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My Tiny looks and feels emaciated, our Gizmo's teeth look like they are rotting.

PeggySueAnn

PeggySueAnn

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First let me say they have an appointment tomorrow with the vet. Tiny is around 4 years old. My question is can older guinea pigs lose weight even if they eat fine? I am concerned it is an end of life thing. Gizmo is around 2 he has had a stroke due to a head cold we did not realize he had. He always seemed to tilt his head to the side. His two front teeth look like they are rotting in the middle of each tooth. Does this happen before they break off, or can someone tell me what might be happening? They get hay, pellets, veggies everyday and fruit once in a while. Although my husband was giving them fruit everyday until I noticed diarrhea and stop all veggies and fruit until they became solid again. Sorry for the jumbled way I typed this , I am very worried.
 
Losing weight is down to not eating enough hay. You will have to step in with syringe feeding your piggy that’s losing weight. For now you can use their pellets. Soak in warm/hot water until they form a mush. You can either syringe or offer on a soon or in a bowl. Start weighing him daily at the same time and adjust how you have you syringe accordingly. You’re aiming for 60ml in a 24 hour period. You should also get him booked to see the vet. 4 isn’t old but neither is it young.

Regarding your other piggy, do you mean an ear infection or URI? Piggies don’t get colds. I would get him also seen by the vet. I know sometimes they can get food caught in between the teeth. Could it be that?
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
Siikibam said:
Losing weight is down to not eating enough hay. You will have to step in with syringe feeding your piggy that’s losing weight. For now you can use their pellets. Soak in warm/hot water until they form a mush. You can either syringe or offer on a soon or in a bowl. Start weighing him daily at the same time and adjust how you have you syringe accordingly. You’re aiming for 60ml in a 24 hour period. You should also get him booked to see the vet. 4 isn’t old but neither is it young.

Regarding your other piggy, do you mean an ear infection or URI? Piggies don’t get colds. I would get him also seen by the vet. I know sometimes they can get food caught in between the teeth. Could it be that?
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Click to expand...
Siikibam said:
Losing weight is down to not eating enough hay. You will have to step in with syringe feeding your piggy that’s losing weight. For now you can use their pellets. Soak in warm/hot water until they form a mush. You can either syringe or offer on a soon or in a bowl. Start weighing him daily at the same time and adjust how you have you syringe accordingly. You’re aiming for 60ml in a 24 hour period. You should also get him booked to see the vet. 4 isn’t old but neither is it young.

Regarding your other piggy, do you mean an ear infection or URI? Piggies don’t get colds. I would get him also seen by the vet. I know sometimes they can get food caught in between the teeth. Could it be that?
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Click to expand...
They are going in in the next hour. I stopped the pellets because they were high fiber. Every time I give them a little vegies when I see solid poops I see diarrhea. I felt Gizmo's teeth and there is a definite like cavity there and it is brownish black./ At first we thought it was poop
 
Fibre is needed in their diet. If their poo doesn’t normalise after several rounds of no veg then that needs investigating by the vet. All the best and do let us know how you get on.
 
The vet says that Tiny has a problem with the muscles in his legs. Both his knees are weak. His weight was 780gr. She said he needed vitamin C and protein. Gizmo has dry eye due to his palsy on one side. He will need eye drops for life now. We are holding off on any blood tests for a month with Tiny. The vet mentioned cushings possibly. but there is no test for guinea pigs for that disease.
 
Guinea pigs don’t need protein. In what form did he say you should give it to him? And why does he need eye drops for life? What did they say was wrong with his eyes?

You need to continue with weighing daily and topping up in order to help him maintain his weight.
 
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Siikibam said:
Guinea pigs don’t need protein. In what form did he say you should give it to him? And why does he need eye drops for life? What did they say was wrong with his eyes?

You need to continue with weighing daily and topping up in order to help him maintain his weight.
Click to expand...
I was taken aback by the protein thing also. I think she meant something to build up his muscles. Tiny has palsy on one side and does not close his eye(blink) on that side. So they have been drying out.
 
Tiny is still having diarrhea everytime he is given lettuce or another vegetable. I think I am going to have to break down and get him the blood test to see what is wrong with him.
 
I would stop veg entirely and take him back. Also speak to the vet about what you can do for the dry eyes. There are lubricating eyes rips that have been mentioned on here previously, but I’m not experienced with that side of things. I’ll tag @VickiA @Wiebke @Piggies&buns be patient 🙂
 
I’ve not got experience of persistent diarrhoea so all I can suggest is to speak to the vet again. Sorry I can’t be more help
 
Ps I know that soft stool can be due to liver trouble. It may be worth discussing that with the vet.
 
PeggySueAnn said:
Tiny is still having diarrhea everytime he is given lettuce or another vegetable. I think I am going to have to break down and get him the blood test to see what is wrong with him.
Click to expand...

I am very sorry but it looks like you have reached the limits on what you can do just with home support. I would stay off any fresh veg for the time being.

I second the viscotear gel - it really does help with the hydration and eye comfort. If your pharmacy doesn't have that brand, any artificial tear gel will do. Gel is longer lasting and easier to apply compared to drops. Gel you ideally use about roughly every 8 hours; drops up to 6 times a day. It also comes into its own after a stroke.

All the best at the vets. You have my full sympathy; it is always so frustrating when you can't nail down an ongoing problem and get a handle on it. :(
 
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