Millie-Annie Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 The one that they kept me waiting for? I had him for 4 days and he was lovely and happy, then he stopped eating. I took him to the vets and he had antibiotics but ate less and less. Back to the vets and I had to syringe feed him. He hated it, I ended up in tears and he is now with a lovely lady in an animal sanctuary who is syringe feeding him for me. We met at the vets today and yes he is improving, but slowly and they have no idea what is wrong. So far he has cost me almost £200. I cannot afford to continue indefinitely so I think I will give it this week, but then I shall sadly have to say enough is enough and walk away. I feel so sad and also know that if I do that then all the money I have spent will be wasted. However, without knowing what is wrong who is to say he won't cost me double that in a short space of time? What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmac Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I'm sorry this has turned out to be such a sad, negative experience for you. Sadly, when guinea pigs stop eating it's usually not a good outcome unless you can get medications and smething like Critical Care or an oaty baby cereal into them very quickly and very often. They also need a pro-biotic as the antibiotics kill the natural flora in their gut - and this is vitally imortant in guinea pigs. Sadly vets never seem to advise this. As prey animals, guinea pigs hide illness very well and often by the time you notice that something's wrong, they're pretty sick. I'd definitely be asking some questions at the vet's as to what they think is wrong with him, although not many vets have a lot of expertise in small mammals. And I would definitely be asking some questions of the rescue - surely you have some redress with only having had him for four days before it was apparent that he's ill. I have to wonder if there is some connection with this and the fact that they seemed to stall for so long before you got him. But I know nothing of the rescue or the guinea pig, so want to make it clear that's not an accusation in any way. I would just be wondering, personally. I've bred and shown guinea pigs for some time and in my experience a situation where a piggy has stopped eating has rarely had a happy outcome, despite syringe feeding, pro-biotics etc. Now with any piggy that's like this, I opt for PTS. It saves stressing them with the syringing (as few tolerate it well) and prolonging the inevitable a week or so later. However if your boy seems to be improving, there's a chance he may recover. But, as you say, often when this happens the vet bills keep coming, unfortunately. The issue here is that they don't know what's wrong with him, so what are they treating him for, what are they prescribing and what has added up to the £200 you have already paid them?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 Thank you for your response. Luckily my vet is a guinea pig specialist, and Morph is on Critical Care, Avipro and Vitamin C. He originally had a swollen lymph gland in his neck so had antibiotics to fight an possible abscess or an infection. The lump has now gone, but he still won't eat enough. The vet really has no idea now, his teeth are fine, his bowels are fine, his coat is glossy, his eyes are bright and he is pretty lively. He just won't eat. The lady that has him works in conjunction with rescue and I know they have spoken, but rescue haven't spoken to me. Their come back is, he was perfectly healthy when I had him and unfortunately this is the risk you take with any animal. I have kept a tally and it is made up of £30 for the guinea pig £36.00 at the vets first time £59 at the vets for a days stay to be syringe fed, fully examined and teeth checked £21 yesterday for a follow up £9.00 at Boots and Pets at Home buying baby food, Excel plus nuggets to soak in case he liked that better £60 for his boarding and syringe feeding I am going to give it to the end of this week, as I have paid for his board for that, but then say enough. After all I only had a healthy pig for 3 days, I hardly know him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmac Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Oh dear, I would suggest you're funding more than medical care at those prices! Your vet charges extortionate fees. I know guinea pigs are classed as 'exotic' animals in terms of veterinary treatment, but even so..... "Ooops, word censored!"ody can sustain that kind of billing for long. I'm quite amazed at that! I also think the rescue are being a bit cheeky. Yes, you do take a chance with any animal that you rehome, but you should certainly have a healthy animal for more than four days. It could be that he's very stressed as guinea pigs are real stressheads at the best of times. But experience tells me that there's something else going on. However if he's stopped eating, it's not really viable to continue with syringe feeding indefinitely. One great concern with that is his teeth - they grow continuously and if he's not eating hard food and hay / forage they will overgrow and that will be another trip to the vet for teeth trimming; and that is also very stressful for the guinea pig. Not to mention the fees, based on what you've been charged so far. Also guinea pigs perform 'refection' which is eating some of their own poos (sorry). They're 'special' poos called caecotrophes which are also essential for their digestive wellbeing. If he's not doing that either, he's not going to have all the nutrition he needs long-term. How long has he been getting syringe fed for now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 My vets fees are half the usual ones to be fair. £15.76 for an initial consultation is good, then obviously antibiotics and probiotics on top. and £21.00 because it was a Saturday. I moved to them because they won't rip me off. They don't do blood tests or xrays as a routine for instance. The expensive one was for a complete dental check and a day as an inpatient to completely assess and start syringe feeding, plus a sachet of critical care. The lady that has him specialises in dental problems with guinea pigs, that is why she is so good at getting food down him. I have no doubt the care he is receiving is excellent, my worry is how long do I continue? She texts me everyday to say he is eating a little more, but still needing syringe feeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I really feel for you. I don't think I caught your early post when you got piggy, but I'm guessing he came from a rescue centre? At the very least you should let them know about the problems you are having with them (arguably, after only four days, they should be helping towards the cost of his care as it sounds as though he was probably poorly when you had him - though I realise that's not the point). I really don't know anything about guineas so I can't offer any practical help at all, but whatever you decide now, I think you have done far more than most people would have done for him, and if he doesn't make it/you decide to call it a day, then I think it was just not meant to be. You have given him more than a fair chance, so please don't feel bad about whatever decision you make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 Thank you and yes they know. They work in conjunction with the lady who is boarding him, but have offered me nothing, they haven't even rung me to see how I am, despite me ringing them in tears when the syringe feeding wasn't going well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmac Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I think it's really off that the rescue are taking nothing to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 Today I took the hard decision to hand him back. The lady that is boarding him said she thought I was doing the right thing, as even if he pulls through, he will never be able to live outdoors with my girls. It was horrible and sad and I feel so guilty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I'm very sorry, but I think you've made the right decision. Heart braking for you, but you couldn't carry on as you are. Please remember you have done far more for guinea than many others would have done and I think it was just not meant to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 Thank you, that means a lot x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 poor little mite. Let's hope they can get him better and rehome him where he could perhaps live indoors. Very sad after all the waiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmac Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I'm sorry as you'll have gotten attached to him even in that short time. But don't feel guilty - you did all you could for him and saw the vet right away. All too many people just leave it and they don't get any treatment. You made the right decision to hand him back. I still think the rescue have been very unsupportive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
