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What Could be Wrong?!

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R Dorothy

R Dorothy

Junior Guinea Pig
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First off, I have a vet appointment tomorrow. It's just that I know I won't sleep tonight worrying about Scuzzy so I'd appreciate it if someone could give me any idea of what this could be. If it's not life threatening chances are I'll be able to get a little rest.

It started off with Scuzzy making odd "smacking" gestures with his lips. After that, and this happened three times today, he randomly made noises like he was in pain, made jerky movement and seemed to be bopping up and down, and he also tried to run.

The vet said he'll look at him, but gave me no clue as to what it could be, and I don't see anything like this when I look up guinea pig health. Any insight is appreciated. Other then that odd behavior everything else is normal, so I'm extremely confused.
 
I am so sorry to hear about poor Scuzzy. How is he now? Has he seen the vet?
 
piggyfan said:
I am so sorry to hear about poor Scuzzy. How is he now? Has he seen the vet?
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No, it's only 5AM my time now. He's been eating a lot but now has been pooping or drinking. He's also occasionally making pain noises and then goes back to looking normal. I'm really scared.
 
Oh I am so sorry to hear this. I know you will be so worried and not be able to sleep. My thoughts are with you. It is a good sign he is eating.
 
I got in at 8AM and the vet saw me at 8:30. What was wrong? A bellyache. An extreme one. The vet said his stomach was as hard as a rock and Scuzzy screamed while he was examining it. They made him walk around, pressed on his tummy, and helped him pass a bit of waste to get things going. Finally he quite audibly passed gassed and started to calm down.

While there the vet also noticed that his gums are a light pink, which is something that I'll need to watch, but he should actually be OK now. I'm actually doing everything right and it was just something freakish that happened.

I love the little monster to death and I'd like him to at least stay around for another year.

This also goes to show that you really need to take your pig to the vet when something is amiss. Yes, it might be something minor, but why take chances? Guinea pigs are so tricky when it comes to what's bothering them. Even if it's nothing is $20 (in my case for an exam) really to much to pay for your pet's well being?
 
I am glad that your boy is better; it sounds like he had some kind of blockage.

Sadly, bloat is very painful and can kill, so please be careful with his veg for the time being.

Bloat can come back, so be on the watch over the next few days and feel his tummy - if it is hard and hollow sounding when you tap, you need to see a vet asap.
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/bloat.htm
 
Oh poor thing. No wonder he was in pain with such a blockage. I am so pleased he is okay. You have been so worried. I hope you are feeling okay now.
 
Thanks, guys. Yeah, I'm really hoping it won't either. I'll really be watching his gut to keep an eye out for it.

Right now I'd really like to go to bed, but Scuzzy is currently curled up on my lap and drifting off himself occasionally. I'm so glad he can be at piece now. I know he didn't sleep either last night.

If it does happen again, would it help at all to take away the food dish? He just kept eating and eating amongst his bouts of pain.
 
Vegetables make bloat worse but he still needs hay all the time. Why dont you put him to bed and get some sleep? You really need to care for yourself too.
 
piggyfan said:
Vegetables make bloat worse but he still needs hay all the time. Why dont you put him to bed and get some sleep? You really need to care for yourself too.
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That's weird that he got it in the first place, then. He does get some veggies everyday but in very small amounts. He gets mostly guinea pig food and Timothy Hay. Thank you for the veggie info. I won't give him any at all today and even slim down his intake a bit more.

I'll just hold him for a bit longer. I don't have anything planned today, and work late tomorrow, so it doesn't really matter when I nod off.
 
One thing I just read suggested bloat can be caused by lack of fibre.
 
I cannot find any information to say vegetables should be stopped so maybe I am wrong there. I do not want to tell you anything wrong.
 
Poor little Scuzzy, at least you know what it was now and your mind can be at rest knowing exactly what it is. Plus you have the help, support and advice of everyone on here to help you prevent recurrances :)
Healing wheeks for little Scuzzy xxxxx
 
Just got caught up on this thread. Glad you got little pig to the vet asap, and I hope you don't have a recurrence! PS welcome to the forum!
 
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