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Dental Weight Loss

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Carina

Carina

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jun 8, 2015
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Location
Taunton, Somerset
Hello,
I am hoping to get some advice here as I don't know what to do.
Betty, my 4-5 year old pig (came from a rescue so exact age unknown) began losing weight at the end of April. I took her to vet and she weighed 770g, as loss of some 200g. The vet gave her some Baytril for a suspected upper respiratory infection. Betty continue to lose weight so I started syringe feeding a mixture of Critical Care, soaked Excel pellets and Avipro. She has an interest in food and wants to eat and picks food up but cannot seem to eat it. I took her back to the vets on 14th May and she had a dental. Vet couldn't see that much was wrong teeth slightly overgrown. At this time she weighed around 700g. Over the next few days her weight increased to 741g before decreasing, and then seemingly stabilising at 680g. I stopped syringe feeding as she would eat mashed up pellets. However, over the weekend her weight dropped from 637g to 563g. Her weight then increased to 598g as I syringe fed her throughout the night then took her to the vet first thing this morning. The vet gave her a Metacam injection and said there's no point doing another dental as if it didn't work the first time it won't work again. To me Betty's teeth seem misaligned and she has dribble all down her chin. Options were to give Metacam or have her put to sleep. Betty has now been eating mashed pellets again and is now 619g. I think the vet is wrong and that she needs another dental. I moved over a year ago and the vets I use now don't seem as good as the previous vet. I think I need to try another vet. Any advice will be gratefully received.
 
We have got a recommended vets locator on the top bar and have tagged our dental specialist who runs a sanctuary for dental piggies in comjunction with the most practised and experienced dental vet in the country into this thread for you.

Please continue to syringe feed, the more often the less she can eat in one sitting: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/
 
Thanks for your replies. Betty is now 626g and has been eating mashed pellets herself. There aren't any vets near me and I can't have any time off work this week. I can try the vet I used to use.
 
I have no personal knowledge of any successful dental treatment by any vet, other than by Simon or Kim, here in Northampton. That is why we are able to have the only dental Sanctuary in the UK. Even vets who are 'exotics' specialists or who claim to have knowledge about dental treatment often end up making the whole situation worse rather than better. Otherwise, they say that the only option is to PTS after one or two 'dentals' and they feel out of their depth.

To have any chance of managing dental issues, treatment must be regular - often weekly to begin with, which is where conscious dentals come into their own. Pigs come to us at TEAS in a weak and frail state as they have been left too long without appropriate treatment, even if the owner has sought all the help they can in their locality.

Simon has been working on developing his skills in dentistry for the past decade, which is why he can now achieve what he can and I am confident in saying he is the best, and probably only, option available.

Sorry I can't be more positive, but even with the best supportive care, without a vet with the knowledge and skills to treat dental issues, there can't be a good outcome.

@furryfriends (TEAS)
 
Thanks for the comments. I am not sure if the original problem was dental and perhaps there was another reason for the weight loss because her teeth were ok in April and apparently weren't that bad after the dental. Now they have grown back misaligned. I am going to contact other vets in the area.
 
Carina said:
Thanks for the comments. I am not sure if the original problem was dental and perhaps there was another reason for the weight loss because her teeth were ok in April and apparently weren't that bad after the dental. Now they have grown back misaligned. I am going to contact other vets in the area.
Click to expand...

If you can, please contact The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary in Northampton. The lady who runs it is very experienced in the care of dental and very ill guinea pigs and she works in conjunction with one of the most experienced guinea pig vets in the country. There a VERY few vets in this country that can treat dentals rights.

Please give your girl a realistic chance before it is too late! We've seen too many piggies die because their owners were unaware of the impact and problems that dental issues (whether as a primary or secondary cause) and incorrect treatment can have.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/difficult-times-at-teas.126823/
 
Our Dougal is with Teas at the moment and has been with Debbie for over a week. She and Simon's team saved his life after a couple of failed dental treatments at our local cavy savvy vets. Our vets said that they'd give him one more shot before they decided whether or not to pts. This is when I contacted the sanctuary, took time off work and took him there. Such a fantastic team and the treatment for piggies carried out is first class! There is a piggy train service that can be organised if it is decided that Betty sees Simon.
All the best xx
 
My girl Eva is currently with Debbie (Teas) after a dental and a missed abcess. She went on a road trip - about 240 miles to see Simon and is doing well. I think if she hadn't gone the outcome would have been very bleak for her. Her vets were all for doing another dental without thought to the underlying cause. A long trip but well worth it.
 
Midge&Panda said:
My girl Eva is currently with Debbie (Teas) after a dental and a missed abcess. She went on a road trip - about 240 miles to see Simon and is doing well. I think if she hadn't gone the outcome would have been very bleak for her. Her vets were all for doing another dental without thought to the underlying cause. A long trip but well worth it.
Click to expand...
I believe my Dougal is busy eyeing up your Eva through the bars! :sly:
 
He's the first pig she has shown any interest in since losing her cage mate at Easter. I hope it's not going to be a sad parting when they have to leave. He must be very good looking xx
 
Midge&Panda said:
He's the first pig she has shown any interest in since losing her cage mate at Easter. I hope it's not going to be a sad parting when they have to leave. He must be very good looking xx
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Awe xx
He's stopping with Debbie for another week, until next Tuesday at least.
 
