Orphaned Piggies- My Story

[Jules84]

In August for my birthday I was given 2 guinea pigs from friends. I was not expecting them so it came as a shock. I fell in love with them pretty quickly, and named them Emmett and Jasper. (I've had 3 pigs before, so I was more than happy to have them)

A few months later, I found out that instead of having two boys, I had a boy and a girl. Jasper was pregnant.

Her pregnancy went well. She ate like crazy, was cheerful and cuddly. Sunday she gave birth to two babies, but I noticed that she had what I thought was a prolapsed uterus. I called my vet's office, and they were fully booked, so they gave me the number to an emergency hospital about an hour away. I rushed her there, only to find out that she had been straining so hard to deliver her third pup, that she had delivered her bowel instead. After a bit of discussion with the vet, I sadly made the decision to put her to sleep.

I struggled the first night with feeding them. They didn't want to take anything, which upset me, but now I hear this is common? The second day, little Patches would eat happily, but little Cupcake (tentative name, we aren't sure the sex yet!) wouldn't eat anything. I called the Vet's office and they recommended a kitten formula for them. Thankfully Cupcake took to the formula.

Yesterday was a good day. Both were eating, and both started nibbling on hay, pellets and lettuce. But this morning, I woke up to find that little Cupcake has diarrhea. I'm pretty sure it is because she really wont eat anything but the formula. It seems to have gotten a bit better, but she isn't eating again. On top of that, I've noticed that her normally little pink lips have a blue tint to them. I checked Patches, (who isn't eating either but does not have diarrhea) also has a slight blue tint to her lips. So this probably means heart problems for my babies.

I have a Vet appointment this afternoon. Honestly I'm not looking forward to it. I'm so stressed out from the loss of Jasper and worrying about the babies. I really don't want bad news.

Sorry this is so long! I just needed to talk. My mom is away and I could really use some support.

[krystia]

Oh, that sounds so horrible! I know little about pups, so the others will probably be able to help you more with the blue-tinted lips, but I'm so sorry to hear what happened to poor Jasper. She sounds like she would have been a great mum to those babies. Good thing she has you looking out for them. It sounds so tragic for these terrible things to have happened to you so closely together- first the loss of a pig, then suspected illness in the pups. I cannot imagine the strain this must be putting on you!

If ever you have any pigtures of the pups, we would love to see these darlings, Cupcake and Patches, once they start eating better and feel healthy.

[Angelgal]

I'm sorry for the loss of your piggy.

However I must say, they cannot have any formula substitues! GP's are herbivores and any milk products and formulas are not good for them. They should be able to eat solids within the first couple days, but if they aren't eating solids yet - Pellet mashes only! (critical care by Oxbow is real good) No formula.

Guinea Lynx :: Hand Feeding Scroll down ot the section about young pups. I don't know if the blue lips would be a cause of the formula or not, I'm not experienced enough and have never hand-raised pups.

Good luck, I'll be keeping your little pigs in my thoughts.

[dra&pigs]

I'm sorry for your loss.
However, piggies cannot have any type of replacement formula. Like Angelgal said, Critical Care is the best thing if they aren't already eating solids.
I have a piggie named Jasper too! Have you read Twilight? I'll bet you have...Emmett and Jasper are *awesome* characters. Even if you haven't...cool names. My Jasper is getting (you can read my Kitchen story for complete info on the little guy) three friends, Emmett, Edward and Carlisle.

[Jules84]

So the Vet's office is giving me the wrong info?? Fantastic. Poor things, I feel awful. I'll have to go prepare some mash asap.

I have read Twilight My friends who have also read it laughed pretty hard when I announced that Jasper was actually a girl!

My Babies

Patches and Cupcake.

[krystia]

Cupcake is gorgeous! They're both very adorable. I'll be keeping them in my best thoughts and prayers. It's always disappointing when vets get their information wrong. You would think you could always trust their first ideas, but sadly some are not as experienced with either guinea pigs or the currents issues you have. Hopefully the pups feel better soon!

