Any Ideas About My Little Guinea?

[Mollie]

Hi everyone,

My Guinea is 5 now, nearing 6. He is a lovely little thing, has always been very playful and loving. But about a month ago things started to change. He has always lived outdoors in an insulated home but a few weeks ago I had to bring him in. He had lost so much weight I could feel his bones (he was never like this before - he was a plump little thing!) so I've been keeping him indoors as I didn't feel like he had the fat to keep warm anymore.

But each week I've been noticing something else.. This week I've noticed he's got sores on his feet, sort of like red patches. He is excessively drinking (like A LOT!) and when I cleaned him out earlier I noticed that as he urinated, blood came out. He doesn't seem to be in pain but he is much quieter than he used to be.

I will be taking him to the vets but I just wondered whether anyone had any ideas of anything specific it could be, or is it just that he's an old man now? I don't know what to do for the best. As although he is ok for the moment I can't bare to think of seeing him in pain should it come to that.

Thanks

 

[Adelle]

Hi!

Guinea pigs can lose weight and condition as they age but as he is urinating blood and drinking excessively, this is likely a major factor in his weight loss.

He most likely has a UTI or possible bladder stone and he will need to see a vet preferably tomorrow at the latest for treatment.

Please start weighing him daily to monitor his weight and top him up with syringe feed- this is vital to keep a pigs guts moving, otherwise they will shut down and it's very difficult to bring a pig back from this.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Is he still pooing regularly?

Please keep him indoors whilst he is poorly too , you done the right thing by bringing him in x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

My Guinea is 5 now, nearing 6. He is a lovely little thing, has always been very playful and loving. But about a month ago things started to change. He has always lived outdoors in an insulated home but a few weeks ago I had to bring him in. He had lost so much weight I could feel his bones (he was never like this before - he was a plump little thing!) so I've been keeping him indoors as I didn't feel like he had the fat to keep warm anymore.

But each week I've been noticing something else.. This week I've noticed he's got sores on his feet, sort of like red patches. He is excessively drinking (like A LOT!) and when I cleaned him out earlier I noticed that as he urinated, blood came out. He doesn't seem to be in pain but he is much quieter than he used to be.

I will be taking him to the vets but I just wondered whether anyone had any ideas of anything specific it could be, or is it just that he's an old man now? I don't know what to do for the best. As although he is ok for the moment I can't bare to think of seeing him in pain should it come to that.

Thanks

Hi! Has your vet checked his kidneys and bladder for stones/kidney failure or urinary tract infection (UI); his heart and has checked him for arthritis? Are his back teeth (premolars) still fine and not overgrown into spurs?

Please weigh your boy daily at the same time and start offering him additional top-up syringe feed to help keep up his weight. Loss of appetite is most often pain related; the first food group that is dropped is usually hay, which makes up to 80% of the daily food intake and shich you cannot control. Older guinea pig tend to lose weight gradually and the bones start to become a bit more prominent, but any weight loss over 100g needs to be seen by vet, especially if it happens rather quickly.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Take good care of his foot pads. Bumblefoot especially underneath the weight bearing front paws is not uncommon in elderly piggies whose circulation is no longer all that good and who cannot move around well anymore and take the weight off their feet. Make sure that you keep the area he is sitting in most as dry and clean as possible; spot clean twice daily and if necessary, change his cosies as often. I have found the foot balm from Gorgeous Guineas helpful with my own arthritic elderlies. F & M Ointment 15gm

 

[Mollie]

Thank you both! I am keeping my eye on him and will take all the advice on board. Thankfully he is still eating at the moment and doesn't appear to be in pain but obviously we want him sorted before it gets to this stage!

Luckily I have a vet nurse relative who I have also contacted and who will take a good look at him. I just thought it was worth asking you for any further advice as you've owned piggie yourself. Thanks a lot
Mollie x