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Guinea Pig Loosing Weight

Gemm24

Gemm24

Junior Guinea Pig
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hi please can I have some advice. My guinea pig is 3.5 years old and she has been really healthy but in the past 2-3 weeks she has lost 200g.
I took her to a guinea savvy vet tonight who checked her teeth, heart, movement, lumps, bumps etc and said he can not find anything wrong with her. He gave me some metacam and emeprid to help her and to come back in 3 days if there was no improvement.

I am very worried as I know guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly. She isn’t eating as much at all-just nibbling small bits very slowly. I am trying to encourage her to eat. I don’t have any critical care but would mushing up some pellets and syringe feeding her help? I am really at a loss. Please help I’m so worried.
 
Gemm said:
hi please can I have some advice. My guinea pig is 3.5 years old and she has been really healthy but in the past 2-3 weeks she has lost 200g.
I took her to a guinea savvy vet tonight who checked her teeth, heart, movement, lumps, bumps etc and said he can not find anything wrong with her. He gave me some metacam and emeprid to help her and to come back in 3 days if there was no improvement.

I am very worried as I know guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly. She isn’t eating as much at all-just nibbling small bits very slowly. I am trying to encourage her to eat. I don’t have any critical care but would mushing up some pellets and syringe feeding her help? I am really at a loss. Please help I’m so worried.
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Hi and welcome

Please feed her mushed up pellets and offer as much water as she needs asap. You will need to prep the syringe tip as shown in our guide to allow the fibre to come through. Our illustrated guide will show you exactly how, how much and how often.
Not Eating And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

If the problems continue or if she deteriorates, please have her seen as soon as possible. The next step would be a scan or x-ray to see what is going on the inside.
 
Thanks for your quick response. I will do that now. I really hope she gets better.
 
Hi I have tried to syringe feed and I have got about 1.5 syringes down. She is spitting out some of the pellets and it’s quite distressing for her. I am following the instructions/video that u linked. I down want her to get too stressed out but I know she needs to eat. I guess I just need some reassurance that I am doing the right thing. Do u think I should continue?
 
Gemm said:
Hi I have tried to syringe feed and I have got about 1.5 syringes down. She is spitting out some of the pellets and it’s quite distressing for her. I am following the instructions/video that you linked. I down want her to get too stressed out but I know she needs to eat. I guess I just need some reassurance that I am doing the right thing. Do you think I should continue?
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Did you completely mush up the pellets with water? I find it can get rather messy but please carry on and wait until she has chewed one mouthful before giving the next x
 
Yeah I have, I think she is getting tired. I just got some more down her. I hope it makes some difference to her. Thanks again for your quick response. I really appreciate your help.
 
I got 2 full syringes down and she has gone to sleep in my lap. When she wakes I will give her 2 more which will make 40ml. Hopefully that will be enough for tonight and I will check her in the morning. Thanks again for you help. I truest appreciate it.
 
Ahhh I hope she feels bit better after her syringe feed & her snooze. You’re doing a great job but sounds like she might need another trip to the vets to find out the cause of this x
 
Update I went back to the vets and they still don’t have any idea what’s wrong with her. She is on metacam, emeprid and I got baytril today. I hope they medication works soon. I am still syringe feeding her mushed up pellets and I have bought oxbow critical care and emeraid which will arrive tomorrow.

Do you know how long it can take for emeprid, metacam and baytril to have an effect?
Thanks again
 
Gemm said:
Update I went back to the vets and they still don’t have any idea what’s wrong with her. She is on metacam, emeprid and I got baytril today. I hope they medication works soon. I am still syringe feeding her mushed up pellets and I have bought oxbow critical care and emeraid which will arrive tomorrow.

Do you know how long it can take for emeprid, metacam and baytril to have an effect?
Thanks again
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Metacam should perk her up within the day.What dosage is she on and is it dog or cat metacam? x
 
Hope your piggy feels better soon. It is always a worry when they are not feeling great.
 
Thanks everyone. She is still not eating properly I gave her some emeraid, water and her meds but nothing has changed.
The vet told me they can take bloods but she would need to be put under- the way she is now I don’t think she would survive being put under so I’m going keep syringe feeding her and giving her the medication and hope she gets a bit stronger.
 
Thank you. Today she seems a little more active and i saw her trying to eat hay. I have fed her more meds and emeraid today. She doesn’t seem to like the emeraid at all! I have bought some critical care as well-I don’t want to mix too many new foods and meds but would you recommend trying her on critical as well or just stick to one emergency food?
 
To be honest, I've never used either of those emergency foods, but I'd think it would make it much easier for you both, if the one you used was one she found more palatable. I'm not sure if swapping to critical care would cause a problem, so hopefully someone else who knows more will be along shortly.
 
you can try the critical care,it is an individual taste as to which syringe feed formula each piggie preferes.ive some that like selective science recovery food,others that love apple and banana flavor critical care.i always keep both formulas in my first aid kit !
 
None of mine have liked the Critical care, but Grace nearly ended up wearing the egg cup & Supreme Selective Recovery Food that was mixed in it when she was ill, as she was so desperate to get at it! (Was eating it straight off of the mixing spoon) Orca tried to get in on the act too!

If your guinea doesn't like either - try tipping their pellets into a separate bag & use the 'pellet dust' at the bottom of the bag mixed with warm water as an emergency or temporary measure.

Might be worth double checking her teeth again, check she hasn't got a dental abscess brewing if she's trying to eat but cant.

healing vibes. xx
 
Thanks for the tip. I tried the pellet dust and she was less reluctant this morning.
I think it is to do with her teeth because she is eating very slowly compared to normal and she looks like she wants to eat. I am taking her back to the vets today for a second opinion.
While I was feeding her emerald today she had a poo/sticky discharge. Below is a photo.
Do u think this is another symptom or could it be because she isn’t getting enough fibre?

Thanks again

A6D92E28-7815-4285-9761-538657A41576.webp
 
So sorry about the graphic photo. I’m so worried about her. I will post a cute photo of ruby when she is better!
 
I'd definitely recommend another checkup, especially of her teeth. If she is trying to eat then it's a sign of tooth issues.

Is your vet experienced with pigs? Sometimes a more specialist vet can find issues that other vets miss.

The discharge suggests that she has a digestive issue. It can be a sign that their digestive system is slowing down becauss of lack of food.

It's hard but she needs to eat more. Try to give her little and often.
 
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