Uti

[gp_dega]

One of my piggies has a UTI and gradually stopped eating and drinking. I had him at the vet and was given Baytril. A couple days later he was not improving much and still not eating. He was given a different antibiotic that seems to be working a lot better. Not much crying anymore.

Since not eating/drinking I have been giving him critical care and water. As well as vitamin c. He usually loves the CC but it's a struggle to get him to take it. He has improved and will eat a little bit of grass and has started drinking a little bit on his own. He will also smell is food and pick a piece up but then drops it.

How often and how much should I be feeding him? I was feeding between .3ml and .6ml every two hours. I don't want to over feed him and give him an upset tummy. But I don't want to feed too little either. When do you know to stop the CC and let him try to eat on his own?

He has lost so much weight that he is way smaller than his brother (last week he was bigger than brother!). His poops are tiny and light brown. I know it takes patience and time to get their little systems back on track, but I want my baby better now! It's so hard to see him like this!

 

[zebrallama]

Hi. There's some helpful advice at http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html. You might try a probiotic, as well as the amount of handfeeding recommended there.

Good for you for worrying about this. This IS an URGENT issue. Once a guinea pig's digestion slows down too much, they often fail to recover. :-( (It's called going into "gut stasis".)

 

[gp_dega]

That's what scares me! I've been a wreck these last few days worrying. Sleep by his cage, stay up most of the night to feed and observe.. I made up his mind for him that he would NOT give up! (last year we lost a piggie after he quit eating - not sure what made him sick, but he gave up and refused everything so was put to sleep to stop the suffering) I will do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen to him.


I LOVE the guinea lynx website! I don't know why I didn't think to check there! Must be the lack of sleep! Thanks!

 

[zebrallama]

Oh, whoops! I'm sorry if I've made you worry more! Good for you for taking this seriously.

You might also like to post on the guinealynx forum. It's bigger than this one so sometimes it's better for emergencies (not that I've got anything against this one -- I love it).

 

[Abi_nurse]

It is around 120ml of CC in a day. But have a quick look at the link, its very helpful. Has your piggie been given any pain relief? One of the number 1 reasons for not eating is because they are in pain. If not, maybe ask your vet for some, it will speed his recovery up.

x.

 

[gp_dega]

I have noticed throughout the day that his poop has gradually gotten bigger. I hadn't noticed him eating on his own. Just a few minutes ago though I DID! He took a few bites! I know this is just a start, but I am so relieved he is showing positive signs! The late nights, no sleep, tears, and worry were worth this moment! Proud of my boy! x)

 

[zebrallama]

HOORAY! That's great progress!

 

[gp_dega]

I don't believe they are, but are UTI's contagious? One of my other boys has started to show a little blood when he pees. I know these are common in piggies, but in 4 years this is the first time I've experienced one.

 

[Lisajazz]

I'm not sure about the catching but I wanted to say don't let this piggy go on baytril. Ask for the alternative you had before (what was that called).

How long was your other pig on baytril for and is he eating on his own now?

 

[gp_dega]

Denny is almost his normal self again! He's been eating and drinking just fine! He missed his brother so I put him back in his big cage. That's when he really seemed to start improving. He's still got quite a bit of weight to gain back, but he's getting there! I've been weighing him every day. One day he gained 1.7 oz! So proud of my boy!