Please Help! my 5 day old orphaned guinea pig refuses to eat

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Webs
Cavies 'n Cobwebs

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:07 am


Which vet was you went to, as I think you would do better finding another one.

I know it can be hard here in the UK, but first off visit this website to find a vet in your area which should have more of an idea of cavy issues. Look for an accredited one for small animals and preferably one that lists exotics as this is what cavies are listed under. Also don't be afraid when you phone up to ask if they have treated many guinea pigs or anyone in the practice has any of their own.

Emergency supplies can be bought online from Thistle Cavies online shop here including different syringes and Oxbow Critical Care, scroll to the bottom of the page. You can also contact them for advice as they have had many babies in various states of health over the years. They would also tell you not to give the milk though and to hand feed little and often.

At the very least your vet should have given you Supreme Science Recovery which is another handfeeding supplement that UK vets 'should' have if they don't have the Oxbow Critical Care.

Forget Mette the Vet I'm afraid there is far more up-to-date vet advice elsewhere that isn't concerned primarily with breeding.

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ellissian

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:55 am


there are only two in this town mine is caled clifton lodge and the other one bridge is worse than mine one of my cats came back in appauling condition when she got neutered at bridge.

Just got some digital scales popcorn weighs 69g, chilli weighs 62g and pepper 59g. Going to the vets now

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Bethie
Still supporting in 2014

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:13 pm


Thanks, Webs! That's a great site. I may be able to find a better vet within 20 miles of home now.

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PiggieMamma
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:56 pm


Ellissian Said :
I already know how to hand feed guinea pigs Ive done it lots of times when my other guinea pigs have been ill. Ive even hand reared a runt before...
I am bothered by how you came to have to pregnant sows. I am further bothered by how this is apparently not the first time.

If this is to be a routine occurance, I'd suggest you invest in milk replacement formula, and Critical Care.

It is my understanding that this is the closest to a guinea pig's own milk : http://www.foxvalleynutrition.com/prod/ ... D=1&PLID=1

*Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on that account.

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ellissian

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:40 pm


If you have nothing nice to say piggiemamma dont bother reading my thread. ok

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PiggieMamma
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:30 pm


I don't believe it is the intention of this forum to 'say nice things', I believe it is to give valuable medical advice.

And furthermore, you did pose the question "why do you find this disturbing".

If you want people to stroke your ego and tell you what you'd like to hear, I suggest you join another forum.

Josephine
Little Jo Wheek

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:15 pm


Piggiemamma, I hadn't seen that milk replacer before. I'll check the numbers (the numbers are probably O.K., it's the ingredients that are the problem). Generally speaking, since cavies are so precocious they do the best on something like Critical Care alone and no milk replacer.

Josephine
Little Jo Wheek

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:21 pm


Oh my goodness. I actually started to read the rest of this thread, then had to stop. You all are being incredibly patient, I think. I couldn't read the entire thing. :(

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PiggieMamma
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:30 pm


Thanks Jo. Let me know (honestly) what you think about the composition of the formula. I'd thought it'd be a good thing to keep on hand when I've got my rescue up in running (in a few years time).
I couldn't read the entire thing.
It has been a difficult pill to swallow.

Josephine
Little Jo Wheek

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:52 pm


Actually, the numbers are WAY off. Here's what I have for the numbers of cavy milk:

8.1% protein
3.9% fat
3 % lactose

Here is the formula:
32% Protein
40% Fat
15% Carbohydrates

Not even close. In addition, it is full of corn syrup (bad for humans and other animals alike), milk by-products, and plain vegetable oil. How is that supposed to equal cavy milk? It is so easy to raise cavy orphans compared to other animal babies. You can do it even with inappropriate milk replacers or with more biologically correct foods. Either way. 1 hour old or several days old. Short of putting them with another lactating sow, getting them on solid food is the best for their GI tracts and development. We can't duplicate mom's milk. It just isn't happening.

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Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:59 pm


Angela had a couple of practically newborn babies that she was able to handfeed from the beginning (maybe a couple of days old).

Done properly, and with patience, babies can be handfed with critical care and do just fine.

I did tell elissian that, way back at the beginning before either of the babies died. I gave her specific instructions with specific amounts. I told her again, and again.

Elissian isn't really here for advice clearly.

This is a total waste of time - poor little babies.

Josephine
Little Jo Wheek

Post   » Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:04 pm


I know. I had 2 pups from a mom that died of dystocia that I hand-raised from birth on (never nursed, which debunked a lot of Old Wives' Tales) as well as several from a few days old that lost their moms to toxemia or other health problems. Not a big deal, really. A lot easier than nursing a pig with pneumonia or something.

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