Sick Guinea's Teeth and Stomach Issues

[Melissa123]

I took my Guinea into the vet on the 5th as I noticed he was losing weight (100 grams). The vet felt a large lump in his stomach and did an x-ray. She found that he had somehow swallowed a few small pieces of metal or bone. He was/is on Cisapride to try and help get things going again. She also checked his molars out (Yes, with the correct tools!) and found that he had several spurs and spikes that needed trimmed.

She was hoping he could get a little healthier before putting him under but after he lost another 80 grams she decided to just try and get it done today. It went very well, thankfully and he seems to be happier already. He is still not eating pellets on his own but is willing to eat soft hay (before the floating he wasn't eating anything besides lettuce). I am hand feeding him, of course and he seems to be tolerating it much better than before the floating. I was able to get 21 cc's in him just now.

She did take another x-ray of his belly and the metal/bone is still in there and she is worried about stasis right now. I am doing everything in my power to save my baby boy.




Btw- NO Idea what he could've gotten into! Our guess is that it's pieces of teeth as his incisors were very uneven. He is not a grid chewer and we do not keep anything unsafe in the pig cages.


Hoping he will get through this. I know he is in pain from his stomach as he hates it being messed with and will do a raspy scream. The Metacam only does so much for him though!

 

[TwoMissPiggies]

Awe! Poor piggy. I hope they can safely remove the metal & he can return to being his happy self

 

[Melissa123]

She said the pieces are smalIl enough to pass but she won't let it go on for too much longer. Thanks for the well wishes.

 

[bpatters]

Poor baby. Keep us posted on how he does.

 

[Melissa123]

I was able to get 54 cc's in him throughout the night and this morning.
I took him into my vet this morning so they could give him fluids. He got 50 cc's this morning and also another dose of Metoclopramide.

After the first major feeding last night he started having a ton of cecal poo's in his perianal sac. I started cleaning it out with a cotton q-tip and mineral oil and was able to work quite a bit out!

He is still weak this morning but I am hoping he will make it through this.

@bpatters, anything else you can think of that I should be doing? Hand feeding, gut mobility meds, pain meds, vitamin B, Life Line, and using a vibrating pillow (when he allows it, that is!!)?

Also, is there such a thing as too much Critical Care when hand feeding? I've been really generous with each feeding and as long as he isn't stressing out and is actually eating I try and get 20 ish cc's in him per feeding.


Thanks everyone.

 

[GuineaPigster]

Awww! I'm so sorry to hear this, Melissa.
If anyone can take save him, it would totally be you. You are amazing with them. Best of luck to your little one.

 

[Melissa123]

Awww! I'm so sorry to hear this, Melissa.
If anyone can take save him, it would totally be you. You are amazing with them. Best of luck to your little one.

Thank you!
Even I am worried I will lose him. He is very thin right now and I can feel every bone in his body. The way he breathes when I pick him up is so concerning. He no longer runs from me and lets out a painful raspy cry when I pick him up. I am truly wondering when enough is enough. I hate seeing him like this and feel horrible

 

[pinky]

You might want to put him on a probiotic and baby simethicone so he doesn't develop bloat.

 

[Melissa123]

You might want to put him on a probiotic and baby simethicone so he doesn't develop bloat.

He is already getting a probiotic (Life Line). My vet is not a fan of the baby simethicone either, nor is the other exotic vet I have gone to in the past. They both believe it doesn't do much for the larger gas bubbles. In order for it to work in pigs (just like babies) the gas bubbles need to be smaller for them to break down with this med..

Just what I've been told by 2 amazing vets!

 

[Melissa123]

Actually one of my vets' is pretty well known for her exotics' care. She wrote a book and has been doing this for 20 years. (broken link removed)

Just wanted to brag that there is a vet like this IN Columbus, Ohio! lol I find it so neat!

 

[GuineaPigster]

Actually one of my vets' is pretty well known for her exotics' care. She wrote a book and has been doing this for 20 years. (broken link removed)

Just wanted to brag that there is a vet like this IN Columbus, Ohio! lol I find it so neat!

Hoping for the best. He is in the hands of the best pig rescuer in OH.

 

[Melissa123]

Hoping for the best. He is in the hands of the best pig rescuer in OH.

HA! I wouldn't say that! I just do what I can when I can.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

I wouldn't worry about handfeeding too much. If he'll eat it, then keep giving it to him.

 

[GuineaPigster]

I wouldn't worry about handfeeding too much. If he'll eat it, then keep giving it to him.

Yeah, he needs all the the strength he can get.

 

[Melissa123]

I wouldn't worry about handfeeding too much. If he'll eat it, then keep giving it to him.

That was my thought process on it as well! Thanks!

 

[Melissa123]

Soooo.... I am pretty sure Guinea has a URI as well! His cage mate, Cookie is now having breathing issues and isn't eating as much. Vet tomorrow for sure. Until then, I have them both on Sulfa and I am hand feeding both of them.

 

[RodentsRus]

Just wanted to with you good vibe and that both you guinea pig are feel better..

 

[korryn92]

Oh wow I will keep both piggies and you in my thoughts! You are such a wonderful piggy parent! Best of luck at the vet tomorrow!

(((hugs)))

 

[pinky]

He is already getting a probiotic (Life Line). My vet is not a fan of the baby simethicone either, nor is the other exotic vet I have gone to in the past. They both believe it doesn't do much for the larger gas bubbles. In order for it to work in pigs (just like babies) the gas bubbles need to be smaller for them to break down with this med..

Just what I've been told by 2 amazing vets!

I have a male that suffered from bloat. I gave him baby simethicone following the instruction on guinealynx and I could actually hear the gas bubbles popping in his stomach. I have no doubt it saved his life. It's very effective if you give half the pediatic dose twice a day. Gently massage their stomach afterwards. It's not harmful and it works;

 

[GuineaPigster]

I have a male that suffered from bloat. I gave him baby simethicone following the instruction on guinealynx and I could actually hear the gas bubbles popping in his stomach. I have no doubt it saved his life. It's very effective if you give half the pediatic dose twice a day. Gently massage their stomach afterwards. It's not harmful and it works;

Weird. Some members say it isn't effective for anything other than small bubbles, but that's great it worked for you.
@melissa:
Hoping for the best. Know we're rooting for them!