Eating but still losing weight

[cavies_family]

Hello. Popcorn, my (about 2 year old) Guinea pig has been having some health issues going on. The reason Popcorn went to the vet was because he has trouble breathing and the vet took x-rays and suggested he had ammonia. I just received a call that he is eating well, did a lot of pooping and peeing, and they have just put him off oxygen and he seems to be doing better with breathing but he keeps dropping weight. The doctor will be sending him back home with some medications and critical care and a check up in a few days. The vet now believes he does not have ammonia, because ammonia doesn't usually cause loss of weight and so they are examining him right now once again. Did anyone go through something similar? What can I do so he starts gaining weight? I'm so worried for my piggy

 

[Merab]

Do you mean pneumonia?

I hope your vet can find a cause if the weight loss is persistent.

I’m feeding up a post- op piggy to help her regain weight and I give her oats scattered in the food.
She’s also been getting an extra piece of carrot which she rarely gets otherwise.
Sweet potato mixed with oats is also recommended by forum members.
Remember that 80% of the diet should be hay.

Feed the Critical Care as your vet has directed.
There is a forum guide on syringe feeding which is helpful.

Hope your boy recovers

 

[Wiebke]

Hello. Popcorn, my (about 2 year old) Guinea pig has been having some health issues going on. The reason Popcorn went to the vet was because he has trouble breathing and the vet took x-rays and suggested he had ammonia. I just received a call that he is eating well, did a lot of pooping and peeing, and they have just put him off oxygen and he seems to be doing better with breathing but he keeps dropping weight. The doctor will be sending him back home with some medications and critical care and a check up in a few days. The vet now believes he does not have ammonia, because ammonia doesn't usually cause loss of weight and so they are examining him right now once again. Did anyone go through something similar? What can I do so he starts gaining weight? I'm so worried for my piggy

Hi!

I assume that you mean pneumonia? Ammonia is what makes your urine stink.

Please follow the advice in our illustrated syringe feeding guide and keep trying to get as much food into him as possible. Ideally every two hours during the day and at least once or twice during the night.
If your boy is partially eating on his own, then you adjust the top up feed accordingly by monitoring the weight daily at the same time.
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Unfortunately, there are some very nasty (but thankfully mostly rare) bugs around or it can be something else that is causing the problem and the pneumonia is only a secondary complication.

Have you got a freshly inoculated or coughing dog or have been visited by a coughing dog?
Dogs, Kennel Cough And Guinea Pigs - An Important Consideration.

 

[cavies_family]

Hi!

I assume that you mean pneumonia? Ammonia is what makes your urine stink.

Please follow the advice in our illustrated syringe feeding guide and keep trying to get as much food into him as possible. Ideally every two hours during the day and at least once or twice during the night.
If your boy is partially eating on his own, then you adjust the top up feed accordingly by monitoring the weight daily at the same time.
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Unfortunately, there are some very nasty (but thankfully mostly rare) bugs around or it can be something else that is causing the problem and the pneumonia is only a secondary complication.

Have you got a freshly inoculated or coughing dog or have been visited by a coughing dog?
Dogs, Kennel Cough And Guinea Pigs - An Important Consideration.

yes i meant phe

Do you mean pneumonia?

I hope your vet can find a cause if the weight loss is persistent.

I’m feeding up a post- op piggy to help her regain weight and I give her oats scattered in the food.
She’s also been getting an extra piece of carrot which she rarely gets otherwise.
Sweet potato mixed with oats is also recommended by forum members.
Remember that 80% of the diet should be hay.

Feed the Critical Care as your vet has directed.
There is a forum guide on syringe feeding which is helpful.

Hope your boy recovers

Thank you! I’ll be trying out the pats and sweet potato mix! How often should I be giving him the mix?

 

[cavies_family]

Hi!

I assume that you mean pneumonia? Ammonia is what makes your urine stink.

Please follow the advice in our illustrated syringe feeding guide and keep trying to get as much food into him as possible. Ideally every two hours during the day and at least once or twice during the night.
If your boy is partially eating on his own, then you adjust the top up feed accordingly by monitoring the weight daily at the same time.
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Unfortunately, there are some very nasty (but thankfully mostly rare) bugs around or it can be something else that is causing the problem and the pneumonia is only a secondary complication.

Have you got a freshly inoculated or coughing dog or have been visited by a coughing dog?
Dogs, Kennel Cough And Guinea Pigs - An Important Consideration.

Thank you for the helpful guides! And Sorry, I did mean to say pneumonia. And I do have a older adopted cat who joined the household which does cough. Would it have the same effect as a dog?

 

[Laura M.]

My guinea pig might have a blocked nose, but I am only a newbie and do not have experience. Sorry. I hope Popcorn is OK.

 

[cavies_family]

My guinea pig might have a blocked nose, but I am only a newbie and do not have experience. Sorry. I hope Popcorn is OK.

Thank you for the advice! and thank you for the wish of luck