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Not Eating, can't figure out why?

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We have seven girls living above four boys and have never had a problem - we just be careful when cleaning them out that no poops etc. drop into the lads pens :) Good handwashing etc. and seeing to the boys first also is a caution we take and they've lived like this for almost a year and still not aware there are diva's upstairs :x

The main pen, girls on upper level and the boys on the first and second:

Piggys007.jpg


Hope your piggy gets well very soon and send hugs x>>
 
Wow, that's some set up! We have the pigs in the utility room, the girls on a bench one side and Magic on the opposite side :))
 
Could you bring magic and a friend into the living room or something?

That is a really cool set up! x
 
Could you bring magic and a friend into the living room or something?

That is a really cool set up! x
 
Tell him, if he'd rather you could move all pigs in the living room and he could use the utility room :))
 
Toffeewoffee said:
Tell him, if he'd rather you could move all pigs in the living room and he could use the utility room :))
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Tempting as it is i don't think we'd dare :)) I think he'd probably move out!

He's still not eating though, tried mashed up soaked pellets which he tried but the decided he didn't like and he's bearly touched his greens or his hay. So it looks like we are back to syringe feeding.

I think the 2 options are to get him neutered and take him dating for a sow or move him and try to bond him with another boar. And then hope it works and cheers him up enough to start eating again xx
 
He does like syringe feeding, he quite enjoys it. The vets said she could see his back teeth and they looked perfectly ok, we syringed his mouth with a small amount of water before taking him so it was hopefully a bit clearer. She thinks he could of become dependant on syringe feeding, but now we've left him and he still hasn't eaten we just don't know ?/
 
Having dealt with so many dental piggies, I really don't believe they become dependant on syringe food as such. They may get used to taking their food in this way, but if they can eat properly they won't just ignore food that is in their cage and wait until they can have syringe food.

The back teeth can look perfectly fine but there can be a tiny spur that is rubbing and they won't eat.

Would you consider getting him seen by Simon? I am sure we could sort out getting him down here. I wouldn't mind visiting my friend in Long Eaton and doing one of the trips.
 
furryfriends (Excellent Adventure Sanctuary) said:
Having dealt with so many dental piggies, I really don't believe they become dependant on syringe food as such. They may get used to taking their food in this way, but if they can eat properly they won't just ignore food that is in their cage and wait until they can have syringe food.

The back teeth can look perfectly fine but there can be a tiny spur that is rubbing and they won't eat.

Would you consider getting him seen by Simon? I am sure we could sort out getting him down here. I wouldn't mind visiting my friend in Long Eaton and doing one of the trips.
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Is Simon in Northampton? I'm a bit worried about taking him that far, would he be ok to travel that far? I drive so it's not an issue taking him but the journey could take and hour and a half. Also is Simon expensive?
 
*Midnight* said:
Is Simon in Northampton? I'm a bit worried about taking him that far, would he be ok to travel that far? I drive so it's not an issue taking him but the journey could take and hour and a half. Also is Simon expensive?
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Yes, he's in Northampton. He should be fine to travel. I definitely think it would be well worth the trip. Consult for first appointment would be about £26, and then a little extra if he needed some dental work. Definitely less than £50 in total and probably quite a bit less. Would depend on what needed doing.
 
Yes i would like to get him seen, have you got Simons contact details? Is he a vet that specialises in guineas?
 
Simon is the vet that Rabbit and Guinea Pig Welfare in Rugby use to do all their guinea pig and rabbit neutering. Tracy gets all the piggies neutered, sows and boars, so Simon is very experienced in guinea pig surgery, and very skilled.

He sees many dental guinea pigs, including all the Sanctuary guys and the results are amazing. People travel from all over the country to see him with dental guinea pigs.

His contact details are

The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic
1 Limehurst Square
Duston
Northampton
NN5 6LP

Telephone no 01604 478888
 
I have to agree with Debbie Simon is very well known in the guinea pig world for his amazing results!

