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My Oreo Has Lost Weight :(

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MycuteBoys

MycuteBoys

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi, I didn't know where best to post this as I think it's due to recent bonding but I'm not sure. On the 6th October we welcomed Alex into our family as a friend of our Oreo he was boar dated by a proper rescue and all was very well for the first week or so at home, Alex lost a small amount of weight in the first week even though he was eating fine I put it down to everything being new for him, he has now put the weight back on and some more so I'm really pleased.
Oreo on the other hand was fine weight wise until this week, he's just not seemed himself this week :(. I've been having them both out for long run times over the last few weeks in the house so I can monitor them together and this week to make sure oreo is not in pain when he wee's or poops (he's not thank goodness) as ive heard him sqeeking, I think this is due to Alex pinning him in corners of the hutch sometime. The only thing I've noticed health wise is oreo has clear watery eyes (not dripping) they just look wet and I have to carfully clear away the dry crusty bits each morning from the corners of his eyes I'm not sure what this could be (oreo is eating and drinking fine and as normal, no blood in his wee no odd shaped poops etc)
This may all be down to the bonding (they will still happly sit with each other and eat together) as I'm new to this could someone tell me if this is normal to see weight loss and small health issues like his eyes.
Many thanks Kell
Edited to say: oreos weight loss is 30g in a week.
 
Hi Kell,

I'm sorry to hear about Oreo's weight loss. 30gr is not too much so I wouldn't overly worry but make sure you keep monitoring in case it drops further.

Have you seen him eat his veggies and pellets? And how many pellet bowls do you have in the hutch? And other than the occasionally pinning in corners how are they together? I.e. do they sleep/ cuddle together? Play chase? Popcorn?

xx
 
It could be the start of a URI :( You can monitor him closely over the next day or two weight him at the same time every day & maybe take his friend out for the first 5 minutes at dinner times, that will give him a head start eating. Sarah at Animates is not available this week, so it would be best to ask for Craig as he is an Exotic vet in training, or Ian, he is lovely, I've seen him before with Petal :)
 
Could you please state how much is the overall weigh loss?

Perhaps is just helps to cut a small second entrance into bedroom of the hutch or find another solution that he cannot be pinned in somewhere making sure that there are always two exits to everything?

Please see a vet. Clear fluid in the eye points towards some persistent irritation. It can also be the sign of a non-ulcerating eye injury.
 
MrsSuzy said:
Hi Kell,

I'm sorry to hear about Oreo's weight loss. 30gr is not too much so I wouldn't overly worry but make sure you keep monitoring in case it drops further.

Have you seen him eat his veggies and pellets? And how many pellet bowls do you have in the hutch? And other than the occasionally pinning in corners how are they together? I.e. do they sleep/ cuddle together? Play chase? Popcorn?

xx
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Hi hun, yes Ive been monitoring them closely since I brought Alex home I always feed them at a time that means I can stand and watch them all for five/ten mins to make sure they are ok and both eating. I did have two bowls at veggie time but they both ate out of one so I thought I would remove the other bowl. I've not seen any conflicts over food at all :). Neither seem that fussed by the pellets these are in a corner on the landing so that there is access to them from two ways. There is still some strong scenting and licking of urine from Alex manly but not as bad as it was in the first week. Overall they don't mind the other one being there so that great I think :) xx
 
Poppy'sMum said:
It could be the start of a URI :( You can monitor him closely over the next day or two weight him at the same time every day & maybe take his friend out for the first 5 minutes at dinner times, that will give him a head start eating. Sarah at Animates is not available this week, so it would be best to ask for Craig as he is an Exotic vet in training, or Ian, he is lovely, I've seen him before with Petal :)
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Oh that's handly to know thank you Poppy's mum, I'm going to ring for an appointment tomorrow morning x
 
Wiebke said:
Could you please state how much is the overall weigh loss?

Perhaps is just helps to cut a small second entrance into bedroom of the hutch or find another solution that he cannot be pinned in somewhere making sure that there are always two exits to everything?

Please see a vet. Clear fluid in the eye points towards some persistent irritation. It can also be the sign of a non-ulcerating eye injury.
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It's both eyes Wiebke is that still a sign of persistent irritation? :( I check their eyes daily (I don't pull them about unless I notice anything) after fudge got hay in his when we first got them and haven't seen anything in oreos eyes at all they just both look wetter then they should. Thank you for your reply, I will be making an appointment in the morning for him.
 
I don't think Oreo's issues are due to the bonding. As several people have said, it may be the start of something and a swift trip to a cavy-savvy vet is a very good idea. Let us know how you get on.
 
Elwickcavies said:
I don't think Oreo's issues are due to the bonding. As several people have said, it may be the start of something and a swift trip to a cavy-savvy vet is a very good idea. Let us know how you get on.
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Thank you, I will do :)
I was unsure if it was the bonding but as it is the only change he's had I wondered if that had something to do with it. We have had a lot of windy weather latly and he loves to lay along the door of the hutch watching the world go by so I wonder if he has got something in his eyes from doing this. I do pull the weather cover down if it's very windy. They are on dust free bedding, oh just remembered I have changed to Aubloise recently in their upstairs hallway maybe that's caused an issue as he was sensitive to the hay and shavings I used to use he was sneezing and scratching, all that stopped when I switched to fleece :)
 
I forgot to add Alex will pin him at the top of the stairs and in the bedroom mostly both areas are tricky as I can not add another exit to these areas sadly.
Alex is a great piggy we love him just as much as the other three and he's just doing what comes natural to bonding boars he's a lovely soppy piggy a real sweety who just wants oreo to be with him all the time :) oreo on the other hand likes to do his own thing and I think that's when they have a falling out....daft pair lol. They don't cuddle much but Alex will go and sit by oreo whenever oreo rests.
I weigh them all on a Monday, I checked oreo today while I had a moment he was 754 last week he's now 727 (just under 30g sorry I could remember of the top ive just checked)
Kell.
 
