Mystery weight issues.

[PoppypigandMildredpig]

Hello again!
I posted last week about my guinea pig Poppy. I’m not sure how old she is, as she was a rescue. She lost weight over a two week span, (she has always been on the smaller side) from an average of 800/850g to now 660g. She has been this weight now for over a week.

The vet looked at her teeth and found nothing wrong, she has a great coat, shiny, listened to her heart and lungs, all fine. Said to try feeding her up for a week away from my other Gpig and then re-evaluate.

She eats and eats and eats. She is on burgess pellets, ad-lib hay, gets grass, veggies etc. And I bought some critical care that she munches bits here and there. She won’t eat sweet potato or oats.

She has meal times separately and eats everything I put in front of her and is always seen to be munching the hay.

Vet said the next step is a blood test? Is this right? What will this show? Where next? I’m in Derbyshire Uk if it helps. I’m at a loss and getting desperate

 

[Wiebke]

Hello again!
I posted last week about my guinea pig Poppy. I’m not sure how old she is, as she was a rescue. She lost weight over a two week span, (she has always been on the smaller side) from an average of 800/850g to now 660g. She has been this weight now for over a week.

The vet looked at her teeth and found nothing wrong, she has a great coat, shiny, listened to her heart and lungs, all fine. Said to try feeding her up for a week away from my other Gpig and then re-evaluate.

She eats and eats and eats. She is on burgess pellets, ad-lib hay, gets grass, veggies etc. And I bought some critical care that she munches bits here and there. She won’t eat sweet potato or oats.

She has meal times separately and eats everything I put in front of her and is always seen to be munching the hay.

Vet said the next step is a blood test? Is this right? What will this show? Where next? I’m in Derbyshire Uk if it helps. I’m at a loss and getting desperate

I am very sorry! It sounds like a potential metabolic problem if she is eating fully but losing weight.
The blood test is needed to test for diabetes, kidney issues, hyperthyroidism etc. which can all manifest with weight loss in combination with a full appetite. It is the next logic step - unfortunately it also means that you are now getting into the more expensive level of vet care.

 

[PoppypigandMildredpig]

I am very sorry! It sounds like a potential metabolic problem if she is eating fully but losing weight.
The blood test is needed to test for diabetes, kidney issues, hyperthyroidism etc. which can all manifest with weight loss in combination with a full appetite. It is the next logic step - unfortunately it also means that you are now getting into the more expensive level of vet care.

Thankyou. I will do some research so I know what to expect. Ah well it’s only money! Better that than my little squiggle

 

[Eviolus-]

I hope it's not something too serious good luck at the vets x

 

[piggieminder]

Sending Poppy healing vibes, it's such a worry when they are not right. Hope the vet visits goes well.

 

[PoppypigandMildredpig]

So bloods have came back completely clear and all ok. I’ve been topping her up with critical care to help and she put a little of the weight back on. But has since dropped again. She’s 675g as of today. But used to be around the 800 to 850 mark. What next? Can anyone give me anything else to help? I’m really struggling with what to do