Very weird excrement (can't even describe how to look for it)

[Basti & Dulce]

Hello, everyone!

So, today I found this on my pig's cage (Dulce, almost 5 years old). She has been a little bit quiet, eating a little less and I was thinking that could be something related to teeth problems. Took her to the vet and, yes, some teeth spikes are growing, her tongue is not trapped, but the spikes seem to be hurting a little bit. I started syringe feeding her and giving a pain relief medication to see if this could help her eat more. One side of her belly was a little bigger too, what could suggest bloating, so some medication was given to relief that as well (simethicone).

But then, this morning, I found this thing on her cage. I have absolutely no idea what it is. It feels like a meaty solid thing, looks like an organ. The texture is exactly like a piece of meat, slightly red colored, inside is more pinkish, like a muscle or something.

What exactly is this? Can someone give me, please, at least some direction to what could have caused this?

My finger next to it is just for some size comparison. The last picture is the thing cut, I tried slicing it to see the insides and found out it's pretty solid and structured, like an organ, muscle or something.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Piggies&buns]

This looks like something that ought to be discussed with the vet

Simethicone isn’t recommended as it gathers gas into a big bubble which can be more painful.

Make sure you switch to daily weight checks so you can adjust syringe feeding accordingly.

Our bloat guide is added below to help also

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[Basti & Dulce]

This looks like something that ought to be discussed with the vet

Simethicone isn’t recommended as it gathers gas into a big bubble which can be more painful.

Make sure you switch to daily weight checks so you can adjust syringe feeding accordingly.

Our bloat guide is added below to help also

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

Thank you for your response.

Since the bloating seems to have gone away, simethicone was already dismissed, she only took one dose. But since I found this weird thing on her cage, now, I'm starting to believe that this was probably the cause.

I'm taking it to the vet, sent him pictures and videos, he said he will investigate further into this matter, but told me it looks like "hematometra". I'm probably taking her to check it with ultrasound.

I'm posting here in hopes that someone has seen it before and can help with any additional information.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, everyone!

So, today I found this on my pig's cage (Dulce, almost 5 years old). She has been a little bit quiet, eating a little less and I was thinking that could be something related to teeth problems. Took her to the vet and, yes, some teeth spikes are growing, her tongue is not trapped, but the spikes seem to be hurting a little bit. I started syringe feeding her and giving a pain relief medication to see if this could help her eat more. One side of her belly was a little bigger too, what could suggest bloating, so some medication was given to relief that as well (simethicone).

But then, this morning, I found this thing on her cage. I have absolutely no idea what it is. It feels like a meaty solid thing, looks like an organ. The texture is exactly like a piece of meat, slightly red colored, inside is more pinkish, like a muscle or something.

What exactly is this? Can someone give me, please, at least some direction to what could have caused this?

My finger next to it is just for some size comparison. The last picture is the thing cut, I tried slicing it to see the insides and found out it's pretty solid and structured, like an organ, muscle or something.

Thanks in advance for the help!

I agree.

This needs to be seen by a vet. It rather looks like a kind of growth?

 

[Basti & Dulce]

I agree.

This needs to be seen by a vet. It rather looks like a kind of growth?

It will be. I'm taking her to the vet in a few hours or maybe tomorrow.

But has this happened to anyone here in this forum or is it something completely new?

Dulce is not neutered, so the vet believes is something related to her uterus. I've heard of pyometra, but this hematometra is something new for me. And seems to me the vet is not sure if it's really the case.

But, anyways, I'm taking her to investigate and will keep this updated. Guess I'm just a little bit impacted, because this is pretty weird (and big).

 

[Claire W]

I’ve no idea what that could be but as suggested, it looks like some kind of growth. Good you have a vet appointment scheduled for her. Please let us know how you get on

 

[Wiebke]

It will be. I'm taking her to the vet in a few hours or maybe tomorrow.

But has this happened to anyone here in this forum or is it something completely new?

Dulce is not neutered, so the vet believes is something related to her uterus. I've heard of pyometra, but this hematometra is something new for me. And seems to me the vet is not sure if it's really the case.

But, anyways, I'm taking her to investigate and will keep this updated. Guess I'm just a little bit impacted, because this is pretty weird (and big).

Personally, I've never come across something like it.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Is there any possibility she could have been pregnant and that this is related?

