Greetings! I am reaching out to you fellow piggie lovers for some advice.....
I have 2 guinea pigs, Buddy and Brownie, who are almost 3 years old. I got them at the same time and they are brothers. All has been going great over the past 3 years w/out any issues. Well, the other day, I noticed Buddy seemed interested in food, but would sniff it and then not eat it. He went to the water bottle and didn't seem to be able to open his mouth to get any. So, I waited one more day and things didn't seem better so I took him to the vet. $135 later, I was told his temp was perfect, no issues with his mouth or teeth, no stomach problems and nothing seemed to be stuck. They cut his nails and gave me some meds to help with nausea and asked me to give him a liquid diet for the next 2-3 days. Buddy seems to be taking the meds and food OK, but he's not any better....thought he's not any worse, either. The doctor wanted to do a $400 x-ray (which would also involve sedating Buddy) and I said "no." I can't afford that and I am not willing to spend that much money for something that may or may not show anything.
So, now I am not sure what to do....they said if he doesn't get better over the next week, they either need to do more tests or it might be time to put him to sleep. I feel badly doing that because other than eating (except for what we are giving him in the syringe), he is acting pretty much the same. He moves around in his cage but isn't squeaking like he used to and hasn't pooped in a few days, probably because of the lack of food. Not sure if he's drinking, but it looks like he might have taken some. He sniffed the Romaine lettuce I gave him this morning and took a few small bites, but that is about it.
Any advice? Has anyone had this issue before? I am afraid the outcome is not good.....
Thanks in advance!
Alison
I have 2 guinea pigs, Buddy and Brownie, who are almost 3 years old. I got them at the same time and they are brothers. All has been going great over the past 3 years w/out any issues. Well, the other day, I noticed Buddy seemed interested in food, but would sniff it and then not eat it. He went to the water bottle and didn't seem to be able to open his mouth to get any. So, I waited one more day and things didn't seem better so I took him to the vet. $135 later, I was told his temp was perfect, no issues with his mouth or teeth, no stomach problems and nothing seemed to be stuck. They cut his nails and gave me some meds to help with nausea and asked me to give him a liquid diet for the next 2-3 days. Buddy seems to be taking the meds and food OK, but he's not any better....thought he's not any worse, either. The doctor wanted to do a $400 x-ray (which would also involve sedating Buddy) and I said "no." I can't afford that and I am not willing to spend that much money for something that may or may not show anything.
So, now I am not sure what to do....they said if he doesn't get better over the next week, they either need to do more tests or it might be time to put him to sleep. I feel badly doing that because other than eating (except for what we are giving him in the syringe), he is acting pretty much the same. He moves around in his cage but isn't squeaking like he used to and hasn't pooped in a few days, probably because of the lack of food. Not sure if he's drinking, but it looks like he might have taken some. He sniffed the Romaine lettuce I gave him this morning and took a few small bites, but that is about it.
Any advice? Has anyone had this issue before? I am afraid the outcome is not good.....
Thanks in advance!
Alison