Fluffy still not herself following bereavement

Emx93

Emx93

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi, I wasn't sure which section to post this in but I suspect it's more a bereavement issue than a health one.
Fluffy lost princess just over 2 months ago and despite having two new friends who she's happy with she's just not herself still. She'll intereract with her friends and eat but is still very withdrawn. She's had some issues with dirty bums and suspected teeny stones or sludgy stuff coming out her bits but these are now under control. Her weight is still very hit and miss, she gains, she looses but she's still on average 146g down from her prime, she's only just 2 so should still be in her prime, we've also noticed while her heft around her ribs is reasonably OK, her hips are extremely boney and sticky outy and she flinches when her hips are touched. We plan on taking her for a full once over at the vets once they resume routine appointments however this won't be for a while yet. Is this just her new average weight and behaviour now do you think? Is there anything we can do to perk her up? I can't see any obvious signs of illness currently or anything xx
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That’s quite a large drop from her biggest weight. I would try and get an appointment soon. Tell them what you’ve said here. She’s losing weight, seems to be in pain when you touch her hip area. Feels bony.
Sorry she’s worrying you. Hopefully it’ll be nothing major.
 
Siikibam said:
That’s quite a large drop from her biggest weight. I would try and get an appointment soon. Tell them what you’ve said here. She’s losing weight, seems to be in pain when you touch her hip area. Feels bony.
Sorry she’s worrying you. Hopefully it’ll be nothing major.
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Thankyou I'm going to email them tomorrow, she had a vet check when she lost her appetite initially just before princess died and it was put down to her starting her grieving process, I'll feel better once the health angle is ruled out though 😊
 
That is a major weight loss that needs to be checked out. Please be aware that you measure over/underweight not around the hips but around the ribcage to see whether your piggy is a reasonable weight for their individual size ('heft' or - if you'd rather - feeling for the BMI which works for any age as the weight changes quite considerably over a life time). The loss will have certainly not helped with whatever is going on.
You will find this guide here very helpful in any matters that pertain to weight: Weight - Monitoring and Management
 
Wiebke said:
That is a major weight loss that needs to be checked out. Please be aware that you measure over/underweight not around the hips but around the ribcage to see whether your piggy is a reasonable weight for their individual size ('heft' or - if you'd rather - feeling for the BMI which works for any age as the weight changes quite considerably over a life time). The loss will have certainly not helped with whatever is going on.
You will find this guide here very helpful in any matters that pertain to weight: Weight - Monitoring and Management
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Thankyou, it has happened over the course of a few months rather than quickly with periods of gains in there as well so we are now at a bit of a yo yo if that makes sense, her rib heft is OK, the boney hips and her reacting to her hips being touched is new however, I'm going to email the vets tomorrow (they are closed today) and explain she's eating and drinking and I know they've checked her over once this lockdown but I'd feel better if they rechecked her since she's still struggling to keep weight on and not herself along with the boney hips xx
 
Hoping you find out what’s wrong with Fluffy, sending you hugs it must be a worry for you x
 
Thankyou everyone I haven't heard back yet, they've mentioned x rays previously for potential bladder issues so they may want to do one, they only have one vet atm though so I know they're still emergency only xx
 
So we have funky bits again, we have a vet appointment on Monday and started her on metacam in the meantime xx
 

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alpacasqueak said:
Oh no not again, I’m so sorry @Emx93. Glad you’ve got her booked in, hope she feels better soon xx
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Thankyou me too, with how often these funky bits are happening I suspect they'll want to either x Ray or keep her on metacam for longer than a week 😕 Ive been putting the x Ray off as I didn't want to cause more stress but I think at this point she probably needs one 😳 xx I think they've said before they suspect they're tiny stones xx
 
I filter water, she has very limited pellets and I follow the forum diet, I give her daily bum baths to keep her clean as she does tend to wee on herself, her bum fur is kept short, she's spayed (full spay) so womb issues are excluded, I think it has to be a bladder issue, she's bedded on vet bed in a clean cage too... 🤦‍♀️
 
Emx93 said:
Thankyou me too, with how often these funky bits are happening I suspect they'll want to either x Ray or keep her on metacam for longer than a week 😕 Ive been putting the x Ray off as I didn't want to cause more stress but I think at this point she probably needs one 😳 xx I think they've said before they suspect they're tiny stones xx
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It’s probably a good idea with it recurring so much, poor little Fluffy bless her. And you with all these vets! Hope it’s nothing to worry about and she’s back to normal in no time :hug:Some issues are so frustrating, bladders are definitely one! Sure it’s nothing you’re doing and she’s probably just more prone like my Rosie the cat and Rupert the pig! You care for her brilliantly xx
 