I have just returned from seeing a different vet. She examined Betty thoroughly. Kidneys are small. She has spurs and ulcers and has been given some Baytril to prevent infections. She advised pain relief until it is time for Betty to be put to sleep. I think she only has weeks left. If there's a chance she can have a few months longer I am willing to try it. My only worry is that she will find the car journey stressful and will miss her companions Frank and Baby. I can't get her to Northampton until I have time off on 22nd June by which time I worry that she will have deteriorated significantly.
 
There is a courier, licenced for small animals and I can personally recommend them. The guinea pigs travel in a air-conditioned vehicle with water, veggies and soft covers in the carrier case. They are called Guinea Pig Teleport and can be contacted via their facebook page. I also have their number in my phone. Perhaps it could be an option for you? The cost from London to Derby (as an example) for when I used them was £35, which I think is reasonable for such a long journey. I do get the impression that this is your piggy's only chance of survival, so I do hope that this helps you x
https://www.facebook.com/GuineaPigTeleport
 
There is a group on Facebook called The Piggy Train, run by @Stewybus but I am an admin on there aswell. Are you on Facebook?
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Dental disease doesn't need to be a death sentence. I have plenty of examples of how well they can do, here at TEAS. I'm sure we can find a way to get your piggy transported here xx
Click to expand...

Thank you.

helen105281 said:
There is a group on Facebook called The Piggy Train, run by @Stewybus but I am an admin on there aswell. Are you on Facebook?
Click to expand...

Yes, I am I've just requested to join the group.
 
I have two pigs lodging with Debbie at TEAS atm....Valentine is there for long term dental issues ....but my Carson piggie got taken up there on monday evening as an emergency because he suddenly became very poorly with a toofie problem. It was touch and go PTS ....but once he got to N'ton, with Debbie's "up all night intensive care" he is now on the road to recovery.

Given what you have put in your thread....I think your best bet is to get your piggie up to Simon/TEAS as I think they have much more experience than your current vets. How you decide to do that is up to you.
But here's an option to consider:
I have some time at the weekend and am prepared to offer you a personal piggie train direct to TEAS from your address...(provided Debbie confirms she has space) ...or if necessary, stage the journey over sat and sunday so your piggie comes to me on saturday (with supportive syringe care) and then goes up to N'ton on sunday.

I realise that may be a difficult decision to make - to trust your piggie into strangers hands....but at least you now have the means/options to get your piggie the best treatment.

It's up to you now. Let us know what you want to do.
x
 
Pebble brought my Nigel to me all the way from Bristol a few years ago if that helps.
 
Pebble said:
I have two pigs lodging with Debbie at TEAS atm....Valentine is there for long term dental issues ....but my Carson piggie got taken up there on monday evening as an emergency because he suddenly became very poorly with a toofie problem. It was touch and go PTS ....but once he got to N'ton, with Debbie's "up all night intensive care" he is now on the road to recovery.

Given what you have put in your thread....I think your best bet is to get your piggie up to Simon/TEAS as I think they have much more experience than your current vets. How you decide to do that is up to you.
But here's an option to consider:
I have some time at the weekend and am prepared to offer you a personal piggie train direct to TEAS from your address...(provided Debbie confirms she has space) ...or if necessary, stage the journey over sat and sunday so your piggie comes to me on saturday (with supportive syringe care) and then goes up to N'ton on sunday.

I realise that may be a difficult decision to make - to trust your piggie into strangers hands....but at least you now have the means/options to get your piggie the best treatment.

It's up to you now. Let us know what you want to do.
x
Click to expand...

Thank you. That is so kind. I would go myself this weekend but I have to go to a wedding on Saturday. I could drive part of the way to meet you very early on Saturday morning so that I'm back in time.
 
@Carina
I'm pleased you are taking up the offer. I think anyone who has found themselves with a dental pig for the first time finds it daunting, due to the serious lack of knowledge and hope out there. The first dental pigs anyone has often become 'guinea pigs' in the truest sense of the word as it is such a steep learning curve. I've been there myself - took myself off to the biggest vet group in the town and was referred to their 'exotics specialist'. They clearly didn't have a clue what they were doing, knocked by boy out to do his teeth and then said I might as well have him put to sleep as nothing more could be done. As a client trusting my vet, I believed this to be accurate. With hindsight, it was clear they didn't have the skills to treat effectively, so suggesting PTS saves face, as who are we to know better?

It was around this time I met Debbie @furryfriends (TEAS) and
then thankfully, I found Simon. He diagnosed my boy with arthritis (also missed by the other vet). My boy was very frail by this point, but treatment from Simon bought him a further seven months of life. Like I said, it is a huge learning curve, but I now know that Simon (or Kim) are the only people I trust fully with the health and care of my pigs (and buns). They really are thee most thorough vets I have ever met and they genuinely care for each animal they see. Your piggy will be in very safe hands!
 
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