EMERGENCY

Question
Kat-
My 4.5 year old GP (Spot) was not fed fruits and veggies yesterday (she had dry food and water), and this morning she is making a low squeaking sound and not eating. She seems to be wobbling around. Her teeth are normal length and she is not drooling or anything like that. Please try to diagnose this. We have another female who we have in a separate cage. When we put them together, Spot bites the other's ear. Would combining them help? Her normal diet is romaine, alfalfa, apple, carrot, and chew treats. She has not eaten any of those. Is there anything we can do for her at home?

Bob


Answer
Hello Bob,

Is the squeaking sound when she's breathing or is it a sound she's intentionally making. I don't advise putting them together. If it's her breathing, she likely has a URI and it's contagious. She'll need to se a vet because she needs antibiotics. There's nothing you can do to treat a URI at home, she'll have to have perscription meds or she won't make it. If it's a sound she's intentionally making she's probably in pain. Is she still pooing? If not, that's likely the reason for the pain. She'll need to be force feed and she'll really still need to see the vet to find out what caused her to stop eating. Unfortunantly her symptoms are not generally caused by things that are self-treatable, she needs a doctor. Force feed her and keep her warm. If it's her breathing running a vaporizor for her can help her breath better. These things will make things a bit easier on her, but they won't make her well. Good luck. She'll be in my prayers.

-kkat
http://www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs