Guinea Pig Won't Eat

[Pippy & Daisy]

Hi, last night both my girls were eating properly and drinking and everything they usually do, but this morning my mum put some food for them before she left for work and said Daisy didn't come out of her igloo for food. She lifted the pigloo and Daisy came out but still wouldn't come down for food. I got up and we eventually coaxed her down for food where I gave her some lettuce as a treat, and she nibbled it, but then ran up the ramp again. So I gave her some parsley and she hasn't touched that, then I gave her a bit of cucumber which she also nibbled but hasn't eaten. I've also put some fresh hay in but she hasn't eaten that either. She's sitting in their little bedroom area kind of in the corner, but she only went to the corner after she got sick of me trying to give her food so I'm not sure if that's a worry or not. I haven't been able to weigh either of them for the past few weeks (I know that's not good, but my scales broke and I haven't been able to get more yet) but she feels like she's actually put on a bit of weight if anything.

Am I being paranoid by worrying already? How long should I wait for her to eat? I'm going to make an appointment at the vet for this afternoon to get her seen to, but I'm already worried out of my mind and can't relax.

 

[sport_billy]

Try not to worry. You have done the right thing and arranged a vets appointment for today. Get them to check her teeth over. Lots of healing vibes to Daisy, let us know how she gets on.

 

[helen105281]

I would wait to see what the vet says first. You may need to hand feed if she isn't eating so hopefully this thread will help, though the links are UK ones:

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/

 

[Pippy & Daisy]

Thank you both. She's actually moved from the corner now towards the hay but I don't know if she's eaten any. She still won't take food. When I offer it to her, she sniffs it and I think she's going to take it, but then she kind of backs away from it. I'll let you know what the vet says after she's seen him.

 

[Wiebke]

Please start hand feeding and hydrating if you can't see a vet within 24 hours of her not eating.

If she isn't eating and drinking at all, you will see very few, very small funny poos - that is an alarm signal that the guts need to get going again or they are in danger of closing down. You are a very attentive mum, so I am sure that you can judge for yourself just how good or bad things are, just from looking at the poos tomorrow. If the poos are still coming and they are still a fairly decent size and consistency, then you do not need to go frantic, but you will still need to see a vet whenever a piggy is going off food.

 

[Pippy & Daisy]

Bit of a positive update - still haven't been to the vet yet (her appointment is still a few hours say) but after I left her for a while and then came to the hutch with food she actually came (hesitantly) to the bars for it! She still only nibbled but it's a start. She's also had a bit of a graze in the hay and is no longer hiding out in the bedroom. Thanks for the info about the poos Wiebke, I had a check and she's all good in that department, yay! Hopefully all this means it's not too serious a problem which has relaxed me a little but still watching the clock until I can get her to the vets

 

[Pippy & Daisy]

Have taken Daisy to the vet and all is well! I actually felt a bit silly by the time I got her there because throughout the day she picked up and started eating more and was walking around more. I didn't want to just assume she was alright, though, so I took her down - I was a bit worried when it wasn't her usual vet as she loves him and he's fantastic, but the vet she ended up with was also great and extremely thorough. Vet thinks she may have just had a scare overnight or had some gas or something since she checked everything and didn't find anything wrong. She's told me to keep an eye on Daisy tonight and tomorrow to make sure she keeps building her appetite more as it could possibly be the early signs of another UTI if she goes downhill, but she's said as long as she starts eating more within the next 24 hours there's no need to worry. I got the girls some parsley and a new big bag of hay and they both started pigging (hehe) out as soon as we got home so I'm very relieved! She seems to still be a tiny bit hesitant when I first give her food but after that she's fine and seems like she's back to her normal self.

On another note, I often find that a good indication of when Daisy is feeling better is actually how Pippy acts towards her. Is this a common thing? When she got her first UTI Pippy was very patient with her and wouldn't steal her food and was constantly checking on her. Then when she got better, Pip went back to trying to take Daisy's food. The same thing today - this morning Pip was very gentle with her but by the time we got home from the vets and Daisy was back in the hutch, Pip was straight back to being cheeky towards her. They're sisters and have been together since birth so I guess it must be something to do with that. Has anyone else seen this or is it just in my head? It's really lovely to watch!

 

[Freela]

I'm glad she checks out okay. Keep on eye on her to make sure that her food intake and behavior returns to normal. If not, you may have to hand-feed and see the vet again. Hopefully it's just one of those thing.

I definitely think that pigs know when a companion is ill and act accordingly. Especially if someone spends the day at the vet, I've seen the other pig be quite concerned and welcoming when they came back. Once when Sundae had a dental done and had spent the day at the vet, when she came home Linney nuzzled and licked her face,which I've never seen her do before. I think that Sundae may have smelled 'wrong' to her so she was attempting to put her scent on her, as well and generally checking her out to see that she was okay. It was very sweet, whatever it was!

 

[Pippy & Daisy]

Oh dear - looks like miss Daisy might have another UTI I was just giving them their dinner and checked everywhere she'd been and noticed a couple of spots of blood. Not quite what I was hoping for but at least it's something I've dealt with her before and have notice early on again. Will give the vets a call tomorrow and see whether I should bring her in or just give her a dose of medicine. She seems to be weeing and pooing as normal and has definitely regained her appetite, but the blood definitely makes me think it might be another UTI. Our vet has actually mentioned that a one off spot of blood in the wee isn't necessarily a concern all the time, but considering how she was this morning I think it's best to get her seen to to be on the safe side.

Bit upset but it could be worse, and she's picked up in every other way (eating, behaviour, etc) so hopefully we'll get it all cleared up ASAP.

Freela, good to know I'm not imagining it! Shows what loving little creatures they are

 

[Wiebke]

If I were you, I'd ask for a conscious/only lightly sedated x-ray to make sure that she hasn't got a stone, which could account for the weight loss. Better make sure now rather than sit there with an emergency over the holidays.