Dental Why? I Can't Understand.

[Dorothy Uranga]

He needs fibre for the poops to form properly, take him to the second vet if he still isn't eating

Alright. No he's not eating. Just drank water, bit the hay and then leaves.

 

[Piggly]

Poor boy. Let us know how it goes for him

 

[Wiebke]

Alright. No he's not eating. Just drank water, bit the hay and then leaves.

Please hand feed him in that case; he will die otherwise if the guts close down. I am very sorry. You are a very caring mommy, but it is extremely touch and go where you are right now. Your care is as important as the medication. I sincerely hope that your beloved boy can pull through.

If he REALLY struggles and doesn't want to take any food on board (including getting any hand feed whatsoever into him) then it is likely that he is no longer able to process it and that his body is closing down.

have you been able to get hold of a new syringe?

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

Please hand feed him in that case; he will die otherwise if the guts close down. I am very sorry. You are a very caring mommy, but it is extremely touch and go where you are right now. Your care is as important as the medication. I sincerely hope that your beloved boy can pull through.

If he REALLY struggles and doesn't want to take any food on board (including getting any hand feed whatsoever into him) then it is likely that he is no longer able to process it and that his body is closing down.

have you been able to get hold of a new syringe?

You mean if he vomits? He doesn't want to be hand fed, he moves a lot. But when we can, he chews and swallow.

Yes I have new syringes. Should I change them often?

Edit: Sorry, it was because the other one broke, right?

 

[The Furry Godmother]

In light of the fact he's still not eating enough hun, I didn't realise he still wasn't eating much, I really do feel a second vets opinion would be better.

Good luck x

 

[Wiebke]

You mean if he vomits? He doesn't want to be hand fed, he moves a lot. But when we can, he chews and swallow.

Yes I have new syringes. Should I change them often?

Edit: Sorry, it was because the other one broke, right?

Guinea pigs can't vomit. If things come back, then because they can't swallow either because too much has gone in (about 0.5 ml/half a small syringe is a about a mouthful, but some can only cope with even less in one go), they are too weak to swallow or there is a blockage that prevents them from swallowing.

Yes, you'd mentioned that your other syringe had broken. you can see in our hand feeding guide where to cut off the tip of the syringe and the plunger inside for easier feeding. Take feeding easy and give your boy time to get things down slowly. Hand feeding is usually not a quick operation.

It is good that you have got several syringes now, so you can replace them at need.

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

In light of the fact he's still not eating enough hun, I didn't realise he still wasn't eating much, I really do feel a second vets opinion would be better.

Good luck x

Now I called the vet and I'm going today. Yeah, I can't let the things get worse (even if he looks OK).

Guinea pigs can't vomit. If things come back, then because they can't swallow either because too much has gone in (about 0.5 ml/half a small syringe is a about a mouthful, but some can only cope with even less in one go), they are too weak to swallow or there is a blockage that prevents them from swallowing.

Yes, you'd mentioned that your other syringe had broken. you can see in our hand feeding guide where to cut off the tip of the syringe and the plunger inside for easier feeding. Take feeding easy and give your boy time to get things down slowly. Hand feeding is usually not a quick operation.

It is good that you have got several syringes now, so you can replace them at need.

I see. No, he's still eating and pooping little by little. As I said, there are stringy mucous (white, translucent opaque) and just in a moment I saw his poop kinda orange.



Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Wiebke]

All the best at the vet! Please make sure that your vets checks for dehydration. Also ask him for a gut stimulant like metoclopramide or emeprid, or an equivalent brand that is available to your vet.

Has your boy had a bit carrot in the last days? When the digestive system is struggling, then the poos you are seeing now are reflecting what has gone in yesterday or even the day before. Please weigh your boy daily at the same time. Just seeing him nibble or chew on crud in his cheeks can be very deceptive.

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

All the best at the vet! Please make sure that your vets checks for dehydration. Also ask him for a gut stimulant like metoclopramide or emeprid, or an equivalent brand that is available to your vet.

Has your boy had a bit carrot in the last days? When the digestive system is struggling, then the poos you are seeing now are reflecting what has gone in yesterday or even the day before. Please weigh your boy daily at the same time. Just seeing him nibble or chew on crud in his cheeks can be very deceptive.

No he hasn't. The other vet told us not to give him tomatoes, spinach, carrot, and others.

I can't say if he ate or not, but the poop is prove that he swallow (maybe?). I'm worried about that color, honestly... the color in the morning was brown (normal).

About his weight, I see him more skinny. Honestly he lost weight. But the past days we've been feeding him and he's more heavy (not that much, but we can notice. Sadly, we don't have any weight scale).

Hope this vet will know what to do.

 

[The Furry Godmother]

My fingers are crossed firmly for you, good luck. Xx

 

[Wiebke]

No he hasn't. The other vet told us not to give him tomatoes, spinach, carrot, and others.

I can't say if he ate or not, but the poop is prove that he swallow (maybe?). I'm worried about that color, honestly... the color in the morning was brown (normal).

About his weight, I see him more skinny. Honestly he lost weight. But the past days we've been feeding him and he's more heavy (not that much, but we can notice. Sadly, we don't have any weight scale).

