Old guinea pig

[beccalovar]

Hi everyone! My guinea pig is named Chuck, he's 6. At the start of the year he had some bad gut problems, it was definitely not looking good but he got so much better with Emeprid and lots of love and care.

The problem now is he won't gain any weight. At all. He's getting critical care, 3 table spoons worth a day and nothing. He eats and drinks fine. Personality is his normal bubbly self. He's losing weight slowly and consistently. He saw the vet today and I asked if it's cruel at this point to let him continue like this, because he is under a KG by a good amount. She told me it was at the critical point where he NEEDS to gain some weight or else yes, it'll be cruel and take too much of a toll on him

So my question is, is there any other way to get weight on him? I know at his age and with his condition, its unlikely. But I'll try anything. I've been mentally prepared since both my boys were 4 that they're in their prime. But I'm still so heart broken. I can't imagine a day without him, but I won't let him suffer

Thanks everyone, I hope you're all well!

 

[Deleted member 151640]

How many mls is he getting a day, three tablespoons isn’t really a measurement we use.
If you piggy is losing weight you should be aiming at around 100-130mls a day if he isn’t eating on his own.
If he is eating but still losing weight you should try for 60-80mls.

I believe around 100mls is a guinea pigs calories for a day but I may be wrong.
How much did he weigh at the start? How much has he lost in total?

There is a chance he may have teeth problems, I had a very similar experience but he showed no signs of improvement on medication.
He went in for a dental and his teeth were not breaking down the food at all causing his gut issues, due to them growing the wrong direction, have you spoke about an investigative appointment at all?
If he is still having problems while on extended amount of medication, there is a high chance there is something underlying pulling the strings.

I should also add my boy also seemed as nothing was wrong, but mine was on painkillers which helped him along.

Is he on painkillers at all?

I know some people use oats for piggies losing weight, have you tried this?

 

[beccalovar]

How many mls is he getting a day, three tablespoons isn’t really a measurement we use.
If you piggy is losing weight you should be aiming at around 100-130mls a day if he isn’t eating on his own.
If he is eating but still losing weight you should try for 60-80mls.

I believe around 100mls is a guinea pigs calories for a day but I may be wrong.
How much did he weigh at the start? How much has he lost in total?

There is a chance he may have teeth problems, I had a very similar experience but he showed no signs of improvement on medication.
He went in for a dental and his teeth were not breaking down the food at all causing his gut issues, due to them growing the wrong direction, have you spoke about an investigative appointment at all?
If he is still having problems while on extended amount of medication, there is a high chance there is something underlying pulling the strings.

I should also add my boy also seemed as nothing

was wrong, but mine was on painkillers which helped him along.

Is he on painkillers at all?

I know some people use oats for piggies losing weight, have you tried this?

He's getting like 90 mls a day, but is also eating all his veg and being completely himself. No change in personality apart from when his tummy acts up but with altering the emeprid that quickly clears up. When I brought him in around January he was 1.15kg, so underweight already but now he's less than a KG. Don't remember what exactly because the appointment was emotionally distressing.
He has no teeth problems, she checked several times. He's eating fine, getting extra veggies as well as bribery to eat his CC.

The vet thinks that it's down to his age and the gut issues, his body just isn't coping well and losing weight. It's heart breaking to think he may need put down despite seeming completely fine personality wise.

He was on Metcam while on gut stasis, but once his tummy stopped swelling and he went back to eating and drinking normally he was taken off of that.

I tried oats but he flat out refuses it and it didn't help weight gain whatsoever, and I know it can cause gas and with his condition he's very prone to bloat so I try avoid all food that are gassy. Thanks for your response x

 

[weepweeps]

Welcome to the forum. I hope the vet can find the reason for Chucks weight loss. Could you try some more pain meds just in case it’s arthritis that is hurting and stopping him eating as much as he would usually? Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 151640]

He's getting like 90 mls a day, but is also eating all his veg and being completely himself. No change in personality apart from when his tummy acts up but with altering the emeprid that quickly clears up. When I brought him in around January he was 1.15kg, so underweight already but now he's less than a KG. Don't remember what exactly because the appointment was emotionally distressing.
He has no teeth problems, she checked several times. He's eating fine, getting extra veggies as well as bribery to eat his CC.

The vet thinks that it's down to his age and the gut issues, his body just isn't coping well and losing weight. It's heart breaking to think he may need put down despite seeming completely fine personality wise.

He was on Metcam while on gut stasis, but once his tummy stopped swelling and he went back to eating and drinking normally he was taken off of that.

