Very concerned- need good vibes for Linney!

[Freela]

I'm having a bit of a panic attack today... I got up this morning and my almost-4-year-old guinea pig, Linney, is obviously ill. She is laying stretched out in the corner and is very subdued- did not eat her hay at all and looks like she is either having trouble moving around or is in pain (she keeps rolling to her side... though when I put her on the ground she did walk back to her corner.) I'll be calling the vet when they open in 20 minutes and taking her in ASAP, but I am so upset right now... and this has quite literally developed overnight. She was FINE last night, she was begging for food, visited with the kids and I and sat on our laps, ran around and ate salad during free time, etc. I have no clue what could have happened overnight to cause this. 8...

 

[sport_billy]

Oh no, Massive hugs to you. Hope the vets can find out what is wrong with Linney, lots of healing vibes and all fingers crossed for her x x

 

[SpinningNickel]

Picchu had similar symptoms when he had an inner ear infection, and that too went from no issues to an immobile pig over the course of a day. Is she always falling to the SAME side? If so could be a balance issue caused by her ears. The vet can check that easily and if there's any discharge, ask for them to send it to the lab to find out what antibiotics it needs. Very treatable with the right drugs, but a lot of non-savvy vets insist on sticking to the "treatment cascade" and only trying Baytril til it's too late.

Don't be too worried; because I had a nasty experience with this I do tend to see ear infections everywhere, so it is very very possible that I'm very very wrong.

All our claws are crossed for you and Linney, though. Sending lots and lots of little piggie prayers.

 

[PottyForPiggies]

Oh no! Poor Linney-pig! Whee are all sending healing wheeks and have little paws crossed for Linney She is almost the same age as my Treacle (just over 4), so I can sympathise

Love, hugs and wheeky wheekness from Treacle, Bernadette, Junior and Stewart xx (and me, of course!)

 

[Wiebke]

HUGS

It sounds like a stroke or a very bad ear infection. Both can hit at any time without warning. Good that you have already booked her in. Keep her warm, calm and as comfy as possible until then.

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

Sending healing vibes!

 

[Winnie-woo]

any news? big hugs from us xx

 

[Freela]

We're home from the vet! Linney perked right up as soon as we got to the vet's office... apparently what I was afraid was partial paralysis was her way of lounging around when she feels lousy. She certainly tried to take off with all four feet flying once we got her onto the table. She has occult blood in her urine (I had noticed that a couple of patches on the bedding looked darker than usual yesterday.) She also squeaked and acted miserable when the vet palpated her bladder. Based on this we think it is a urinary tract problem. She is home on seven days of Baytril and I have Critical Care to syringe her if needed (though she did eat some cucumber, some lettuce, some hay and some pellets once she got done with the vet, so I'm hoping that won't be necessary.) The vet felt her for stones and said there 'may' be something there but it's hard to tell. She suggested that we could x-ray her for stones, but that the only difference it would make would be if I was to consider surgery... at age 4 I think she is on the older side for an invasive procedure, but maybe I'm wrong? I'm to take her back next week (sooner if she worsens) so I said I may consider the x-ray at this point.

So that's the update- thanks for the good vibes. I know there are some good posts on urinary problems and some members with some good knowledge, so I may draw on that over the next little while! Does anyone have any suggestions about getting a piggie over a UTI and options in dealing with bladder stones?

 

[piggyfan]

I am sorry Linney is poorly. I hope she gets better soon.