VickiA said:
I have never come across one that hates metacam... how odd!
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I think it's the syringe, she is the hardest to syringe feed too, glad it's been a few months since I've had to do it, while she's friendly with us now she's naturally a very skittish pig (she was a pah pig but so was nugget and she's the tamest pig ever lol)
 
I'm just brainstorming for things to discuss Monday, she's perkier on the metacam, she always is, obviously there's the obvious question of what's going on with her bits, if it's not a bladder issue causing problems (she only occasionally squeek wees and doesn't wee blood) could there be another source of pain or inflammation we don't know about? I think the tender hips could be sensitive skin rather than the hips theirselves but again I will ask about this. She is bonier all over than she used to be but doesn't feel terribly underweight or anything and she eats well and tends to have little periods of weight gain while on metacam. She is only two and her movement is fine so I dont think its anything like arthritis. Is it worth asking if either her hernia or adhesions in her belly could be causing pain/ inflammation? I mean it could all be coincidence and she might just still be grieving but I want to rule out all things medical first. I'm seeing the piggy knowledgeable vet (I was picky and requested her) so she'll probably have a good idea herself I just don't want to forget to ask about anything so I'd appreciate any input on what to ask about since appointments are hard to come by these days. 💖
 
If they were keen to do an X-ray last time with how many times it’s happened now I’d probably opt for that just to check everything’s ok with her that way. But definitely mention all your concerns to the vet and any little things you can think of when she is ‘off’ bless her, they might be linked and it’s best the vet knows everything. Write everything down so you can remember when you’re there etc.
Glad you’re seeing the piggy vet, really hope it goes well and you can find out what’s going on with gorgeous Fluffy xx
Vet for me too with Rosie the cat tomoz, she said poorly Jess isn’t allowed all the attention and she wants some! :doh:Pets! x
 
alpacasqueak said:
If they were keen to do an X-ray last time with how many times it’s happened now I’d probably opt for that just to check everything’s ok with her that way. But definitely mention all your concerns to the vet and any little things you can think of when she is ‘off’ bless her, they might be linked and it’s best the vet knows everything. Write everything down so you can remember when you’re there etc.
Glad you’re seeing the piggy vet, really hope it goes well and you can find out what’s going on with gorgeous Fluffy xx
Vet for me too with Rosie the cat tomoz, she said poorly Jess isn’t allowed all the attention and she wants some! :doh:Pets! x
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Good luck with Rosie! Honestly I think all these pets have a pact to scare their parents during lockdown 🤣🤷‍♀️ xx
 
Emx93 said:
Good luck with Rosie! Honestly I think all these pets have a pact to scare their parents during lockdown 🤣🤷‍♀️ xx
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Thank you, don’t they just! :doh:Just pleased I’m allowed in with her at my local vets or they’d be missing some fingers I think! :)) Hope all good for you too:hug:xx
 
alpacasqueak said:
Thank you, don’t they just! :doh:Just pleased I’m allowed in with her at my local vets or they’d be missing some fingers I think! :)) Hope all good for you too:hug:xx
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We can go in the waiting room but not in the vet, or we can wait in the car, I need some bits from pah so illl probably drop her in reception then wait in the shop I think xx
 
Emx93 said:
We can go in the waiting room but not in the vet, or we can wait in the car, I need some bits from pah so illl probably drop her in reception then wait in the shop I think xx
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Oh that’s good then, hope you can get some answers.
Yeah I wasn’t too worried about leaving Jess at Cat and Rabbit a few weeks ago as she’s a lovely piggy that likes being handled. Rosie on the other hand, a grumpy, old, one-woman cat, not the best idea! :box::gd: xx
 
alpacasqueak said:
Oh that’s good then, hope you can get some answers.
Yeah I wasn’t too worried about leaving Jess at Cat and Rabbit a few weeks ago as she’s a lovely piggy that likes being handled. Rosie on the other hand, a grumpy, old, one-woman cat, not the best idea! :box::gd: xx
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Ive had to leave babybelle a couple of times, she's also a grumpy old one person cat 💖 she loves me but Sam aand the girls she can take or leave 🤣 don't know how she was at the vets but they got blood from her so that's good 😂 xx
 
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