I tried oats but he flat out refuses it and it didn't help weight gain whatsoever, and I know it can cause gas and with his condition he's very prone to bloat so I try avoid all food that are gassy. Thanks for your response x

She checked his teeth under GA? Or a conscious dental?
Has he been x-rayed or anything?

From my experience I have never really had constant weight loss without another problem.
It is true older pigs slow down and start to lose weight but in my experience it was always caused by something else. Older pigs can weigh less, I have heard of older pigs going from being over 1k to evening out to 900ish, this may be the case?
I would like to add I mostly fostered middle aged pigs and only met a couple older ones, so this is going off my general knowledge on such and someone with a similar situation or more targeted advice will hopefully be along soon.

There are underlying things such as arthritis and "non-fixable" illness's that can occur as anyone/thing ages, just like with humans pigs can/will get weaker as they get older.

I know some people use alfalfa hay, but I probably wouldn't recommend it. Some things you could try are rye hay or oat hay, as they are higher in protein/carbs without the extremities of alfalfa.
As you said about the oats, to keep him most comfortable I would maybe try the rye hay before trying the oat hay. Some people also feed readi-grass, but I have never used it personally.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Welcome to the forum
Does he eat lots of good quality hay? That is the main thing. When they get old they do loose a little weight or have great difficulty putting it back on

 

[Bluebell]

From past six years I do find they lose a little muscle mass, and their coat quality deteriorates, but it isn't normal to lose weight just from getting to 6 years. At least half of mine are over that age now and only one is looking it and that is really more due to his coat thinning down and losing it's gloss.
There will be a health reason as well as age,

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Hope the vet can find a reason for Chuck’s weight loss.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

Weight in older piggies is generally slow to come back, if comes back at all after an illness. Often there is more than one developing health issue that is in play; similar to older people. I hope that your vet can find what is causing the continuing weight loss.

 

[Claire W]

My late Edward used to be 1100g in his prime and steadily lost weight when he reached 6 but settled around the 900g mark and never did regain the weight. He did lose more weight and we lost him three months before his 7th birthday but we discovered he had bad arthritis which I knew nothing about until he was diagnosed by a specialist vet and @Wiebke who was looking after my guinea pigs at the time noticed he had it. I would definitely mention it to your vet as guinea pigs hide pain so well but weight loss is a common sign of pain somewhere in the body. I hope your vet can get to the bottom of it

 

[Eriathwen]

Welcome to the forum! The only thing I can add to the above (getting them on pain relief if suspected arthritis would be my first port of call personally, given his age) is that having dealt with emaciated guinea pigs either through starvation or stasis, do not underestimate the benefit of probiotics. Guinea pigs rely on good bacteria to break down and utilise nutrition effectively and after reduced food intake, stasis, diarrhoea etc this bacteria can suffer and therefore they may not be using the food they eat as well as they could be.

There was very little if any information online on dealing with emaciation in guinea pigs (not that yours is there yet!) When I first started rescuing piggies, however guinea pigs share a lot of similarities with horses, and the one thing I read time and again with rehabilitating emaciated horses was how crucial probiotics were, alongside proper hydration.

While vets don't seem to be able to agree whether probiotics actually provide benefit to them, in my anecdotal experience, they most certainly help. I've had some quite skeletal piggies unable to gain weight until I introduced probiotics into their routine. Fibreplex is easiest to get in the UK however personally I prefer benebac when I'm able to get hold of it.

Just something to try while you're trying to pinpoint any health issue that could be the cause.

I also agree adding rye and cereal hays into the diet for some extra protein to aid in muscle function and rebuilding.

 

[Tigermoth]

My 8 year old was about 800g in her prime but now about 650g. Her weight is stable on the scales but you can feel a change in her as her pelvis and ribs are clear to feel. Her behaviour seemed fine, nothing to suggest she was off colour except for the occasional splayed legs. She suddenly started losing lots of hair so I took her to the vet. We decided to start her on pain killer and her whole demeanour changed. Much more active. Personally I’m going by her behaviour, not an arbitrary figure on a scale. If she is happy, she is happy. I do give her the odd bowl of oats mixed with grated carrot.

 

[beccalovar]

Welcome to the forum. I hope the vet can find the reason for Chucks weight loss. Could you try some more pain meds just in case it’s arthritis that is hurting and stopping him eating as much as he would usually? Good luck.

