Guinea Pig Not Eating Losing Weight

[Shikha]

I shifted from dubau to canada 3 months ago and my piggies came with us. One of my girls from day one started eating less and makes weird faces when she eats. With more time passing she has lost a lot of weight and is not eating much now . She also closes her left eye when she eats. Its like she wants to but can't she asks for food gets excited but wont eat it. I visited a doctor specializing in guinea pigs, He checked her teeth with a small endoscope and also checked her eye tje eyes according to him was perfect. Her teeth were not 100% perfect but were ok and he said she is using one side more than other. He gave me metacam to give her .25 ml once daily for two weeks . After two days she isn't eating anything much now i dnt know what the problem is. According to him he can take xrays now but he would have to anesthise her for that which I'm really scared about . I'm giving her probiotics and syringe feeding her softened pellets and poop from healthy piggie. Anyone has any ideas please help me I'm in dire need.

 

[Gem789]

I shifted from dubau to canada 3 months ago and my piggies came with us. One of my girls from day one started eating less and makes weird faces when she eats. With more time passing she has lost a lot of weight and is not eating much now . She also closes her left eye when she eats. Its like she wants to but can't she asks for food gets excited but wont eat it. I visited a doctor specializing in guinea pigs, He checked her teeth with a small endoscope and also checked her eye tje eyes according to him was perfect. Her teeth were not 100% perfect but were ok and he said she is using one side more than other. He gave me metacam to give her .25 ml once daily for two weeks . After two days she isn't eating anything much now i dnt know what the problem is. According to him he can take xrays now but he would have to anesthise her for that which I'm really scared about . I'm giving her probiotics and syringe feeding her softened pellets and poop from healthy piggie. Anyone has any ideas please help me I'm in dire need.

I'm thinking it might be an idea to see another vet.Keep on with the syringe feeding for now and giving the metacam.How much syringe feed are you giving her a day?

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

It sounds like it could be a brewing tooth root abscess that is causing her pain which would make her eat more on one side of her mouth, which in turn will cause the teeth to grow incorrectly. Definitely try and see another vet. In the meantime, keep her as strong as you can by getting lots of syringe food in. I aim for around 100 - 120 mls of syringe food per 24 hours.

 

[Freela]

Making weird faces (is she pulling her lips back while chewing?) can be a sign of tooth overgrowth or tooth pain. I have had guinea pigs with overgrown molars and/or dental abscesses show those symptoms. Are there any lumps along the side of her face when you run your fingers along her jawline? That can be the sign of an abscess brewing, but sometimes pigs can show symptoms of pain for a long time before the actual lump appears.

One of my pigs, Sundae, had similar symptoms on and off for about four months. Her teeth were overgrowing on one side because she was chewing on the opposite side. She had two dentals under anesthesia during those months. After those her eating improved for a month or so, but she would gradually revert to having the same problems. Finally after about 4 months her face puffed up in a large abscess. It had probably been brewing deep down for the entire time but took that long to be apparent. She had the abscess lanced and drained and once it resolved, she didn't have any further dental problems (the surgery was 3 years ago now.)

If she isn't eating, the first thing is you will need to syringe-feed her to keep her going. There is a guide to syringe-feeding bookmarked on the top of the page to give some pointers. Also see a vet with experience with guinea pig teeth. She may need to have her molars filed down and the x-ray would also be a good idea. The vet should feel for bumps along the jawline as well. She may need to be anesthetized for dental filing and x-rays (this is pretty much the standard in Canada- I'm in Canada too. I've not yet found a vet who is trained in doing conscious dentals here.) That said, this is a problem that needs to be fixed if she is to recover, and although there is a small risk with anesthesia, all my pigs (even very sick ones) have done well with anesthesia. Make sure the vet uses inhaled anesthesia, which is much safer for small animals.

Where in Canada are you? I have a great vet in Clarington (east of Toronto) who has treated Sundae's teeth in the past and could give you the info if you are in the Toronto area.

 

[Shikha]

Making weird faces (is she pulling her lips back while chewing?) can be a sign of tooth overgrowth or tooth pain. I have had guinea pigs with overgrown molars and/or dental abscesses show those symptoms. Are there any lumps along the side of her face when you run your fingers along her jawline? That can be the sign of an abscess brewing, but sometimes pigs can show symptoms of pain for a long time before the actual lump appears.

One of my pigs, Sundae, had similar symptoms on and off for about four months. Her teeth were overgrowing on one side because she was chewing on the opposite side. She had two dentals under anesthesia during those months. After those her eating improved for a month or so, but she would gradually revert to having the same problems. Finally after about 4 months her face puffed up in a large abscess. It had probably been brewing deep down for the entire time but took that long to be apparent. She had the abscess lanced and drained and once it resolved, she didn't have any further dental problems (the surgery was 3 years ago now.)

If she isn't eating, the first thing is you will need to syringe-feed her to keep her going. There is a guide to syringe-feeding bookmarked on the top of the page to give some pointers. Also see a vet with experience with guinea pig teeth. She may need to have her molars filed down and the x-ray would also be a good idea. The vet should feel for bumps along the jawline as well. She may need to be anesthetized for dental filing and x-rays (this is pretty much the standard in Canada- I'm in Canada too. I've not yet found a vet who is trained in doing conscious dentals here.) That said, this is a problem that needs to be fixed if she is to recover, and although there is a small risk with anesthesia, all my pigs (even very sick ones) have done well with anesthesia. Make sure the vet uses inhaled anesthesia, which is much safer for small animals.

