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Help with an underweight Piggie...

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BellaVi

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Hi,

We bought two soars from a breeder in Wokingham and We are currently waiting for our piggies to get to the proper weight to come home.
One of them is ready to go home but the other one is far too underweight for her age. The breeder told me that she is alright, eating and playing, all normal but she is half the size and half the weight she was supposed to be at 6 weeks old.
Is it normal for her just to be little or she probably has a health problem hidden somewhere?
The breeder did offer me another piggie if I'm not happy or concerned about having the little one.

Thanks for all the help in advance.
 
I have never heard of guinea pigs needing to be a certain weight but they have to be six weeks old before they leave their mother. Would you consider getting piggies from a rescue were you can be sure they are in good health? If there is something wrong with this little one you are in for a sad and expensive journey.
 
Ideally baby piggies need to be around 300g when they leave mum sows weigh less then boars, what weight is she? She might possibly be a runt hence the size :)
 
If she is a lot lighter than her siblings then it is worth checking that there is no underlying reason. Sometimes like degu_ rock says, you get a runt of the litter who is smaller but healthy. Sometimes you just get a small piggy but failure to thrive and put on weight is often the sign of an underlying problem.

I would be a little wary of taking on a little one without a good cavy savy vet check first to make sure there are no nasty surprises....

Ideally baby piggies should hit 300g plus before leaving mum as it means they should be fit, healthy and independent but obviously there is a natural variation in pig size/weight.
 
degu_rock said:
Ideally baby piggies need to be around 300g when they leave mum sows weigh less then boars, what weight is she? She might possibly be a runt hence the size :)
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She didnt tell me her weight, she just told me that she was half of the weight and size she was supposed to be to go away.
We decided to wait another week to see her development but I am concerned of getting her and realise a few week that she has a heart condition or something else serious.
I remember when I saw her for the first time she was really tiny but she was only 2 weeks and a half.
 
Ask the breeder what weight they are? That way you know how underweight she is and be able to make a decision based on facts. I would be wary as you don't want problems, also worthwhile finding a cavy savvy vet as well for future :)
 
Any good rescue will not rehome a piggy before 6 weeks old/400g weight, so the youngsters are sturdy enough to cope with the big change in their lives. Breeder sows with large litters in later pregnancies often have runts (babies that don't get enough nourishment in the womb and that will always remain smaller) - but piggies that are nevertheless healthy in themselves. They can live a perfectly happy, normal life. My sister had one for several years. She was a darling, but she also ran the show!

However, I would talk with the breeder and ask as to the actual weight of the baby; personally I would prefer if she could wait until she is at least 300g.

Here is our forum map of recommended piggy savvy vets; I hope that you can find one within your reach:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=204458758673513849635.0004e111354a528da0dbb&msa=0
 
degu_rock said:
Ask the breeder what weight they are? That way you know how underweight she is and be able to make a decision based on facts. I would be wary as you don't want problems, also worthwhile finding a cavy savvy vet as well for future :)
Click to expand...

I've sent her a message asking for the little one weigh, but I'm going to call her tomorrow anyway in case she didnt get it. Thanks Degu_rock.
 
Wiebke said:
Any good rescue will not rehome a piggy before 6 weeks old/400g weight, so the youngsters are sturdy enough to cope with the big change in their lives. Breeder sows with large litters in later pregnancies often have runts (babies that don't get enough nourishment in the womb and that will always remain smaller) - but piggies that are nevertheless healthy in themselves. They can live a perfectly happy, normal life. My sister had one for several years. She was a darling, but she also ran the show!

However, I would talk with the breeder and ask as to the actual weight of the baby; personally I would prefer if she could wait until she is at least 300g.

Here is our forum map of recommended piggy savvy vets; I hope that you can find one within your reach:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=204458758673513849635.0004e111354a528da0dbb&msa=0
Click to expand...

Thanks for the list. I've found one vet that's only 20miles from me, so not bad at all.
The breeder said she was quite happy to wait as she wouldn't let the little one go without betting to the minimum weight.

I've asked her for her weight t the moment. Lets hope she will reply soon, or I'll be calling her tomorrow. :)

Thanks.
 
I just spoke to the breeder and the little sow is 170g at 6 weeks old. The other one is 340g so double the weight.
 
That's pretty tiny for that age, I'd be a bit worried about that and would want a thorough vet check before taking the little one on... She may be fine and just tiny but there could also be big problems hiding there.
 
MerryPip said:
That's pretty tiny for that age, I'd be a bit worried about that and would want a thorough vet check before taking the little one on... She may be fine and just tiny but there could also be big problems hiding there.
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Yes. I am really concerned about getting her.. It doesn't sound good at all. She might be saying that the piggie is good now but God knows what is going to happen in a couple of months.
She has another couple of sows available. I might choose another one just I case. That last thing I want is loosing a piggie in a few months time and break my girls heart.
Tks
 
I agree if she was slightly under I wouldn't worry but that's a big difference, my last runt I took in was 260g at 6 weeks but your little girl is a lot less. I think you would be wise to ask the breeder for another, the other girl is a good weight to bring home now.
 
degu_rock said:
I agree if she was slightly under I wouldn't worry but that's a big difference, my last runt I took in was 260g at 6 weeks but your little girl is a lot less. I think you would be wise to ask the breeder for another, the other girl is a good weight to bring home now.
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Yes degu_rock. It was exactly what I've just done. The breeder is being really nice and helpful, she sent me pics of the other 2 girls she has available and they are all cute. So next week I'm going there to decide which one of them to bring home.
Tks :)
 
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