding to his eye socket and lower jaw bone. X-ray looked awful. We had to do what was best for him.

I feared the same was happening and although Oliver does have elongated roots they are not severe to be causing this problem. The vet was pleasantly surprised at how ground down his back teeth were although they had slight spurs on them.

His tongue was swollen and he showed signs of not swallowing properly as a lot of food sitting. Vet checked his poos and there was fibre strands in them meaning no proper chewing going on. No other obvious signs as to why.

Vet said this wasn't a classic dental case and so he filed the Spurs down and now we need to see as Spurs too can cause irritation and swelling. Praying this will help but only time will tell.

It took Oliver just over 3 hours to wake from anaesthetic and he was very wobbly and sleepy that night when he came home but we kept him warm and quiet. He was back to normal yesterday.

That's great you are getting the gut stasis under control and if his teeth need trimmed he will be like a new man after it He will be sore after but you sound like you are on the ball for aiding his recovery and care greatly for him.

Does your piggie have a grey moustache and beard as well? Oliver started getting it a few months ago. He was also diagnosed with cataracts but he's doing great with it and can still see a bit but won't move things in his cage now so he knows where everything is Xx

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I have a question about medication if anyone can help?

Oliver has the dog metacam strength 1.5ml. I am to give him 0.2ml on a daily basis. I won't be due to give him it until 14:30.

He seems to be struggling again to eat after doing great yesterday following the injection of it. He ate dry hay, fresh hay, some pellets and small chopped up pieces of veg. Not as much as usual but still a fair bit.

It seems 24 hours is a long time for one dose and wondering if it's something I can give sooner or 12 hourly? Xx

I don't know what he weighs but that dose seems a little low, please give your vet a ring & explain his behaviour, if he is in pain they might tel you to increase it, or split the dose into twice a day

 

[Lynette09]

I don't know what he weighs but that dose seems a little low, please give your vet a ring & explain his behaviour, if he is in pain they might tel you to increase it, or split the dose into twice a day

Sorry I just noticed the dose I put. It's the dog metacam 1.5mg/ml.
Oliver was 1340g this morning when I weighed him.
Before all this started his weight was always around the 1500g mark.
Is 0.2 of that quite low then?

 

[helen105281]

I agree that that may be a bit low, I use the same dose for my dental pig but twice a day and there is usually scope to go higher. See what your vet says, they need to take the fact that pigs have a fast metabolism into account.

 

[helen105281]

I hope your piggie gets better soon .

I'm just wondering, what did the dental consist of? My piggie has very long teeth (he hasn't been able to wear them down because he has gut stasis but it's almost completely sorted) and I think he may need his teeth trimmed, probably with anaesthetic. He's also around 5 and a half years.

Good luck with recovery. Fibreplex is excellent, my vet prescribed it and I think it's really helped my pig the last couple of days. He's also on Ranitidine and Emeprid to help with the gut stasis. I have been giving a Metacam equivalent as well. Those would all help if he's not eating properly.

Have you tried Oxbow Critical Care? That would help as well. When syringing it, I add a bit of Pro-C and extra water so my syringe doesn't get blocked. The other thing that I give is crushed up pellets, which he prefers. You can get it off Amazon but I also got a pack from my local veterinary hospital. Amazon was cheaper though .

It sounds like you're doing a lot to help with recovery !

If you are in Herts, are you able to travel to Northampton at all? the best dental vet in the country is there. Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit clinic.

Sorry to hijak the thread.