Lethargy help, my piggys are sick and 2 died rapidly!

[craze]

Hi, he seemed to be getting better, but now his is not eating as well (we have been feeding every 5 hours critical care) and he has a hard wax like substance coming from his penis and his nose is wet?. Is he ok? Does he need to see another vet? I am really worried, thanks

 

[Jodie]

I don't know if I should post...but I am sickened Slugs? 0 degrees? Rat poison? Doesnt really sound good to me. That is not the way to treat an animal.

 

[SFailed186]

Both pigs need to see a true cavy savvy vet immediately. The fact that they are not eating or pooping is extremely serious! When guinea pigs get to this point, it a good predictor that they might not last much longer. Guinea pigs only show symptoms when the illness is at it worst in order to survive in the wild (weak/ill guinea pigs are easier prey).

It's good that you are giving him Baytril and Critical Care, but he needs to be pooping. He could be impacted or something of the sort.

The seeping, wet eye in James sounds similar to an URI and also needs to be treated quickly. I think it is in their best interest to have a complete exam at the vet, possibly including blood work after the things they could have been exposed to.

 

[craze]

I don't know if I should post...but I am sickened Slugs? 0 degrees? Rat poison? Doesnt really sound good to me. That is not the way to treat an animal.

Did you read the whole thread? I posted all of this to get honest help.

The mouse bait is in the roof of my home! Far away from the piggys, just thought it may be worth a mention?

0 degrees, perhaps i am being too pessemistic it is more like 5deg CELCIUS, I did research, rang a pet shop gave them the proper items (its only started getting colder in the last week or so.

Slugs i did not think were an issue, just a question.

We have given our boys a very loving home (much nicer than most), as soon as they were sick we took them to the best vet available at the time.

Our piggies are very spoilt. We love them lots.

 

[craze]

And yes he is pooping (but now there is a gel wax type substance).

 

[Jodie]

No they are not spoiled! The conditions in which they are housed is not a good thing. Why have pets if you can't interact with them in your home? I'm not trying to be mean, but it doesn't sound like you are very well educated on piggies. You should always research tons before getting a pet.

I hope you did not put the sick piggy in the same cage and room as your baby that is kept indoors?

 

[craze]

Hi, the smaller one has been kept away and very healthy, the larger one is doing ok and separated.

We bought our piggys a while ago and they lived inside, when they grew up we put them outside (as do most in australia) in a double story house with lots of hay and a few toys. I bought them a sleeping bag when it got cold. Not sure how this was a bad idea?

Anyway they will live inside now.

I feel i am better educated now.

Thank you all

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Not sure how this was a bad idea?

Pigs are not meant to be housed outdoors. Too many things can go wrong as you have witnessed firsthand. Cold temperatures alone could have been a major contributing factor to their deaths. They could have gotten a URI from the cold temperatures and with them being outside, you didn't notice them being sick and by the time they stopped eating, they were very ill. Or it's possible they slowly froze to death.

Pigs who are housed indoors in temperature controlled climates are more easily monitored. They should ALWAYS be in a constant temperature range of 65-75F (18-23C). Temperatures lower than that are too cold for them and temperatures above that can be detrimental as well, ie: heat stroke.

0C is 32F and even 5C is only 41F and still way too cold for pigs. Think about it, if it feels cold to you outside, it is cold to them too. A little sleeping bag thing isn't going to help much when it's that cold out.

 

[craze]

They used to live in the wild, most people house them undercover outside in australia.

Anyway, i get the point people.

I am not the only 1 looking after them and i did my best with my best knowledge at the time. I spoke with 2 cavy vets today and he is going there tonight or tommorow if he is not improving (he has been improving already).

 

[CavyMama]

They used to live in the wild, most people house them undercover outside in australia.

Yes and they used to live much shorter lives because they were constantly exposed to spikes and drops in temperature and under constant threat of predators.

 

[Paula]

They used to live in the wild, most people house them undercover outside in australia.

It's true, but the animals in your care are your pets, not wild animals, and quite honestly, the ones who have died could have died because of anything - poisoning, illness, etc. The reality is no matter how diligent you are as an owner, you can't keep as close an eye on your pets when they are living outside as if they were inside, so it's entirely possible - even quite likely - that your pigs were ill for quite some time and exhibiting symptoms of illness that would have been much more easily recognized if they were inside and monitored more closely.

