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Gucci is poorly

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Tracyxx

Tracyxx

Adult Guinea Pig
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Over the past week I have noticed Gucci has been losing weight, not a great amount but having no fur it's easier to notice. She has been eating so I guessed it was to do with the cold and didn't think anything of it as she was still lively and eating like a trooper. Yesterday I checked her teeth and her top set have broken off in a slant and at the bottom, she has one shorter than the other. She has also started bunny-hopping and walking strangely. I contacted the person she came from and they suggested a calcium deficiency which went along with everything I had read myself, so today I went looking for some liquid Osteocare. Boots and Sainsburys didn't stock it so I got the tablets instead and have given her half, crushed into water. I don't know how it tasted but she seemed to really love it. She is still eating but seems to be struggling with whole pellets. She will eat soft things like banana no problem. She has also been drinking lots over the past week. She will hopefully be going to the vet tomorrow (I hope they aren't funny about seeing her) and I am so worried. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
 
I am really sorry to hear about Gucci, sorry I don't really feel experienced enough to advise, but I really hope this little piggy is ok. x
 
Oh no, I am so upset to hear my favourtie pigie Gucci is unwell. I hope you get some helpful advise. I was say a prayer for your little princess tonight. Sooo sorry, you know I have a soft spot for your beautiful princess
 
Sorry I can't offer any advice Tracy but just wanted to wish Gucci well - she is a very special piggy on here x)
 
I'm really sorry to see this Tracy, i too love Miss Gucci. I don't have any experience with piggies who bunny hop but to help her eat her pellets you could (if you've not already) soften them with water or syringe feed her mushed pellets.

I hope all goes well at the vets tom, thinking about you :)
 
I've used the liquid osteocare and it worked brilliantly. I got the liquid one from Holland and Barratt. Boots etc only sold the tablets. Ben had completely lost the use of his back legs but after a few doses of the osteocare he was back up walking much better. He had bunny hopped for a while before losing the use of his legs.
 
Thank you all, it means a lot to me :)
I just wanted to know WHY this had happened, she has Science Selective food which was the best I could get for her IMO, she had loads of fruit and veg and she LOVES carrots which are supposed to be high in calcium? She looks so frail and old today :( Is this something that is treatable? :0
 
Sending healing and supportive vibes to you and Gucci, I hope the vet can be of some help hun.
 
Sorry to hear about your piggie. :(
Carrots are a poor source of calcium (it's the carrot tops which are high). Check the sticky on Ca:P ratios for foods high in calcium. Could you feed her a pellet designed for growing/lactating guinea-pigs, as these are often alfalfa based and so high in calcium? I know Oxbow do one called Cavy Performance, but I'm sure SS will do one too.

Calcium supplements in the form of calcium carbonate can form kidney stones in humans, so I imagine it is the same for guinea-pigs. Check the ingredients label of the product; calcium carbonate is usually the form of calcium they use (because it's cheap, but it's also poorly absorbed). However, even if the one you've bought does contain calcium carbonate, you should be okay with it short-term.

If you want to supplement with a different product, Biocare do really good supplements; if you can't get them from your health food shop, they're available online. I'm sure they do a calcium supplement in the form of calcium citrate (which is well-absorbed).

Personally, I'd switch to an alfalfa-based guinea-pig food which will be high in calcium.
 
So if I correct the calcium levels in Gucci, her bunny hopping will go away and she'll walk properly again? What about her teeth? Do these need to be filed down so she can eat?
 
Tracyxx said:
My poor baby can't even climb into her bed tonight :(:0
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Aww, that's so awful. :(

I would syringe feed her some critical care/recovery. If you don't have any, mush up some pellets and syringe those to her for now, as it sounds like she will have had problems eating.

I'm no expert on calcium deficiency, but if her teeth are breaking off, it sounds serious.
 
The thing is she is eating huge amounts still, God knows how but she is definately eating her pellets?
 
If her front teeth are slanting it is a high probability that she is in trouble with her back teeth.
 
AP, what does that mean?
Is this something I am going to be able to make better or do I face the possibility of losing her? I would rather be prepared for the worst so please be completely honest with me. :(
 
Hey Tracy sorry to hear about sweet little Gucci. I hope you can get her sorted. Could her breed be an issue (I don't mean skinny but aren't all skinny's a particular type of breed just hairless) as some breeds suffer with calcium issues don't they?

I really don't know anyway and hope you can help her very soon. Is your vet a cavy savvy one who can manage teeth without a general?
 
Science Selective contains alfalfa, so is possibly the best UK brand of pellets for her. The metabolic rate of skinnies is slightly higher than than of furry piggies (I think?) so a high protein food is helpful.

Tracyxx said:
AP, what does that mean?
Is this something I am going to be able to make better or do I face the possibility of losing her? I would rather be prepared for the worst so please be completely honest with me. :(
Click to expand...

I am sorry to hear Gucci is not well, Tracy. Have you noticed her struggling to eat over the past week or so, or has this just seemed to come out of the blue?

I imagine it will take a few days for there to be a noticeable difference with using the Osteocare, so stick with it. Syringe-feed her as well, if you are in any doubt about her ability to eat. It also helps to weigh daily while she is ill; if she's losing weight, she's probably not eating enough to sustain her and you would have to increase the amount you are feeding her.

Do you know if there is a rodentologist near you, or a vet who will examine and treat the back teeth without anesthetic?
 
I really hope little Gucci is ok soon! I think the vet should be able to treat her teeth, then she *should* feel a lot better! Are her nails ok? Her paws, feet and legs ok? She maybe having too much calcium? I'm not sure. My hamster got like this very near to the end of his life, but he was nearly three at the time so very old. I don't think it'd be the same for Gucci as she's young. The vet should offer advice. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
My baby girl has an appointment at five o'clock tonight.
I am really nervous and feel sick every time I think about it.
Thank you all for your well wishes, I will let everyone know what happens. I hope it's something we can fix easily, I will however be prepared to move mountains if I need to to make my princess better. Fingers crossed x :)
 
Sending possitive supportive and healing vibes your way hun, I hope the vet is of some help,keeping you in my thoughts and keeping my fingers crossed.
 
thing of you and gucci fingers crossed for a good prognosis and swift recovery!
 
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