 

[Pantalaimon]

My first thought when seeing this is something that sheep get (quite different creatures, I’m aware!) where the intestine sheds a bit of lining and it comes out wrapped around the faeces as a sort of thick jelly mucus ranging from deep brown to pale pinkish or sometimes clear to slightly translucent white. I can’t remember exactly the details of it and can’t seem to find any of the websites I read it on!

 

[weepweeps]

I hope your vet can give you some answers and your piggy is ok.

 

[Basti & Dulce]

Is there any possibility she could have been pregnant and that this is related?

No possibility at all. Like the vet said, it seems to be something uterus-related. Hematometra seems to be the suspicion. I tried looking for images on the internet, but found nothing like that as well.

It's pretty weird. I'm just hoping that she isn't in pain and that this is something easily solvable.

 

[Basti & Dulce]

Update on Dulce:

She went for the teeth procedure, everything went fine. The vets still don't know about the thing that got out of her. Problem is that after the procedure, she came back a little more apathic. And it's getting worse every day. We're syringe feeding her, but she won't take food or water at all. She's very reactive and refusing everything. The vet told me her blood sample's results are indicating some liver problems. I'm already medicating her, but I'm so afraid she won't make it. I've never seen her so lethargic and still like these last two days. She just stands still, won't sleep, but keeps "staring at nothing", very, very lethargic. The vet is trying to calm me saying that liver problems can do this, the medication takes some days to show results, but I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or anxious.
I don't know if she is giving up.

 

[piggl]

Update on Dulce:

She went for the teeth procedure, everything went fine. The vets still don't know about the thing that got out of her. Problem is that after the procedure, she came back a little more apathic. And it's getting worse every day. We're syringe feeding her, but she won't take food or water at all. She's very reactive and refusing everything. The vet told me her blood sample's results are indicating some liver problems. I'm already medicating her, but I'm so afraid she won't make it. I've never seen her so lethargic and still like these last two days. She just stands still, won't sleep, but keeps "staring at nothing", very, very lethargic. The vet is trying to calm me saying that liver problems can do this, the medication takes some days to show results, but I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or anxious.
I don't know if she is giving up.

I’m sorry to hear of the situation you are in. If the vet thinks she can recover for this, all you can do is try your best for her.

You can have a talk with your vet about prognosis/QOL but severe lethargy doesn’t sound great, and I can’t imagine it’s a nice way to live. Is she on strong painkillers?

I have my fingers tightly crossed she will recover but keep a close eye on her and be aware that you may have to make a decision wether it’s kinder to put your sweet girl to sleep or whether you believe she can continue fighting.

My thoughts are with you.

 

[Wiebke]

Update on Dulce:

She went for the teeth procedure, everything went fine. The vets still don't know about the thing that got out of her. Problem is that after the procedure, she came back a little more apathic. And it's getting worse every day. We're syringe feeding her, but she won't take food or water at all. She's very reactive and refusing everything. The vet told me her blood sample's results are indicating some liver problems. I'm already medicating her, but I'm so afraid she won't make it. I've never seen her so lethargic and still like these last two days. She just stands still, won't sleep, but keeps "staring at nothing", very, very lethargic. The vet is trying to calm me saying that liver problems can do this, the medication takes some days to show results, but I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or anxious.
I don't know if she is giving up.

HUGS

I am so very sorry. You can only do your best and hope for the best. The rest is unfortunately out of your control. Your vet is giving her a chance with the medication. Yes, the symptoms tally with those of piggies of mine I had in years past that were suspected to have liver failure before there even was anything like medication for liver problems in guinea pigs.

Please concentrate on sending your girls soothing green healing vibes whenever you feel overwhelmed by your fears. It is a helpful Mindfulness exercise. There is nothing worse than waiting during a crisis. You usually find your strength for somebody you love when things come to the worst and any improvement is of course most welcome; it is the time when you can only wait and pray or hope that is the worst for your mind.
It does usually help me in a situation like that, whether it is a piggy or a human I deeply care for that I face my worst fears of potential loss or life long changes head on. If you want a little cry at that stage, then by all means have it. Then I can tell myself that it cannot get any worse than what I just have been able to look in the face and that the rest can only be better.

I hope that this can help you a little looking after yourself? The grieving process doesn't start with a death but with the moment you realise that it is a real possibility. That is why your feelings are so overwhelming right now and you feel so torn. It is the second worst moment apart from loss itself. Acknowledging it can help you start to get a handle on your own feelings, irrespective of whether your girl makes a recovery or not.
Anyway, I am keeping my fingers very firmly crossed for the first. My thoughts are with you. Been there with my piggies but also with my hub (the latter is thankfully still around after some very anxious weeks in hospital some years ago).

