We've been down this road before, and the prescription was watered-down canned pumpkin, which worked like a charm. It wasn't doing the trick this time, and Nibbles was getting bony. I noticed that she stopped drinking from her water bottle, and even eating.
Did you know it's hard to find a vet that will see a guinea pig? I assumed when we got her that we could just show up at any old vet's office. However, guinea pigs and hamsters are considered "exotic" pets, and most veterinarians aren't experienced in treating them. Fortunately, I had found one who did know about guineas, and felt confident helping them to a point.
He is a thorough, gentle, kind man, who took a lot of time with Nibbles. He started with her teeth, clipping them, as guinea pigs' teeth grow constantly, and must be worn down. Unfortunately, this didn't help, and by this time I was mashing up her hay pellets and mixing them with water to feed her from a syringe. Guinea pigs must have hay, and when they refuse to eat, they have to be force fed, or will die. No pressure! Dr. McKee also advised feeding her first-steps baby food, like green beans or sweet potatoes.
Nibbles hated this. I'd wrap her up tightly in a towel, burrito style, put her against my knees, and feed her food out of one syringe, and water through another. I'd mix the pureed hay pellets and baby food, and do this four times a day. It became exhausting, and she continued to lose weight instead of improving. Dr. McKee sedated her and filed down her back teeth. I was hopeful, yet we continued with this tiring routine to no avail. After nine days, he referred us to a vet who knew more about complicated guinea pig issues. I was grateful for Dr. McKee and his staff, and that he had been able to rule out the basics.
Evidently, Dr. Bolt is famous in western North Carolina for his work with birds, and his knowledge about exotic pets. I had been unaware of this. In fact, I was fast realizing my ignorance about the intricate workings of guinea pigs, and the problems their teeth can create as they age. Who knew how complicated all of this was going to get?! The Sweeten Creek Animal and Bird Hospital was able to squeeze us in late last Friday, and I was at the end of my rope. I knew I had to do what I needed to do for poor Nibbles, but I was feeling cross-eyed.
That Friday was cold, and a light snow was even falling when I arrived, tired yet hopeful, at this tiny, unassuming clinic. In the lobby, I overheard the receptionist talking to the owner of a bearded dragon who was dying. I saw a poster covering the intricate systems of "avian anatomy." It seemed this was indeed a hospital for sick animals of all kinds.
Let me digress a minute to note that during this time, some people who found out about all I was doing to save Nibbles said things like, "You're doing all of this for a guinea pig?" I wondered, what else was I supposed to do? I know fully that humans, not animals, are created in God's image. Our culture seems to think that animals are super-human. I think it's ridiculous when I see "Dog Grandparent" bumper stickers on cars, yet I had no doubt that it was my duty to do all I could for our pet. "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much," says God's Word in Luke 16:10. I had not felt led to do otherwise, so I would press on in helping this poor, helpless creature. The love of a pet is a gift from God, and I had never bonded with Nibbles as during our feeding times, when I'd rest her under my chin and we'd sit in companionable friendship. Also, my children are always looking to me to model an example of godly living. This just felt right.
Dr. Bolt did what he could do on a late Friday afternoon, which was to thoroughly examine Nibbles, pronounce that she was indeed thin and needed to gain weight, and decide that a full tooth evaluation was a good place to start. The down side was that this exam had to wait until Tuesday, but the up side was that he produced a bag of Critical Care, a powder when mixed with water, is designed to replenish what sick animals have lost.
This was a weekend during which we happened to be participating in a tennis tournament in Charlotte, to which I transported Nibbles back and forth. She nestled into a towel in a pink basket, and was a big hit with all the junior players and adults. Every four hours, I'd whip out the critical care, mix it in a little bowl, wrap up the piggy burrito, and squeeze the elixir into her mouth.
Are we having fun yet?
By the time Monday rolled around, with 13 days of this system, an out-of-town trip, plus the time springing forward, I was really tired and losing hope. I wondered if Nibbles would ever eat on her own again, or if she even remembered that her water bottle was there. My efforts to point her food and drink out to her were futile. Tuesday morning, I arrived early at the animal hospital, dropped Nibbles off, thanked God for the energy to do all we had been able to do so far, and pray for wisdom for Dr. Bolt.
When we went back that afternoon to retrieve her, the vet was full of information. It was hard to keep up, but thankfully my children listen to detail and catch things I miss. Nibbles had a broken tooth that Dr. Bolt had extracted, but as guinea pig teeth are always growing, it would grow back. His instructions were for me to continue with the Critical Care 2-3 times daily, making "the gruel," as he called it, as pasty as it could be and still get through the syringe. I was not to worry about water, as she seemed hydrated again. She needed .4cc of pain medication daily, and a dab of a probiotic gel once a day, to settle her stomach. All of this was a bit much for me to take in, considering we had another tournament coming up, this time four hours away.
Would Nibbles ever eat on her own again, or was she going to have to be fed via syringe for the rest of her life? That was my main concern. Would she ever remember her water bottle, still in its location, faithfully refilled in hopes that she'd return to it? Would she ever seek out hay or other solids on her own? I confess I was doubtful. All we could do on Tuesday after her procedure was let her rest, as she was pitifully groggy from sedation.
Wednesday morning, we set some cut up strawberry before her and waited in anticipation. She ate some, all by herself! The girls and I watched enchanted as she took it in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Life's simple pleasures! Then, my daughter took a sizable hunk of lettuce and held it out. Nibbles inhaled it, and I couldn't believe how the big piece grew smaller and disappeared into the depths of her mouth, down the hatch! What hope! We continued to give her the critical care, and pray for her to soon return to her own water and her hay.
This is the adorable mouth into which a syringe has been inserted regularly for over two weeks. She seems to know the drill!
Last night I was minding my own business typing something for my class on the computer, when I looked over at Nibbles in her cage. She was drinking from her water bottle! I called my husband, who came to view, and we hollered for the kids. After 15 straight days of ignoring all food and drink, Nibbles was on the mend! Our persistence and the help of two vets was paying off!
Nibbles has rediscovered her water!
I went to bed last night with relief and fresh hope. This morning, I waited a while to see the latest developments. My husband had been out early, and reported that she had been drinking her water and....trying to eat her hay! I saw a glimmer of hope when I had been worried about dragging the poor gal to another tournament. With Nibbles attempting food on her own, I feel confident leaving her in the hands of her caregiver when we're out of town, our faithful friend, Burney. He sees to it that Nibbles is spoiled rotten when she goes to stay with him. She still requires Critical Care several times daily until her follow-up with Dr. Bolt next week, but it looks like Nibbles is officially on the mend.
How grateful I am to God for pouring energy into me when I have no stores of my own. How glad I am for the lessons in perseverance, and for the companionship my children and I have shared with Nibbles and each other throughout this process. I'm glad to share this journey with readers who may end up in the same boat, whether with a guinea pig or any animal. Keep praying and asking God for wisdom. Love your furry friends. There are many ways to repair a wall!
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