[dra&pigs]

One word. Adorable!!! Lol, that must have been funny. Which one is which?

[Jules84]

Patches is the black one. She has a few odd white patches, hence the name. Cupcake is the other little darling.

Cupcake just ate a little bit of pellet mash. Hopefully she will take more soon. Patches is now starting to have poop issues, but is much more alert. I'm talking her to have some mash now. Thank goodness today is my day off!

[clotho]

I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like you are doing the very best you can for those babies and you will be in my thoughts. As already stated, no milk products. That could be what is causing the diarrhea. Diarrhea is very serious in guinea pigs - not to scare you - but it can be a life threatening situation especially with them being so young.

I'm really glad you are going to the vet again. I hope you can find a vet who is experienced with guinea pigs.

Pellet mash will work if you don't have Critical Care, but hopefully you can get critical care at the vet today. The babies need hay 24/7. It might be hard, but getting them eating solid foods as quick as possible is the best thing for them. Sometimes adding a little plain canned pumpkin into the critical care can make them want to eat it more. You need to be very careful if you are handfeeding young pups.

I highly, highly recommend that you go to Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig and post a thread about these babies. There is a lot of medical expertise there that you can learn from and they will help as much as they can. You can find out things to ask the vet and tips of things you can do for these babies. Here are a few links for you as well. Please let us know how the vet visit goes!

Guinea Lynx :: Hand Feeding
Guinea Lynx :: Diarrhea

Are the babies in with the dad now? You can let them live with dad, so long as you get any female babies separate by the time they are 3 weeks old (well maybe 4 but we always say separate males from the mom by 3 weeks old to be safe - girls I think don't become possible to impregnate until 4 weeks old but I would have to check that to be positive). The dad could be a great source of support for the babies - showing them how to eat solid foods and drink from the water bottle.

[Jules84]

They are not doing well right now. I really don't know if they will even make it to the vet's appointment I have in 3 hours.

They are not with their father. Should I put them together now? Even with them so sick?

[clotho]

Oh man I'm sorry to hear that! I'm not sure what to suggest about putting them with the dad if they're doing that poorly. I'd ask on guinea lynx before doing that.

Call the vet - explain the situation and that it's an emergency and try to get them in right away if you can. I will be hoping for you!!

[krystia]

Ditto on calling the vet. If it is an emergency, many vets will make time. Even if the person on the phone says there is no room, you can ask either to have the message given directly to the vet (who sometimes will care more than the person working the phones, who is tired of dealing with people all day) or insist once more on the urgency of the situation. Your vet will hopefully be able to see them soon. If not, they might be able to tell you where the closest and most experienced emergency animal clinic is, where they will take your pets right away. Hope that helps!

[clotho]

Veterinarians - The GLX-Files

Here is a list of vets recommended by guinea lynx members - maybe you can find one in your area and call them. You need someone experienced with guinea pigs and you need them now!

[Jules84]

Thanks for the Vet link. I live in Canada, and my province is not on the list. I'm going to call now and see if I can get in sooner.

[clotho]

Sorry I can't help if you're not in Ontario like me. You might be able to find an emergency vet clinic that would take you right away if your vet can't.

[clotho]

Guinea Lynx Records :: Topic - Links - Handfeeding Young Pups: Avoid Milk/Formula Products

You might want to look over these links if you haven't been able to leave for the vet - some might help!

[sparklykate]

I hope they're okay, Jules84. Thinking of you and them xx

[Jules84]

Cupcake just died. Poor sweetie. Hopefully I will be able to get help for Patches.

I just want to thank everyone for the links and adivce. If Patches makes it though, I will be well informed.

[hueyeats]

I am so sorry that cupcake died. I am also praying & watching out for patches.

[sparklykate]

Oh I am so sorry Come on Patches, hang on a bit longer xx