finding it hard to eat

[amber20921]

Hi , suzy is about 4 years old , past two days she hasnt been herself. Very quiet and seems to find it hard to eat will take her to vers asap but anyone have any ideas what it is or how to help her ?

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Sorry to hear Suzy is unwell but without a Vet's advice, it could be a number of things.
Teeth may be the issue if she's finding it hard to eat - does she appear interested in food ? Try mashing pellets in cooled boiled water to soften them for her would be my first call. Tempt her with her favourite veggies if possible, it is so important to keep her gut moving. How are her poo's ?
Piggies can go downhill extremely quickly and a good Vet will usually find the reason and treat.
Keep us posted and sending healing vibes to Suzy x

 

[amber20921]

Yeah she does seem interested ,i just hand fed her some lettuce but it took her about 5 mins to eat a little leaf which she would normally demolish in seconds and last night she was trying hay but again couldnt quite get it . I will try your pellet idea .i have realised some really small poos in her cage which I'm assuming are hers as my other piggy is all well and healthy .
Thank you x

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Are her poo's smaller than usual (know it's hard to distinguish if you have more than one piggy in a pen)
Hay is the main diet for piggies and wears their teeth down, I know I have a problem if one of mine doesn't touch their hay
Suzy may enjoy a piece of cucumber which is good for clearing any debris from her mouth, she may have hay lodged on her molars which would make it difficult for her to chew. Could you carefully look and see ?

 

[amber20921]

Yeah a bit smaller than usual , just tried cucumber and the mashed up pellets wasnt interested in either . Tried to look in but couldnt see anything , although I'm not very good at opening her mouth

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Ok, think it is better for Suzy to see a Vet if possible - have you ever syringed a piggy before ? It is important to get her gut moving to ward off stasis which can be fatal. Has she got clear eyes, no wheezing etc. Does she appear 'fluffed up' or facing away from you in the pen. Any squeaking when weeing/pooing ? Sorry for all the questions

 

[amber20921]

Oh yeah just trying to get appointment now . Just fed her more lettuce and she seems alot more alert now . Shes seems all healthy apaprt from slow eating , and she isnt fluffed up just a little more quiet than usual . Hormally she would climb up the cage when someone walks in but today she hasnt . Dont be sorry , i appriciate the concern

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I always find dandelion leaves/grass washed well will perk a piggy up if they're a bit off colour
Hope Suzy can be seen quickly, we've all had experiences of poorly piggies at some point and know how worrying it is.
Keep us posted with her please, hugs sent x

 

[MargaretB]

How is Suzy today?

 

[shiny]

Do you have an exotics vet you can take Suzy to? You need a vet who is familiar with how to look at a guinea's back teeth, this requires specialist equipment or is sometimes done under aneasthetic when the vet doesn't have the right equipment (buccal pad separators) see the teeth info here http://www.guinealynx.info/teeth.html

If the vet just looks in the front of the mouth with the little light, then they can't see the back teeth which is where problems often are.

If you need help finding a suitable vet then there is a list on here http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?38481-TGPF-Vet-s-List or you can post whereabouts you are & a member nearby may be able to let you know about a vet they have used.

Of course, the problem may not be dental but it is definitely something to get checked & to rule out at least as it can so often cause problems & dental problems will not get better without treatment.

Best wishes to Suzy