Hi, the issue isn't eating. He eats no problem, even getting extra veggies ontop of Critical Care to help him gain weight but nothing is sticking

 

[beccalovar]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'm going to ask the vet about probiotics & maybe getting him an xray to see if theres anything they can find. He is eating absolutely fine, getting extra veggies even to help weight gain, ontop of loads of Critical care daily but he just won't gain any weight at all, in fact hes losing it slowly but consistently.

By the sounds of how the vet sees it, hes at the point of underweight where his body isn't coping well at all. Which is hard to hear from how normal he seems. But I'm going to inform her I'm willing to try anything, as long as he isn't in pain which right now he doesn't seem it. I've seen him in pain before and it is noticeable with him, since he is very active and outgoing.

Thank you all again <3

 

[beccalovar]

She checked his teeth under GA? Or a conscious dental?
Has he been x-rayed or anything?

From my experience I have never really had constant weight loss without another problem.
It is true older pigs slow down and start to lose weight but in my experience it was always caused by something else. Older pigs can weigh less, I have heard of older pigs going from being over 1k to evening out to 900ish, this may be the case?
I would like to add I mostly fostered middle aged pigs and only met a couple older ones, so this is going off my general knowledge on such and someone with a similar situation or more targeted advice will hopefully be along soon.

There are underlying things such as arthritis and "non-fixable" illness's that can occur as anyone/thing ages, just like with humans pigs can/will get weaker as they get older.

I know some people use alfalfa hay, but I probably wouldn't recommend it. Some things you could try are rye hay or oat hay, as they are higher in protein/carbs without the extremities of alfalfa.
As you said about the oats, to keep him most comfortable I would maybe try the rye hay before trying the oat hay. Some people also feed readi-grass, but I have never used it personally.

Conscious dental, I think they're avoiding GA with his age and gut problems. Same with an X-ray, since he would have to be sedated. His weight hasn't went down and stayed stable, its slowly continuously going down and down. I don't know exactly what it is, but I'm ringing them tomorrow to ask.

I have considered arthritis, and I'll be sure to mention it. But the reason he'd lose weight due to arthritis would be not eating/lack of appetite. Wee man has a huge appetite and eats anything he sees, he tried to eat my book earlier haha.

I ordered some oat hay there now, at the moment they have hay from Pets at Home cause I ran low on the stuff I order in and they seem to pick at that and has less interest. Thanks so much for your response and care <3

 

[Deleted member 151640]

Conscious dental, I think they're avoiding GA with his age and gut problems. Same with an X-ray, since he would have to be sedated. His weight hasn't went down and stayed stable, its slowly continuously going down and down. I don't know exactly what it is, but I'm ringing them tomorrow to ask.

I have considered arthritis, and I'll be sure to mention it. But the reason he'd lose weight due to arthritis would be not eating/lack of appetite. Wee man has a huge appetite and eats anything he sees, he tried to eat my book earlier haha.

I ordered some oat hay there now, at the moment they have hay from Pets at Home cause I ran low on the stuff I order in and they seem to pick at that and has less interest. Thanks so much for your response and care <3

I do understand the concern with GA in an older piggy.

I’ve got my fingers crossed your little man starts to feel better soon x

 

[Princess Dustmop]

Reasons that a piggy (or any creature) would be losing weight would be: lack of calories or loss of muscle mass.
Lack of calories can occur through too little consumption or too little absorption. If he's got a good appetite and there's lots going in, then I'd be looking at the latter. How's his poo? Is there more, less, or the same amount in the cage than there used to be? Does it look like his normal?
If his appetite is as voracious as described, would he accept more critical care? I know you're already giving him a fair amount, but if he would take more, I would give him as much as he'll take. If his system isn't extracting the nutrients out of the food as well as it should, more input can help compensate for the lower efficiency. (i.e. If one is absorbing 80% of what one normally would, it could be balanced by an extra 25% input [125% x 80% = 100%].)

 

[beccalovar]

I do understand the concern with GA in an older piggy.

I’ve got my fingers crossed your little man starts to feel better soon x

I don't think he will improve honestly. He's so skinny it's breaking my heart, but atleast he's eating and begging so much and still accepting cuddles. Thank you so much.

 

[beccalovar]

Reasons that a piggy (or any creature) would be losing weight would be: lack of calories or loss of muscle mass.
Lack of calories can occur through too little consumption or too little absorption. If he's got a good appetite and there's lots going in, then I'd be looking at the latter. How's his poo? Is there more, less, or the same amount in the cage than there used to be? Does it look like his normal?
If his appetite is as voracious as described, would he accept more critical care? I know you're already giving him a fair amount, but if he would take more, I would give him as much as he'll take. If his system isn't extracting the nutrients out of the food as well as it should, more input can help compensate for the lower efficiency. (i.e. If one is absorbing 80% of what one normally would, it could be balanced by an extra 25% input [125% x 80% = 100%].)

