Hey guys! I haven't written in awhile. I rescued a guinea pig 2 weeks ago. He is estimated 6 years old, which my vet confirmed as well. He got a COMPLETE check up. It's a sad, sad case of serious neglect. He's been alone his whole life, and only fed fruit loop pellets and grass from their outside yard. He has shown NO interest in any vegetables or fruits. I've even put human food to his nose, NO interest. He really was only fed fruit loop pellets, some grass occassionally, and water from an old leaky water bottle that went empty and got filled once a week. As admitted by the owner.
No one ever touched or held him because they were scared of him, and then he got way too filthy for the family to interact with. When I got him, it looked like his small 2x1.5 pet store cage had not been cleaned in 6 months, at least. I was told they just threw pellets into the cage. He had no hideys, or cover whatsoever.
He came to me with his nails 2" long wrapped around soiled bedding that was literally stuck to his feet. He had bad impaction. Weirdly shaped teeth. Matted, soiled fur covred in feces, urine and dirt. It took me 3 hours of careful cleaning the best I could. I took him to the vet the next day.
His conditions/problems so far:
Teeth - She grinded his teeth. He will need to go back in 2 months. He is eating some hay, sometimes.
Eating - Been feeding critical care 4x daily. He loves this. Will not eat any vegetables or fruit at all.
Impaction - On and off issues with impaction. Soft and hard stools. I clean with mineral oil.
Joints - He has scurvvy. Supplementing as directed by the vet. He has a limp in one of his legs and couldn't walk right for a few days. Been improving.
Pain - He has mouth ulcers. He is on metacam for this. Unsure if he eats more on pain meds or not yet.
I've never had a pig this old, this neglected, and with teeth/impaction issues. Any advice taking care of this pig will be appreciated.
No one ever touched or held him because they were scared of him, and then he got way too filthy for the family to interact with. When I got him, it looked like his small 2x1.5 pet store cage had not been cleaned in 6 months, at least. I was told they just threw pellets into the cage. He had no hideys, or cover whatsoever.
He came to me with his nails 2" long wrapped around soiled bedding that was literally stuck to his feet. He had bad impaction. Weirdly shaped teeth. Matted, soiled fur covred in feces, urine and dirt. It took me 3 hours of careful cleaning the best I could. I took him to the vet the next day.
His conditions/problems so far:
Teeth - She grinded his teeth. He will need to go back in 2 months. He is eating some hay, sometimes.
Eating - Been feeding critical care 4x daily. He loves this. Will not eat any vegetables or fruit at all.
Impaction - On and off issues with impaction. Soft and hard stools. I clean with mineral oil.
Joints - He has scurvvy. Supplementing as directed by the vet. He has a limp in one of his legs and couldn't walk right for a few days. Been improving.
Pain - He has mouth ulcers. He is on metacam for this. Unsure if he eats more on pain meds or not yet.
I've never had a pig this old, this neglected, and with teeth/impaction issues. Any advice taking care of this pig will be appreciated.