A Suddenly Sad Piggy! :(

kaz91

kaz91

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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Location
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Hi, everyone

Sorry for ANOTHER post but I am quite concerned about my almost-4-year-old unneutered boar, Chester. He is part of a bonded pair and his cage mate (Serj) has been through a really rough time with multiple vet visits and twice daily medication sessions due to arthritis, heart disease and kidney issues.

Chester has always been my little ray of sunshine but over the last 24/36 hours I have become quite concerned about a couple of things:

• Chester has always been the first to shout for his dinner, but the last two nights I have had to coax him out of his hide. He has ate a little with his brother, then went back into bed and it is unlike him to be so lethargic even in winter
• I have often found him sleeping on the floor next to Serj, which is unusual as they have separate sleeping areas with a view of each other at all times.
• He has always been very fond of licking you when he is getting cuddles and is very affectionate, but has been giving gentle nibbles instead which again is very unlike him

He is taking food when offered, but not seeking it out and has not lost weight - even gained a few grams from last week. He just seems so...sad 😞 his teeth, ears, tummy, breathing, skin, and toilet all seem fine - totally lost here when I have been so focused on Serj 💔

Can anyone please advise? Is this an emergency vet situation?

K x
 

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Sorry - forgot to say, Chester has always been the picture of heath with the exception of a small lump between his two front legs. Needle tests showed this to be only a fatty lump which has not changed in size or shape.
 
Hello you are having a rough time with your piggies
I’d take him to the Vet as it is such a change in his character there must be something going on.
He might be hiding his pain/ problem …..piggies are very good at that
Hope dear Chester gets back to normal asap
 
Roselina said:
Hello you are having a rough time with your piggies
I’d take him to the Vet as it is such a change in his character there must be something going on.
He might be hiding his pain/ problem …..piggies are very good at that
Hope dear Chester gets back to normal asap
Click to expand...
I agree.
Holding you in my heart ♥️ as you cope with this difficult time
 
Hi

It can be rough when you have a very ill piggy but please have Chester vet checked; if possible tomorrow. A sudden marked change, especially loss of appetite or apathy, is generally down to a more serious health issue or climate extreme.

Please switch from weighing once weekly on your normal digital kitchen scales to weighing daily first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison and - if necessary - for you to compute the level/frequency of feeding support for the day.

These links here can help you with stepping in with care support asap:
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures (for improvisation see chapter 3)

Here is our one stop emergency care guide with all the necessary information: Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

You are right to worry and to contact us. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is an easily curable issue.
 
Thank you, everyone 💓 I am not 100% sure but think I have just found a small lump between his two back legs, he isn't the most cooperative at getting checked out. It just seems like he doesn't want to walk 😕

Is this something I can leave to the morning?
 
kaz91 said:
Thank you, everyone 💓 I am not 100% sure but think I have just found a small lump between his two back legs, he isn't the most cooperative at getting checked out. It just seems like he doesn't want to walk 😕

Is this something I can leave to the morning?
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Hi

Please check his genitalia in case he has a sperm rod etc. Can he still pee and poo?
He is obviously in pain/discomfort.

Generally, as long as he is still eating/drinking (if necessary from a syringe) and is not totally apathetic, you can wait. If in any doubt, contact your out-of-hours vets.

Here are the rules what is regular, what should be seen the next day and what counts as a life or death emergency (the latter of which you are not dealing with unless he cannot pee).

You may want to bookmark these two emergency links:
How Soon Should My Guinea Pig See A Vet? - A Quick Guide

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
 
I have checked and there doesn't seem to be any rod there but I have found a chunk of VERY smelly like yellow paste?! Sorry for the graphic pic, I am freaking out
 

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kaz91 said:
I have checked and there doesn't seem to be any rod there but I have found a chunk of VERY smelly like yellow paste?! Sorry for the graphic pic, I am freaking out
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I think that’s likely to be smegma - it looks a large chunk poor boy
I’m sure someone with more experience will be along to offer help and advice
Good luck with your piggy
 
Oh my god, could that be the issue? I have tried to clean it as best as I can but I am scared to go too far and hurt him. He is really not happy with me but has taken a bit of Carrott?

Thank you so much for the responses too, I am ao sorry I am just stressing out beyond belief. Can't stop crying
 
You can gently clean it and this is a bit of info from the posts on here
He’ll feel more comfortable with it cleaned and removed

Cleaning smegma from a male guinea pig (boar)
Use warm water, coconut oil, and cotton swabs to soften and remove the debris, taking care not to pull at fur or irritate the skin.

Steps to Clean a Male Guinea Pig:
  • Preparation: Place the guinea pig on a soft towel, ideally with a helper to provide food (like cilantro) to keep them distracted.
  • Lubrication: Apply a small amount of coconut oil or a warm, damp, soft cloth to the genital area to loosen the hardened smegma.
  • Removal: Gently use a cotton tip (Q-tip) soaked in warm water or coconut oil to remove the waxy buildup.
  • Clean the Sac: Gently, but firmly, press on the sides of the genital area to make the pouch turn inside out slightly, allowing you to clean the hidden pocket.
  • Safety Note: Do not insert cotton swabs deep into the penis opening. Only clean the surrounding area.
  • Frequency: Clean every 1–2 weeks, or when you notice a strong smell or discomfort.
If the area is red, swollen, or the gunk does not come off with gentle cleaning, consult a vet.