I very much doubt your pig is depressed as if he was this behaviour would have started months ago. I do hope he gets better soon, keep us updated!

x
 
I've just rang and we are booked in for next saturday morning and my mum is taking him. They lady we spoke to was lovely and she was speaking with Simon whilst we are on the phone. It's unfortunate we can't get there before next saturday, what with work commitments, but we can syringe feed him enough each day to keep his strength up and weight on. And they have recommended we give him metacam in case he's in pain which we have, and they are hoping that may help him start eating again.

Thank you all so much for your help and fingers crossed he gets on ok. I'll keep you up to date on how he gets on x
 
I traveled 1 1/2 hours to see Simon for Daisy & she had an operation the same day, I brought her home & she is recovering well. He was wonderful with her & explained everything to us, he didn't mind us asking lots of questions either!

I was just wondering if you have noticed if your piggy has a wet chin at all? Our first piggy had dental problems & her chin was constantly wet from dribbling.

If you are considering a friend for him, Milhaven rescue has a sow that has been neutered so would give him female company without a risk of an operation to him, so it may be worth contacting Joanne at Milhaven to arrange a date for him :))
 
I really hope things are resolved for you piggy soon, I know how worrying it is when they are poorly and to have it going on for such a long time must be heartbreaking.
xx
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I traveled 1 1/2 hours to see Simon for Daisy & she had an operation the same day, I brought her home & she is recovering well. He was wonderful with her & explained everything to us, he didn't mind us asking lots of questions either!

I was just wondering if you have noticed if your piggy has a wet chin at all? Our first piggy had dental problems & her chin was constantly wet from dribbling.

If you are considering a friend for him, Milhaven rescue has a sow that has been neutered so would give him female company without a risk of an operation to him, so it may be worth contacting Joanne at Milhaven to arrange a date for him :))
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No he hasn't got a wet chin so don't think he's been dribbling. Just about to syringe some baby food. With regards to the neutered sow the rescue centre is a bit too far to go, would take us about 3hours to get there. I didn't know sows could be neutered though, that's interesting :)
 
chatterboxgodden said:
I really hope things are resolved for you piggy soon, I know how worrying it is when they are poorly and to have it going on for such a long time must be heartbreaking.
xx
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Yeah it's a process the majority of us have to face through the years at some point but it's good to know there's always friendly support on here x
 
Hi.

I have had quite a bit of experience lately of syringe feeding my 5 year old piggie Dotty. She is on permanent meds for her bladder probs and arthritis and indeed goes off her food from time to time so I can totally agree with earlier comments. I was just topping her up with Critical Care as she was eating quite a bit, but in the last few days have had to up the amount I am giving her. I researched the internet and it says to give 120g of dry food over a 24 hr period. I separate this down to 5 or six meals a day and syringe it into her. I make sure that I use 1ml syringes and have snipped the ends of the syringes. This way it's easier.

I would suggest that you might want to increase the amount that you are giving your piggie. I made the mistake of not giving Dotty enough at the beginning and couldnt work out why she wasnt putting weight on. As soon as I started doing about 120g she put on weight and perked up. It actually also encouraged her to start eating.

Hope that this helps
 
I'm midnight's mum Magic's other owner. I'm not very good with computers, I usually leave it to my daughter.
Back to Magic, Simon suggested we give Magic pain relief which I'm giving him and he has started to nibble a few veggies. At last the snow has gone so I can cut him some grass which he eats. I'm still syringe feeding him and I'm keeping his weight on. Thanks to the advice about giving him 120g a day, I'm weighing everything and so far so good.
 
Yes we are coming on Sat to see Simon, our appointment is 10.50. It would be nice to meet you.
 
He's home and there's nothing physically wrong with him. Big thank you to Simon for having a thorough look at him and thank you to Debbie for the advice. Looks like we will need a friend for him, just got to decide to either neuter Magic and rescue a sow or rescue a neutered sow for him xx
 
Hi Debbie, thanks for coming to see us at Simons. It was very kind of you to take some time out of your day to see us. He has just eaten a handful of dandelion leaves and nibbled a small piece of carrot so fingers crossed. But we are still syringing, we will let you know how he gets on :) x
 
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