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

ellissian · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:37 pm

after looking into her mouth she said she would have to admit her for further investigation in case there was a blockage further down. I received a phone call a couple of hours later telling me she had inhaltion pneumonia and that she had food in her lungs so she decided to put her to sleep

Catie Cavy · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:22 pm

I have a couple of suggestions but let the more experienced GLers comment on them before you follow them.

Since you said you were having trouble feeding her the critical care, I had good luck feeding a guinea pig baby food before I knew it wasn’t good for them since it doesn’t have fiber. The reason I’m suggesting it here is that it worked as an appetite stimulant for my GP. After a syringe or 2 of the baby food, she would start to eat her greens and pellets. I bought a baby food mix of three types of vegetables which included peas and carrots, I think. Don’t feed only baby food for more than 24 hours. I’m only suggesting it as an appetite stimulant. Non-cavy savvy vets will recommend it. GLers do not. A cavy savvy vet told me it was okay but for no more than 24 hours due to the lack of essential fiber (he was talking about an adult GP though).

Another suggestion I was given by a cavy savvy vet after one of my GPs had surgery was to feed her Ensure with fiber (unfortunately she passed away before I could try to feed her anything). I thought Ensure was milk-based but since a knowledgeable vet suggested it, I’m noting it here.

As I said, wait for other comments on this. It does sound like critical care is the best thing if there is any way you can get the baby to eat it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Mum · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:46 pm

No Ensure - it is milk based and is not recommended for guinea pigs at all. I've also heard (non cavy-savvy vets recommend it!).

I would also avoid baby food for extremely young babies - but others may disagree (remember, this baby is only a few days old).

ellissian · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:11 pm

thanks for your comments. It cant harm trying anything as an appetite stimulent in the short term can it? Any way since I last spoke I have managed to get a small amount of critical care into all of the babies including the runt and since they will probably be malnourised I am hoping to feed them every hour and see how they all are tomorrow. The other babies look perfectly healthy but the runt is still the same, and Im still waiting for labour to start in the sow!

Mum · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:15 pm

It cant harm trying anything as an appetite stimulent in the short term can it?

Unfortunately yes - a great deal of harm can be done in a short time with such tiny babies.

Good news on the critical care (I didn't know you could get it in the UK?).

I hope the little one continues to do well.

ellissian · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:39 pm

I had some left over when my 2yr old boar Bobo had to go to the vets with diaorrehea (sadly he died). It was good news that the runt took the feed but it has just point blank refused the last feed. I wish it showed as much will to live as it does refusing food and it definately still has a good set of lungs, I will keep on trying the care but I dont think it looks good for him.

PiggieMamma · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:48 pm

You really need to invest in a good scale, and weigh your pigs weekly. Most medical problems can be caught (with the help of weekly health checks and weigh-ins) and treated before the become fatal.

ellissian · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:53 pm

I know I will buy some scales asap.

Topaz · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:10 pm

Have you tried wrapping him in a towel and facing him towards you to get the critical care in? This method has worked very well for me. I sit on the floor, wrap them firmly but not too tightly in a small towel(like a burrito. You'd probably get away with using a washcloth as he's small), bend my knees up and sit them facing me. Then I gently hold their head and slide the syringe into the back/side of the mouth. When they start making chewing motions, gently squeeze a small amount at a time. And also, maybe if you try making it a little more watery he'd be more apt to take it.

I hope the babies make it. Don't give up trying with the critical care.

Laura

ellissian · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:22 pm

I have tried wrapping him up Laura, all he does is struggle and squeak till he sets himself free.

He seams to take it better when I just hold him in my hand but now he just pushes his head and mouth so far down onto my hand I find it impossible to get near his mouth without hurting him.

I have also tried sitting him on my lap and holding his mouth with one hand trying to open his mouth slightly, but that doesnt work either he has jaws like a vice.

The other babies are greedily taking food from a syringe I feel they will be ok.

He has a lot of will for a little baby if he doesnt want to do something.

I think he has lost the will to live, but I havent given up on him!

ellissian · Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:24 pm

I also never appreciated how well a mother guinea pig took care of her babies.

I wash them gently after every feed but there fur never seems clean anymore.

I dont want to get them too wet so they get a chill

Post » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:46 pm

Since this guinea pig has already had the wrong food for several days, it should absolutely not get just babyfood. It needs fiber. Your feeding Critical Care should help a great deal. Do the best you can. You can also make a paste and put some on a plate. Provide warmth so energy does not go into keeping them warm.

I know you are trying your best.