5 year old Toffee princess

[The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue]

Hello all
Just wanted some advice about elderly piggies as its new to me.Toffee princess my sheltie sow...off my avatar had her 5th birthday last month.She is so lovely,enjoys her food and trundles about to suit herself.Just wanted to know is it normal for her to sleep more now...full closed eyes out for the count bless her.Greg sits on watch right by her bless him.She sleeps and wakes for meals and lawn time.
She has slowed down over the last few months i guess she is old in human years so is this all normal,i just love older piggies she is just as interesting as baby piggies.
Thanks
Helen xx>>>

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Hi Helen, what you describe does sound normal. Senior piggydom starts at about 4 years old, so for them to slow down a bit from 3.5 - 4 years is quite normal. Sleeping more tends to be the main difference, some can get a bit arthritic and some may slowly develop poorer eyesight and hearing, but not all do.

I have one girl who turned 5 last month, I felt so sad, it feels like your babies are growing up too soon! It only seems like yesterday I adopted her at 12 weeks old. I do have a few other seniors at 4-5 years old, but my oldest is a rescue pig - age is essentially unknown, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone said to me she was 7-8. I've settled on 5 going on 6 but I really strongly suspect that is the lower estimate and she's probably older. She's got mobility issues and seems a bit arthritic as well, sleeps a lot and often quite deeply.

 

[Wiebke]

Slowing down and sleeping is normal, as is getting a bit stiffer (not being able to pick up the vit C poops straight from the source.

Keep an eye out for signs of arthritis. Some older piggies may start to lose "condition" (i.e. wieght) slowly without there being an obvious reason.

However, older piggies can go on and still enjoy life for years to come!

 

[missy]

Slowing down and sleeping is normal, as is getting a bit stiffer (not being able to pick up the vit C poops straight from the source

Sorry if this is a stupid question but if unable to pick up the 'special' poops straight from the source, will they simply let them fall and then eat them from the floor straight away instead? (Unless impacted, of course.) My eldest has just turned 3 so I guess I should be starting to look out for any signs like this. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[clairelove]

my own guinea pig who i have had for 5yrs now sleeps a lot and just plonks herself down anywhere really

she has lost a bit of weight over the last few months around 100g she can also be a bit grumpy...

x

 

[The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue]

Claire...how could you about whiskers too ...lol x

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but if unable to pick up the 'special' poops straight from the source, will they simply let them fall and then eat them from the floor straight away instead? (Unless impacted, of course.) My eldest has just turned 3 so I guess I should be starting to look out for any signs like this. Thanks for the heads up!

Most of my "oldies" do this Susan, they turn straight round and eat off the floor instead of bending under, although they can still have a go.