Drinking 300 ml a Day?

[bruceandwillis]

I've noticed in the last few months that Pooh Bear has been going through water incredibly fast. For every one time I have to fill my other pig's bottle (they're separated with grids), I have to fill his twice. Today I measured it out, and it seems he is drinking 300 ml a day. I have a special water bottle that is leak proof, so I know it is all him that is taking it in. He still eats his veggies like a pig, so he should be getting even more water content with that.

He weighs in at 2.6 lbs right now, so I'd say he's on the rather rotund side for his size. I feel like I don't overfeed. I give the recommended amount of oxbow pellets per day, plus a healthy, nonfattening selection of veggies, such as dandelion greens, arugula and parsley.

Is this a sign of diabetes? Does the weight have anything to do with this?

Any contributions would be appreciated. I will most likely set up a vet appointment, but I'd still like some opinions first.

 

[artcasper]

I cant help much but I know yesterday my pair drank a lot more than normal.... over half a bottle was gone... dunno whether that was because it was so damn hot or whether it had leaked but it wasnt wet under the bottle so will be watching today.....

 

[Claire W]

I would keep an eye on him during the heat wave and have him vet checked if he continues to drink more than normal when it isn't so hot. My piggies drank more yesterday than normal.

Drinking a lot of water is only one symptom of diabetes. If it was diabetes or kidney problems, I'd expect him to be losing weight so keep an eye on his weight

 

[Wiebke]

I've noticed in the last few months that Pooh Bear has been going through water incredibly fast. For every one time I have to fill my other pig's bottle (they're separated with grids), I have to fill his twice. Today I measured it out, and it seems he is drinking 300 ml a day. I have a special water bottle that is leak proof, so I know it is all him that is taking it in. He still eats his veggies like a pig, so he should be getting even more water content with that.

He weighs in at 2.6 lbs right now, so I'd say he's on the rather rotund side for his size. I feel like I don't overfeed. I give the recommended amount of oxbow pellets per day, plus a healthy, nonfattening selection of veggies, such as dandelion greens, arugula and parsley.

Is this a sign of diabetes? Does the weight have anything to do with this?

Any contributions would be appreciated. I will most likely set up a vet appointment, but I'd still like some opinions first.

Hi!

Some guinea pigs drink a lot more than others (some don't drink at all). This is of no worry.
You need to have any piggy vet checked only if there is a sudden marked change in the drinking that is not weather/air con/radiator coming on related.
Diabetes is generally coupled with weight loss and in fact much rarer since the initial fad has passed.
If you were living in the UK, which is a mainly hard water country, I would worry more about the calcium content in your diet.

All About Drinking And Bottles
Weight - Monitoring and Management (including tips on working out whether your boy is overweight for his individual size or not - 'heft')