Guineapig acting very neurotic!

Stockyanna

Stockyanna

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi. I have just come back from a 2 week holiday. My mum was coming in twice a day to care for my two female 4 year old female piggies that live indoors. Since I came back one of the piggies is acting most peculiar. She won't let me near her. Runs instantly if I try and stroke her and is obsessed with the other piggie. She is following her around, fussing over her, following her into the beds each time, sniffing her rear end and constantly trying to snuggle up or lick her. She has never been like this in 4 years. Almost like neurotic behaviour. She is driving the other one mad. I go away several times a year so it isn't that. I also weighed her before I left and again today and she has lost 200 grams in weight in those 2 weeks although she is still constantly eating. Can somebody help please as I am really worried about her behaviour?

Many thanks, Anna
 
It could be linked to ovarian problems such a cysts, the excess hormones making her show more dominance behaviours such as rumbling or sniffing rear end etc.

That’s a big weight loss for such a short time too, can you start syringe feeding critical care? There are some fab guides on here for how to do it. It’s very important to keep her guts going and make an urgent appointment for her.

Hope it goes alright!
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
It could be linked to ovarian problems such a cysts, the excess hormones making her show more dominance behaviours such as rumbling or sniffing rear end etc.

That’s a big weight loss for such a short time too, can you start syringe feeding critical care? There are some fab guides on here for how to do it. It’s very important to keep her guts going and make an urgent appointment for her.

Hope it goes alright!
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Hi. Thanks for replying. No I haven't tried anything yet as not had much of a chance with it being a bank holiday weekend. I was going to call the vet tomorrow morning. Not heard of ovarian issues in a guineapig I must admit. It doesn't feel like she is being dominant. More ultra clingy and needy! She is a very feisty piggie anyway but it really feels like she is being really obsessive! You would never catch them in the same bed together before but now the other one can't get away! Thanks for your feedback though. I will try and get the critical care solution today thank you
 
No need to wait for critical care - you can feed normal pellets soaked in water - they go all mushy once they’ve absorbed the water. I put mine in the blender to make it smooth and could syringe it just fine.
 
KathT said:
No need to wait for critical care - you can feed normal pellets soaked in water - they go all mushy once they’ve absorbed the water. I put mine in the blender to make it smooth and could syringe it just fine.
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Thank you. Will give that a try. She is eating fine though. Queuing up for it. I have read that pigs can struggle to put on weight after 4 years old but the loss does seem too quick for two weeks.
 
Welcome to the forum.
I agree with the suggestion to feed her mushed pellets - it works well.
She does need to see a vet to get a proper diagnosis though.
Let us know how things go
 
Merab's Slave said:
Welcome to the forum.
I agree with the suggestion to feed her mushed pellets - it works well.
She does need to see a vet to get a proper diagnosis though.
Let us know how things go
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Will do thank you very much
 
Stockyanna said:
Hi. I have just come back from a 2 week holiday. My mum was coming in twice a day to care for my two female 4 year old female piggies that live indoors. Since I came back one of the piggies is acting most peculiar. She won't let me near her. Runs instantly if I try and stroke her and is obsessed with the other piggie. She is following her around, fussing over her, following her into the beds each time, sniffing her rear end and constantly trying to snuggle up or lick her. She has never been like this in 4 years. Almost like neurotic behaviour. She is driving the other one mad. I go away several times a year so it isn't that. I also weighed her before I left and again today and she has lost 200 grams in weight in those 2 weeks although she is still constantly eating. Can somebody help please as I am really worried about her behaviour?

Many thanks, Anna
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Please have your sow vet checked for ovarian cysts. They are rather common in older sows and can cause behaviour like they are experiencing a nonstop strong season.
You will find more information on ovarian cysts in this link here: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

Please have your sow vet checked for ovarian cysts. They are rather common in older sows and can cause behaviour like they are experiencing a nonstop strong season.
You will find more information on ovarian cysts in this link here: Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Click to expand...
Thank you. Just read it and it sounds like it could well be that. Not something i have heard of before in guineapigs. But her behaviour is certainly portraying that. Thanks. Going to call the vets first thing tomorrow
 
I took Candy to the vet today and she had a scan. She has cysts on both kidneys 😢 And is the start of kidney failure. They couldn't tell me anything more than that really. She seems bright enough and is eating (not quite what she was) so I guess I have to make her as happy and comfortable as I can. Feeling very sad. I only lost my boy a couple of months ago 😔 If anybody has any advice on what I can give her natural remedy-wise then I would really appreciate it. She is such a little character. I just want to give her as good a life as I can. Thanks
 
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry for the bad news. Deaths sadly come like London buses - in clusters... :(

You may find this link here helpful in the coming weeks as it has a chapter on looking after terminally ill guinea pigs; you have much more control in how you go through the grieving process and how you can turn it into an uplifting as well as sad time for yourself.
Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children
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Thank you. Much appreciated
 
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