Ruby Inferno
Teenage Guinea Pig
I'm quite worried about my 4 year old boar, Doughnut. This is a fairly long post, sorry about that.
Firstly, he gained roughly 15g a day for a few days. Not sure how many exactly, maybe a week? I started weighing him daily since I noticed this. He got up to 1256g when he normally only weighs about 1170g ish. I realised I was feeding him too many pellets (Burgess Excel Mint), so I cut it down to 2 tbsp or so. I usually feed him maybe 3 or 4 because he's a rex cross and is bigger than my other piggies, but I've since realised that that isn't necessary. His weight is now going down by about 20g a day. He is currently at 1220g. Also he's recently been on the lawn more, eating grass. Should I be worried or is this just because of the overfeeding pellets and maybe the grass, and his weight will go back to normal? I feel pretty terrible.
Also, since around May/June or so, he's had a slight wheeze. There are no crackling sounds or anything, but if I put my ear up to his mouth, his breathing sounds a tiny bit wheezy/laboured. And his head/neck area seems to bob up and down a bit; is that a bad sign? I had him checked by a vet right after noticing this, and they didn't see anything wrong other than the slight wheeze.
Additionally, he has slowed down noticeably in the past few months or so. He's never been a particularly active piggy anyway, but he spends a LOT of time lying down. He even lies down whilst eating. However, if he's on the lawn, he's perfectly okay with moving around, and he'll even run laps and popcorn if I run around with him. His brother does that as well, it's adorable. Is it anything to be worried about?
And lastly, one thing that's been bothering me a lot. For the first 2 years or so of having my piggies, Doughnut's hutch had a specially made cover on it with see through plastic on the front, and I would usually leave it down in the chillier weather. Because Doughnut has always lived on the top floor of a double hutch, it's had less ventilation anyway, so mildew has grown on his ceiling numerous times. I then realised that it's a very bad idea to completely cover the front of the hutch. Haven't done it since, except for freezing cold nights only. I feel like doing that may be the cause of his wheeze now.
I just feel like this is my fault. I love him so much and I want him to be okay. I've had him since he was only two months old, and he's always been such a gorgeous, precious, cuddly little frizz.
He otherwise seems healthy though. He is capable of moving and running, he just usually doesn't. He doesn't appear to be depressed, and he still loves cuddles. Still makes the same adorable squeaking sound during cuddle time as he always has, and he still very much loves chin rubs.
Firstly, he gained roughly 15g a day for a few days. Not sure how many exactly, maybe a week? I started weighing him daily since I noticed this. He got up to 1256g when he normally only weighs about 1170g ish. I realised I was feeding him too many pellets (Burgess Excel Mint), so I cut it down to 2 tbsp or so. I usually feed him maybe 3 or 4 because he's a rex cross and is bigger than my other piggies, but I've since realised that that isn't necessary. His weight is now going down by about 20g a day. He is currently at 1220g. Also he's recently been on the lawn more, eating grass. Should I be worried or is this just because of the overfeeding pellets and maybe the grass, and his weight will go back to normal? I feel pretty terrible.
Also, since around May/June or so, he's had a slight wheeze. There are no crackling sounds or anything, but if I put my ear up to his mouth, his breathing sounds a tiny bit wheezy/laboured. And his head/neck area seems to bob up and down a bit; is that a bad sign? I had him checked by a vet right after noticing this, and they didn't see anything wrong other than the slight wheeze.
Additionally, he has slowed down noticeably in the past few months or so. He's never been a particularly active piggy anyway, but he spends a LOT of time lying down. He even lies down whilst eating. However, if he's on the lawn, he's perfectly okay with moving around, and he'll even run laps and popcorn if I run around with him. His brother does that as well, it's adorable. Is it anything to be worried about?
And lastly, one thing that's been bothering me a lot. For the first 2 years or so of having my piggies, Doughnut's hutch had a specially made cover on it with see through plastic on the front, and I would usually leave it down in the chillier weather. Because Doughnut has always lived on the top floor of a double hutch, it's had less ventilation anyway, so mildew has grown on his ceiling numerous times. I then realised that it's a very bad idea to completely cover the front of the hutch. Haven't done it since, except for freezing cold nights only. I feel like doing that may be the cause of his wheeze now.
I just feel like this is my fault. I love him so much and I want him to be okay. I've had him since he was only two months old, and he's always been such a gorgeous, precious, cuddly little frizz.
He otherwise seems healthy though. He is capable of moving and running, he just usually doesn't. He doesn't appear to be depressed, and he still loves cuddles. Still makes the same adorable squeaking sound during cuddle time as he always has, and he still very much loves chin rubs.
