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Urgent-guinea Pig Not Eating

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Fabioandmario

Fabioandmario

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Hi Can anyone help? I have a five year old boar guinea pig who just doesn't seem right at all.. His brother died in January and he was quiet after but managed to carry on okay, he seemed to be doing well. His brother had to be rushed to an out of hours vet, a very horrible experience as he went down hill fast in two hours, he kept opening his mouth like a fish as if he was struggling to breathe :( almost exactly a month on from that mario started to not eat so much. He kept refusing food so I had to syringe feed him, i have been syringe feeding mashed dry food and porridge oats with veg in it and vitamin c tablet in water..his bottom front teeth were broken on one side so I wondered if this was why he couldn't eat. I took him to the vets this Monday just gone and he had his teeth trimmed down and the vet checked all his teeth and checked him all over, checked his eyes too. She was certain it had to be his teeth. He recovered well from the aneasthetic and seemed to be doing well, struggling to eat as normal but managing small pieces, I have continued to help him and hand feed him. Today he's not great though and won't eat much. It's almost as if he can't swallow it and he shows a lack of interest. I think his mouth Looks smaller to Me inside..or that could be my imagination...maybe swollen? He's still going strong though but I wish I knew what else I could do to get him to eat? Is it maybe linked to his cage mate dying? He seems very unhappy and just wants cuddles... He will drink water though and seems keen to do that. Hope to hear from you...thank you for your help

Lyndsay
 
Hi Lyndsay

I am sorry for your loss.

From what you are saying, it rather sounds like he may have got an infection or rush in his mouth/throat. Please see a vet as an emergency. He may need an antibiotic or antifungal treatment; the sooner the better.

PS: Which country are you in?
 
I would take him back to the vets as soon as possible to check it out, it could be a mouth infection, you should syringe feed him untill you can take him to the vet
 
Thank you for your reply, I am in the uk...yes maybe it is some kind of infection?
 
You will need a vet for a correct diagnosis and appropriate medication. We can only give suggestions for avenues to consider and for how soon you need to see a vet, but we cannot give a proper diagnosis over the internet without having seen and checked your piggy. :(

PS: You can add your county/general area to your details by clicking on your username, then go to personal details/location. That way, we will always be able to give you the appropriate advice straight away. But do this only when you've got time!
 
Thanks everyone, if you have any more suggestions of what to syringe feed that would be great too... Currently using mashed up burgess excell pellets mixed in with mashed veg and I've been using crushed up vitamins tablet... He will drink a lot when offered..
 
Just keep it going - you are doing everything right! You are a very good and caring owner, so please don't beat yourself up.

Just please have him seen tonight; the sooner he is getting meds, the better, especially if his throat is sweeling shut and he is struggling to swallow. Antibiotics or a systemic fungal take a day or two to work fully, so it is a bit of a race against time.
 
Hi I just wanted to update you...unfortunately its not good news. I took mario to the vets and explained everything, she checked him over and looked in his mouth. His tongue looked odd and protruding and it was obvious his mouth looked swollen and something wasnt right. We decided that it would be the kindest thing to put him to sleep rather than put him through any more stress. He must have been in pain and he has had a tough week (he is five and a half years old) There wasnt much my vet could do, he had lost alot of weight too even though I tried to help him with all the hand feeding and syringe feeding. I have done everything I can but today I had to say goodbye which was horrible. I was just looking through all my photos of the guineapigs and can safely say they both had a fantastic life throughout the last five years. They have brought me alot of joy and happiness and have been lovely pets. I did everything I could for them..its just so upsetting though to let them go and say goodbye. Thankyou for your advice and support its been much appreciated xx
 
Thanks everyone, it feels very strange not having pigs anymore, very sad :(
 
HUGS

I am really sorry! I had to let my six year old Bryn go last September when his throat swelled shut from an infection before the antibiotics kicked in and despite round-th-clock hand feeding; it was a very upsetting experience, so I feel for you!

Losing a piggy never gets any easier, but I think that you have made the right decision. Sometimes, it is sadly all you can do - you haven't failed Mario, he's had a long and happy life with you. :(

PS: here are tips on what to do for Fabio, to help you with your next set of worries.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/
 
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