isolating himself

[KaitlinH]

Hi there! I have a trio of boy pigs, yes, I know that’s not recommended but I’ve had them for over a year and they all get on absolutely fine. No grumbling, no fighting, they’re just calm. They normally are all super active and energetic but recently I’ve noticed my one piggy, Ronnie, isolating himself. He’s always lay there in the same spot and he’s never interacting with the others. I haven’t noticed the other two picking on him and he does mix during veg time but other than that, he goes back to his little corner and stays there. I even bought another hay rack and water bottle to put by his corner the other day to make sure he was eating and drinking as I haven’t noticed him getting hay. My scales are broken so I can’t weigh him until I manage to go out and get a new set next week, but he does look a little smaller than usual. He’s eating veg the same though, and I have noticed him eating hay and drinking water since I put them closer. Does anyone know why this may be? And is it worth booking a vet appointment to get him checked as his behaviour has changed so drastically? Thankyou !

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there! I have a trio of boy pigs, yes, I know that’s not recommended but I’ve had them for over a year and they all get on absolutely fine. No grumbling, no fighting, they’re just calm. They normally are all super active and energetic but recently I’ve noticed my one piggy, Ronnie, isolating himself. He’s always lay there in the same spot and he’s never interacting with the others. I haven’t noticed the other two picking on him and he does mix during veg time but other than that, he goes back to his little corner and stays there. I even bought another hay rack and water bottle to put by his corner the other day to make sure he was eating and drinking as I haven’t noticed him getting hay. My scales are broken so I can’t weigh him until I manage to go out and get a new set next week, but he does look a little smaller than usual. He’s eating veg the same though, and I have noticed him eating hay and drinking water since I put them closer. Does anyone know why this may be? And is it worth booking a vet appointment to get him checked as his behaviour has changed so drastically? Thankyou !

Hi! Please start topping him up with syinge feed (as much as he will take), as much as he will take and have him vet checked as soon as you can tomorrow. Hay is over 80% of the daily food intake. It is important to keep the guts going as much as possible until any necessary treatment kicks in.
Mushed up pellets will do in an emergency you can try a spoon if you haven't got a 1 ml syringe at home (you need to cut off the tip as shown in our syringe feeding guide.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
First Aid Kit For Guinea Pigs

All the best!

 

[VickiA]

Any sudden change in behaviour is cause for concern as piggies are masters at disguising illnesses. Hope you get on OK at the vets.