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What Would You Do In My Position?

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I would syringe feed him little and often. Do you have an out of hours vet you can call for advice about the medication?
 
flintstones said:
I would syringe feed him little and often. Do you have an out of hours vet you can call for advice about the medication?
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I didn't think about that. The practise does have an emergency service but they're general vets so unsure how much they know about guinea pigs. I've come to the conclusion that Hugo seems to be tired rather than in pain so I've not given his vetersegic tonight, just 0.4ml metacam
 
VickiA said:
Just catching up as I'm away @Sian25. How has he been overnight?
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Hi Vicki, it's been a horrible night and I'm worried sick. He was syringe fed before bed at about 11.30 then I got up at 2am and 5am to syringe feed throughout the night. He's not eating anything whatsoever on his own. He's very poorly and I'm distraught, I don't have a clue what to do. He smells of wee as he must be lying in his wee :(

Does anyone know how long it takes for the vetersegic to get out of their system and piggy returns to normal?
 
Please phone the emergency vets for free advice. They have access to an exotics vet so can advise you. I'm so sorry he's feeling so bad x
 
Oh Sian, I have absolutely nothing useful to add, but I have been thinking of you and am so sorry to hear you had such a difficult night.

How often were you giving the Vetersegic? This might give you a clue about how long it remains in their system?
I know guineas have a fast metabolism, so it shouldn't take more than 12 - 18 hours I would think, so fingers crossed he perks up very soon.
And you are doing everything right with the syringe feeding etc.
We are cheering for you and your boy from afar.
 
VickiA said:
Please phone the emergency vets for free advice. They have access to an exotics vet so can advise you. I'm so sorry he's feeling so bad x
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I haven't phoned the emergency vet as they did warn me that the vetersegic is likely to make him drowsy and a lot of people have reported the same here on the forum. But I will ring them now as it's been 24 hours since I give the last dose so I was hoping he would be eating a bit by now. He was eating until about 2pm yesterday and now he doesn't even want his veg, can't tempt him with anything
 
I've just rang the emergency vet and they have said to bring him in but I asked if he would see an exotic vet and they said no. They also said don't give him his morning dose of metacam! I asked why and they said because he's not eating, I explained that I've been syringe feeding him but she was still adamant not to give metacam. I'm not having him in pain, no way so I don't want to take him there. I am considering my local vets but again they're not exotic. Has anyone got any advice ASAP?
 
Wiebke said:
Metacam can clash with certain meds and prevent the vet from giving them. Please make sure that he is not given any steroids.
The Problems With Steroids And Why They Shouldn't Be Used.
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Thanks @Wiebke what would they do for him? I don't want him to see a non exotic vet incase they say PTS but Infact don't know anything about guinea pigs

I'm unsure as to whether to continue to syringe feed and hope he perks up or take him to my local emergency vets that aren't exotics?
 
I've just weighed him and he's put on a lot of weight, despite not eating. I'm now worried that he could have bloat. I'm trying to feel his stomach and i think it does feel a bit bigger, I've tried to listen for the 'hollow tap' but unsure what I can hear in regards to the tap but he has a gurgly stomach.. He has been pooing but only very few. My partner is trying to get in touch with our local emergency vet.. Just to make sure he's getting the right treatment, what is the treatment for bloat?
 
We have a vet appointment but the vet can't get to the surgery until 12.15 so while were waiting, I've put him on a massage pad. How long can he stay on it for?
 
Please don't worry about him being PTS this can only happen if you agree to it. I know they aren't exotics but it would be beneficial for him to see someone.

How is his pellet output? as he may need gut stimulants. Gut stimulants that can be given are Emeprid, my vet sometimes gives this with Zantac. Cisapride is another gut stimulant which can be given.

Is he still eating when you syringe feed him, if you syringe the food in is he swallowing?

My P after his bladder operation had a similar scenario after the operation he was fine a few days later he went very down hill before coming round with supportive care.
 
He's seen a vet and they injected him with emeprid, more vetergesic and b12. I've got emeprid to give orally from tonight onwards- I asked about Zantac too but he said let's just try emeprid first? He said he's not dehydrated but give glutamyte for me to mix with water and syringe to him. Opinions please? Never heard of that before!

Any more advice? I have a massage pad at home. How often should I use it?
 
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He also said he doesn't know if it's bloat or (illias?) not sure on spelling as I didn't know what he was talking about really.

Surely it's bloat if he's put on about 60g weight in 24 hours despite not eating on his own
 
@flintstones he is swallowing but taking a long time. Sometimes I put the food in his mouth, he doesn't start the chewing motion for a few seconds and is just generally slower, keeps stopping and starting swallowing
 
It is with absolute heartbreak to say that Hugo has passed away.

He started to act as though he was in pain so I rang the vet to help him on his way. The vet couldn't make it to the practise for 45 mins and sadly Hugo passed away in my arms whilst trying to get in touch with other vets.

My thoughts are full of heartbreak, emptiness and regret and I can't help but think about how all of this could have been different.

Hugo (along with Milan) has absolutely lit up my life in the past 2 years and it's been far too much of a short life. These last few months have been agonising, going from a perfectly healthy 2 year old piggy to everything becoming too much for his precious little body to handle. His life may have been cut too short but my love for him will remain forever.

RIP my gorgeous boy.
 
Oh Sian. I'm so very sorry :( I haven't replied much to your thread as I had no advise to give but I have been following the boys journey.

Please do not beat yourself up. You have gone above and beyond for both boys x
 
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I've been keenly following your boys' journey since I joined the forum. So sorry to hear about Hugo. Popcorn free mister.

You did the absolute best you could for him, and I'm sure he knew it.
 
Oh Sian, I just can not even imagine how you must be feeling right now.
You have been to hell and back for those boys, and everything you did as always with their absolute best interests at heart.
Be kind to yourself.
Hugo knows how loved he was.
 
Thank you to everyone that has given me such invaluable advice along the way and helped me along the way. I would have crumbled a long time ago if it wasn't for this forum.

When Hugo's appetite started to decline yesterday afternoon, I assumed that the cause was the vetergesic and now I've learnt that I shouldn't assume anything. I syringe fed him every 2-3 hours from yesterday afternoon, including throughout the night, which started off well but on his last feed at approx 5pm today I only give him 1 mouthful as I noticed that he didn't seem to swallow it properly. From then on, I knew something was really serious.

After ringing round different practises, I took him to the general vets this morning, who didn't seem to know very much and he just prescribed emeprid and give an injection of vetergesic but by 5pm he seemed even more bloated. I wonder if things would have been different if I could have found an emergency exotic vet? These types of questions will never leave my mind and I've told Hugo over and over how sorry I am and how much he is loved. He's getting privately cremated tomorrow and his ashes scattered in a lovely wooden box with his name on.

He is such a special little boy and I miss him so much already
 
Sian honestly no one could have predicted this outcome and 'what if's' are not worth thinking about.

Everything you have did was with Hugo's best interests in your heart, there's no doubt that you did right by Hugo.
 
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