We understand …don’t feel you’re stressing too much ….we all do but that’s what this forum is about understanding and support ….we help each other 🥰
 
I’d wear gloves too !

Saskia from LA guinea pig rescue does some great practical videos on you tube
She is a friend of the forum and has a lots of guinea pig experience
 
Thanks, everyone ❤️ I have cleaned it as much as I think I should with warm water and coconut oil. My concern is that I have had him out for ages (well over an hour) and no pee and just 1 small poop which I watched him eat straight from his bum! His tummy doesn't feel bloated or distended and he is eating and drinking when being hand fed but has always been so active - my boy won't even look at me 😭

Will there be any use in seeing an emergency vet tonight? We have Serj's specialist on Friday so not sure if I could chance my luck first thing. Can't even hazard a guess at what is wrong, now thinking the small lump I felt earlier was actually just his testicle 🤦‍♀️
 

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kaz91 said:
Thanks, everyone ❤️ I have cleaned it as much as I think I should with warm water and coconut oil. My concern is that I have had him out for ages (well over an hour) and no pee and just 1 small poop which I watched him eat straight from his bum! His tummy doesn't feel bloated or distended and he is eating and drinking when being hand fed but has always been so active - my boy won't even look at me 😭

Will there be any use in seeing an emergency vet tonight? We have Serj's specialist on Friday so not sure if I could chance my luck first thing. Can't even hazard a guess at what is wrong, now thinking the small lump I felt earlier was actually just his testicle 🤦‍♀️
Click to expand...
I’d take him to the Vet today if you can
There could be another issue going on
I hope he’s had an easier night ❤️
Sending you both a gentle hug
 
kaz91 said:
Thanks, everyone ❤️ I have cleaned it as much as I think I should with warm water and coconut oil. My concern is that I have had him out for ages (well over an hour) and no pee and just 1 small poop which I watched him eat straight from his bum! His tummy doesn't feel bloated or distended and he is eating and drinking when being hand fed but has always been so active - my boy won't even look at me 😭

Will there be any use in seeing an emergency vet tonight? We have Serj's specialist on Friday so not sure if I could chance my luck first thing. Can't even hazard a guess at what is wrong, now thinking the small lump I felt earlier was actually just his testicle 🤦‍♀️
Click to expand...

If he is still not livelier and back to normal by today then please have him seen but he is not an emergency yet; if needed tomorrow will do.

As long as your boy is drinking water and eating watery veg, there is nothing wrong with the water works. They just don't pee all the time and can hold it in for well over an hour if needed. It also depends on whether they are big or small or hardly ever drinkers...
 
Hi, everyone 💚 Chester still the same, vet today at 530. Feeling very guilty. Just sat next to him the whole night. They did say if he was still taking the hand feeding then could wait till Friday but after everything with Serj not taking any chances.

Chester is typically quite a big drinker, the whole house knows when he is at the water bottle with the noise he makes. Been hand feeding strips of watered romaine and his nuggets which he is eating, just not seeking out. Also odd that he is laying down when eating, I usually have to tell him to take his feet out of the food bowl.

Thank you all for replying, I am trying to remind calm x
 
Evening, all ❤️ we are home but unfortunately no answer. We have Metacam in case of any pain and a referral to the same specialist as Serj, hoping we can sneak him in on Friday at the same appointment🤞

The vet said his ears, eyes, nose and teeth all look fine and had to clean out food from his cheek pouches (which was a surprise to me). Heart, lungs and organs all seem fine and he pooped whilst we were there and the vet was happy with the consistency etc. She said it was interesting that he is vocal and active when stimulated (like when he was being checked over) but becomes dull and flat very quickly. She also agreed the weight loss seemed suspicious (1.25kg to 1.18kg within 3 days).

Don't suppose anyone has any ideas at all? I thought I would feel better finding nothing immediately wrong, but somehow worse 💔
 
Sorry to hear that no conclusive results have been found. I hope the specialist can help little Chester ❤️
 
kaz91 said:
Evening, all ❤️ we are home but unfortunately no answer. We have Metacam in case of any pain and a referral to the same specialist as Serj, hoping we can sneak him in on Friday at the same appointment🤞

The vet said his ears, eyes, nose and teeth all look fine and had to clean out food from his cheek pouches (which was a surprise to me). Heart, lungs and organs all seem fine and he pooped whilst we were there and the vet was happy with the consistency etc. She said it was interesting that he is vocal and active when stimulated (like when he was being checked over) but becomes dull and flat very quickly. She also agreed the weight loss seemed suspicious (1.25kg to 1.18kg within 3 days).

Don't suppose anyone has any ideas at all? I thought I would feel better finding nothing immediately wrong, but somehow worse 💔
Click to expand...

Mystery weight loss is one of my least favourite symptoms. Something is clearly wrong, especially if he has suddenly stopped drinking but there can be so many different and some really out there things behind these very vague symptoms, as I have found out over the years. |

Step in with topping up feeding support and offering water by syringe if the weight loss gets bigger than 100g or 10% of the body weight; whichever happens sooner. Keep in mind that over three quarters of the food intake is hay, which you cannot control by eye - that is what syringe feeding top up replaces.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels


PS: Piggies always have gunk in their mouths. ;)
 
Afternoon ❤️

Specialist vet called to say they have recieved the referral and will see both piggies today at 3:30 ❤️❤️❤️ so we are off on our adventures again

Wee bit of cuddle time before another day of it
 

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Wishing you all the best.
 
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