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Post by 3piggles on Apr 9, 2015 20:47:40 GMT
I am so sorry you're having these problems. I've been there, with no vets I could trust. I've found vets who seem to be really conscientious, and that's a big plus. I don't know if this section from GuineaLynx will help. I also ask if the vets thinks all guinea pigs should be spayed and neutered. The answer if obviously no, as surgery is so dangerous for guinea pigs. I also ask if the vet uses a warming pad under the pig during surgery, as anesthesia causes a rapid slowing of the heart rate, so drop in body temp. Yes would be the obvious answer. I lucked out finding this vet, and have found a few really bad ones.
Baytril is about the most potent antibiotic available. See if you can find some probiotic to give her, as it will kill all the gut flora that helps her digest her food. Some radishes or fennel will also help with her digestion, and are great ways to give her the probiotic. Good luck!
I just googled exotics vets in your area, and most of the reviews were for treatment of dogs. Not much help, sorry.
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Whimsy
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Post by Whimsy on Apr 9, 2015 22:23:25 GMT
There's one other vet that I have heard treats guinea pigs, but it's about a 30 min drive from here and last time I called I just couldn't get an appointment that would work with my work schedule. They wanted me to leave Mila with them and do the examination, but I wasn't comfortable with that. I'm even less comfortable with it now, after seeing this vet yesterday. I really don't want to pay for another lousy check up and I don't want to put Mila through the traveling etc, if nothing comes out of it. I want to be there when they look at her, so I know they're doing a good job. I'm torn now. Do I give this Baytril some time to see if it's working and helping her or do I go to a third vet? I don't know. I will definitely try to find some probiotic foods for her and hopefully that will help.
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Post by Bean on Apr 10, 2015 9:39:06 GMT
Oh I'm sorry you're trying so hard but being faced with brick walls. I wouldn't have had much faith in that vet either, and would be very reluctant to leave her for tests when he had so little idea what can affect guinea pigs.
I would try the third vet if the Baytril doesn't change anything or upsets her stomach (and I agree about a probiotic, especially if she's already been having squishy poops) and just insist on being there for the exam. Surely that's best for them as you can answer any questions about her general health and history? It's worth a shot anyway, but if they refuse to allow you to attend, then I'd also have major reservations about going ahead.
I would post at GL too and see if they have any advice or ideas for you. I'm sorry you're in such a fix with a pig you know isn't well and vets who haven't any more of a clue, it must be so disheartening - I will keep everything crossed for you and Mila. xx
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Post by bongosfriend on Apr 10, 2015 14:14:25 GMT
My vet is about a thirty-minute drive away, but it's well worth it. He's in a little farming community south of Iowa City. You'd think his emphasis would be on horses and cows, but he is very knowledgeable about cavies. I experienced a lot of bad vets trying to treat Bongo, and had no success. If you're lucky enough to find a good guinea pig vet, hold on to him for dear life!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 10, 2015 18:29:28 GMT
Oh sweetheart, you do sound in a state. Lots of things getting better vibes on their way to you and I am sure whichever decision you make it will be the right one. Please keep us informed.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 10, 2015 20:29:43 GMT
I would give her the Baytril and the probiotic, and see if it helps. If it doesn't, you can tell that to the next vet, so they know what's been done that hasn't worked.
I know it's hard, but if you have to call the third vet, I would tell them very directly that you've already paid for two totally useless vet visits with other vets, and you are extremely reluctant to trust any vet, just because they claim to know about guinea pigs. Ask them what they do for a basic exam, if they do in-house x-rays, do they do guinea pig surgeries, and if so, how many have they done. Do they have a vet who has treated many guinea pigs, etc. I still think the best question is do they think it's best to spay or neuter all guinea pigs. If the say yes, they know nothing about guinea pigs getting hypothermic under anesthesia, and that means they don't do guinea pig surgeries or know very much about guinea pigs. Good luck!
