Sick Found Abandoned Guinea Pig, Breathing Heavily, No Food Appetite After Vet Visit

[ffl3883]

Hello All,

I found this little pig near my house in NYC. He kept coming out of a bush and appears to be abandoned. I brought him home and visited the Vet today. The vet said its a boy. he checked the ear, the teeth etc and Body temp is 99F. He thinks he is healthy but stressed. He suggested under the skin fluid injection shot and antibiotics injection of 0.2ml. So after taking the shots, I bought him home and found that he is breathing fast and very heavily and not very active. I thought he needs water, so I used eye drop bottle to feed him some water. I bought Timothy hay and guinea pig food, he is not interested at all. There is no animal specialist available in my area right now. I am super worried....

Any thoughts ?




ffl3883

 

[bpatters]

Thanks for taking this little guy in.

Do you know what kind of antibiotic he was given? And was this an exotic vet? "Small animal" vet means dogs and cats, and those vets get little or no training in the care of exotic pets. Some of them are downright dangerous.

Four things I'd do...

First, I'd try to find a container with sides that aren't that high. Those impede air flow, and can contribute to respiratory problems.

Second, he needs a water bottle, and there's no good way to put one in that plastic box. If you're thinking you're going to keep him, there are lots of cage options, but unfortunately, pet stores don't have any good ones. However, if you can find a box of grids (see examples in the Photo Galleries), you could zip-tie some of those together to make a larger space with better air flow, and you can hang a water bottle from the grids.

Third, he's on the floor and undoubtedly viewing you and anyone else in the house as a hungry giant with him on the menu for dinner. In an open cage, you could drape something over one end to protect him from predators, but in that box, it will just make the air flow worse. You could cut the bottom part of a small cardboard box (make it look like a table) and put it in there for him to hide under. Make sure it's very close to his food and hay, and he'll eventually eat. And as he gets used to you, he'll be more comfortable and you can make other hidey arrangements (just no pigloos, please -- those things are awful).

I'd get some guinea pig pellets, preferably Oxbow Cavy Cuisine, as it's the best you can get locally. Nothing with colored bits or seeds -- the bits are useless, and seeds are a big no for guinea pigs because their throats are tiny. Two tablespoons of pellets per day is about right.

I can't tell what kind of vegetables you've got in that bowl, but I'd start with red or green leaf lettuce and some bell pepper. That's enough for now. When he starts eating, you can worry about variety.

Good luck with him! And do keep us posted on how you're doing.

 

[ffl3883]

Thanks for taking this little guy in.

Do you know what kind of antibiotic he was given? And was this an exotic vet? "Small animal" vet means dogs and cats, and those vets get little or no training in the care of exotic pets. Some of them are downright dangerous.

Four things I'd do...

First, I'd try to find a container with sides that aren't that high. Those impede air flow, and can contribute to respiratory problems.

Second, he needs a water bottle, and there's no good way to put one in that plastic box. If you're thinking you're going to keep him, there are lots of cage options, but unfortunately, pet stores don't have any good ones. However, if you can find a box of grids (see examples in the Photo Galleries), you could zip-tie some of those together to make a larger space with better air flow, and you can hang a water bottle from the grids.

Third, he's on the floor and undoubtedly viewing you and anyone else in the house as a hungry giant with him on the menu for dinner. In an open cage, you could drape something over one end to protect him from predators, but in that box, it will just make the air flow worse. You could cut the bottom part of a small cardboard box (make it look like a table) and put it in there for him to hide under. Make sure it's very close to his food and hay, and he'll eventually eat. And as he gets used to you, he'll be more comfortable and you can make other hidey arrangements (just no pigloos, please -- those things are awful).

I'd get some guinea pig pellets, preferably Oxbow Cavy Cuisine, as it's the best you can get locally. Nothing with colored bits or seeds -- the bits are useless, and seeds are a big no for guinea pigs because their throats are tiny. Two tablespoons of pellets per day is about right.

I can't tell what kind of vegetables you've got in that bowl, but I'd start with red or green leaf lettuce and some bell pepper. That's enough for now. When he starts eating, you can worry about variety.

Good luck with him! And do keep us posted on how you're doing.

Hello,

I don't know what antibiotics the vet gave. I know its 0.2 ml. The vet says he treats animal in general includes guinea pigs but he is not specialist.
I changed the bin to a basket. I also added a cardboard box. He is hiding in there. I am worried about him breathing heavily and not active. I bought a guinea pig water bottle. he doesn't seem to be interested in using at all. From the time i bought him home till now, I don't think he has taken any water nor food. Should I try feeding him water and food using a syringe ?




