Episodes of increased drinking

[Spaniel]

Wondered whether anyone had any thoughts about this.

Lola has always loved her water. Her usual amount is about 150ml daily.

For a little while now, she has had episodes of increased drinking. It happens every 2/3 weeks approx and she will suddenly drink more like 200/250ml daily for a few days then back to her usual amount.

Yesterday though, she had just over 300ml for the first time which seems like a lot?

She does wee a lot which makes sense with drinking more I guess. Urine looks fine, watery but always has been.

She’s absolutely fine in herself. Happy, bright, destructive as always!

Does this sound like something to worry about? Be on alert? Does this resonate with anyone and make them think of their own pig and any illness etc.

Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Wondered whether anyone had any thoughts about this.

Lola has always loved her water. Her usual amount is about 150ml daily.

For a little while now, she has had episodes of increased drinking. It happens every 2/3 weeks approx and she will suddenly drink more like 200/250ml daily for a few days then back to her usual amount.

Yesterday though, she had just over 300ml for the first time which seems like a lot?

She does wee a lot which makes sense with drinking more I guess. Urine looks fine, watery but always has been.

She’s absolutely fine in herself. Happy, bright, destructive as always!

Does this sound like something to worry about? Be on alert? Does this resonate with anyone and make them think of their own pig and any illness etc.

Thanks

Hi

If the new high level persists or repeats please have her checked for potential kidney problems or diabetes.

Some guinea pigs are naturally big drinkers, and that is not to worry about. Any major changes in fluid intake that persist and especially those that come with weight loss should be investigated. Right now, you are in the observance stage to see whether your concerns firm up or not but see a vet next week if you have any doubts.

All About Drinking And Bottles (includes a chapter on changes in drinking)

All the best.

 

[Princess Dustmop]

Are conditions consistant? Is it warmer or cooler when she drinks more? My girls go through more water when it's colder out because the heat runs more, so the air is dryer.

 

[Spaniel]

Are conditions consistant? Is it warmer or cooler when she drinks more? My girls go through more water when it's colder out because the heat runs more, so the air is dryer.

The heating is on 17-18 round the clock. The night before she had 300ml, it was -7 outside so the heating was clicking on every 15/20 mins all night and the air did feel very dry. She drinks the majority from evening onwards, 4/5pm until late. It is warmer by then from the heating, tv, microwave etc and it’s also the time they are the most active.

 

[fluffysal]

Is she actually drinking it all? I ask because I have a (very noisy) bottle botherer. He will be at the bottle but is letting most of the water dribble instead of drinking it.

 

[Spaniel]

Is she actually drinking it all? I ask because I have a (very noisy) bottle botherer. He will be at the bottle but is letting most of the water dribble instead of drinking it.

I’m as sure as I can be that she is drinking it all. Under the bottle in never particularly wet.

 

[Piggies2023]

I’m as sure as I can be that she is drinking it all. Under the bottle in never particularly wet.

Another thing to consider is if she is in pain. I have a pig with bladder problems. When she is having a flare up she drinks. When the flare stops she stops drinking. It's a pain response for my Nancy.

 

[Spaniel]

Another thing to consider is if she is in pain. I have a pig with bladder problems. When she is having a flare up she drinks. When the flare stops she stops drinking. It's a pain response for my Nancy.

She doesn’t seem to be in any pain but I know they can hide it well so worth considering definitely. She does (did have) a sensitive tummy with certain foods but hasn’t had any issues since removing them.

 

[Spaniel]

Our boiler had to be switched off yesterday morning until this morning so we had no heating.

The pigs spent the time in the bedroom which is warmer but Lola drank much less!

So I think it’s either the heating that affects her, boredom because she was entertained by being somewhere different, it’s to do with the paper bedding as they didn’t have any in the temporary cage. That’s what I’m thinking anyway but will keep recording her fluid intake and see how we get on.