Hope this vet will know what to do.

Only your kitchen scales can tell you the truth about how much he lost weight. Discoloured poos are awalys worrying. He can still swallow, but he needs more food going in, especially fibre and he also needs plenty of water.

Fingers firmly crossed!

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

Hey some news. I have my baby sitting in the couch and ate a little piece of paper of my notebook. He looks curious and is biting the couch too.

 

[Piggly]

Best not feed him the couch keep syringe feeding him as you were before, as much as you can get into him bit by bit

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

Hello, I'm back.

I have some good and bad news.

The good news are that I went to the vet and it was incredible, he told me all that my baby has. The bad thing is that he's not that baby, he's old and that's why he's acting the way he does. The air in his stomach is almost gone and he injected two times my poor boy. The first one was complemet-b but, the second one... that is the bad news, it was penicillin.

He didn't told me what he was injecting and when I asked him it was too late. I feel guilty.

I was just waiting outside the vet waiting for something to happen but my boy seemed fine.

I don't know what to do really. I gave him more lactobacillus just in case something bad happens.

Well, looks like it's all for now.

Edit: Other thing, when I asked the vet if it was bad for him he told me "no". And what I remember is that the amount wasn't that much. He injected with an insulin syringe with a tiny needle.

Edit N. 2: It was like 0 > x > 0.4 ml. I don't know but I feel it was like 0.10 ml.

 

[Piggly]

Ok - what did the vet say that he had?

Did he tell you the reason for the treatments?

He definitely isn't young at 5 years old, but piggies can potentially live up to 8 years old and even beyond. Age can indeed be a factor for a more sensitive digestive system.

Were you able to ask about being given a gut stimulant/fibre supplement for him?

Is he eating hay now?

 

[The Furry Godmother]

As well as the above, has he eaten more food?

I really hope the penicillin has no ill effects.

But yes, it's going to be helpful to have a reason for the antibiotic treatment.

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

Ok - what did the vet say that he had?

Did he tell you the reason for the treatments?

He definitely isn't young at 5 years old, but piggies can potentially live up to 8 years old and even beyond. Age can indeed be a factor for a more sensitive digestive system.

Were you able to ask about being given a gut stimulant/fibre supplement for him?

Is he eating hay now?

Yes, that was vet's first thought. And sadly no, Chispita is not eating but at least he's more cooperative while using the syringe.

As well as the above, has he eaten more food?

I really hope the penicillin has no ill effects.

But yes, it's going to be helpful to have a reason for the antibiotic treatment.

Just like my sister, we don't remember what the vet said about the penicilline. But we know that he gave the suplement b for his appetite and I think it is working.

We really had a tough journey while going to the vet. My baby was very nervous and us too. He seemed very tired and out of energy, I had too many bad feelings and thoughts. When we arrived to the vet I was almost crying and I tried to explain everything my baby has...

I'm trying to remember what he said about the penicilline, because before knowing it was penicilline I had clear what was going on but when I asked and he said "penicilline" it was like all he told us and explained about that injection just disappeared.

I just woke up and he's fine. While I was sleeping I heard he was bitting and I think it was the cardboard and some hay. He drank water too.

Other thing he said is that he has long teeth, but we'll treat that later.

 

[Piggly]

Make sure you can get as much food into him by syringe as possible, hopefully he has just had a bit of bloat and he is able to get through it. Keep the food going into him as much and as regularly as possible and make sure there are poops out the other end! Keep a good supply of fresh hay within reach for him and syringe feed him some extra water too. Keep us updated with how he is doing

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

Make sure you can get as much food into him by syringe as possible, hopefully he has just had a bit of bloat and he is able to get through it. Keep the food going into him as much and as regularly as possible and make sure there are poops out the other end! Keep a good supply of fresh hay within reach for him and syringe feed him some extra water too. Keep us updated with how he is doing

I just forgot to say: today his poo was a little bigger, still with some stringy mucous. But something I noticed is that the mucous had bubbles.

And thanks a lot

 

[The Furry Godmother]

It's good the poo is bigger, as mentioned the mucous is a sign the stomach is recovering I believe

Keep going little man!

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

Hey, I have some news.

I just woke up and he was in a different position, near his water and food, like he used to do. The bad thing is that when I checked him, no poop, he's only dirty.



His poop smells like fruit or like when they mark territory.

Oh yes, and something I saw it was that he gained weight, but I don't know if it's because he's having his poop inside or he's eating better. Well, yes, yesterday he ate better than last week.

(Sorry for the bad quality)

 

[Wiebke]

He sounds like he has got a serious tummy upset, but if his weight is up then he is likely eating a bit more. Are you still hand feeding him?

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

He sounds like he has got a serious tummy upset, but if his weight is up then he is likely eating a bit more. Are you still hand feeding him?

Yes I am. Two days ago he didn't want to eat but yesterday did a great job. I think he's not eating because of his teeth. The vet said they are long but did nothing about it because he was very nervous and having this problem, so... he said that first we need to get him to eat well and next we'll talk about his teeth.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes I am. Two days ago he didn't want to eat but yesterday did a great job. I think he's not eating because of his teeth. The vet said they are long but did nothing about it because he was very nervous and having this problem, so... he said that first we need to get him to eat well and next we'll talk about his teeth.