Regards

ffl3883

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I'll echo @bpatters here, thanks for taking this little guy in. He wouldn't have lasted long on his own.

I also have a pig who is a heavy breather. Heavy to the point where I had him checked by a vet. He could very well just be stressed. He is in a strange environment, he is alone and likely terrified out of his mind. Giving him a place to hide was a great thing for him, so don't be alarmed if he spends a lot of time in there. Guinea pigs are prey animals and they are hard wired to understand that EVERYTHING wants to eat them and they act accordingly.


As bpatters stated earlier, keep the hay, food and water close to where he's hiding. If it's peaceful, he may decide he's hungry or thirsty enough to risk the house eagles. He needs time.

And you really do need to start looking NOW for an exotics vet in your area in case of an emergency. It's generally not a question of IF a pig will need medical care, it more a question of WHEN. If you're planning on keeping him, you would do very well to have a competent exotic vet on hand when you need it, and he could really use a buddy when you have have him much better situated.

And before I forget again, take the tape off that box. He'll eat it, and it can be fatal for him if he does.

 

[ffl3883]

I'll echo @bpatters here, thanks for taking this little guy in. He wouldn't have lasted long on his own.

I also have a pig who is a heavy breather. Heavy to the point where I had him checked by a vet. He could very well just be stressed. He is in a strange environment, he is alone and likely terrified out of his mind. Giving him a place to hide was a great thing for him, so don't be alarmed if he spends a lot of time in there. Guinea pigs are prey animals and they are hard wired to understand that EVERYTHING wants to eat them and they act accordingly.


As bpatters stated earlier, keep the hay, food and water close to where he's hiding. If it's peaceful, he may decide he's hungry or thirsty enough to risk the house eagles. He needs time.

And you really do need to start looking NOW for an exotics vet in your area in case of an emergency. It's generally not a question of IF a pig will need medical care, it more a question of WHEN. If you're planning on keeping him, you would do very well to have a competent exotic vet on hand when you need it, and he could really use a buddy when you have have him much better situated.

And before I forget again, take the tape off that box. He'll eat it, and it can be fatal for him if he does.

Thanks for the suggestion, I removed the tape off the box and put a shallow tray with water in there. Piggy not active at all.. Just sitting there breathing heavily. I am quite worried... Will look for a specialist. I spent $160 for for check up , under skin fluid shot, and antibiotics today. He seems better before I visit the vet...

Regards

ffl3883

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Please keep us posted on how he's doing. If there IS something wrong with him, it's guaranteed that whatever it is happened before you came across him. If nothing else, you're providing him with love and care that he didn't get where he came from before.

Thank you again for looking after this little man. We are all pulling for him.

 

[bpatters]

He'll just poop in the tray with the water. I'd hang a water bottle on the outside of the basket with the spout going under his hidey so he can get to it without having to put his head out. Put the hay right in the door, with a little of it inside with him. And just leave him be. Most pigs don't eat or drink when they're in a new place, but he should both eat and drink more quickly if he can do it in private.

I'd call the vet and ask what the antibiotic was. Some ABs are dangerous for guinea pigs, and can be fatal. Also, just as an FYI, guinea pigs aren't usually given antibiotics unless there's strong suspicion of an infection, as antibiotics cause their own problems in guinea pigs. Also, they're not usually given by injection, although they can be in certain circumstances.

Is the food in that dish the guinea pig food you bought? If so, please pick out everything except the plain hay pellets -- that's all that's usable in that kind of food. Then move the dish over to the door of the box.

In fact, since you've got a "cage" with air movement, you can drape something over the top of that basket so he's completely protected from the house eagles. Just make sure it doesn't hang down the sides and block the air flow.

I'm sorry you're already out so much money and got so little help. There are quite a few exotic vets in NYC, but I'm not quite convinced that he needs to see another vet so quickly. If he gets worse, then yes, of course. But hiding and not eating and not moving are totally normal behaviors for GPs in new situations. Unfortunately, they're also normal when a pig is getting sick. And since you don't know whether this one was healthy when you started out, it's hard to tell the difference. If he were mine, I'd just watch him carefully until morning and then decide whether he should go in. If you take him today, you'll pay the emergency rates, and those are usually astronomical.

Are you thinking about keeping him? If so, here's some info for new GP owners: https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/113176-Information-for-new-guinea-pig-owners

 

[ffl3883]

He'll just poop in the tray with the water. I'd hang a water bottle on the outside of the basket with the spout going under his hidey so he can get to it without having to put his head out. Put the hay right in the door, with a little of it inside with him. And just leave him be. Most pigs don't eat or drink when they're in a new place, but he should both eat and drink more quickly if he can do it in private.

