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Small pets

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Advice on Guinea Pig please

30 replies

counttotenandbreathe · 12/04/2016 18:45

Hi I had a thread a couple of weeks back 'poorly pig' my little boy seemed on the brink. He has since improved but suddenly I am concerned regarding his weight again. He weighs approx 850g tonight he was 838g popped him on the grass for 15 minutes he is now 851g. Since reading that weight is a good starting point to health I have maybe become a little obsessive. He seems fine eating and drinking. My only other indicator is he rarely lies down (chilled out on side) more huddles!?
Do I need to return to the vets or is this an ok weight if he seems okay? If his weight continues to fall is this likely to be serious as he has only just had teeth done.
sorry for rambling

OP posts:

Original poster

counttotenandbreathe · 12/04/2016 18:46

I have just found a lump on his neck phoned vets got appointment tomorrow at 10. Really want to find a specialist vet rather than companion care at pets at home. East Midlands area if anyone can help in that field too.

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BombadierFritz · 12/04/2016 18:52

Mine hardly ever lie down on sides but there is a specific type of 'huddled' that gpigs do when ill. It looks quite different to the usual way they sit - more 'hunched up' and uncomfortable looking.
What was up with his teeth?
Hope neck lump is ok. Usually fatty lumps - benign - in gpigs so fingers crossed

mellybythesea · 12/04/2016 18:57

When he's hunched up, is the fur round his neck sort of puffed up? My pigs used to do that when they were poorly, as if they had goosebumps.
Try not to weigh him after every time he eats you'll go mad! Just keep an eye on his eating and check his poos are normal.
I don't want to diagnose over the internet as no one can tell you what is wrong with your pig without seeing him, but several of mine had their teeth done and sometimes it took a little while for things to get back to normal. Pigs need their guts to work constantly, if anything affects it's natural "rhythm" it all sort of grinds to a halt and that's when they can get poorly. Any kind of surgery or medication can affect this. Hopefully he is just getting back into gear again!

Original poster

counttotenandbreathe · 12/04/2016 19:11

I would say he is hunched with his fur slightly sticking up but he is so skinny. He had a wet chin before and vet filed his back teeth although at the time he did say they weren't too bad. He is definitely better than he was when he had this we were feeding critical care, antibiotics twice a day and painkillers once a day. He really does seem okay in him self and is eating hay, grass, little gem pretty much everything we offer his poops look normal (a little shorter than his cage mate).

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FernieB · 12/04/2016 20:11

Re: Vets - there's a specialist piggie rescue in Nottingham (Avalon Guinea pig rescue), they may be able to point you in the direction of a good vet. Otherwise just go on the websites for local vets and they usually have a section about their staff derailing their interests and specialities. Check out which pets they have as well.

FernieB · 12/04/2016 20:12

'Detailing' not 'derailing'

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 12/04/2016 21:17

Poohs can vary a lot in size, I can tell who sits where by their droppings (Too over intvested in Pig Pooh me)

The hunched up 'ill' look I've seen with our pigs when they are on the way to The Bridge is a really distinct sort of 'nodding/rocking' not just bunched up but sunken eyes and not taking any interest in their surroundings.

If he's eating that;s good.
Weight is a good indicator but bear in mind they lose and gain a bit with the seasons. Ours are losing their winter fur and our biggest sow has lost 2 ounces (she is a lardy girl so she needs to).

Give him a good variety of foods to interest him. Things like root veg are high in natural sugar so a small amount of carrot, parsnip, beetroot (ours like beetroot salad, makes their wee pink) .
Will he eat poncey hay (those bags with camomile and dandelion type )

Lumps are common in hogs, often (not always) just fatty lumps.

Original poster

counttotenandbreathe · 12/04/2016 21:29

Thanks guys. He is eating most things he just munched a broccoli stalk and 5/6 expensive bag salad leaves. I think just the slightly obsessive weigh ins linked with the discovery of the lump is the concern. He looks happy enough just so skinny especially on his rump. Will post tomorrow after vet trip.

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PurpleDaisies · 12/04/2016 21:34

One of mine has dental issues so gets weighed pretty much daily first thing in the morning to spot when he needs to have his teeth filed. He goes up and down quite a lot but the key thing is s few days of weight loss, coupled with how he generally looks. Glad you've got a vet's appointment and really hope all's well.

If Nottingham is a trek for you Chine House in Loughborough are excellent. Ask to see Craig.

Original poster

counttotenandbreathe · 13/04/2016 10:32

Well the vet popped a needle in and there was pus there so they have kept him to shave it and drain it and see if they can see what's what. I found a little tear falling as I sat in the waiting room whilst they did the needle, my these little cavies don't half steal your heart. They will call me later to fetch him home fingers crossed he can pull through again.

