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Mysterious Weight Loss Seems To Be Getting Worse

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CarnivalPiggy

CarnivalPiggy

Adult Guinea Pig
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Ginny went down to 740g a few days to a week or so ago and remained stable at that for a bit. I weighed him a hour or so ago (usually weigh at 9pm) as I was worried he was seeming a bit drawn in again, and found he went down to 700-710g. He feels very bony even for his age

His poos were looking rather bad as well, so I gave him some DualCare pellets which he ate himself. His poos have formed much better, save for being a tiny bit teardropped, presuming from a bit of dehydration. No signs of pain when peeing (my top is proof of that) More than anything I'm worried about how drawn in he seems on himself. He choked on a pellet yesterday for a minute and was quite loud before that, better than I'd seen him in days. I can't remember how he acted after that, but I'm wondering if that has had an effect? In any case he's munching on his hay

I'm wondering if arthiritis, diabetes or (though I don't want to mention it) kidney failure are the prime suspects. He was given Xeno recently due to one of my vets suspecting internal parasites which I'm going to get a repeat for just in case as he's due for it. Both of the vets I visited checked for back molar overgrowth which neither found. His stomach has also been making quite a few noises, though wondering if that's DualCare working its way through. He doesn't seem gassy right now as he's prone to it. Could having to build slowly back up on veg make that much of a weight loss? I'm clueless

I removed a small cage being used as a hay tray today as they kept hopping in and out, refusing to use the ladder/ramp as I was worried this has been making whatever Ginny's problem is worse. Poor boy does look like he's walking a bit weirdly though not sure if that's paranoia talking, I'll get a video of it

Old thread - Losing Weight Steadily, Seems Drawn In On Himself
 
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Boy at work lol :) seems to be a bit brighter, if it was DualCare I'm incredibly grateful the vet mentioned it
He's back to moaning at me right now for getting him up
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I will have a think but my first thought would be to try an actual wormer like Panacur instead of the Xeno. I also though of dental issues but the vets have checked for that. His incisors aren't slanted are they?
 
They look OK to me too but as Poppy's mum said getting him to Simon would be a good idea.

I think you do need to get it from your vet. Have a look on vet UK and see if it says prescription only.
 
I would incredibly like to, I'm about 2-3 hours away however and can't get anyone to drive me that far right now

Looked in vetuk but could only see Pancur available for dogs and cats

I haven't got any Metacam unfortunately :( will be taking him back to Taverham this week for a check his eye has healed ok from a suspected hay poke and ask about getting it. If his weight drops any further I'll be taking him to my local gpig vet if I can't get him in to Taverham
 
Thank you xx I will ring up tomorrow and book him in for an appointment as soon as possible. Just really hoping dates don't clash as my nan's funeral is also next week
 
May actually have a bit of a problem. My mum, who drives me to the vet, is dealing with paperwork and setting up the funeral as it is on Wednesday. I extremely doubt she'll be able to drive me until after then, not sure what to do
 
Panacur dose for e cunili is 0.5mls for 28 days,for gardia or worms it is suggested the same dose but for 5 days only.the cat suspension 10 per cent is the panacur i was advised to use from my vet.i would ask your vet.you need to get your piggie to the vet soon if he is still losing weight,700 grams is small for a male piggie.maybe you could use public transport.it is difficult for you.x
 
Thanks, I'll see the vet before I administer anything just in case x I'm also a minor, not sure if they'll see me :( If he loses anymore tomorrow I'll have to get in him to my local gpig vets. Again though, my dad is working and my mum is out a hour or so away tomorrow very early in the morning to sort out nan's funeral so I'm absolutely clueless about what to do if it happens
 
Thank you xx I feel so helpless as of late. Think it'd be ok to book an appt in the late afternoon? Someone should be back by then. Unless he needs an emergency right then and there in which I'd be uncertain in what to do. It depends on what his weight and himself is like in the morning, if he's going up in weight I'll attempt to hold off until I can get him to Taverham within the week. But if he seems to be getting worse I'll have to book at my local gpig vet
 
Woke up incredibly late today :( :hb: They somehow got to the underlay and had a chew on the puppy pads, very frustrated. Put some more hay in, they all seem fine and went straight to it. I think Ginny was wheeking when I came in which is a good sign
 
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They've been without proper hay all morning until I went in. Ginny is now 683g :( could that be a difference in food though? I weigh him at night nine pm usually but am so panicky. No one home still I'll have to ring someone and see when they can get back. My local vet doesn't close until six pm
 
Can get someone tonight, though it will have to be later at five ish. Should I start syringe feeding? He's eating fine on his own and he'll hoover up the DualCare pellets if I let him but I'm not sure what to do. Poor boy has been the model of health until recently
 
Thank you xx just wondering does it make a big difference compared to him eating the pellets? DualCare can be dissolved to syringe feed from what their packet says but it comes in pellet form, really wish I ordered some critical care
 
So is he eating his pellets well? Even so, I would start feeding too, anything you can get into him will help at this stage. How old is he?
 
Thanks x he's about five-six or seven years, I got him in 2011 or 12. How much do you advise syringe feeding at a time and in one hour or two? As I'll try to give about 40-50 g of DualCare in pellet form alongside
 
Aim for at least 10mls every 3 to 4 hours, or do little and often if you can. Have you read the guide?
 
He's such a good strong boy :) he's literally climbing onto the kitchen table and chattering for more syringe feed. Even the water he takes like a water bottle, though there will be a lot of chew marks on it.

Vet opens in about six mins will ring then
 
Will do :) as he's also taking the syringe feed like a water bottle (have found it isn't dissolving well for me and getting the fluid from the pellets being mixed in) would it be ok for him to drink it like a waterbottle and slowly give it to him? Don't want him to choke
 
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