Greetings, everyone. I have two brothers, Baxter and Oliver. Oliver has become quite ill and I fear for his life.
I am unable to get him to a vet because his doctor's office isn't open, and the area emergency clinic doesn't deal with exotics. I'm hoping someone will have some advice on how to handle this [until Monday, that is]...
Last night, Oliver seemed to be vomiting intermittently. From what I understand, cavies can't vomit. But it looked like vomiting: He was making an awful noise that sounded like he was in great pain, then "heaving", followed by clear liquid coming out of his mouth. (My sister and I have had many guinea pigs over the years; this is the first time we've seen anything like this.)
I stayed up with him all night, during which the vomit-like symptom ceased. This morning I made the mistake of taking him out of his makeshift sick bay to hold and comfort him. It caused him to start "throwing up" again.
Has anyone here ever seen or heard of this symptom? Could it be large amounts of saliva? Perhaps the fluid is coming from his lungs?
He has begun to suffer from anorexia as well, and isn't passing feces or urine. I really wish I could handfeed him, however if he has a blockage, I don't want to make things worse.
I'm terribly frightened and want to do whatever I can to help my poor little Oliver, and I feel so helpless without access to a vet.
If anyone has any suggestions I would be eternally grateful.
.
P.S. Baxter continues to show no signs of illness.
I am unable to get him to a vet because his doctor's office isn't open, and the area emergency clinic doesn't deal with exotics. I'm hoping someone will have some advice on how to handle this [until Monday, that is]...
Last night, Oliver seemed to be vomiting intermittently. From what I understand, cavies can't vomit. But it looked like vomiting: He was making an awful noise that sounded like he was in great pain, then "heaving", followed by clear liquid coming out of his mouth. (My sister and I have had many guinea pigs over the years; this is the first time we've seen anything like this.)
I stayed up with him all night, during which the vomit-like symptom ceased. This morning I made the mistake of taking him out of his makeshift sick bay to hold and comfort him. It caused him to start "throwing up" again.
Has anyone here ever seen or heard of this symptom? Could it be large amounts of saliva? Perhaps the fluid is coming from his lungs?
He has begun to suffer from anorexia as well, and isn't passing feces or urine. I really wish I could handfeed him, however if he has a blockage, I don't want to make things worse.
I'm terribly frightened and want to do whatever I can to help my poor little Oliver, and I feel so helpless without access to a vet.
If anyone has any suggestions I would be eternally grateful.
.
P.S. Baxter continues to show no signs of illness.