It is a sad (but little-known) fact that any type of bonding carries a risk of one guinea pig developing an infection (usually a URI).....regardless of the sexes of the guinea pigs and their source (ie reputable rescue or elsewhere)

All guinea pigs carry bugs that for the most part are harmless but can cause infection in "opportunistic" situations (most frequently showing up as a URI).

The whole process of bonding relies upon one pig becoming dominant and the other pig becoming submissive. This is extremely stressful and (normally the submissive) pig's immune system can become lowered as a result. Also initial "food bullying" and "guarding" can play it's part as can the sudden temperature changes we have been experiencing recently

A lowered immune system means the (normally harmless) bugs are able to cause a problem. The fact that both eyes are watery would suggest that a vets visit (as per @Poppy'sMum recommendation is in order tomorrow to ensure there is not opportunistic infection developing. Once that has been properly ruled out (or treated with a course of antibiotics) ...then is the time to worry about allergies/husbandry/bedding.

HTH
x
 
Bless, it looks like Alex really dotes on Oreo :luv:

It might just be a combination of everything: the recent bonding added some stress, plus weather turning a bit cold and the change of bedding. Definitely worth taking to vet to rule out anything else or if so to make sure it's treated promptly. It might be a good idea to take Alex as well, just for companionship.

Food is usually a big issue when there is bullying and in this case if they share fine I don't think there is any bullying.
 
Thank you very much @Pebble that is all very helpful. Oh a URI does not sound good :( I've been checking his breathing latly too for signs of it sounding diffrent thankfully he sounds normal and I can not hear anything bad. He will be visiting the vet as soon as they can see us, such a shame his vet is away this week.
 
MrsSuzy said:
Bless, it looks like Alex really dotes on Oreo :luv:

It might just be a combination of everything: the recent bonding added some stress, plus weather turning a bit cold and the change of bedding. Definitely worth taking to vet to rule out anything else or if so to make sure it's treated promptly. It might be a good idea to take Alex as well, just for companionship.

Food is usually a big issue when there is bullying and in this case if they share fine I don't think there is any bullying.
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I don't think Alex would be happy if I left him at home hun, the neighbours will need earplugs if I did lol :) I want to register him at our vets anyway just incase he needs to go at some point and I have to ask someone else to take him for me.
I think your right it's a mix of everything I think, he means the world to me as do my other 3, and I think all that hard work with the nasty ringworm has made me so close to my boys and like any loving piggy owner you worry if they are showing signs of not being 100%. X

I will keep you posted what the vet says, thanks for your support everyone
 
I'd just like to add to my post above as I realise on reading it back I haven't emphaised the real point:

To anyone considering introducing a new guinea pig to their current set-up.
A current piggie (single or colony) have their own "microbes" and are mostly (unless they become immuncompromised) able to live with them without infections or problems developing. They have what is called "innate" resistance

The risk of introducing another guinea pig from a new location is that the new guinea pig is carrying bugs it is able to live with without symptoms...but your current colony is not, especially if put under stress.
x
 
Hi, I thought it best to start a new thread. Yesterday I commented that my oreo did not seem right to me, call it mothers instinct but I just knew he was not himself and I planned on taking him to the vets for a check up. He is still eating fine, popcorning about, etc etc.
I had a vets appointment this evening and the vet has found two lumps in his tummy :( the left one is deeper in is tummy but the right one is noticeable (I didn't find it yesterday) it's the size if a marble. Craig (the lovely vet) said he thinks he has swollen memory glands or lymph nodes. He's on antibotics and a painkiller, we have an appointment to see him again on Friday to see if they have started to make any improvement if not we will look into the next steps to take eg an op.
He said it's rare to see this in such a young piggy, it may be because he was ill from birth so his immune system is not as good as it should be...bless him.
He's heart and gut are both making normal sounds so that is great news. His boy bits do look a bit swollen but no discharge (this may be linked to mastitis).
Please keep your fingers crossed for oreo that he gets better asap, I don't now how worried I should be I didn't want to ask as my boys mean the world to me :(
Thank you for reading, Kell x
 
Oh poor boy, I didn't expect that, I was following your other thread. Hopefully the pain relief will make him more comfortable and the antibiotics will help, what is he on? Keeping everything crossed here.
 
Oh no I am sorry :( I actually saw Craig myself today, he gave Petal an injection as she was in pain & is quite poorly, in fact she has gone in to stay overnight :( He was a lovely vet, he has a lovely way about him hasn't he? I wouldn't worry too much at this stage, there could be all sorts of reasons for lumps, one of mine has had 2 removed (One by Simon in Northampton & one by our vet Sarah) and baby Daisy in my pic had a large abscess removed by Simon when she was only 6 months old. Rarely are lumps suspicious in nature, especially in such a young piggy, so please keep your hopes up. Whatever it is you have spotted it very early & I expect if he needs an op Sarah will do it when she is back next week xx
 
Should I ask for the two posts to be linked? I wrote a new one so people such as you saw this as I'm confused why this has happened and I don't know much about it. I hope he will be ok.
Many thanks
 
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