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new piggies not drinking

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kittyla

kittyla

Junior Guinea Pig
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I collected my lovely new piggy couple from a rescue yesterday,
they're understandbly a bit nervous, but getting on well with my other
guinea Crystal. They looked hot & bothered when I got them home so I gave them each a little water in a syringe & some cucumber, then left them to find their bottle of water - I presumed they'd copy Crystal.
This morning the water was at the same level, so I put a bowl down aswell. Afternoon & I still hadnt seen or heard any drinking, as it was so
hot I syringed them all some more water. I still can't see any sign of them
drinking, even Crystal seems to have stopped & she has a urinary problem!
so needs plenty. Is this just a settling in thing? I'm not sure whether to
leave them to get thirsty or keep giving them water & cucumber till they
sort themselves out. Any suggestions? With the weather being so hot
I'm afraid they'll make themselves ill.
 
Mine took a while to start drinking, sometimes they drink less if they have had water in there food... like cucumber. I understand it is worrying but maybe give it a little longer, they are understandible quiet nervous, just give them some time and they should start to drink. if your worried about dehydration try gently pinching a small amount of skin in your fingers and holding it away from the piggies body. Let it go and it should bounce straight back to where it was, if you piggie is dehydrated the skin will remain in place for much longer or not go down at all depending on the level of hydation. Its called skin tenting.
If they dont start drinking in the next few days then maybe consider asking your vet for some rehydration support that you can syringe to keep them hydrated.

Hope this helps.

x.
 
My girls barely touch their water. I make sure that all their veg is washed and not shaken off too much so they get some water that way too. :)
 
It was weeks before I saw my piggies drinking. Some piggies seem to drink more than others. I'm sure your piggies will drink more once they are settled.
 
Thanks, I'll try not to fret about it then, though I still think its odd that Crystal has
stopped drinking too. I think I'll keep giving some to her seperately as she has had a
cystitus problem.
 
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