I'd call the vet and ask what the antibiotic was. Some ABs are dangerous for guinea pigs, and can be fatal. Also, just as an FYI, guinea pigs aren't usually given antibiotics unless there's strong suspicion of an infection, as antibiotics cause their own problems in guinea pigs. Also, they're not usually given by injection, although they can be in certain circumstances.

Is the food in that dish the guinea pig food you bought? If so, please pick out everything except the plain hay pellets -- that's all that's usable in that kind of food. Then move the dish over to the door of the box.

In fact, since you've got a "cage" with air movement, you can drape something over the top of that basket so he's completely protected from the house eagles. Just make sure it doesn't hang down the sides and block the air flow.

I'm sorry you're already out so much money and got so little help. There are quite a few exotic vets in NYC, but I'm not quite convinced that he needs to see another vet so quickly. If he gets worse, then yes, of course. But hiding and not eating and not moving are totally normal behaviors for GPs in new situations. Unfortunately, they're also normal when a pig is getting sick. And since you don't know whether this one was healthy when you started out, it's hard to tell the difference. If he were mine, I'd just watch him carefully until morning and then decide whether he should go in. If you take him today, you'll pay the emergency rates, and those are usually astronomical.

Are you thinking about keeping him? If so, here's some info for new GP owners: https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/113176-Information-for-new-guinea-pig-owners

Thank you all for your feedback and support ! I moved him to the balcony and make some changes to the nest to improve air circulation. I cut opening on the cardboard box so there is more air ventilation. He shows some signs of activity and occasionally would move around the nest slowly. His breathing rate changed from fast to slow now. Its more like slow deep breath rather than short rapid breath. I added the amount of plain hay pallets in the food. I notice he kept knocking over the water tray. I will install water bottle tonight. Will keep update.

 

[ffl3883]

He'll just poop in the tray with the water. I'd hang a water bottle on the outside of the basket with the spout going under his hidey so he can get to it without having to put his head out. Put the hay right in the door, with a little of it inside with him. And just leave him be. Most pigs don't eat or drink when they're in a new place, but he should both eat and drink more quickly if he can do it in private.

I'd call the vet and ask what the antibiotic was. Some ABs are dangerous for guinea pigs, and can be fatal. Also, just as an FYI, guinea pigs aren't usually given antibiotics unless there's strong suspicion of an infection, as antibiotics cause their own problems in guinea pigs. Also, they're not usually given by injection, although they can be in certain circumstances.

Is the food in that dish the guinea pig food you bought? If so, please pick out everything except the plain hay pellets -- that's all that's usable in that kind of food. Then move the dish over to the door of the box.

In fact, since you've got a "cage" with air movement, you can drape something over the top of that basket so he's completely protected from the house eagles. Just make sure it doesn't hang down the sides and block the air flow.

I'm sorry you're already out so much money and got so little help. There are quite a few exotic vets in NYC, but I'm not quite convinced that he needs to see another vet so quickly. If he gets worse, then yes, of course. But hiding and not eating and not moving are totally normal behaviors for GPs in new situations. Unfortunately, they're also normal when a pig is getting sick. And since you don't know whether this one was healthy when you started out, it's hard to tell the difference. If he were mine, I'd just watch him carefully until morning and then decide whether he should go in. If you take him today, you'll pay the emergency rates, and those are usually astronomical.

Are you thinking about keeping him? If so, here's some info for new GP owners: https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/113176-Information-for-new-guinea-pig-owners

Hello All,

I am sad to let everyone know that piggy passed away tonight....

Regards

ffl3883

 

[bpatters]

I'm very sorry. Thank you so much for taking him in. I wish there had been a better ending.

 

[spy9doc]

I'm so sorry that he didn't make it. You never got a chance to know and love him........and to see why all of us are so passionate about these creatures. You should feel very good about your act of kindness.

 

[ffl3883]

I'm so sorry that he didn't make it. You never got a chance to know and love him........and to see why all of us are so passionate about these creatures. You should feel very good about your act of kindness.

Thank you. He was lying on Timothy hay and pile of food when he passed away. I know he is in a better place now.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I'm so sorry. This is not the news I was hoping for. Thank you for taking him in, and showing him the love and kindness that he should have known from the start.

Rest in peace, little man.

 

[SSLee]

I'm very sorry to read about your piggy's passing and he was well cared for at the end. He was very lucky to have found you and received the care that all pets deserved. Your care of piggy from the time you found him through the end speaks well of your generous and compassionate nature.