Guinea pig not well

gerad_way

Freddy my Guinea pig seems a bit under the weather.
He has lost a bit of weight recently but eats like a true piggy.However he does seem to drink lots of water.
Today he is just sitting in the corner of his cage, and didn't move when I approached. I have checked him over for any lumps bumps etc but he really isn't his usual happy self.
He is only 2 yrs old, and lives happily with scooby.
I think it will have to be the vets tomorrow.Any suggestions

Also where can I buy one of those hutch heaters that you warm up in the microwave?? I need an oblong one.I have been in pets at home today but they only have a round one which won't fit in the sleeping compartment as I need a long one.

Edinburghlass_2

Get the piggy to the vet as soon as possible, we lost one who went downhill very quickly. Found her in a similar state, rushed her to the vets and despite the vet trying their best she was dead within a couple of hours.

cluuuuur

Any emergency vets near you? If so, would be worth taking him today. As pigs are prey animals, they hide their illnesses until it's not possible anymore so usually by the time you're noticing a real difference in personality it can be too late.

If emergency vet isn't possible, and he lives outside, bring him in for the rest of the day and night for warmth, and to keep an eye on him - with his friend too if possible. Feed him his favourite veggies to ensure some food goes in - hay as well would be beneficial for warmth and again, because most pigs will trough it down!

If you can't get him to an emergency vet (I know they charge inordinate amounts of money) you could maybe ring them and ask if they have any food you could pick up without an appointment to syringe feed him if he's not eating - you need to make sure that there's a regular amount of food going in to him. There's a bit of an art to it though (and I know we can't post medical advice here, which is why I'm not going into it) so make sure they tell you what to do to best help him. I use something called Critical Care when mine are off their food.

Good luck, keep us updated.

gerad_way

Thanks for all your advice.
I took Freddy to the vet first thing this morning. He thinks he may have a cold or probably some other diesease. He gave Freddy an antibiotic injection and some more to put into his water, and advised me to bring them both inside which I have.
Unfortunately he has not moved all day so I have been trying to syringe water into his mouth, and so far he has taken about 3ml.
It's not looking good but I am keeping everything crossed.

Edinburghlass_2

Fingers crossed for you too. xx

My vet said exactly the same as cluuuur said about piggies being easy prey and hiding their illness until it was almost too late.

cluuuuur

Fingers crossed for Freddie, and thank you for updating.

Don't forget to entice him with as much food as possible - romaine lettuce is usually a hit with mine, even when I've had seriously ill piggies. If you have access to any grass or dandelions (wrong time of year for lots of it I know, but worth a try!) they'll probably go down well too.

benje302

Hi

Sorry to hear about your piggy not being well and I hope all gets better.

I to lost my guinea pig a few months ago. She was 5 and was fit as a fiddle and then all of a sudden she went quiet.

As is was the weekend, I monitored her closely during the day and I also took the water bottle to her to save her walking over to it and she did take the water.

However, in the morning she had passed away.

Since then, having looked on the internet and as people have already mentioned, guinea pigs are very robust and 9 times out of 10 its normally too late once they have shown any signs of being ill.

Sorry if I seem to be the bearer of bad news I will keep my fingers crossed that yours pulls through

Benje302

gerad_way

Unfortunately Freddy died this morning.
I checked him at 6.30 this morning and he was making a terrible noise trying to breath.I picked him up and held him for about 15 minutes and then he passed away in my hands. I just wished the vet had put him out of his misery yesterday, but we thought that he might of pulled through.
Thanks for all your support.

Chesnut1

Sorry to hear of this, you did what you thought was best and gave him a chance.
RIP Freddy

Bagpuss741

So sorry to hear this (((gerad way))) RIP Freddy

cluuuuur

Aaw, sorry to hear your news. You did the absolute best for him, they're just a nightmare when they're ill.

RIP Freddie.