Urgent advice needed
Our elderly male guinea pig has been ill for a week. The vet gave him a steiroid to encourage his appetite and antibiotics which he has been having twice daily, they could find no underlying health issues when he was examined. We have been syringe feeding him and his weight is low but stable. Today he has no interest in anything and is reluctant to chew. Is there anything I can do?
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Lynx
- Resist!!!
I am so sorry your guinea pig is having these issues.
Did the vet do an xray? When you say his weight is low, had you been weighing regularly and has he lost lots of weight? Is the vet experienced with guinea pigs? What antibiotic was he given?
I do not have a medical background but read everything people share about their guinea pigs. Experience and thoroughness of the exam are important. He sounds like he is doing very poorly. Your hand feeding is extremely important to keep things moving through his system.
When you say he is elderly, do you know how old he is? How much weight he has lost?
Did the vet do an xray? When you say his weight is low, had you been weighing regularly and has he lost lots of weight? Is the vet experienced with guinea pigs? What antibiotic was he given?
I do not have a medical background but read everything people share about their guinea pigs. Experience and thoroughness of the exam are important. He sounds like he is doing very poorly. Your hand feeding is extremely important to keep things moving through his system.
When you say he is elderly, do you know how old he is? How much weight he has lost?
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Sef
- I dissent.
Ditto Lynx. My immediate thought is, is this is veterinarian experienced in treating exotics like guinea pigs? A dog/cat vet will not always know what to look for. Basic things I would want to rule out would be dental issues; GI issues; impaction (has his anal sac been checked?); infection. How are his bowel movements? Is there any sign of bloating? Did the vet do a thorough dental exam, including xrays? What antibiotic was he put on? Was he put on any pain meds?
They examined his mouth but no x-ray. He was given baytril antibiotic. We are syringe feeding him recovery food science selective. He chose to have a long drink an hour ago. He weighs around 770g which is low for him. He is at least 6 years old but possibly older - we got him as a rescue pig in 2020. Should we continue to syringe feed him when he isn't chewing?
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Sef
- I dissent.
I would push for dental xrays. Another thought would be the possibility of renal failure, which is not unusual in older guinea pigs. It might be another thing to ask about tomorrow. Again, though, I would want to make sure the vet is experienced in treating guinea pigs.
Good luck. I hope the appointment yields some answers and an effective treatment plan for your little guy.
Good luck. I hope the appointment yields some answers and an effective treatment plan for your little guy.
Sadly our guinea pig didn't make it. He looked a bit agitated yesterday evening so we made an emergency vet appointment. They gave him three injections - pain relief, antiinflammatory and steroid - which helped him to settle but he drifted off a few hours later. We are going to really miss him.
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