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Guinea pig acting strange!

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Rhiannon93

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Hi there,
I'm new to having guinea pigs. My daughter received 2 for her birthday (August 10th) which were previously owned for about a year. Both were doing great, one coming out it's shell more than the other. Mostly when I walked by there cage both would run into their hide and eventually come back out. But for the past few days one has just been sitting in the same corner of the cage, doesn't run away when you walk by and doesn't move when you touch it or pick it up. Even when you bring it out to run about it just stays in the same place. I'm not really sure what to do to help it as I don't know what could be wrong. Any help and advice would be great.
 
Rhiannon93 said:
Hi there,
I'm new to having guinea pigs. My daughter received 2 for her birthday (August 10th) which were previously owned for about a year. Both were doing great, one coming out it's shell more than the other. Mostly when I walked by there cage both would run into their hide and eventually come back out. But for the past few days one has just been sitting in the same corner of the cage, doesn't run away when you walk by and doesn't move when you touch it or pick it up. Even when you bring it out to run about it just stays in the same place. I'm not really sure what to do to help it as I don't know what could be wrong. Any help and advice would be great.
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You will need to take it to a guinea pig experienced vet asap. Could be a number of things wrong. Overgrown teeth is common, what you could do is pick it up and check that the front teeth are not broken, wonkey or gappy. But as i say get to a vets. If a guinea pig doesnt eat in 24 hours it is a dead guinea pig, they are grazing animals and constantly need fibre running through them. Make sure you are feeding fresh hay unlimited everydsy
 
Welcome to the forum

I always work on the basis that if concerned go to the vet immediately.
Guinea pigs can deteriorate quickly.

If you are UK based the vet locator on the forum gives a list of vets who have been recommended by members as being cavy savvy.

Hope all turns out well
 
Hi @Rhiannon93
Welcome to the forum.

I can only go with the advice of others, often with a quiet guinea pig, there's a real reason for it. Guineas will hide their illnesses until often it can be too late.
Please find a vet, one that will do a full examination including weighing your pig.

Please go ahead and add your location to your profile as it helps providing advice as we have people from all over the world. It can be a worry when you are inexperienced with guineas even when you've had them yourself as a kid but the longer you keep them, find the forum and you understand how more complex they are than rabbit say...

Let us know how you get on too.

Some vets are really great, once you've registered your furry friends with a vet they often do out of hours advice too - well mine do in any case.
 
Mother Hubbard said:
Hi @Rhiannon93
Welcome to the forum.

I can only go with the advice of others, often with a quiet guinea pig, there's a real reason for it. Guineas will hide their illnesses until often it can be too late.
Please find a vet, one that will do a full examination including weighing your pig.

Please go ahead and add your location to your profile as it helps providing advice as we have people from all over the world. It can be a worry when you are inexperienced with guineas even when you've had them yourself as a kid but the longer you keep them, find the forum and you understand how more complex they are than rabbit say...

Let us know how you get on too.

Some vets are really great, once you've registered your furry friends with a vet they often do out of hours advice too - well mine do in any case.
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Are rabbits less complicated, get sick less? Ive always wondered this.
 
Mother Hubbard said:
I think so, they are native to the UK. Guineas are exotics and rabbits are not.
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i couldnt have a rabbit now because i would miss the vocals from guinea pigs. Funny because when i was a kid i didnt like guinea pigs and had 3 rabbits.they all seemed to die suddenly my rabbits, feel bad looking back, i cant remember how much hay they had, i just remember giving them carrots and they lived outside.
 
Definitely go and see a vet. I hope everything is ok. Let us know.



Skypipdot said:
i couldnt have a rabbit now because i would miss the vocals from guinea pigs. Funny because when i was a kid i didnt like guinea pigs and had 3 rabbits.they all seemed to die suddenly my rabbits, feel bad looking back, i cant remember how much hay they had, i just remember giving them carrots and they lived outside.
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I’ve always had rabbits since I was very young (I still have a rabbit now) and was never into piggies. Mine have always been outside and lived to between 8-12 years old. I adore my rabbit and will always have them in my life but those two piggies of mine have stolen my heart too now!
 
Hi I would work on any change in behaviour like this should be an indicator that the piggy needs to see a vet. Is it eating and drinking?
 
Rhiannon93 said:
Hi there,
I'm new to having guinea pigs. My daughter received 2 for her birthday (August 10th) which were previously owned for about a year. Both were doing great, one coming out it's shell more than the other. Mostly when I walked by there cage both would run into their hide and eventually come back out. But for the past few days one has just been sitting in the same corner of the cage, doesn't run away when you walk by and doesn't move when you touch it or pick it up. Even when you bring it out to run about it just stays in the same place. I'm not really sure what to do to help it as I don't know what could be wrong. Any help and advice would be great.
Click to expand...
Often times a pig that is sedate or lethargic is a sick guinea pig- it will be hard to figure out what the problem is short of a vet visit. Do this as soon as you can, as guinea pigs tend to deteriorate really quickly with illnesses. Have the vet check their teeth, their gut sounds, their breathing, heart sounds... a full going over. Is your pig eating? If not, it's imperative to get some food in, as guinea pigs can go into gut stasis without ongoing food going in (they are made for constant grazing.) There is a syringe feeding post stickied up top to give you some information if you need to supplement his feeds, but really a vet visit is the best thing you can do right now.
 
Hi everyone.
Thank you for your help, looks like it had an infection but unfortunately it didn't respond to treatment and passed away. Feeling very horrible wishing I'd taken it to the vet as soon as I noticed a difference and it probably would still been here. But spoke to the vet for future reference so I know worrying signs to look out for. Thankfully my little girl is only young and doesn't understand but is giving her other one plenty of cuddles. Again than you so much for all the advice.
 
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