Hi there,
I have a guinea pig around 5 years - well, I’ve had him 4.5 years and he was a young, fully sized g pig when I got him (and his friend) from the rescue. Both of them have been healthy, a joy and no trouble - up until now. Huxley has dropped a lot of weight. I took him to the vets who said he had a large ‘irregular, suspicious’ mass in his intestines and needed an ultrasound and possible x-Ray.
Hux has seemed to be eating less but so has Orwell. Eating loads of grass and veg, some hay, just not so much their pellets... so I bought a different brand but they’re not into those either. I may just buy another bag of their normal food in case the one I got is ‘bad’ for some reason (have had this feeling with bunnies in the past). *Anyway* - after managing to get the ultrasound down to £75, I went ahead. Turns out the mass was gone, so was faecal matter (I did ask at the time, when vet also gave metacam and empered), BUT Hux does have a kidney cyst and enlarged liver.
He’s dropped around 320g in weight. 110g in two days since vet first weighed (although faecal waste gone) ... Orwell is fine.
Vet said would have to transfer to exotic vet for further investigation but I know that will cost hundreds... (spent £200 already)... Hux is now on Baytril too.. vet said critical care had vit C in it so didn’t need extra, although my dad, who used to be a vet & have a practice, recommended extra..
I have Hux in but really looking here for extra knowledge of kidney cysts or any other expertise from people who have kept a lot of Guineas. Given Hux’s age I’m reluctant to transfer to exotic vet.
Taking him to work tomorrow so I can feed him extra during lesson breaks.
Oh, my other question is about guinea pigs and grief... I’m convinced one of my French lops died due to grief after his litter mate passed away.... I know Guineas are highly social, so if Hux is near the end, is Orwell likely to mourn? They are both unneutered males... I think they are less territorial than bunnies? Would introducing a young male boar slowly work? Orwell’s never been particularly dominant.
Many thanks & apologies for rambling x
I have a guinea pig around 5 years - well, I’ve had him 4.5 years and he was a young, fully sized g pig when I got him (and his friend) from the rescue. Both of them have been healthy, a joy and no trouble - up until now. Huxley has dropped a lot of weight. I took him to the vets who said he had a large ‘irregular, suspicious’ mass in his intestines and needed an ultrasound and possible x-Ray.
Hux has seemed to be eating less but so has Orwell. Eating loads of grass and veg, some hay, just not so much their pellets... so I bought a different brand but they’re not into those either. I may just buy another bag of their normal food in case the one I got is ‘bad’ for some reason (have had this feeling with bunnies in the past). *Anyway* - after managing to get the ultrasound down to £75, I went ahead. Turns out the mass was gone, so was faecal matter (I did ask at the time, when vet also gave metacam and empered), BUT Hux does have a kidney cyst and enlarged liver.
He’s dropped around 320g in weight. 110g in two days since vet first weighed (although faecal waste gone) ... Orwell is fine.
Vet said would have to transfer to exotic vet for further investigation but I know that will cost hundreds... (spent £200 already)... Hux is now on Baytril too.. vet said critical care had vit C in it so didn’t need extra, although my dad, who used to be a vet & have a practice, recommended extra..
I have Hux in but really looking here for extra knowledge of kidney cysts or any other expertise from people who have kept a lot of Guineas. Given Hux’s age I’m reluctant to transfer to exotic vet.
Taking him to work tomorrow so I can feed him extra during lesson breaks.
Oh, my other question is about guinea pigs and grief... I’m convinced one of my French lops died due to grief after his litter mate passed away.... I know Guineas are highly social, so if Hux is near the end, is Orwell likely to mourn? They are both unneutered males... I think they are less territorial than bunnies? Would introducing a young male boar slowly work? Orwell’s never been particularly dominant.
Many thanks & apologies for rambling x