Dental Urgent: Any advice welcome! - Deterioration post-dental

[LauraSandall]

Hi all

I have a roughly 2 year old Piggy called Chip, male neutered, lives indoors with his female partner, had a dental nearly 2 weeks ago, I’m a vet nurse so like to think I take super care of them!

He has not been right since the dental, has lost a significant amount of weight, and now today won’t really accept syringe feeding any more where as he was lapping it off the syringe, he’s on metacam, ranitidine and metoclop, and I’m giving him subcut fluids also warmed! I’ve separated him to a smaller area tonight so he stays on a heat pad as he is cold!

I was reading about ataxic episodes and ear infection so might see if work will CT him tomorrow I’m just not entirely sure he will service and GA/sedation?

If anyone can help or have any ideas that would be amazing I’m just so worried and been I tears tonight thinking I’ve let him down in some way or other!

 

[DMS260820]

@furryfriends (TEAS) . Best member for advice on what to do next with dental pigs

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all

I have a roughly 2 year old Piggy called Chip, male neutered, lives indoors with his female partner, had a dental nearly 2 weeks ago, I’m a vet nurse so like to think I take super care of them!

He has not been right since the dental, has lost a significant amount of weight, and now today won’t really accept syringe feeding any more where as he was lapping it off the syringe, he’s on metacam, ranitidine and metoclop, and I’m giving him subcut fluids also warmed! I’ve separated him to a smaller area tonight so he stays on a heat pad as he is cold!

I was reading about ataxic episodes and ear infection so might see if work will CT him tomorrow I’m just not entirely sure he will service and GA/sedation?

If anyone can help or have any ideas that would be amazing I’m just so worried and been I tears tonight thinking I’ve let him down in some way or other!

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. This is a specialist question which I am not able to answer that. How experienced is your vet with guinea pig dentals?
However, it rather sounds to me like his body is closing down despite you doing all the right things.

I hope that @furryfriends (TEAS) may have the time to answer this, but she is very busy lady currently looking after several very ill dental piggies.

 

[LauraSandall]

I have to say I sadly agree with you @Wiebke

I just don’t know what else to do, he is just giving up on front of my eyes and it’s heartbreaking! I just don’t think he has faired well since the dental at all and I just can’t figure out why or what I’ve done wrong! He’s such an amazing little pig and is generally such a character hears the rustle of the food, or me coming in and would Wheek away at me have a full on conversation with me! I’m just so so gutted I haven’t been able to fix him!

 

[LauraSandall]

**UPDATE HE DIDNT MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT - was more settle at 3.30am but had passed by 5.30am I’m totally gutted and heartbroken

 

[DMS260820]

I'm so sorry for your loss, you done everything you could

 

[Claire W]

I'm so sorry for your loss Please don't blame yourself, I once lost a piggy after a dental too. He was only 2.5 xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry for your loss x You did everything that could have been done, so sad for you. Sleep tight little fella x

 

[Wiebke]

**UPDATE HE DIDNT MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT - was more settle at 3.30am but had passed by 5.30am I’m totally gutted and heartbroken

BIG HUGS

It is so gutting and heart-breaking when an operation is not coming off, isn't it?

Unfortunately, guinea pig dentals are not part of vet training, and that comes with major problems re. confidence, speed and knowledge as to how a fully balanced dental system looks exactly and how to best rebalance it (which is usually not a one-off procedure). It also means that your piggy is under for longer, which comes with its own dangers. The mouth is a very sensitive area.

If there are any other underlying issues, this can trigger them. I have lost a piggy of my own after an abscessed incisor removal operation two years ago; she never quite fully recovered even though a vet check by a very dental savvy vet couldn't find anything wrong and a few days later she simply didn't wake up from an after dinner nap.
That said, I have also had another abscessed incisor piggy who has lived another year to nearly 7 years with two major abscess operations after the abscess went into the jaw while the dental savvy vet was on holiday and my local vets couldn't cope (just my usual bad timing!).

Please do not feel guilty or at fault; you have done everything you could and all the right things, and you have given him every chance. If you operate at what is for many vets still very much the limit of their abilities and knowledge with such small animals, then sadly not every operation will come off. That is all we can do as caring and responsible owners - to give our pets as many happy todays and the best chance in the case of a major health problem. The rest is out of our hands. I know from myself that it is much harder to accept when it is a young piggy. Give yourself time to grieve. Piggies have such big personalities; they can really get into your heart and take it over!

You are welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section at any time if you feel that it would help you.

Here are tips of what you can do for the bereaved companion:Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig