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What Should I Do?

P

P.Pets

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 15, 2017
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Hi everyone, I'm P.Pets. The reason my name is this is because all my small pets names start with P. Well i have two guinea pigs, Pippa, and Piper. Piper was very timid last night and we noticed something wasn't right. This morning she woke up and refused to eat her veggies. I didn't think anything of it until i picked her up to try to feed he and then went to put her bak and she stayed in the position i out her in. I told my mom and she didn't some research because she was really cold. I wrapped her in a blanket and put her near a heater. We think this has happened due to sudden temp. drop. I am not sure but she has been puffing up her coat too. We contacted a vet and the only guinea pig vet in my location isn't in today. We have an appointment tomorrow but we don't think she will last until then. I need some advice on how to cope and i keep saying its my fault. I don't know what i should do. I blended some apple and banana up with some hay and I'm going to attempt to feed her that. If she does pass, should i get another guinea pig? I don't know it Pippa would get depressed? I'm clueless. I also tried the blend and she wouldn't really swallow it. ill try to flush her mouth with water also.
 
Sorry your piggy is unwell!
If I’m honest she really needs to see a vet today, if a guinea pig vet isn’t available then any vet is better than none, even if it’s just to give her some pain relief.
Has she pooped at all?
 
Wheekallweek said:
Sorry your piggy is unwell!
If I’m honest she really needs to see a vet today, if a guinea pig vet isn’t available then any vet is better than none, even if it’s just to give her some pain relief.
Has she pooped at all?
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She seemed to have watery poops but they've gotten better. The only problem with the vet is that its the only vet that sees guinea pigs in my area. I put a heating pad below her and she's cuddled up in a blanket. she is still in the cage but i put her in a container. She can still see her sister she just can't interact. I'm worried that maybe Pippa will catch whatever she has if its contagious. Ive only had the pigs for 4 months and I'm so very upset.
 
((((Hugs)))) I take it that she is quite young then? The puffed coat is usually illness/pain, yes keep her warm but she really needs to eat. Do you feed her pellet food? Take a little warm/slightly cooled boiling water and make a paste out of it. At the top of the page there us a syringe feeding guide. Have a read and then try to syringe feed her (your local pharmacy should stock 1ml syringes - the really small ones). No more than 1/3 ml at a time and slowly - follow the guide's instructions.

Is she wheezing at all? Or just hunched? Hold her to your ear and listen to her breathing.

She sounds very poorly and I would suggest that she needs a vet - any vet - if you can. I know in the US it isn't as easy as that.
 
I've heard that not all US vets will agree to see a piggy. However, in an emergency, which this is, a refusal to treat an animal in distress violates AVMA's code of ethics, so for what it's worth, I'd demand (politely) for the piggy to be seen, since this is their duty. I understand that not everyone would be willing to insist, so is seeing a different vet further away an option?

This does sound like an emergency and I'm not sure anyone would be able to help online. Have you checked GuineaLynx's vet locator?
http://www.guinealynx.info/vetlist.html

I'd continue syringe-feeding her carefully (very carefully, choking can be very dangerous) and offering water, 0.2 cc at a time, just so she can stay hydrated. Do you have pedialyte or some sort of electrolyte solution? IMPO and experience, these are better in cases of dehydration and bloat/diarhoea. Is the piggy pooping? Is her belly distended/bloated and hollow-sounding?

Best of luck!
 
Katiedid said:
((((Hugs)))) I take it that she is quite young then? The puffed coat is usually illness/pain, yes keep her warm but she really needs to eat. Do you feed her pellet food? Take a little warm/slightly cooled boiling water and make a paste out of it. At the top of the page there us a syringe feeding guide. Have a read and then try to syringe feed her (your local pharmacy should stock 1ml syringes - the really small ones). No more than 1/3 ml at a time and slowly - follow the guide's instructions.

Is she wheezing at all? Or just hunched? Hold her to your ear and listen to her breathing.

She sounds very poorly and I would suggest that she needs a vet - any vet - if you can. I know in the US it isn't as easy as that.
Click to expand...
I will try the pellets! She is not wheezing, just hunching up. She is on a heating pad and I'm seeing better results. She even wheeked at me a little bit ago. Think you so much for your suggestions i'll stay in touch and hopefully ill have good news for you!
 
RosieMaia said:
I've heard that not all US vets will agree to see a piggy. However, in an emergency, which this is, a refusal to treat an animal in distress violates AVMA's code of ethics, so for what it's worth, I'd demand (politely) for the piggy to be seen, since this is their duty. I understand that not everyone would be willing to insist, so is seeing a different vet further away an option?

This does sound like an emergency and I'm not sure anyone would be able to help online. Have you checked GuineaLynx's vet locator?
http://www.guinealynx.info/vetlist.html

I'd continue syringe-feeding her carefully (very carefully, choking can be very dangerous) and offering water, 0.2 cc at a time, just so she can stay hydrated. Do you have pedialyte or some sort of electrolyte solution? IMPO and experience, these are better in cases of dehydration and bloat/diarhoea. Is the piggy pooping? Is her belly distended/bloated and hollow-sounding?

Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Ive seen better results after putting her on a heating pad. She sounds okay and even wheeled at me a little bit ago! She has an appointment and i have a good feeling shell be okay until then. If it comes down to a very bad situation before than i will see a vet almost 2 hours away. Anything for my piggies!
 
Katiedid said:
There is a good bloat guide too - which may help if its that.
Click to expand...
I don't believe she is bloated, actually skinnier than normal. This could be due to the fact that she is refusing to eat.
 
Have a look at the guide because it includes GI stasis too (which she will get if she doesn't eat). It may give ideas for getting her to eat. If you look at the syringe feeding one all the links are on there.
 
Katiedid said:
Have a look at the guide because it includes GI stasis too (which she will get if she doesn't eat). It may give ideas for getting her to eat. If you look at the syringe feeding one all the links are on there.
Click to expand...
thank you!
 
P.Pets said:
Ive seen better results after putting her on a heating pad. She sounds okay and even wheeled at me a little bit ago! She has an appointment and i have a good feeling shell be okay until then. If it comes down to a very bad situation before than i will see a vet almost 2 hours away. Anything for my piggies!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear she appears to be better! She's lucky to have you in her corner.

good luck to you and Piper :hug:
 
P.Pets said:
I don't believe she is bloated, actually skinnier than normal. This could be due to the fact that she is refusing to eat.
Click to expand...

Bloated doesn't mean she will look fat, it is a term for trapped gas causing GI Statis. Is she pooing at all?
 
Wheekallweek said:
Aw I’m glad she seems better, it’s a good idea to keep her warm :)
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She is still not moving I'm hoping shell be okay enough to get to the vet tomorrow. If she has to go i wish she could go without pain but I'm sure she's in some soft of pain. Now i think ill just need a way to cope.
 
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