Not eating properly for a long time can also be the reason why his guts are not working; it is one of the knock-on effects of dental disease. By not doing anything about it, your boy will unfortunately never get better.
Would your vet be willing to email/contact Simon Maddock? He is looking after the guinea pigs in a pioneering sanctuary for dental guinea pigs and is probably the currently most experienced vet for dental problems. He is willing to speak to other vets with not much experience. Unfortunately, many vets don't have any knowledge or experience in treating dental problems, not just in Mexico, but also here in the UK!
http://www.catandrabbit.co.uk/contact_us.html
http://www.teasnorthampton.co.uk/

I have upgraded your thread to dental and am tagging our dental expert (the lady who runs the sanctuary) for you.
@furryfriends Excellent Adventure Sanctuary

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

Not eating properly for a long time can also be the reason why his guts are not working; it is one of the knock-on effects of dental disease. By not doing anything about it, your boy will unfortunately never get better.
Would your vet be willing to email/contact Simon Maddock? He is looking after the guinea pigs in a pioneering sanctuary for dental guinea pigs and is probably the currently most experienced vet for dental problems. He is willing to speak to other vets with not much experience. Unfortunately, many vets don't have any knowledge or experience in treating dental problems, not just in Mexico, but also here in the UK!
http://www.catandrabbit.co.uk/contact_us.html
http://www.teasnorthampton.co.uk/

@furryfriends Excellent Adventure Sanctuary

Oh dear, so I need to go again as fast as I can gosh.

I just cleaned him



So if the problem is because of his teeth, the vet needs to cut them now and he'll get better?

 

[Wiebke]

Oh dear, so I need to go again as fast as I can gosh.

I just cleaned him



So if the problem is because of his teeth, the vet needs to cut them now and he'll get better?

it is more complicated than that, which is why your vet should speak to a specialist first, or he can vry easily make things worse rather than better. he needs to know what he is doing, and it will take more than one round of treatment. The alternative is is sadly to put your boy to sleep soon if he has no chance to get better, ever. I am very sorry; it is every loving owner's nightmare.

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

it is more complicated than that, which is why your vet shpould speak to a specialist first, or he can make things worse rather than better. he needs to know what he is doing, and it will take more than one round of treatment.

Sorry, I'm just getting nervous. I'll call him later or see if here's a veterinary dentist in my city. He told me that he is serving another guinea pig who has a dental problem too (his/her teeth grow every three months he said).

 

[Dorothy Uranga]

it is more complicated than that, which is why your vet should speak to a specialist first, or he can vry easily make things worse rather than better. he needs to know what he is doing, and it will take more than one round of treatment. The alternative is is sadly to put your boy to sleep soon if he has no chance to get better, ever. I am very sorry; it is every loving owner's nightmare.

Oh gosh, I understand that...

I'll call a veterinary dentist...

--

Just called and it's very expensive, I'm feeling worse.

I'll call the other vet and ask.

 

[Wiebke]

Please wait for what Debbie (furryfriends) has to say and whether your vet would be willing to ask another vet for tips. Simon Maddock is probably the most experienced vet in guinea pig dentals worldwide right now.

At the moment, your boy is still hanging in there, so you need not panic just now. But I feel for you; here in Britain, we could try and get your boy as far as the sanctuary.

 

[Pebble]

I'm sorry I have been off the forum recently so didn;t pick up on your thread until now.

Firstly I note you are in Mexico....what information i am about to give you is for MEXICO ONLY....and does not relate or apply in any way to a piggie owners in the UK.
The Laws and sourcing of meds are different.

For some reason - your piggie stopped eating properly and developed gut stasis - hence the size and shape (and lack of) poos.

At this moment in time, the first thing you need to ensure is that you keep his guts moving properly which includes ensuring enough food goes in and enough poop comes out!
a) Stop all green gaseous veg - feed hay, pellets and paper/cardboard. He clearly wants fibre to keep his guts moving hence why he is chewing your notebook. Give him newspaper
b) get food into him regularly by syringe feeding him mushed pellets and fluids....20ml every 4hrs minimum.
c) However, given what you have already described in terms of his current gut condition, he may also need gut motility meds too.
If the vets you have contacted won;t co-operate - then you need to get some zantac (ranitidine) as a normal human medication over the counter. What is his weight? and I will give you a dose range.
I'm "assuming" you won;t be able to get some cispride (but if you can get it from a vet then he needs this as well to keep his guts moving...again i can give you a dose range)


All the above will help sort out his gut - however you also need to know what started the problem off in the first place? Do you have any ideas?
You were given baytril antibiotic to combat a non-specific infection - that's no bad thing but is a classic "give this to an ill guinea pig without bothering to find out what's wrong with them". You need to think about what may have "started all of this.e.g. Did his pee smell funny, did he have noisy breathing? Any info you can give will be helpful.

I think you are doing well in taking this one step at a time and you are succeeding..however I think you need to conder how you will tackle the problem of gut motility meds.
x