It's deffo not lack of calories. He had gut stasis and bloat not too long ago, around January. Was given antibiotics, Emeprid and metacam and it definitely improved. Vet didn't think he would pull through but he did! The issue is the weight. He's back to eating, and he gets extra as bribes for his CC.

His poop was very good for a while and he was still losing weight during that. Right now it's not great, mushy and not much are forming. Vet altered his Emeprid to 0.8 3x a day instead of 1ml 2x. Only started on that today so I'll see how he gets on tomorrow.

I managed to get 3tbs of CC into him today which I'm NOT sure the ML measurement but definitely over 100ml. Probably 100-150. The issue is he hates CC yet his big brother wheeks for it lol. He gets bribed with lettuce between force feeds, sometimes a bit of fruit for when he's being very defiant.

Thanks for your response! I'm sad but coming to terms that he will likely need put to sleep soon enough. I can see his energy levels going down and sometimes he's lethargic.

 

[beccalovar]

It's deffo not lack of calories. He had gut stasis and bloat not too long ago, around January. Was given antibiotics, Emeprid and metacam and it definitely improved. Vet didn't think he would pull through but he did! The issue is the weight. He's back to eating, and he gets extra as bribes for his CC.

His poop was very good for a while and he was still losing weight during that. Right now it's not great, mushy and not much are forming. Vet altered his Emeprid to 0.8 3x a day instead of 1ml 2x. Only started on that today so I'll see how he gets on tomorrow.

I managed to get 3tbs of CC into him today which I'm NOT sure the ML measurement but definitely over 100ml. Probably 100-150. The issue is he hates CC yet his big brother wheeks for it lol. He gets bribed with lettuce between force feeds, sometimes a bit of fruit for when he's being very defiant.

Thanks for your response! I'm sad but coming to terms that he will likely need put to sleep soon enough. I can see his energy levels going down and sometimes he's lethargic.

Oh I've also noticed when he is lethargic or still he seems to like, nod or bob his head up and down very slightly? I'm not sure what this is about but I think maybe he's in pain?

 

[Deleted member 151640]

Yes lethargy and head nodding are a clear sign of pain/discomfort, you may notice head nodding in other settings but in this case it sounds like either pain or your boys body is failing him and the head is all that is going.
I have also heard of head nodding to be a sign of heart failure, not saying that is what it is, I am just letting you know.

How often is he lethargic? In such times there is a high chance he is in a lot of pain, and lethargy is usually either a sign a guinea pig is in a lot of pain or has given up, either one is usually rushed to the vets.

Is he on constant painkillers, wether he is dying naturally or suffering from another ailment painkillers would be something I would be looking into.
Gut stasis can come back again and again especially if it is a ongoing reaction to pain/illness somewhere in the body and can be fatal.

You may find these guides helpful - The one about death is informative for anyone, I am not trying to say anything.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[Wheekallweek]

I'd definitely get the little man some painkillers ASAP, whatever happens.
It so horrible when they get old isn't it?
As @Tigermoth has said though, I would perhaps focus more on how he is in himself. If he is eating and happy (which it sounds like he is!) and once you get him on painkillers so you know he isn't suffering from any soreness, then I think HE will let you know when he is ready to go

 

[beccalovar]

Yes lethargy and head nodding are a clear sign of pain/discomfort, you may notice head nodding in other settings but in this case it sounds like either pain or your boys body is failing him and the head is all that is going.
I have also heard of head nodding to be a sign of heart failure, not saying that is what it is, I am just letting you know.

How often is he lethargic? In such times there is a high chance he is in a lot of pain, and lethargy is usually either a sign a guinea pig is in a lot of pain or has given up, either one is usually rushed to the vets.

Is he on constant painkillers, wether he is dying naturally or suffering from another ailment painkillers would be something I would be looking into.
Gut stasis can come back again and again especially if it is a ongoing reaction to pain/illness somewhere in the body and can be fatal.

You may find these guides helpful - The one about death is informative for anyone, I am not trying to say anything.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

Yes lethargy and head nodding are a clear sign of pain/discomfort, you may notice head nodding in other settings but in this case it sounds like either pain or your boys body is failing him and the head is all that is going.
I have also heard of head nodding to be a sign of heart failure, not saying that is what it is, I am just letting you know.

