• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Elongated Roots

Status
Not open for further replies.
Butter Cup

Butter Cup

New Born Pup
Joined
Jul 25, 2016
Messages
10
Reaction score
2
Points
35
Location
Williamsburg, Va, USA
Hi, I have one Guinea pig who has recently been diagnosed with elongated roots. She is 5years old, which is old. She is still eating fruits and veggies like, celery, cucucumber, watermelon, chopped carrots, cilantro, and lettuce. She is on pain meds and antibiotics for the rest of her life. She just won't eat her Timothy hay, or her oxbow pellets, which she normally loves. She is also having trouble drinking out of her water bottle, so I syringe feed her water little amounts at a time. I have tried mashing up her oxbow pellets, but she still won't eat those. I have ordered her some oxbow critical care, but I'm not sure if I should feed it to her now or save it.
Any advice or questions are welcome!
Thank You
 
If she is maintaining weight then I wouldn't hand feed her. It's important for them to use their teeth whenever possible, as they continuously grow and need to be worn down.

If she's not maintaining her weight I would supplement with critical care.

Good luck :)
 
Hi and welcome

You may have to try and see what your girl is eating, but as hay is making up to 80% of the daily food intake, fibre from mushed pellets and recovery foods (you may need to try a range and see whether mixes work) are very important for the long term. it is likely more the pain that is preventing her from wanting to eat; and of course, as soon as stop chewing, her premolars start overgrowing rather quickly. Is your vet monitoring that?

Please syringe feed mush/recovery food and water; the latter as much as she wants to. You can flavour the mush with some juiced cucumber or other juiced veg if you wish. Weigh her daily at the same time to keep a beady eye on her food intake and to know how much you need to top her up.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Administering Medications

I am tagging our member with the greatest experience with dental guinea pigs. Please be patient, as they are currently very busy: @furryfriends (TEAS) @MintyAndGarry (TEAS)
 
Today, I am going to feed her critical care. I know that I'm should feed her 3tbsp per kg of body weight daily. But if she is eating her veggies still, should I feed her like 5 ml? Or 2 ml?
 
Butter Cup said:
Today, I am going to feed her critical care. I know that I'm should feed her 3tbsp per kg of body weight daily. But if she is eating her veggies still, should I feed her like 5 ml? Or 2 ml?
Click to expand...

That is where weighing daily at the same time in the feeding cycle comes in - that helps you find the balance between how much she eats on her own, how much you need to supplement and how much she needs overall, depending on her age. Go by just how much she takes in one go. Sometimes, eating a little veg or herb first, can stimulate her to then accept more syinge feed. I would recommend to either weigh first thing in the morning or before you feed dinner, so weigh with an empty tummy and bladder and get the best comparable results.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top