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Genuine Question!

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Adelle

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Thought I'd lost a new thread as it's quite a strange story and I need some help!

Fudge is now 11 days post op, and is no longer "unwell". However she has become so reliant on me to the extent she isn't doing anything for herself, out of choice!

She hasn't drank from her water bottle on the cage since her surgery, and has ate her pellets unaided once. She was initially on syringe feed and water and needed so much care around the clock, but started to refuse to swallow things unless I gave her grass after each mouthful, which was the start of this reliant behaviour I'm speaking of! I quickly nipped that in the bud when I noticed.

For the past few days fudge will eat her pellets and drink from her bottle, if I bring her out and sit beside her. She looks for it and tells me what she wants- she is hungry and thirsty. I stopped topping up with syringe feed as this was making her reliant on a syringe again and she refused to take water again if it wasn't from a syringe. I tried to leave her for a day without encouraging her to eat and drink (she will eat her hay without help and I provided cucumber regularly for fluid) but she didnt, and her weight fell.

I brought her out for pellets and water last night before bed at 2am, which she took happily and was bright. But overnight she done nothing- and the piggy cam I set up confirmed this!

this morning after another much of pellets and water from her bottle on my bed, I gave her some cuddles for a while.. Super cheeky and full of kisses as always. I put her back and she tried to popcorn whilst I sorted her cage. Then I left; and she goes straight to bed where she will stay until I go back in a few hours.

It sounds silly but she has become dependent on me and I don't know how to fix it! Iv tried leaving her to it but her weight falls and she's already thin at the moment because of her surgery and prolonged recovery.

I took this video earlier where she sat and ate her pellets then starts to rip the puppy pad because she wants her water. You can see she's bright and clearly has an appetite and thirst.. And this puppy pad thing is new and her way of getting my attention! It may seem innocent but it's affecting her health and I can't be here 24/7 to baby her, it's been 11 days of constant care and she's well enough to be more independent now.. But she isn't!

Any advice welcome!

 
I find changing to food they have never had before can help. Also putting a water bowl into the cage as well as having a water bottle. I think piggies, like other animals and us too, can associate certain behaviour and foods with being poorly. I have found by giving completely new foods and in new ways can make the difference.
 
I think that if I were in these circumstances then I'd probably bend to her will for a little while longer, or maybe resist a tiny bit by not reacting as quickly.

When she's strong enough, and has enough weight on her not to worry then I'd try my best to be strong enough to resist and let her learn to feed herself again
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I find changing to food they have never had before can help. Also putting a water bowl into the cage as well as having a water bottle. I think piggies, like other animals and us too, can associate certain behaviour and foods with being poorly. I have found by giving completely new foods and in new ways can make the difference.
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I'm a bit stuck as far as changing the food goes as Crunchie has severe IC and can't tolerate any other pellets or treats (not something I give anyway). So can only offer new pellets outside the cage which would just make the problem worse. I did make up a forage bowl last night and she had a rummage.. Was hoping it would make her take a drink afterwards as she has always been a "bit of dry food, bit of water" kind of eater.. But she just went past the bottle and into bed. I know she's giving me the run around but she's already on a low weight and can't really afford to lose more. Her drinking is the biggest worry because she's on diuretics and was always clearing 125-150ml water a day before her op.
 
Adelle said:
I'm a bit stuck as far as changing the food goes as Crunchie has severe IC and can't tolerate any other pellets or treats (not something I give anyway). So can only offer new pellets outside the cage which would just make the problem worse. I did make up a forage bowl last night and she had a rummage.. Was hoping it would make her take a drink afterwards as she has always been a "bit of dry food, bit of water" kind of eater.. But she just went past the bottle and into bed. I know she's giving me the run around but she's already on a low weight and can't really afford to lose more. Her drinking is the biggest worry because she's on diuretics and was always clearing 125-150ml water a day before her op.
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Will she not drink from a water bowl?
 
Jaycey said:
I think that if I were in these circumstances then I'd probably bend to her will for a little while longer, or maybe resist a tiny bit by not reacting as quickly.

When she's strong enough, and has enough weight on her not to worry then I'd try my best to be strong enough to resist and let her learn to feed herself again
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Don't get me wrong, it's not that I mind doing it, I'm just worried about her as being so reliant on me for everything when she knows she wants a drink etc isn't healthy for her and will hinder her progress. I just wish she would start doing it on her own as needing me there is probably making things take longer.. I'm not actually doing anything to help her but I'm there with her and that's what she wants... But I can't be there all the time , which is the problem.
 
It might be worth trying a similar approach to what you'd do for a child. Gradual withdrawal, waiting a bit longer before responding, etc. It's so hard because of the weight, but you are right, you can't do all this indefinitely. x
 
Have you tried changing the water bottle to different kind? or hanging it inside the cage instead of on the outside of the c and c, that's how I hang mine, by a metal holder and spring, it allows you to put the bottle at a different angle than when it's on the outside.
 
