Help!

F

Four-piggies

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 15, 2021
Messages
53
Reaction score
6
Points
190
Location
Kentucky
Okay so I have four male pigs and one of them is acting very strange he’s walking weird and he isn’t as playful anymore
 
Your piggy will need to be taken to a vet for diagnosis and treatment. We cannot tell you what is wrong with him.

Switch from the routine weekly weighing to instead weighing him daily while you are concerned. Any drop in weight means he isn’t eating enough hay and you will need to step in and syringe feed him.

Do they live in two separate pairs? If not and you’ve got them all together (particularly if they are young), then do be aware that four boys together is a recipe for disaster.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Your piggy will need to be taken to a vet for diagnosis and treatment.

Do they live in two separate pairs? If not, and your piggies are young, then do be aware that four boys together is a recipe for disaster.
Click to expand...
Yes they live in pairs I have two cages for them I have to call a vet tomorrow but I have also been thinking about giving them away because it’s hard for me to pay for everything that they need.
 
Four-piggies said:
Yes they live in pairs I have two cages for them I have to call a vet tomorrow but I have also been thinking about giving them away because it’s hard for me to pay for everything that they need.
Click to expand...
It is good you are seeing a vet with your boy.
Hopefully he will be able to diagnose the problem and advise on the next steps.

It is sad you feel you might not be able to keep your guina pigs, but sometimes the hardest decision is the one that is in their best interests.

If you truly feel you can't keep them then please try to find a non kill shelter nearby to take them to. This gives them a better chance of finding a good home as opposed to just giving them away via the free ads.

I wish you luck with whatever you decide for your boys.
 
It’s good to hear that they are separate pairs.

Its lovely you are considering their needs. Guinea pigs are not cheap pets to keep and I know vet fees in the US are more expensive than they are in the UK.

It’s good you can get him to a vet, please do call for an appointment but as it currently stands, without further information, we can’t say whether what you are dealing with can actually wait until tomorrow. If you can provide further information on what is actually happening we can advise further.

If you do feel you can’t manage their needs, then please surrender them to a rescue centre and not just give them any away to just anybody. It’s important the home they go to is knowledgeable and has been passed as appropriate
 
Piggies&buns said:
It’s good to hear that they are separate pairs.

Its lovely you are considering their needs. Guinea pigs are not cheap pets to keep and I know vet fees in the US are more expensive than they are in the UK.

It’s good you can get him to a vet, please do call for an appointment but as it currently stands, without further information, we can’t say whether what you are dealing with can actually wait until tomorrow. If you can provide further information on what is actually happening we can advise further.

If you do feel you can’t manage their needs, then please surrender them to a rescue centre and not just give them any away to just anybody. It’s important the home they go to is knowledgeable and has been passed as appropriate
Click to expand...
I have a family friend who has pigs who would take them. I can provide their needs I’m just scared that I’m not doing it right because I was a new owner I went to the pet store looking to buy a pair but instead I left the store with 3 because I couldn’t leave the third one behind because he would’ve been lonely then I went to pet smart the following week and I saw one in his cage by himself so I also took him. They we’re all about 6 weeks when I got them so they all stayed in one cage until I noticed they were getting rowdy and would constantly fight so I bought two bigger cages and separated them. But I also want to buy a new a cage if you have any suggestions one what cage would be good for two pigs so I could purchase them new ones.
 
How long have you had them/how old are they?

You were right to separate them into pairs. Keeping any more than two boars together is incredibly unstable and fails.

What size are the cages they have now?
Each of your boar pairs needs a cage measuring 180cm x 60cm to have enough space. Boars are more territorial and need a lot of space.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
 
Piggies&buns said:
How long have you had them/how old are they?

You were right to separate them into pairs. Keeping any more than two boars together is incredibly unstable and fails.

What size are the cages they have now?
Each of your boar pairs needs a cage measuring 180cm x 60cm to have enough space. Boars are more territorial and need a lot of space.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Click to expand...
I got them may 8, 2020 and the two cages I have for them now I believe are about 30cm 70cm
 
This is a link to our new owner guides. They will help you with information on how to care for them. Do ask us questions though if there are any areas you would like advice on.
New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

It is important your poorly piggy is seen by a vet though. As I said, in the meantime, keep a close eye on his weight by switching to weighing him daily rather than weekly and step in and support feed if needed.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
 
Piggies&buns said:
This is a link to our new owner guides. They will help you with information on how to care for them. Do ask us questions though if there are any areas you would like advice on.
New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

It is important your poorly piggy is seen by a vet though. As I said, in the meantime, keep a close eye on his weight by switching to weighing him daily rather than weekly and step in and support feed if needed.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Click to expand...
Thank you so much and I’m calling the vet tomorrow to see when I can get him in
 
Four-piggies said:
I got them may 8, 2020 and the two cages I have for them now I believe are about 30cm 70cm
Click to expand...

I'm so sorry to say those cages fall well short of even welfare standards, they are simply far far too small. They are no more than hamster cages I’m afraid.
The minimum size for two piggies is 120 x 60cm (although even that size is only really suitable for two sows) but for two boars the minimum is 150x60cm. As boars need more space a 150cm can be too small hence why I said a 180x60cm is recommended. Boars need a huge amount of space, and too small of a cage can cause problems in their bond.
 
Four-piggies said:
I went to the pet store looking to buy a pair but instead I left the store with 3 because I couldn’t leave the third one behind because he would’ve been lonely then I went to pet smart the following week and I saw one in his cage by himself so I also took him. They we’re all about 6 weeks when I got them so they all stayed in one cage until I noticed they were getting rowdy and would constantly fight so I bought two bigger cages and separated them.
Click to expand...
I did the same as you. Almost to the letter, but I'm still waiting for a4th piggy from a rescue.

Pet shops should be required to sell them in pairs, and offer proper support
 
Four-piggies said:
So I called the vet and he has an appointment for next Friday
Click to expand...

Make sure you weigh him every day so you can be sure he is eating enough and isn’t losing weight. It’s a long time to wait for a vet appointment if he isn’t looking well
 
I will and there’s been a lot of snow here so the roads are bad and if he gets worse I’m going to take him to an emergency vet
 
Update he isn’t doing to well and I’m going to try and make him comfortable because I don’t think he’s going to make it
 
I’m sorry. Can you not get him seen by a vet today? I don’t know what time difference is but assume it’s past their opening time.
 
It was suggested earlier on in your thread. I don’t know if he would take it now if he’s so lethargic. Are you not able to get to an emergency vet? If not I’m afraid the best you can do is to keep him comfy.
 
Siikibam said:
It was suggested earlier on in your thread. I don’t know if he would take it now if he’s so lethargic. Are you not able to get to an emergency vet? If not I’m afraid the best you can do is to keep him comfy.
Click to expand...
I can’t get to one I hope he lasts until tomorrow and then I’ll be able to take him
 
Will you be able to if the roads are bad? Please put him back with his cage mate. If he makes it through the night then please get him to a vet as soon as possible in the morning.
 
Siikibam said:
Will you be able to if the roads are bad? Please put him back with his cage mate. If he makes it through the night then please get him to a vet as soon as possible in the morning.
Click to expand...
Is it okay for me to put him back in the cage? I only took him out so the other one wouldn’t get so depressed
 
I think you should make him comfy in his cage. His being ill won’t make his friend depressed.
 
You’d need a small syringe - 1ml. Soak the pellets in hot water to make a mush and feed that. He may not be able to take it which would unfortunately not be good. Have a read of the guide linked below.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top