How often is he lethargic? In such times there is a high chance he is in a lot of pain, and lethargy is usually either a sign a guinea pig is in a lot of pain or has given up, either one is usually rushed to the vets.

Is he on constant painkillers, wether he is dying naturally or suffering from another ailment painkillers would be something I would be looking into.
Gut stasis can come back again and again especially if it is a ongoing reaction to pain/illness somewhere in the body and can be fatal.

You may find these guides helpful - The one about death is informative for anyone, I am not trying to say anything.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement

Yes lethargy and head nodding are a clear sign of pain/discomfort, you may notice head nodding in other settings but in this case it sounds like either pain or your boys body is failing him and the head is all that is going.
I have also heard of head nodding to be a sign of heart failure, not saying that is what it is, I am just letting you know.

How often is he lethargic? In such times there is a high chance he is in a lot of pain, and lethargy is usually either a sign a guinea pig is in a lot of pain or has given up, either one is usually rushed to the vets.

Is he on constant painkillers, wether he is dying naturally or suffering from another ailment painkillers would be something I would be looking into.
Gut stasis can come back again and again especially if it is a ongoing reaction to pain/illness somewhere in the body and can be fatal.

You may find these guides helpful - The one about death is informative for anyone, I am not trying to say anything.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

Thank you so much for the links
On Friday he got bloated again and wouldn't eat much veg, that's the last time he got noticeably lethargic so I know it was pain from Bloat. He stared in the corner and was bobbing his head slightly, which is also the first time I noticed that.
I think he bobs his head when he's concentrating on pooping, which would line up with it being painful.
He hasn't been lethargic at all since, he zone's out sometimes after eating lots of veggies but that's when his wee bowel would be trying it's hardest to work.
He has had gut problems continue but no where near the level it has been, his poop isn't consistently good but his emeprid was altered so we will see.

I'm coming to terms with the fact he will need put to sleep probably very soon. I'm going to ask the vet for pain killers on Friday, and ask when she thinks I should let him go. If its Monday, then little man is going to get all the veggies and fruit and peaflakes he will take. And so much love. I'm heart broken but I don't want him to suffer, and since January he's been on CC and emeprid daily, along with bum clean outs 3-4 times daily, so wee man is getting it rough. Thank you for your kind words and feedback <3

 

[beccalovar]

Thank you so much for the links
On Friday he got bloated again and wouldn't eat much veg, that's the last time he got noticeably lethargic so I know it was pain from Bloat. He stared in the corner and was bobbing his head slightly, which is also the first time I noticed that.
I think he bobs his head when he's concentrating on pooping, which would line up with it being painful.
He hasn't been lethargic at all since, he zone's out sometimes after eating lots of veggies but that's when his wee bowel would be trying it's hardest to work.
He has had gut problems continue but no where near the level it has been, his poop isn't consistently good but his emeprid was altered so we will see.

I'm coming to terms with the fact he will need put to sleep probably very soon. I'm going to ask the vet for pain killers on Friday, and ask when she thinks I should let him go. If its Monday, then little man is going to get all the veggies and fruit and peaflakes he will take. And so much love. I'm heart broken but I don't want him to suffer, and since January he's been on CC and emeprid daily, along with bum clean outs 3-4 times daily, so wee man is getting it rough. Thank you for your kind words and feedback <3

Also want to add that he was on painkillers for a month and he was still losing weight. He is likely in some pain and discomfort now, but it isn't why he's losing weight. I'll make sure to get him pain killers on Friday. Today he's in great form. Slept on the sofa (I have a huge sofa) with me and his brother last night and I woke up to them both climbing over me for peaflakes and he was begging on his hind legs which he hasn't done in a good while. It made me so happy to see.

 

[Princess Dustmop]

It's deffo not lack of calories. He had gut stasis and bloat not too long ago, around January. Was given antibiotics, Emeprid and metacam and it definitely improved. Vet didn't think he would pull through but he did! The issue is the weight. He's back to eating, and he gets extra as bribes for his CC.

His poop was very good for a while and he was still losing weight during that. Right now it's not great, mushy and not much are forming. Vet altered his Emeprid to 0.8 3x a day instead of 1ml 2x. Only started on that today so I'll see how he gets on tomorrow.

I managed to get 3tbs of CC into him today which I'm NOT sure the ML measurement but definitely over 100ml. Probably 100-150. The issue is he hates CC yet his big brother wheeks for it lol. He gets bribed with lettuce between force feeds, sometimes a bit of fruit for when he's being very defiant.

