Do You Know What's Wrong With My Guinea Pig?

[Amelia Jerome]

My guinea pig has been losing weight seemingly randomly for the past few months, and now it's gotten so bad that I could literally hook my finger behind her ribs. She's always really hungry, and she will jump for the bowl when I place it in her hutch. She has a female friend, but it's not like she takes the food away from her (at least I think?) because this didn't used to happen, and I do see my skinny piggy eating when the other one isn't. She also lost hair on one side that grows back and then falls off again, just on one patch, on her right side? We took her to the vet and she couldn't say anything useful but my vet has failed us once before, so I just wanted some more opinions on it. I'm not bad with gore but it makes me feel sick to my stomach whenever I feel her bones jutting out. Other than that, she's perfectly fine, she'll run around and squeak, the only change in behaviour is how consistently hungry she is all the time! Has anyone experienced this with their piggy, and if so, what did you do?

 

[Harry&lloyd]

Have you had her teeth checked? I would also take her out and feed separately to see how much she is eating. If she is struggling to eat mix try mixing her pellets with warm water to soften it. A second opinion might be a good idea. Try using the vet locator at the top of the forum. Hope your little one feels better soon xx

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig has been losing weight seemingly randomly for the past few months, and now it's gotten so bad that I could literally hook my finger behind her ribs. She's always really hungry, and she will jump for the bowl when I place it in her hutch. She has a female friend, but it's not like she takes the food away from her (at least I think?) because this didn't used to happen, and I do see my skinny piggy eating when the other one isn't. She also lost hair on one side that grows back and then falls off again, just on one patch, on her right side? We took her to the vet and she couldn't say anything useful but my vet has failed us once before, so I just wanted some more opinions on it. I'm not bad with gore but it makes me feel sick to my stomach whenever I feel her bones jutting out. Other than that, she's perfectly fine, she'll run around and squeak, the only change in behaviour is how consistently hungry she is all the time! Has anyone experienced this with their piggy, and if so, what did you do?

Hi! Are you syringe feeding and watering your girl and weighing her daily to monitor her weight loss? Is she getting gut stimulants to support her digestion? If not, please start syringe feeding asap. You girl may already have damaged guts if she has not been able to eat enough for a long time.
How are her poos? they tell you a lot about how much she is eating and whether the guts are balanced. Feed your girls apart to get a good idea of her actual food intake. Please be aware that hay should make up to 80% if the food intake.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Has your vet checked the teeth, especially the molars? Checked for ovarian cysts? Has your girl been treated for mites or fungal skin infection? Chushings disease?

Which country are you in?

@Abi_nurse @furryfriends (TEAS) @helen105281

 

[helen105281]

Do you know what her exact weight is?

 

[Amelia Jerome]

She weighs just under 700g, and when we went to see the vet, she noted on her weight decline. The vet doesn't really have anything helpful to say :/ Gut stimulants sounds like a good idea, I'll do some research on those. She's been eating fine, actually better than she used to. She's always hungry! Her poo is just the same as it used to be, so no info there. She's had multiple mites and fungal treatments, as she has had these problems before. We still keep bathing with fungal shampoo up, to keep it away. Her teeth have been checked, and the vet didn't note anything. I would be afraid that she would be too old for an operation, she's going on for five now.