PS: I am linking in these two guide links just in case you need them (but which I seriously hope not) if you struggle with vet access over the weekend. It is always more pressurised at a time like this. Just as a quick back up for the case things take a sudden turn for the worst before the meds can fully kick in or if your girl is not reacting to them.
Emergency Resources and Critical Illness Care - Contents list and subforum link
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

 

[Basti & Dulce]

HUGS

I am so very sorry. You can only do your best and hope for the best. The rest is unfortunately out of your control. Your vet is giving her a chance with the medication. Yes, the symptoms tally with those of piggies of mine I had in years past that were suspected to have liver failure before there even was anything like medication for liver problems in guinea pigs.

Please concentrate on sending your girls soothing green healing vibes whenever you feel overwhelmed by your fears. It is a helpful Mindfulness exercise. There is nothing worse than waiting during a crisis. You usually find your strength for somebody you love when things come to the worst and any improvement is of course most welcome; it is the time when you can only wait and pray or hope that is the worst for your mind.
It does usually help me in a situation like that, whether it is a piggy or a human I deeply care for that I face my worst fears of potential loss or life long changes head on. If you want a little cry at that stage, then by all means have it. Then I can tell myself that it cannot get any worse than what I just have been able to look in the face and that the rest can only be better.

I hope that this can help you a little looking after yourself? The grieving process doesn't start with a death but with the moment you realise that it is a real possibility. That is why your feelings are so overwhelming right now and you feel so torn. It is the second worst moment apart from loss itself. Acknowledging it can help you start to get a handle on your own feelings, irrespective of whether your girl makes a recovery or not.
Anyway, I am keeping my fingers very firmly crossed for the first. My thoughts are with you. Been there with my piggies but also with my hub (the latter is thankfully still around after some very anxious weeks in hospital some years ago).

PS: I am linking in these two guide links just in case you need them (but which I seriously hope not) if you struggle with vet access over the weekend. It is always more pressurised at a time like this. Just as a quick back up for the case things take a sudden turn for the worst before the meds can fully kick in or if your girl is not reacting to them.
Emergency Resources and Critical Illness Care - Contents list and subforum link
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Thank you so much for your reply, you're spot on. Everything you said is happening. She's being taken care by the vet and the team is doing what they can to get her better. Since he believes it's something liver-related, he said it's not a "very quick recovery" like dehydration, being put on IV drip and full recovery. The organ takes sometime to recover, but he believes she's doing well.

And, yes, me and my wife have been crying every now and then, of course. I'm more of the kind that takes death pretty nice and natural. So, what Piggl said above, about thinking of putting her to sleep and all, yes, we cry our eyes out when we think about it, but it's taken in consideration, naturally.

What makes me sad the most is SUFFERING. Human and animals alike. To die and end it all, for me, it's not a big problem compared to be suffering. So I always try to make sure (when it's animal related) if they're suffering or not. With humans things go a little bit different (at least in my country), because there's no euthanasia option.

So, yes, Dulce is on painkillers, we're hoping she fights back, hoping the liver recovers in the next few days and maybe we'll have a little more time with her. If not, she'll join Bastiana on the realm of being an amazing good memory and making us thankful for the time we got to spend with her.

Always hard to say goodbbye, but even harder to see a loved one suffering. That's it.

Thanks you all for the kind words and attention. I'll keep you posted when her situation changes.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for your reply, you're spot on. Everything you said is happening. She's being taken care by the vet and the team is doing what they can to get her better. Since he believes it's something liver-related, he said it's not a "very quick recovery" like dehydration, being put on IV drip and full recovery. The organ takes sometime to recover, but he believes she's doing well.

And, yes, me and my wife have been crying every now and then, of course. I'm more of the kind that takes death pretty nice and natural. So, what Piggl said above, about thinking of putting her to sleep and all, yes, we cry our eyes out when we think about it, but it's taken in consideration, naturally.

What makes me sad the most is SUFFERING. Human and animals alike. To die and end it all, for me, it's not a big problem compared to be suffering. So I always try to make sure (when it's animal related) if they're suffering or not. With humans things go a little bit different (at least in my country), because there's no euthanasia option.

