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Guinea Pig Eating But Losing Weight?

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Fizzbomb290

Fizzbomb290

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I weigh my piggies weekly and one of them has dropped 80g in a week. I'm taking into account I weighed her at a different time than last but it seems like a lot...

She has been eating and drinking as normal. I brought her in last night and whipped up some critical care food which she ate.

Weighed her again and another 10g lost today.... but shes sitting with me eating spinach and peppers? Vets booked for tomorrow.

Any ideas why she would be loosing weight bit eating?

Thanks all in advance x
 
:D I am no expert, but I know that guinea pigs do not have to stop eating to lose weight. It is good that you have her booked at the vets. There is obviously some internal issue going on. Are her poops and wee the same as usual? Well done for spotting the problem so early and acting on it straight away. Piggies lose weight so fast that time is of the essence. Let us know what happens tomorrow. Good luck. :tu:
 
Glad she's booked in. There are many things that can cause weight loss despite eating. Firstly your vet needs to rule out dental problems, and anything else obvious. If she continues to lose weight then it may be advisable to take some blood.

Hope she's just having an off week. And feels better soon and picks up the weight.

x
 
Her poo and wee are normal... I have brought her indoors to monitor how much she eats she is eating kale, spinach, peppers and hay as normal and squeaking like a happy piggy...

Her other two sisters are OK. I'm going to bring them in tomorrow night so they don't miss each other too much...

I don't think she has been eating her nuggets as much as she should have been so helpfully its her back teeth. I've looked at the front ones and they are OK.

I will let you all know how she is tomorrow.

Thanks everyone lets hope she's OK.
 
An update on my little munchkin... Vets couldn't find anything wrong with her. They done a scan and nothing picked up. Her poo was fine so they have given me antibiotics 0.7ml of Baytril for 4 days then i go back on Friday.

They tried to look at her teeth but she had food still in her mouth - lesson learnt no food before going the vets!

I'll post on Friday with an update.
 
My other guinea pig now has a chest infection, Is this something i am doing? I hope not....

They live outdoors with a thermal cover over hutch and an old duvet and curtians when its really cold. I use Fitch bedding for their bedroom area and they also have constant hay and pellets....

Jupiter is on 0.9ml baytil for 5 days... she lost 200g in 1 week bust she is eating and drinking, so hopefully the antibiotics will do her the world of good....

Any thoughts why they are all getting illw ould be most helpful :)
 
Hi - worrying times for you - 200g is a large loss in 1 week. Just tagging @helen105281 and @Abi_nurse for you as they may be able to advise.

Although she is drinking and eating you may want to think about supplementing with some hand feeding - maybe some mushed up pellets to begin with? Just soften some pellets in previously boiled then cooled water - she may eat them off a plate/bowl if she still has a good appetite? And obviously veg from your hand which you sound to be doing.
Sorry if I have misunderstood something but are both sisters on Baytril now? Both for suspected respiratory infections? Do you think the baytril is having an effect yet? eg more active?
Are there are options for you to bring them indoors whilst they are poorly? I know not possible for everyone but you would be able to keep a close eye and keep their temperature more constant?
Sending lots of vibes for your girls.
 
It is just bad timing I think unless both pigs have the same infection. I tend to get a run of pigs being ill at the same time with different ailments. Has the vet given you probiotic to give an hour or so after the Baytril? she will need it to protect her gut.

What is the situation with the original girl that had lost weight? As Laura has said, does she have the same infection?
 
Both sisters are on baytril and both for URI an is definitely having an effect they are suekim and running around. Jupiter is now putting weight on but the original girl munchkin is fluctuating.

When they lose weight due to illness do they go back to what they originally where?

Made some room in the kitchen/dining room I feel the cold weather may have brought it in...

I wasn't given any probiotic can I buy this over the counter? Does baytril affect their gut? They are pooping as normal...

Thank you sooooo much everyone for your help x
 
It can take a while and some pigs do never regain all of the weight they lose.

If you have a Pets at Home near you, this one would be ok:

ProC Probiotic 100gm | Pets At Home

It needs to be given at least an hour apart from the Baytril and it is best given by syringe rather than in their water bottle. Glad you have been able to bring them inside.
 
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