Lethargic or Lazy?

[GuineaPigLover7891]

Hi! I have two boars (Patches and Carmal). I recently moved them to a 2 story indoor hutch. They will go up the ramp just fine. Patches is more energetic than Carmal. They just went to the vet for their soft stool. They prescribed them some medication which I finished giving today. Patches’ stools got better. Carmal’s stools are no longer soft but they were small and dry. Lately, Carmal will just lay down in the cozy. Almost every time I see him he is there. Patches will just be out in the open. I don’t know if they are getting more comfortable (or shy). I just hope this is not a medical issue. Any advice is appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Swissgreys]

They sound like lovely boys and I adore their names.

Guinea pigs are not always the most active creatures - mine usually have a mad 10 minutes and then lounge around for a while.
I also find that as they get older they sleep more - how old are your boys?
And how steep is their ramp - many piggies struggle with ramps and again this can be an issue as they get older.

Do you weigh them weekly?
Weight can be a good indication of their overall health, and a sudden weight loss can help pick up on a problem often before it is visible.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I have two boars (Patches and Carmal). I recently moved them to a 2 story indoor hutch. They will go up the ramp just fine. Patches is more energetic than Carmal. They just went to the vet for their soft stool. They prescribed them some medication which I finished giving today. Patches’ stools got better. Carmal’s stools are no longer soft but they were small and dry. Lately, Carmal will just lay down in the cozy. Almost every time I see him he is there. Patches will just be out in the open. I don’t know if they are getting more comfortable (or shy). I just hope this is not a medical issue. Any advice is appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

Hi! Small and very dry poos can be an indication of not eating much and potential dehydration.
Please switch from your regular weekly weigh-in to weighing daily at the same time and have him vet checked promptly if you feel he is not right. Keep in mind that hay makes over 80% of the daily food intake; you cannot check that by eye.

Weight - Monitoring and Management
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

 

[GuineaPigLover7891]

I got them from the pet store, so I don’t know the exact age. Patches is definitely an adult, while Carmal is a youngster over 6 months. Last time I checked, Patches was 2 lbs. (907 grams) and Carmal was 1 lbs. and 6oz (624 grams). I will weigh them later tonight and report back!

 

[Wiebke]

I got them from the pet store, so I don’t know the exact age. Patches is definitely an adult, while Carmal is a youngster over 6 months. Last time I checked, Patches was 2 lbs. (907 grams) and Carmal was 1 lbs. and 6oz (624 grams). I will weigh them later tonight and report back!

Please weigh your piggies and give them a little body and boar bit check once a week. Whenever there is a health issue or you are worried, the you switch to weighing daily, so you know exactly when to step in with syringe feeding support and seeing a vet.
You can find the relevant advice and very practical tips on how to deal with piggies you are worried about in the two green links in my previous post.