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Whimsy
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Post by Whimsy on Apr 11, 2015 3:39:45 GMT
I'm giving her the Baytril and I think she seems a little more lively than before. What kind of probiotics do I get? Are they the same as for humans? I think I will give her a few days on Baytril and see how she's doing. If she's still not eating enough, I will take her to a third vet. I know this vet has treated guinea pigs before, because I got her recommended by a lady with piggies. Last time it just didn't work with my schedule, but if it's necessary I will take time off work to go there. It's so hard when you just want to help those little guys, but you're not sure what to do. I really appreciate all your help and support....thank you.
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Post by Bean on Apr 11, 2015 9:02:56 GMT
I know you can get special probiotics for small animals but I've always used acidophilus capsules from the health food shop and just sprinkle half a capsule (the capsules you can break open, not the chewable tablets which usually have strong flavouring and would be trickier to give) onto a slice of cucumber, given an hour or two after the antibiotic. I can't recall having a guinea pig get an upset stomach from antibiotics, so it's always just been a precautionary measure.
Hope Mila's appetite continues to seem a bit healthier. I really hope the Baytril does do something positive for her, even if the basis for it being prescribed wasn't that complelling.
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Post by margaret6 on Apr 11, 2015 18:39:02 GMT
Hi Whimsy, what age is your piggie? My piggie Sandy was bought from a lady who sold piggies (not the best home that she came from) and we didnt know how old Sandy was. She actually had mites but I didn't have much knowledge re piggies at that time and I thought she had been fighting hence there was a delay in treatment. I learned afterwards that piggies can get mites if they are unwell. Anyway, even after being treated she lost so much weight she didn't really look like a guinea pig. I feed her numerous times throughout the day by syringe, she loved it and looked forward to it. She also ate her veggies and food well, as far as I could tell. Strange thing was that she gained a very little and then lost. It went on and on. My vet at that time had a good knowledge of piggies but couldn't work out what was wrong. I feel so bad telling you this but I ended up having to put her to sleep. It is very difficult, if I am being totally honest, to get piggies back to full strength once true weight loss sets in but I hope in your case she does well and you get to the bottom of it. Hope I've not upset you by telling you my true experience. Keep us updated and sending you a hug xx
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Whimsy
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Post by Whimsy on Apr 12, 2015 2:04:35 GMT
Hi, of course the thought of losing her is upsetting. It really breaks my heart to even think of it - not only for me, but for Melvin too. It would be so hard. I also know it's part of having a pet and appreciate you sharing your story Mila is 3 years old. I got her from the SPCA when she was maybe 5 months old. She was with two or three sisters and the mother I think and they were all pregnant when they came in. There was a lot of inbreeding where they came from. The vet gave them abortions and spayed them too. She has been well until now and Melvin is still well, so it really baffles me. Today I feel like she's doing worse again, which is sad because I thought she had perked up a bit yesterday. She's still eating veggies, but not much hay. Unfortunately it's too late to call the vet now, but I think I will see if I can get in early next week.
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Post by margaret6 on Apr 12, 2015 20:06:15 GMT
She is young so hopefully she will start improving, are you getting lots of pee's and poo's? Sending you both a hid, such a difficult time xx
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 13, 2015 0:15:47 GMT
Have you weighed her? It's good to chronicle the weight fluctuations, and see how they really are doing. Pigs can gain or lose up to 30g from eating or going to the bathroom, so weigh her at the same time every day, and keep a journal. If there is a steady weight loss, she needs help.
Also, have you tried alfalfa. It's not hay, but it's roughage to move the food through her system, and it's helps add weight and give energy to ailing pigs. You may have answered that before. If so, sorry to ask again. You can also try some higher sugar fruits such as apple slices, and see if she'll eat those. Good luck!
