justinakaser
New Born Pup
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2014
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Hello all, I've had my guinea pig, Porky, for 5 years now. I got him when he was already an adult at Petco. So he's at least 6. Lately, he's been concerning me. I don't know how to even begin, so I'll just break it up into sections.
This past month or so, he's lost a lot of weight. He used to be very plump but lately he's thinned down a lot. Can feel all of the poor guy's bones. He hasn't really cut back on his eating, though. I haven't even changed his diet lately.
He's also been losing some hair. For a week or two, his back was very itchy. He had small sores and his skin seemed to by dry and flakey. I JUST got another job, and he's already scheduled to go in next Wednesday. The itching seems to have stopped, but his hair is still thinning. My other pig who shares a cage with him showed none of these signs.
He's been slowing down quite a bit, too. It's weird. Some days he's as energetic and spunky as he used to be. Others he just lounges around and doesn't do much of anything. His breathing has also sounded crackly. He had this problem two years ago but my parents didn't see it as a problem. It has surfaced from time to time but goes away as quickly as it comes.
He has also become a lot more attention hungry. When I walk into my room he'll immediately come out to see me. If I don't give him attention he'll talk to me until I do. Also when holding him he'll immediately cuddle up against me. Before he hardly liked being pet. He goes to sleep pretty quickly if I just have him in my lap.
I think I've covered just about everything but a few quirks that have shown up in this past year. He's become quite the character. He does not like the broom. Whenever I sweep up what he and the other pig have thrown out, he will jump around angrily while shaking his head. He does the same thing whenever there's too much noise. He can get really cranky if he doesn't approve of the volume level on the tv. He is also enraged by the sight and smell of spaghetti. Without fail, when either my girlfriend and come in with a bowl of spaghetti, he will first yell at us...then he will put on his whole angry jumping show...then yell some more. This stops as soon as the spaghetti leaves the room. I don't understand it...
Anyway, I guess what I'm really wondering is if I should start preparing for some terrible news. All of these things were going on before he got what I assume is mites.
This past month or so, he's lost a lot of weight. He used to be very plump but lately he's thinned down a lot. Can feel all of the poor guy's bones. He hasn't really cut back on his eating, though. I haven't even changed his diet lately.
He's also been losing some hair. For a week or two, his back was very itchy. He had small sores and his skin seemed to by dry and flakey. I JUST got another job, and he's already scheduled to go in next Wednesday. The itching seems to have stopped, but his hair is still thinning. My other pig who shares a cage with him showed none of these signs.
He's been slowing down quite a bit, too. It's weird. Some days he's as energetic and spunky as he used to be. Others he just lounges around and doesn't do much of anything. His breathing has also sounded crackly. He had this problem two years ago but my parents didn't see it as a problem. It has surfaced from time to time but goes away as quickly as it comes.
He has also become a lot more attention hungry. When I walk into my room he'll immediately come out to see me. If I don't give him attention he'll talk to me until I do. Also when holding him he'll immediately cuddle up against me. Before he hardly liked being pet. He goes to sleep pretty quickly if I just have him in my lap.
I think I've covered just about everything but a few quirks that have shown up in this past year. He's become quite the character. He does not like the broom. Whenever I sweep up what he and the other pig have thrown out, he will jump around angrily while shaking his head. He does the same thing whenever there's too much noise. He can get really cranky if he doesn't approve of the volume level on the tv. He is also enraged by the sight and smell of spaghetti. Without fail, when either my girlfriend and come in with a bowl of spaghetti, he will first yell at us...then he will put on his whole angry jumping show...then yell some more. This stops as soon as the spaghetti leaves the room. I don't understand it...
Anyway, I guess what I'm really wondering is if I should start preparing for some terrible news. All of these things were going on before he got what I assume is mites.