I appreciate that you are getting your pig inside, and really applaud you for it, but housing them outside in the first place very likely had EVERYthing to do with their seemingly sudden deaths, no matter how common or acceptable the practice may be where you are.

 

[HannibalLecter]

They used to live in the wild, most people house them undercover outside in australia.

Anyway, i get the point people.

I am not the only 1 looking after them and i did my best with my best knowledge at the time. I spoke with 2 cavy vets today and he is going there tonight or tommorow if he is not improving (he has been improving already).

Yes, their ancestors lived in the wild, not the domesticated guinea pig we know. Seen any texels & peruvians running around in a wild herd lately? I'd love to see it. The climate in Australia is way too rough for guinea pigs whom should always be housed inside as part of the family.

Most people where I live does not have adequate cages for their pigs, or knowledge on the right food & veggies. This does not however mean that I have to do the same thing or use it as an exuse.

 

[craze]

An update.

I took Ferdi to another vet (cavy specialist) even though he improved a lot, he checked him out and said he was unsure of exactly why the other died. I showed him photos of where they live and their diet and he said it was not the cold.
He examined his faeces and found no signs of worns or whatever else.

I just noticed now Ferdi did a pee and its orangey color. He did start eating some grass etc but he is still not eating on his own really.

What else can i do? I took him to 2 vets, spent a total of $400 last week. His eyes and nose are fine, his poo return to normal but not eating enough himself.

 

[mickey1007]

I don't have much experience but when my girls had a URI, I found that they went back into eating slowly. When they did eat it was mostly pellets and hay. I found the suggestion on this site to hand feed cilantro to them when they are sick. That worked for me, I believe it has something to do with the smell.

Anyway, that's what helped get my girls eating again.

I hope that someone with more experience can also respond and focus the response on getting Ferdi better instead of what could have possibly caused him to get sick.

 

[Deb's4Pigs]

Eating grass is a good thing. Keep giving him his favorite foods. Not too much grass if he's not used to it because it can cause bloat.

How is he today?

 

[Kim37040]

I am glad your piggy is doing better.
I was sadden as I read all the updates and your situation.
I was also saddened to see that your original post had been tagged as "unappreciated".
I don't know if I fully understand the purpose of that feature of the forums. However, I am glad that that did not dissuade you from continuing to post us on the situation and asking questions. Regardless of the question (even if in sharing the question it comes to light that situations do not follow the recipe the experts know to be best for healthy happy guinea pigs), everyone should be supported in asking questions regarding guinea pig issues, health and happiness.
Just had to share that.
Continued blessings for your piggy.

 

[craze]

Thank you all for your wishes.

In all honesty i think a lot of people only read key words and not the whole post, i wanted to post as much (even if its little) detail to see if anyone could help. Forums are meant to help people, i agree.

Ferdi had a sleepover with my partners mum and they looked after him. He has been eating a little feed and spinach.

Tommorow is his last day on bytril (or however you spell that antibiotic) so hopefully his appetite comes back.

His heat mat came in to keep him warm for the moment while he lives in the bath. The vet said he pee does not sound like a problem, only if he makes noises when peeing or if its more colored.

We have decided that we are cleaning the outside enclosure tommorow and when they are better they will play outside (undercover in our outside eating area) in there big double story cage, and at night come in for tickles and sleeping near our bed.

 

[HannibalLecter]

It would certainly not have been more helpful for this whole community to completely ignore the probably largest factor in your two pigs deaths & illnesses, which was their living conditions outside. More pleasant for you I understand, but not helpful for the pigs & you asked for help. Which is why we are all here.

I'm really happy you plan on keeping them inside at least at night, it's so much easier to monitor any changes in behaviour when you can watch them at all times. I do however advice you to get earplugs if you keep them anywhere near your bed. Please keep us updated.

 

[Deb's4Pigs]

I'm glad he's feeling better.

 

[Seatrout00]

Having dealt with exotic, problematic rats ever since the horrible 2004 hurricane season, I can tell you that your pigs display the EXACT reaction to rat poison - its a very long, agonizing death actually - usually takes 3 days, and is the main reason I stopped using rat poison, that and accidental poisoning of other critters.

Rat traps work MUCH better, and besides not poisoning critters you don't intend to, you do not have rats dieing in horrible places - such as your roof - and stinking up your home.

Rat poison is mainly arsenic, and its a long, painful death.