Worried And Feel Awful

[Fudgkins]

Hi.
Jerry(7months old)has been unwell since Sunday. He was doing thin pools and want eating much. We took him to the vets in the morning and they gave him some critical care (herbal stuff) and renatadine. Over Monday and Tuesday he perked up a bit and was walking around the cage and munched on some hay,fresh foods but not much nuggets. He also drank tiny bits of water. Today he's been munching on hay but the critical care had finished. He's been walking around but sitting mostly. I phoned the vet and she said to bring him back. We took him in 5pm. The vet weighed him and he's lost weight since monday. We came back with antibiotics and more critical care stuff. It's been all tears for me and my kids as the vet said he should gain weight if not then where he is still a baby it could be just one of those things and it goes the other way. I never thought I would get so attached to a pet but it's drained me completely tonight.

 

[Swissgreys]

What a difficult time for you and your family.
It is amazing how quickly they weave their way into our lives isn't it.

But you are doing everything right, so don't give up - once the meds kick in hopefully your lovely boy will start to pick up.

In the meantime you should start to weigh him at home at the same time every day.
And also step in and top him up with regular syringe feeding.
There is a lot of helpful information in this thread.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Wiebke]

Hi.
Jerry(7months old)has been unwell since Sunday. He was doing thin pools and want eating much. We took him to the vets in the morning and they gave him some critical care (herbal stuff) and renatadine. Over Monday and Tuesday he perked up a bit and was walking around the cage and munched on some hay,fresh foods but not much nuggets. He also drank tiny bits of water. Today he's been munching on hay but the critical care had finished. He's been walking around but sitting mostly. I phoned the vet and she said to bring him back. We took him in 5pm. The vet weighed him and he's lost weight since monday. We came back with antibiotics and more critical care stuff. It's been all tears for me and my kids as the vet said he should gain weight if not then where he is still a baby it could be just one of those things and it goes the other way. I never thought I would get so attached to a pet but it's drained me completely tonight.

HUGS

Please take your boy off any fresh veg if his poos are not firm. You can feed recovery formula, mushed pellets or a mix thereof - whatever goes in best and as much as he wants to eat several times a day!
Also add in some probiotic (a pinch or two) to help bolster the guts, as antibiotics work also on gut bacteria necessary for the digestion and often act as appetite dampeners. If your boy has got a companion, you can also help re-stocking the guts with the "right" stuff by soaking fresh healthy poos in a little water and then syringing the water. This is a bit gross, but mimics natural behaviour. If you can order fibreplex, that is rather expensive but often effective with guinea pigs with digestive issues.
You can also put a bit of brown cardboard or toilet/kitchen roll inners in the cage. Guinea pigs whose digestion is out of kilter often crave very rough, nutritionally poor fibre to help rebalance the guts.

Please weigh your boy daily at the same time to keep control of his actual food intake; just watching him eat can deceptive. You weigh healthy guinea pigs once weekly for the same reason.

Please take the time to read our syringe feeding guide. You may find it very helpful; especially when it comes to the amounts (which are often more than a vet thinks is necessary) as well as information on supportive products and alternatives to Critical Care.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Administering Medications

Take heart - there is a lot you can do for your little boy yet! Your home care can make a real difference, so concentrate on that.

 

[Fudgkins]

Thank you.....I'm taking him back to the vets on Saturday where they will monitor and administer him till Monday. I hope he gets better.

 

[*kate*]

Maybe a teeth check could also be carried out? tooth spurs can really discourage eating.

Hope he recovers very soon x

 

[Fudgkins]

Thanks

 

[Fudgkins]

He has had 3 syringes of the herbal stuff, 2 gem lettuce leaves and a tiny bit of carrot just now. Will syringe feed him again in the morning and hopefully keep on top of it all day tomorrow.

 

[Adelle]

The less syrige food you can get into him, the more often you have to feed. Usually 10ml per sitting is what you are aiming for.

Please stay off all fruit and veg until his poos firm up properly as this wont help.

Has your vet diagnosed him with a specific infection? If the antibiotics are just an attempt to "see if it helps" then if suggest finding a more piggy savvy vet in your area for a concrete diagnosis
All the best x

 

[Fudgkins]

Has your vet diagnosed him with a specific infection? If the antibiotics are just an attempt to "see if it helps" then if suggest finding a more piggy savvy vet in your area for a concrete diagnosis

I went to a vet "shop"....the vet didn't diagnose anything...just to "see if it helps"....I'm going to find out who is the best in our area.

Thanks

 

[Fudgkins]

His pooh is firm but small.....but not as thin as it was on Sunday....should I still not give him any fresh stuff? The herbal stiff is a nightmare to feed with a syringe

 

[Adelle]

His pooh is firm but small.....but not as thin as it was on Sunday....should I still not give him any fresh stuff? The herbal stiff is a nightmare to feed with a syringe

Are you in the uk? Theres a recommended vet locator on the forum for uk piggy savvy vets.

Small poos indicate a lack of food going through. Keep up with the syringe feeding as per the guide, and offer small amounts of veg granted his poos arent soft or sticky.

Definately seek a more piggy savvy vet, it can make the world of difference x

 

[Wiebke]

His pooh is firm but small.....but not as thin as it was on Sunday....should I still not give him any fresh stuff? The herbal stiff is a nightmare to feed with a syringe

Please have a read through our syringe feeding guide in my previous post - it also tells you how to prepare a syringe properly with a picture (it is not difficult, but it makes all the difference when feeding!) and how much you need to supplement. His poos are saying clearly that he needs more food. 3 ml is not enough!

We have got a recommend UK vet locator at the top but can provide a link to recommended vets in some other countries.

You can help us by adding your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can tailor any advice and recommendations to what is available and relevant where you are in terms of vet/rescue access, climate and (medical) brands etc. considering we have members from all over the world. Click on your username at the top, then go to personal detials and scroll down to location. Thank you!