Unwell Guinea Pig

[Evenstar]

GP got a shock on Friday as DDog managed to get in the temporary pen I had set up in the garage whilst I was cleaning out (DDog didn’t actually touch him just jumped in after a carrot). GP was fine on Friday night, on Saturday morning he was unwell and had been laid in one position all night as he was soiled underneath. I cleaned him up and syringed Liquid Critical care, not the food as he is still eating well and has done throughout. I carried on keeping him warm with heat pad (hutch is in a shed with greenhouse heater on at night)

I have been reluctant to take him to the vet assuming that he was in shock as it would have stressed him more. Yesterday morning he was bright eyed, squeaked and was wriggly, guzzled his liquid and tucked into a pile of hay and veggies, so I gave him some extra watery veg and stopped syringing. He has had normal poos throughout.

Today he looked a little dehydrated so I have syringed some more liquid, but he seems to be rolling a bit when placed on the ground. I have seen him moving around and have checked several times for any injury or impairment and there is nothing.

I am a bit at a loss, I can carry on syringing fluid but wonder at this point if taking him to the vet is needed or whether it would stress him and make matters worse. He is quite comfortable, or I would have gone before.

Could anyone advise?

[Evenstar]

Just in case anyone else has a similar problem, the vet has seen him this afternoon and he thinks he may have strained a muscle or have some inflammation, no sign of any broken bones (which I thought was unlikely as he is able to move etc). He has put him on Loxicom and it’s a case of watch and wait now. I had done all the right things, including not taking him in immediately and supporting him at home as he could have passed away from the additional shock. He does have a head tilt, but the vet isn’t too concerned about it.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Poor little boy !
They do suffer stress sometimes it can take a while to show up.
Did he run into something (they aren't the cleverest animals Bless 'em)
It does sound like an injury
Lieing in their own waste isn't a normal guinea-pig thing so he must've been pretty shell shocked to not want to move .

Are you giving him Vit C ? An ill piggie does benefit from an increase .
They love Loxicam , ours guzzled it from the syrnge if they had it .

Head tilt is most likely an injury , but can be an ear infection so keep an eye on that .

Cross fingers

[Brewdoggydog]

Hopefully he's doing well now! They aren't the brightest buttons but they are very lovely pets. Sounds like you played it by the book though

[Evenstar]

Sadly I had to make the decision to help him on his way over the Rainbow Bridge today. The vet thought he might have an ear infection and he had lost most of his ability to move, we thought he may have had a stroke and agreed he had a very poor quality of life and little prospect of improvement 😢 Picture for you all and thank you for your good wishes for my brave boy

[Evenstar]

He went to vets twice and had pain relief so wasn’t suffering

[MeadowHay]

So sorry for your loss, you did everything you could. Popcorn free over the rainbow bridge beautiful pig

[Brewdoggydog]

Aw poor little dude! He was gorgeous! You, of course, did the right thing but it still stings, we've been through it too. Did he have a hutch mate?

[Evenstar]

He was living with 4 girls and they are doing fine thank you,, one of them was very sweet and lay next to him whilst he was poorly.

[Brewdoggydog]

That's sweet, they're such gentle animals. I'm sure the girls will miss him lots but at least he hasn't left a hutch mate alone

[Evenstar]

He was neutered BTW! Definitely wouldn’t recommend mixing sexes otherwise 😂

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

very sad to hear but yes, often there isn't an option, you need to do the right thing for your piggie .

Are the ladies a bit bereft now ? ( Though sows do tend to rule , the boar is Happily Henpecked )

He's a gorgeous looking little boy