Cocoteemin said:
Have you tried changing the water bottle to different kind? or hanging it inside the cage instead of on the outside of the c and c, that's how I hang mine, by a metal holder and spring, it allows you to put the bottle at a different angle than when it's on the outside.
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Is that a living world glass bottle? My last one smashed But could get another from pets at home. Thank you x
 
I've always found guinea pigs much prefer glass bottles over the plastic ones and they encourage them to drink more. Surprisingly, I've never smashed a bottle or bowl!
 
She was just out for more pellets and a drink then we had a cuddle. Put her back and she's went to her forage bowl for a munch which is good. She brightens up so much after a cuddle, it's like she's just wanting my attention all the time. I know it sounds ridiculous but she's gotten so attached to me since her op.. We always have had a good bond but I'm not used to this!
 
Adelle said:
Is that a living world glass bottle? My last one smashed But could get another from pets at home. Thank you x
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Yes, I have found my girls much prefer the bottle hung on the inside of the cage instead of the outside, but I'm glad to hear she took a drink herself. Have you tried leaving a tv or radio/music on for her when you're not in the room?
 
I think the puppy pad tearing is just her trying to get roughage. Can she have a loo toll or kitchen roll tube? They love tearing cardboard when poorly xx
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I think the puppy pad tearing is just her trying to get roughage. Can she have a loo toll or kitchen roll tube? They love tearing cardboard when poorly xx
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She has those and cardboard, doesn't bother with them. She only does it when she is wanting a drink after eating pellets. I'm Not crazy, this is what she's been doing! The minute I cuddle and kiss her she starts purring and drowning me in kisses. She's being super affectionate.. Think she loves me more for looking after her haha
 
oh my goodness, don't really what to suggest, but just have to say how adorable this is! She clearly loves her mum and wants your full attention 24/7 haha :D So pleased she's doing well though x
 
My Bella got a bit like this when she was poorly, even now she's far clingier than my other pigs and will leap from who ever is holding her to get to me, sigh!

I can't really advise as I've never been in your situation, but I think you're doing all the right things. She'll slowly learn that things are going back to normal I'm sure.

Hope she lets you rest and fends for herself a bit. Don't let that little "angel" boss you around too much! :P As always, good luck to you both x
 
Aww bless her. Glad she appears to be perking up. She's just got so used to having your attention she's probably missing u feeding her.
 
Adelle said:
Thought I'd lost a new thread as it's quite a strange story and I need some help!

Fudge is now 11 days post op, and is no longer "unwell". However she has become so reliant on me to the extent she isn't doing anything for herself, out of choice!

She hasn't drank from her water bottle on the cage since her surgery, and has ate her pellets unaided once. She was initially on syringe feed and water and needed so much care around the clock, but started to refuse to swallow things unless I gave her grass after each mouthful, which was the start of this reliant behaviour I'm speaking of! I quickly nipped that in the bud when I noticed.

For the past few days fudge will eat her pellets and drink from her bottle, if I bring her out and sit beside her. She looks for it and tells me what she wants- she is hungry and thirsty. I stopped topping up with syringe feed as this was making her reliant on a syringe again and she refused to take water again if it wasn't from a syringe. I tried to leave her for a day without encouraging her to eat and drink (she will eat her hay without help and I provided cucumber regularly for fluid) but she didnt, and her weight fell.

I brought her out for pellets and water last night before bed at 2am, which she took happily and was bright. But overnight she done nothing- and the piggy cam I set up confirmed this!

this morning after another much of pellets and water from her bottle on my bed, I gave her some cuddles for a while.. Super cheeky and full of kisses as always. I put her back and she tried to popcorn whilst I sorted her cage. Then I left; and she goes straight to bed where she will stay until I go back in a few hours.

It sounds silly but she has become dependent on me and I don't know how to fix it! Iv tried leaving her to it but her weight falls and she's already thin at the moment because of her surgery and prolonged recovery.

I took this video earlier where she sat and ate her pellets then starts to rip the puppy pad because she wants her water. You can see she's bright and clearly has an appetite and thirst.. And this puppy pad thing is new and her way of getting my attention! It may seem innocent but it's affecting her health and I can't be here 24/7 to baby her, it's been 11 days of constant care and she's well enough to be more independent now.. But she isn't!

Any advice welcome!

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I was just talking to my mum about this and she suggested putting in a jumper or something that smells of you into her cage to see if that might get her to eat when you're not there x
 
She's so cute! Piggies really do know how to get you wrapped around their little paws ;).

I've noticed that since Oreo was ill last year, he and I have a much stronger bond because I spent all my time with him. Those bonds are the most rewarding as the pet always dedicates their love to you exclusively. An example being me FaceTiming my mum, when I'm elsewhere, to see the guinea pigs. Oreo will start wheeking and popcorning when he hears my voice and will never do that with anyone else. Pemba won't do that for me.

I think it's the same with you and Fudge. She reminds me of my Toffee, who has now passed, both in appearance and personality. He would be exactly like that, always wanting the TLC when he was poorly.
 
My Bumble was never a cuddly pig - always ran over for a back massage morning and night and when I came in - but after he started having his bladder stones and was on his twice daily meds for life he totally changed and would happily cuddle for hours.
 
She is such a character! I am so glad she is doing well, if being a little bit of a diva with it lol
 
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