New guinea pigs won't eat...

[Jiniwin]

I am very new to guinea pigs. I bought two yesterday from a breeder. They look very healthy and are quite friendly. But they won't eat !
They had some slices of carrots, chicory and cucumber this morning, but they won't eat their food. I give them what the breeder fed them, the exact same pellets so I don't know why they won't eat. I can understand they might be stressed by the new surroundings and stuff, but I weighed them and they are 700 grams each (one a bit over)
They are 4 months old... shouldn't they weigh more?
I'm worried they are going to starve ! If they keep this up they are there won't be nothing left of them :0
I read that guinea pigs need to eat all day. They've been eating hay but tiny amounts.
What do I do?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

Guinea pigs that haven't had much contact with people often react like that. Don't panic! Just give them a place to hide and leave food and hay nearby. They will come out when they feel safe. Their weight is within the normal range. Once they have got their bearings, they will come out more and explore; but it can take a few days.

Here is a link to tips on how to deal with shy new guinea pigs:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36239

You can find other informative threads to other often asked questions in our "reference" section as well as at the top of each chapter in the care section.

 

[Jiniwin]

Thanks for your reply. I should have looked at the reference section first but I was panicking. I'm scared my guinea pigs will die. I love them so much already

 

[BellasMummy]

My guinea pigs are about 4 months old too and weigh around 700grams, so that weight is normal for there age.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your two new piggies. It sounds like you do love them a lot and want to do everything right for them which is a fantastic way to start; you're doing the right thing by checking to see what's normal and what's not. Try not to panic yourself, it will take them a few days to adjust and the more relaxed you are about the situation, the more relaxed they will learn to be.

Younger piggies especially do tend to be very wary in a new home, and even the tempation of delicious food is sometimes not enough to bring them out of hiding! Once they are brave enough to start moving around their new cage/hutch more, they'll learn that it's a safe environment and they'll be content enough with that to eat more freely.

 

[Jiniwin]

Thanks for all you help
Today I noticed both my guinea pigs had a bit of a dirty nose...Jimmi had a little black bit and some yellow, Onslow the same but far less.
I cleaned their noses and they didn't mind.
They aren't very lively but I don't know if that is because they are still nervous...they have been eating a bit but still not a lot.

I have taken a photo of Jimmi. I know you can't really see the dirt around his nose very well...but should I take them to the vet?



This is his nose before cleaning btw

 

[Jiniwin]

Oh I forgot, they don't sneeze, if they did I would have heard because I spend a lot of time near them, though not so they can see me in case they get scared....

 

[Wiebke]

He probably just sniffed his friend's bum end! what a little sweety, anyway!

Just give them time to settle. It is all so strange and new for them!

 

[Laura-CCC4]

He's adorable, a real gorgeous fellow.

It may have just been a simple case of a mucky nose, but if it does return it's worth seeing if it's "crusty" at all. Fungal infections are common as the weather warms up; localised fungal patches are treated easily with the use of an anti-fungal cream applied 2-3 times daily, until a few days after the symptoms have gone.

It may not be this, could easily have just been surface dirt, but it's something to consider if they do get mucky noses again.

 

[Jiniwin]

Thanks so much for your help

He has lost some hair on one of his hind legs and also his front paws are going a bit bald. It's not a lot of hair but I can see his skin.
Also he had some white flakes in his ear. I sent some pics of legs and ear to the breeder and she said it looked as if he'd been cleaning his legs too enthusiastically (?) and as for his ear I should put some vaseline in his ear ..but I'm worried it might be mites or something fungal ?

I've been browsing the internet for ages looking for info about skin problems. My head is reeling.

The breeder said the dryness inside his ear should clear up within a week if I keep applying the vaseline....
I don't know whether I should follow her advice and wait a week to see what happens or take him to the vet asap. The other guinea pig is doing fine, I checked him extra-special everywhere and he has no skin probs. But I do see him scratch himself sometimes too.