My Piglet is Sick

[Mina]

We got home from an emergency vet visit just a little bit ago.

I noticed my guinea pig, Lunar (aka "Piglet") has not been eating as much as usual over the last couple of days, and that he hasn't been as lively as normal. I've been keeping a close eye on him, watching for anything else unusual. I got home from therapy just after 5:00 today, and found he had hardly touched his fresh veggie breakfast and hay, and the pellets not at all. I walked over to his cage and instead of getting up and meeping at me for his dinner, he just stayed where he was and kept quiet. One of his eyes looked a little runny as well. These are all serious symptoms for a rodent, as prey animals hide illness as long as they can.

I called the vet's office, thinking, "There's no way they'll be there after 5:00." But they actually answered the phone! I told them the symptoms...they said the vet was going to be out tomorrow and Saturday...but if I could, bring him in right now and they would stay to meet us. We got there in 12 minutes.

The vet said that yes, Lunar is sick. His gut isn't moving (no 'functioning' noises), his lungs are crackling a little bit (respiratory issues), and he has conjunctivitis (the runny eye). The vet said they could hospitalize him, but we decided that would stress him out too badly...he is a very spoiled little guy! So they gave him a large shot of subcutaneous fluids...like a fast IV...and he is on 4 meds now: one antibiotic, one pain reliever (like piggie tylenol), one 'gut' med, and a liquid food.

Poor little guy!!! Of course I feel like a terrible mother, but the vet said he didn't think it was anything I did or didn't do. We came home and I got all the meds in him, and he munched a little lettuce and some hay. At least he's eating some, and he is still drinking water. Now we'll keep up the med routine, and see what happens. The vet said to call back if he wasn't improving in a day or so, and that he'd either come in to see us, or talk another vet through what to do, since he is the only vet in our whole area who sees guinea pigs. It's really nice that he'll go out of his way to help.

Some days Lunar is my reason for getting out of bed, and has helped me make so much progress. I know this has been long and might sound silly, but if you think about it, please pray or send positive thoughts for my little piglet.

Thanks,
Mina

 

[fin]

aww Mina it doesnt sound silly...I understand have animal friends also, will absolutely pray for little Luna (piglet), hoping he makes a full recovery..a good sign that he is eating again...and lovely you have cool vets. I dont know what I would do without my dog-splashy so I do understand totally.

 

[Mina]

Thank you, Fin. I appreciate your prayers, kind thoughts and support! :Hug_emoticon:

 

[cragger65]

Yes Mina, all I can think is how hard that must be on the heart, if my Ruf was sick, it would be all I could think about. Blessings and prayers for your little guy. Good sign he is responding to treatment, excellent.

Dave

 

[Luthien]

I'll be thinking of him too. And, don't worry, it isn't silly to worry about a pet, and care enough about them to share with us here, if something is noteworthy.

I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Let us know.

 

[Tinyflame]

Dear Mina,

My heart and prayers for you and Lunar both.

I understand totally, pets are/ feel just like any other family members.
:(

 

[Nicolette]

Thinking of you and Piglet Mina.

 

[Marlene]

Here's hoping your little piglet makes a speedy recovery.

Lisa

 

[morgan]

I will pray for your little piglet also. Hope he gets well soon.

Best wishes, Morgan

 

[tardis]

Sorry and I don't think its silly either. Pets are important. Hope your piglet improves.

 

[Grama-Herc]

Mina

Caring for an animal family member is not silly. They are members of our fmaily just as much as anyone> I worry about people who don't care!
Praying for your little piglet. Sounds like you have a fabulous and caring vet.

 

[Mina]

Thank you all so much for your kindness, prayers, and well wishes.

I think part of the reason I thought it might sound silly is because many people do not think of guinea pigs as "normal" pets, ie members of the family. Lunar is actually very much like a small cat in his mannerisms and behavior - boy, does he fit a lot of personality into 2.2 lbs! Thank you all for correcting me :smile:

He seems to be doing okay today, at least maintaining. I got both morning and evening meds in him, and he ate a little bit of fresh veggies for breakfast and has been drinking water. He has also been "meeping" at DH and I more per his usual self (think meowing, except he sounds like Beaker from the Muppets - it's super funny!). If his gut doesn't seem to be moving tomorrow, I'll be calling the vet so we can make sure there isn't some obstruction.