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Whimsy
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Post by Whimsy on Apr 13, 2015 4:17:32 GMT
I weigh her everyday and a couple of days ago, her weight went up a tiny bit, but then down again. She has lost so much weight over the last month, it's crazy. I have three different types of Timothy hay going and also some orchard grass, I think it's called. She has been eating her veggies very well until yesterday where she wasn't super interested in them. I actually fed her by hand last night and this morning too and she started literally eating off my hand. I gave her pellets softened in water and parsley. I just tried again and couldn't get her to eat much. She does seem pretty weak and I'm really worried about her. I will call the third vet tomorrow and hopefully get an appointment really soon. She doesn't drink as much as she used to and her poop is kind of small and mushy. It's just so sad.....I don't want to lose her.
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 13, 2015 15:34:08 GMT
Try giving her small cucumber pieces, to get some water into her. She could be dehydrated, which isn't good for pigs. You can also syringe feed her water, Pedialyte, juice or anything else she will take, to get some liquids into her. Best of luck with the third vet, and explain what you've been through. Let them know you are looking for someone who really knows what they are doing. Hugs!
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Whimsy
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Post by Whimsy on Apr 13, 2015 21:14:42 GMT
I called the third vet and so far it hasn't helped my frustration. I can get in next Monday! Well, that might be too late. The vet will let me know tomorrow if they can squeeze me in sometime this week. What if they can't? I really don't know what to do. I will keep feeding her as much as I can. Today she ate some apple and some veggies, but not much. I will keep trying though.
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Post by cookie72 on Apr 14, 2015 4:19:59 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear things don't seem to be improving. I feel really bad you, for the frustrating and helpless situation you're in. You're doing everything you can...fingers crossed this 3rd vet can squeeze you in sooner than next Monday. Are there any other vets (aside from the 2 you already saw and this 3rd one) near you that you could put in a call to?
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Post by Bean on Apr 14, 2015 7:46:31 GMT
I'm sorry the vets can't get you in for so long - I hope they get a free appointment sooner, but it mustn't be encouraging you that it'll take so long to even be seen. How frustrating.
I know you mentioned softening pellets for her, but have you tried syringe feeding her properly - critical care or something like that? It doesn't sound like she's eating enough to keep her going which is a worry.
I feel for you, I really do. Just know you're doing the best you can in a really difficult set of circumstances, and we'll all be hoping that someone out there has some answers for you very soon.
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Whimsy
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Post by Whimsy on Apr 14, 2015 13:21:19 GMT
There's lots of vets here, but not really any that know guinea pigs very well. The first one is my regular vet for my cat and I like them, but just didn't feel like they knew enough about piggies, so I googled exotics vets and this one came up, but as you know, he didn't seem very good at all. It doesn't seem like treating guinea pigs is a priority to anybody here. I have thought about critical care, but I'm not sure where to get it, so I thought I would try pellets first. I mixed them with apple and parsley yesterday and she liked the apples for sure, but that's not enough. She's did eat a little more veggies last night. When the vet calls me back today, I will ask if they have Critical care and maybe I can go pick it up.
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 14, 2015 17:53:57 GMT
Grrrr! I'm so sorry you are having so much trouble finding a good vet! I do wish there were a vet college near you, as they usually have knowledgeable people. All digits crossed for the third vet to not only have an opening sooner, but know what to do!
If you ask about critical care, I find the pigs like it better if I dilute it with fruit juice or baby food, not the warm water the instructions mention. If you are worried about the timing, call the two vets you've already seen, and ask if they have Critical Care. If so, and you don't hear back from the third vet, you are still covered.
I also Googled the exotics vets in your area, and all of the comments in the reviews were about dogs, not exotics. It was impossible to get a read on their exotics skills. I wish there were a way to get vet ratings on exotics, before you spend the money. Good luck!
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Whimsy
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Post by Whimsy on Apr 14, 2015 21:17:11 GMT
I'm going to the third vet on Thursday. I have heard she's good - I know a lady who has a sanctuary for all kinds of animals and she uses this vet for her guinea pigs, so I have high expectations :-) I just went to the second vet and picked up some critical care. I tried it with water and she did eat a bit, but I will try it with juice later today. I think I need a bigger syringe though. I find it hard to suck anything up with the one I have.
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