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PurpleDaisies · 13/04/2016 13:03

I sobbed all the way home when I dropped off Mr Pig for his first dental (the little bugger is absolutely fine). Crossing fingers and paws yours is ok.

Original poster

counttotenandbreathe · 13/04/2016 14:14

The little monkey before all these illnesses started

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PurpleDaisies · 13/04/2016 14:16

He's gorgeous! This is my little monkey...

PurpleDaisies · 13/04/2016 14:16

And his three wives...

FernieB · 13/04/2016 14:19

He's gorgeous. I'm sure he'll be fine but will sulk just enough to ensure complete pampering and spoiling for several days.

Keeping paws and fingers crossed

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 13/04/2016 19:24

Lovely piggie photos.
If it's an abscess , he should feel better once it's lanced drained and he'll have antibiotics.
Will you need to flush it (Pig Sporn) ?

Our tri colour girl is having Calendula cream on her top lip (dry patch we noticed on Monday, ) she makes us feel like we're skinning her alive

Original poster

counttotenandbreathe · 13/04/2016 20:23

It is an absess they have drained what they can but think it may be attached to his teeth :-( so options are xray, anasthetic, extraction - lumpectomy to see what's actually happening then treat from there - regular draining - pts. Plenty of tears been shed but think we are going to go down the lumpectomy route if it's not too deep and only attached to one tooth then proceed any worse then sadly pts. Gutted.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 13/04/2016 21:18

Aw , God Love Him (as my aunt says)
there's a lot of "and then what" isn't there.
It's a huge decision to think "Do you go for surgery" and "What after that"

After the abscess has settled a bit you'll be better placed. Only you know how far down the line you want to push him.
I think if it was my piggie the bigger picture would be let him have as good a quality as you can give him with the minimal intervention. Make sure he isn't suffering pain.
But once his quality fails and it's not a simple option to sort it, (like antibiotics giving relief but obviously they carry risk too) , then you send him on his way , before he suffers.
Tough Decisions. But sometimes IMO, vets will do surgery because they can and because alot of owners want to do all they can, when sometimes, it isn't right really

The little blighters get right into your heart don't they.

FernieB · 14/04/2016 08:15

Poor boy. They are a continuous source of worry aren't they? How is he feeling himself? Is he pootling about as normal? I always take my cues from them. Hope the lumpectomy shows its the best scenario and fixable.

EastMidsGPs · 14/04/2016 17:40

I agree with 70. We had pig with abcess on her side .. hutch mate nip we think. We had operation to have it drained and cleaned. She came home with collar but it was a devil to keep wound and stitches clean. At follow up visit it was decided skin had died at edges of wound and she needed another op. She died during this. In retrospect have always thought vet was more interested in the cash than the peggie. This experience has made me vow. They get the best life possible and when the time comes it comes. No fancy interventions that make their last days miserable .. especially if a none happy outcome is more than likely.

FernieB · 14/04/2016 18:24

I'm also with 70 and East. I'm lucky in that my vets are proper animal lovers and always put the animal ahead of their pockets. I've never had bad advice from them. Actually I usually ask what they would do if it was their pet. I currently have two middle-aged boys (one pig, one bun) and have already decided that I'm not messing them around if they are unwell.

Original poster

counttotenandbreathe · 14/04/2016 18:42

He is booked in for tomorrow where they will have a look and see what's what I guess I will have to make a decision over the phone. I will bear in mind what you have all said and will keep his well being and comfort in the forefront of my mind at all times. I just feel so sad for him as he seems totally ok in himself! Had a lovely graze on the grass this afternoon I just hope it wasn't his last

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EastMidsGPs · 14/04/2016 19:31

I am sorry if my previous post caused you distress it wasn't my intention, just wanted to explain how I've come to my end of life decisions. He sounds happy and not in pain. Be assured he has ... is having the best life possible and take comfort in that.
We now go to a very practical and realistic vet. I always ask what would u do and she is always honest. They leave guinea pig shaped holes in your heart ... i am afraid it is the price paid for being a piggie slave.
Many hugs for you and cuddles for little pig.

BombadierFritz · 14/04/2016 20:45

Hope tomorrow goes well

PurpleDaisies · 14/04/2016 21:04

Really hope tomorrow brings good news. Sometimes they surprise you and make brilliant recoveries. You've given him a chance by going for the lumpectomy. Hopefully the abscess won't be too extensive.

I'm sure he's had a lovely life with you so far. Whatever happens you've done right by your little piggy. Thinking of you both.

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