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Urgent!

PiggieBoo

PiggieBoo

New Born Pup
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My 4 1/2 year old Guinea pig isn’t eating or drinking and is not herself. I thought it was just a cold or something but we’re on day number two of this and I know that Guinea pigs need to eat frequently or they die. I have no vets nearby that have experience with small animals.
 
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre please read this guide for information on syringe feeding to keep piggy going until they can see the vet.

If you could update your location with at least the country you are in, along with state or county if you are UK based and then someone will be able to give more tailored support with finding a vet
 
In addition to thoroughly reading that guide, if you have any way to measure the weight of your guinea pig that is important information to have so you can know if he has lost a critical amount of weight. There are some conditions which do require emergency vet intervention even if a drive is necessary. In some worst case scenarios you can call around and see if a non exotic vet would be willing to glance at your pig but there are risks involved.

I believe the guide goes into depth how you can make your own critical care/liquid food if you don't have access to any. In my experience you can go to a pharmacist and ask for ml syringes and they will give them to you.
 
PiggieBoo said:
My 4 1/2 year old Guinea pig isn’t eating or drinking and is not herself. I thought it was just a cold or something but we’re on day number two of this and I know that Guinea pigs need to eat frequently or they die. I have no vets nearby that have experience with small animals.
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Hi

Please step in with round the clock feeding and watering support asap and take time to read all the links in this thread. They are very practical and helpful for talking you through both feeding support (including how you can improvise in an emergency) and emergency/crisis care in the detail that you need but that we cannot provide in a single post. Both links below contain a chapter on how you can improvise in an emergency with what you have at home or easily available.

Different to humans, guinea pigs don't get viral colds or flu, only bacterial respiratory infections with crackling or rasping breathing or in the case of pneumonia with clicking in the chest and noticeably laboured breathing from the sides.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
 
I ordered a syringe (the kind listed in the guide) along with some vitamin c liquid drops I will add with the crushed pellets. I’ll keep you guys updated. I’m still looking/calling into vet offices. Pray for her :(
 
PiggieBoo said:
I ordered a syringe (the kind listed in the guide) along with some vitamin c liquid drops I will add with the crushed pellets. I’ll keep you guys updated. I’m still looking/calling into vet offices. Pray for her :(
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While you wait for the syringe to arrive, try to encourage her to eat from a spoon. She needs that fibre going through her system asap.
You don’t really need vitamin c drops. It’s the oxbow critical care - a recovery feed - which would be of more use as it’s higher fibre than mushed pellets
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

Please step in with round the clock feeding and watering support asap and take time to read all the links in this thread. They are very practical and helpful for talking you through both feeding support (including how you can improvise in an emergency) and emergency/crisis care in the detail that you need but that we cannot provide in a single post. Both links below contain a chapter on how you can improvise in an emergency with what you have at home or easily available.

Different to humans, guinea pigs don't get viral colds or flu, only bacterial respiratory infections with crackling or rasping breathing or in the case of pneumonia with clicking in the chest and noticeably laboured breathing from the sides.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Click to expand...
Her breathing is normal but she’s barely eating/drinking. I live in the middle of nowhere and the only vet nearby treats dogs/cats/etc. Called into ones hours away and they won’t take her. I don’t know what to do
 
Piggies&buns said:
While you wait for the syringe to arrive, try to encourage her to eat from a spoon. She needs that fibre going through her system asap.
You don’t really need vitamin c drops. It’s the oxbow critical care - a recovery feed - which would be of more use as it’s higher fibre than mushed pellets
Click to expand...
Okay thank you. It’s coming in an hour though my delivery service. I would’ve drove to a local pet smart but I didn’t want to leave her home alone longer than needed. I have to go to work for a 4 hour shift tonight so she’ll have to be alone for a bit.
 
PiggieBoo said:
Okay thank you. It’s coming in an hour though my delivery service. I would’ve drove to a local pet smart but I didn’t want to leave her home alone longer than needed. I have to go to work for a 4 hour shift tonight so she’ll have to be alone for a bit.
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Try to give her a feed, as much as she will take, before you go and then again when you can get back.
I hope she is ok
 
PiggieBoo said:
Her breathing is normal but she’s barely eating/drinking. I live in the middle of nowhere and the only vet nearby treats dogs/cats/etc. Called into ones hours away and they won’t take her. I don’t know what to do
Click to expand...

Please follow the care advice in our emergency care link if your piggy is still able to take on swallow food.
Both the emergency and the syringe feeding guides also contain a chapter on how to spot when your piggy is dying and a further link for advice on what you can do for a dying piggy and what to brace for if the worst comes to pass.

Unfortunately, we cannot tell you sight unseen and without a hands-on examination what is wrong with your piggy but the advice in the links tells you what you can do for your piggy whatever happens so you do not have to feel totally helpless. ;)
Take the time to read them and then take it from there. The advice in the guides is as clear and precise as we can make it.
 
PS: I am ever so sorry that you do not have vet access; it must be so upsetting for you since you clearly love your piggy.

HUGS
 
Try to take a minute to calm yourself down too I know it's awful and lots of us have sadly been in upsetting situations but your guinea pig needs you to be focused on what you can do to give them the best chance. All of the advice is there and as they say most important is support feeding if possible. We are all keeping paws and fingers crossed 🤞🐾
 
Hi everyone, thank you for the support. So far it’s much of the same. She is drinking and eating a little from the syringe but her energy is the same (maybe lower). I’ll keep updating❤️
 
How much syringe feed is she managing did you read the amount they need each day?
 
I’ve gotten her to take 2 tsp. I’m going to try one more time before I go to bed. She sounds like she has a URI
 
Yes when we lost our Toby it is scary how they can be ok then before you know it it's too late breaks your heart 💔
 
Oh no, how sad! At least she is no longer suffering 😔
RIP little piggy, over the Rainbow Bridge 🌈❤️
 
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