So, yes, Dulce is on painkillers, we're hoping she fights back, hoping the liver recovers in the next few days and maybe we'll have a little more time with her. If not, she'll join Bastiana on the realm of being an amazing good memory and making us thankful for the time we got to spend with her.

Always hard to say goodbbye, but even harder to see a loved one suffering. That's it.

Thanks you all for the kind words and attention. I'll keep you posted when her situation changes.

Nothing like seeing somebody you love suffering and feeling helpless to ease it. Wouldn't we all rather shoulder the pain ourselves for somebody we love - that is the truest essence of love and care.

Fingers very firmly crossed for Dulce. You are doing all you can and are not failing her in any way. As long as there is a realistic chance that she'll recover then it is worth fighting for in order to buy her more reasonable quality life time with you. I am sure that her welfare is foremost in your mind and also in that of your vet's - and that is what counts. You are not failing her in any respect.

Sadly, situations as these are emotionally so hard to cope with. You have to ride the tiger wherever it leads you, try to keep hanging on and reassess at all times. It's the not knowing that makes it so tough.

We are here for understanding and moral support as often and for as long as needed. This is a community and not just a Q&A forum; we do look after each other as well and not just after our piggies. You do not have strong with us and are welcome to unload, so you can remain strong for Dolce.

 

[Basti & Dulce]

Just a quick update, because the pain is somewhat unbearable: Dulce is no longer with us.

Like said in a previous post, she is now in the realm of good, fond and happy memories along with her sister Bastiana.

We've lost our last beloved and perfect piggy.

The doctors still couldn't figure out what was that thing that came out of her as well as what she was having that caused her death. Nothing tried was working, she was not responding to any medication and that was it. I won't investigate further because there's no point for me, at this time, and nor I have the strength right now.

Thanks once again for all the support and kindness from you all. <3

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you huge hugs

 

[weepweeps]

Oh no I’m so sorry. Together forever, pain free with Bastiana. Popcorn high over the bridge gorgeous Dulce. Take care

 

[piggl]

I am so sorry to hear this.

You worked so hard for your lovely girl, she certainly landed on her paws being with you and your partner. I cant imagine how loved she felt all the way through x

Be kind to yourself as you grieve, my thoughts are with you all at this time

 

[Wiebke]

Just a quick update, because the pain is somewhat unbearable: Dulce is no longer with us.

Like said in a previous post, she is now in the realm of good, fond and happy memories along with her sister Bastiana.

We've lost our last beloved and perfect piggy.

The doctors still couldn't figure out what was that thing that came out of her as well as what she was having that caused her death. Nothing tried was working, she was not responding to any medication and that was it. I won't investigate further because there's no point for me, at this time, and nor I have the strength right now.

Thanks once again for all the support and kindness from you all. <3

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry that you have come up against one of the short straws in the cosmic lottery with something that is so rare and so far outside anybody's experience. We can sadly never choose when and what from our beloved ones die.

Guinea pigs don't measure their lives in average life spans. They measure it in happy todays and in the love and security in which they live. You have quite clearly given your piggies many of those and have not failed them in any way - in fact, many years of happiness as opposed to the last few days when things went suddenly very wrong and were taken out of your control but during which your love was at all times with her like an emotional snuggle blanket.

Try to remind yourselves of those good days beyond your current pain and devastation. That is where your beloved girl lives and will live on forever for you. .
Your lovely girl is now reunited with her best friends and free of any pain and discomfort but she is leaving you with plenty of precious happy memories that are staying with you forever in the nest she has built in your heart. You can no longer touch her but you will never really lose her.

You have a very deeply running gift of love; and it is a very precious and special gift. It will find its way to express itself again in due time without ever taking anything away from what and who has gone on before. Use this love to express yourself and your pain right now in whichever way feels best to you and talk, write, dance, run, paint or work it out of you. Don't put any pressure on yourself but give yourself the time to grieve and to express this grief in whichever ways work best for you in order to slowly heal.

Please take the time to read this link here. I sincerely hope that it can help you in the coming days and weeks to make sense of all the confusing jumble of strong feelings. Be kind to yourself and look after yourself.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[Roselina]

I’m sad to hear Dolce has gone to RB - sending love to you all
Popcorn freely at RB lovely Dolce

 

[Claire W]

Aw I’m so very sorry that you lost her

Sleep tight Dulce xx

 

[Wheekallweek]

Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear this
RIP Dulce, over the Rainbow Bridge, reunited with Bastiana