Gwen is drooling

[Laura - CCC4]

For a while I have noticed Gwenivere has been slimming down - not losing weight, although this has happened gradually over the past 6 months or so, but her general body shape has thinned out a little. She's a rescue so not really sure on her age, but we estimate she's around 3-4 years. No health problems until now, I have put the slow weight loss and thinning out down to age as there have been no sudden drops or changes.

For the past two weeks, she's had an odd "smell" about her. I bathed her on Monday which seemed to get rid of the smell, but by the end of the day it was back. She is a fairly inactive pig, she has her favourite place in the cage and she likes to stick to it, although she does move around to eat and drink as often as normal.

Tonight, her chin was soaked from her lip to her chest, and it seems to be the dribble that smells bad. She's had a slightly damp chin the past two weeks, but I've checked her teeth myself and they seem okay (I am training but I am no expert so I won't be surprised if there is something wrong with them!). There are no spurs and they are not overgrown.

I think you guys usually recommend getting an xray done in cases like this, but it is not common practice at all in UK. I use the Cambridge Cavy Trust who do the work without anesthetic, but they don't xray most dental pigs and none of the vets I've found do so either (the only difference is they are totally useless with guinea pigs and won't even look at the teeth without sedating the pig!).

Anyway, back to Gwen...she is eating well and is not actively losing weight. The only symptoms I have to go on are the dribbling and the smell. She is otherwise well and her behaviour is perfectly normal for her.

I'm thinking perhaps a slight oral infection. Not ruling dental problems out of course, but she's eating normally which I think is what is throwing me! My mum is going to pop her down to the CCT at 12.30 tomorrow to get her thoroughly examined.

Any ideas or similar experiences would be gratefully received! I will update tomorrow soon as I know what's going on with her.

[Sef]

Oh, poor Gwen! It could be an abscess or infected molar...or even an elongated root (http://www.guinealynx.info/elongated_roots.html). Does there seem to be any sensitivity along the jawline? Any visible swelling?

It can be really hard to examine the back teeth; x-ray is probably going to be your best bet to get a really good look at what's going on back there. My vet never sedates, and has had really good luck getting images even though she's not really an exotics specialist.

I've had pigs with incisor issues but luckily (*so far*) not molars. I sure hope your vet can get it figured out. Keep us posted, okay?

Sending good thoughts your way.

[Laura - CCC4]

Thanks for the well wishes Sandy. There are no sensitivities or lumps on the jaw, her only symptom really is the drooling and the strange smell.

She had her appointment and nothing has been found. I'm to treat with Daktarin Oral Gel (a miconazole-based oral gel) when she drools, which is basically what I've been considering doing already.

I can't get xrays as it is so uncommon around here. If I try the vet, they won't do it without sedating and I won't take that risk at this time. The CCT won't do an xray as there are no obvious dental troubles and there is only the one symptom, which could be explained by an oral infection.

So no answers really, but I am relieved that there is nothing obvious wrong. I would be far more concerned if she was not eating and if she was actively losing weight, but as she's got neither problem at the moment I am happy to just see how things go with the Daktarin, so fingers crossed it works.

[bugsmom]

No advice here. Just hoping it is a simple infection and goes away soon.

[Sef]

Do you have access to Doxycycline? Just tossing out a thought -- if symptoms don't improve on an anti-fungal, a broad-spectrum antibiotic might be something to discuss w/ your vet. If it's some sort of bacterial infection/abscess, you want to catch it early.

Fingers crossed that the Daktarin produces some results. Sending more good thoughts Gwen's way.

[Laura - CCC4]

The vets are notoriously cagey about what they give to pigs here. Some vets refuse to give *anything* other than Baytril, as they stand firm that Baytril is the only licensed antibiotic for guinea pigs. Much of the time you have to fight tooth and nail just to get Septrin prescribed! Personally I've not heard of any pigs being given Doxy in UK, although it has probably been tried with somepig somewhere.

Yesterday Gwen didn't drool at all (they know how to make you feel you are imagining these things!). This morning her chin is a little wet, but not too bad. The Daktarin is getting rid of the smell, which is a good thing. The smell is not bad, but it reminds me a lot of the smell my past drooling dental pig had, though she did have other health problems.

Thanks for your thoughts Sandy, and bugsmom and Jenn; I really appreciate them. I'll keep you updated.

[bugsmom]

Still hoping for good things to happen. It's very difficult when you have a vet that just doesn't "get it". Finding one to think outside the box is hard .