Where in Canada are you? I have a great vet in Clarington (east of Toronto) who has treated Sundae's teeth in the past and could give you the info if you are in the Toronto area.

Hi
Thanks for the info. I'm in Toronto . I used the greenwood park animal hospital . I don't mind traveling as long as i get the best doc.
She pulls her lips back and something uses her hands like something is stuck i her teeth . The doctor showed me pictures of her teeth and they were all fine except a molar that was brownish in color. Iwas given an estimate of 900$ for xrays and filling is that ok. Thanks a lot

 

[Shikha]

It sounds like it could be a brewing tooth root abscess that is causing her pain which would make her eat more on one side of her mouth, which in turn will cause the teeth to grow incorrectly. Definitely try and see another vet. In the meantime, keep her as strong as you can by getting lots of syringe food in. I aim for around 100 - 120 mls of syringe food per 24 hours.

Thanks she was eating a bit day before just stopped yesterday so i just startedthe syringe feed andil increase the amount . Right now she is eating some lettuce by herself. I'm planning on buying some critical care for her today.

 

[Shikha]

I'm thinking it might be an idea to see another vet.Keep on with the syringe feeding for now and giving the metacam.How much syringe feed are you giving her a day?

Just started the syringe feed yesterday so not a lot right now like one 5 ml syringe full at a time and 3 times last night. Right now she is eating some lettuce on her own so I'm letting her do that before i start with her syringe feeding

 

[Gem789]

Just started the syringe feed yesterday so not a lot right now like one 5 ml syringe full at a time and 3 times last night. Right now she is eating some lettuce on her own so I'm letting her do that before i start with her syringe feeding

Ok, I'll tag @Wiebke as i can't remember how much syringe feed they need a day x

 

[Wiebke]

Ok, I'll tag @Wiebke as i can't remember how much syringe feed they need a day x

You adjust the amount to what she needs and in view of how much she is eating herself. Be aware that you need to control the weight by weighing daily at the same time, not by watching her eating a little bit of veg - that can be very deceptive! Up to 80% of the daily food intake should be hay, which you can't control and which is often first food group that is dropped if guinea pig is unwell or in pain.
As a rule thumb - if you are getting less than 5 ml into a piggy in one go and it is not eating anything else, feed ever 2 hours day and night round the clock. 5-10 ml about every 3-4 hours, with at least once or twice during the night. 10-15 ml, you feed 4 times a day and if necessary once during the night. Try to introduce solids. 15-20 ml three times a day and if possible (unless you have a dental guinea pig), try to switch over your piggy onto normal feed.
You may find the tips in our illustrated syringe feeding guide helpful. We have specifically written it to support owners that are for the first time confronted with having to syringe feed a guinea pig.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Freela]

Hi
Thanks for the info. I'm in Toronto . I used the greenwood park animal hospital . I don't mind traveling as long as i get the best doc.
She pulls her lips back and something uses her hands like something is stuck i her teeth . The doctor showed me pictures of her teeth and they were all fine except a molar that was brownish in color. Iwas given an estimate of 900$ for xrays and filling is that ok. Thanks a lot

The symptoms definitely sound similar to dental pain/overgrowth that I have seen (pulling faces, pawing at her mouth.) I'm east of Toronto and use a vet in Clarington- Dr. Bill Mingram at Clarington Animal Hospital. It would probably be an hour and a half or so east of Toronto for you (maybe two with traffic), so a bit of a jaunt, but I've been really satisfied and happy with the care Sundae has received there. I also used to take my hedgehogs to the Links Rd Animal Hospital in Toronto proper and was very happy with them (they do exotics, which include guinea pigs.) A friend of mine has also had rabbits treated there and was really happy with their care. I can't vouch with guinea pigs, though, but it would certainly be closer to home as they are in Toronto. I don't have the numbers handy, but you can look them up online. Best of luck- I saw your message and sent the info there too.

 

[Shikha]

Thanks a lot. I don't have a car so clarimgton would be difficult still i would try. Links Also i have heard about but didn't go there lets see il take appointment today and see what they have to say.
Its not over growth cause her mouth was checked but she sure is in pain. Hope doctor can just find out and treat her .
Thanks again

 

[Shikha]

Thanks

You adjust the amount to what she needs and in view of how much she is eating herself. Be aware that you need to control the weight by weighing daily at the same time, not by watching her eating a little bit of veg - that can be very deceptive! Up to 80% of the daily food intake should be hay, which you can't control and which is often first food group that is dropped if guinea pig is unwell or in pain.
As a rule thumb - if you are getting less than 5 ml into a piggy in one go and it is not eating anything else, feed ever 2 hours day and night round the clock. 5-10 ml about every 3-4 hours, with at least once or twice during the night. 10-15 ml, you feed 4 times a day and if necessary once during the night. Try to introduce solids. 15-20 ml three times a day and if possible (unless you have a dental guinea pig), try to switch over your piggy onto normal feed.
You may find the tips in our illustrated syringe feeding guide helpful. We have specifically written it to support owners that are for the first time confronted with having to syringe feed a guinea pig.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

thanks a lot this really helped

 

[Wiebke]

Fingers firmly crossed for your poorly girl!