Thanks for your response! I'm sad but coming to terms that he will likely need put to sleep soon enough. I can see his energy levels going down and sometimes he's lethargic.

The calories in the food he has consumed is not necessarily equivalent to the calories his body is receiving. This comes down to digestive efficiency. A piggy who is eating the normal amount of food but whose digestive system is running at 50% efficiency is the same as a piggy who's only eating half as much.

Mushy poo is an indicator that his digestive system is not working perfectly. Would his brother be eligible as a poo soup donor? Poo soup might help get his digestive system microbiome sorted.

Critical care comes in multiple flavors; my girls have always loved the apple/banana flavor, but every piggy has different tastes.
A metric tablespoon is 15mL, so 3tbsp = 45mL ... I'm not sure you're feeding as much as you think.

Also want to add that he was on painkillers for a month and he was still losing weight. He is likely in some pain and discomfort now, but it isn't why he's losing weight. I'll make sure to get him pain killers on Friday. Today he's in great form. Slept on the sofa (I have a huge sofa) with me and his brother last night and I woke up to them both climbing over me for peaflakes and he was begging on his hind legs which he hasn't done in a good while. It made me so happy to see.

I'm glad to hear he's able to beg on his hind legs. It takes strength, effort, and balance for a piggy to do that, all good things.

 

[Stewybus]

If he's eating a lot but still losing weight try getting him checked for thyroid problems. It will need a blood test.

Food you could try for weight gain are dry porridge oats & fruity nuggets. You could try giving him Burgess Dual Care instead of Critical Care. Some piggies will be better with this.

 

[beccalovar]

The calories in the food he has consumed is not necessarily equivalent to the calories his body is receiving. This comes down to digestive efficiency. A piggy who is eating the normal amount of food but whose digestive system is running at 50% efficiency is the same as a piggy who's only eating half as much.

Mushy poo is an indicator that his digestive system is not working perfectly. Would his brother be eligible as a poo soup donor? Poo soup might help get his digestive system microbiome sorted.

Critical care comes in multiple flavors; my girls have always loved the apple/banana flavor, but every piggy has different tastes.
A metric tablespoon is 15mL, so 3tbsp = 45mL ... I'm not sure you're feeding as much as you think.


I'm glad to hear he's able to beg on his hind legs. It takes strength, effort, and balance for a piggy to do that, all good things.

Yeah, that's what the vet told me as well. He's just gotten very frail and old looking, his brother is older by a good few months and is perfectly fine. He has a tiny bit of a wheeze at the moment and is also going to the vet along with Chuck on Friday.

Chuck gets LOTS of extra veggies compared to his brother, anytime I do CC he gets extra lettuce and cucumber and sometimes fruit treats and he never turns it down until he gets mad at me for force feeding so much.

I didn't think of doing the poo soup! Thanks so much for that idea. His brother Devito has great healthy poops and always has.

He has tried the aniseed and the banana/apple flavour, hates them both and he likes to spit it out but I'm very adamant and get him to take it despite his protests and head flicks lol. I'm terrible at math so there is a chance I'm unaware of how much I'm feeding him. ATM per feeding he's getting 2 tbs a day, 2x a day so 4tbs worth but they're heaped spoons. Sometimes if he isn't too annoyed I give him a bit more after veggies at night. When I do it through the syringe the syringe measures 25ml and the formula fills that up twice at least per feeding. So he's getting at the very least 100ml into him a day.

Since increasing the formula to 4tbs per day which I started yesterday he seems to be a lot better! Poops are forming more but still soft but his meds were altered too so that may be part of it. Seems to be in great form though, begging and lots of cuddles from him today. But again, his personality and mood isn't the issue it's just no weight is sticking and it's not as if his weight dropped and stayed that level. It dropped and keeps dropping yknow.

When I see the vet I'm going to ask if there's absolutely anything else she thinks I can do. I'm in Northern Ireland, we have no specialists but my vet specialises in small animal care and CC care so it's better than an average vet. I'm also going to ask how long would he have if he continued this way and if she thinks he needs put to sleep, when and again if there's any last thing we can try.

Thanks so much for your caring and informative response, I'll be following Devito around picking up his poops and try that out lol.

 

[beccalovar]

If he's eating a lot but still losing weight try getting him checked for thyroid problems. It will need a blood test.

Food you could try for weight gain are dry porridge oats & fruity nuggets. You could try giving him Burgess Dual Care instead of Critical Care. Some piggies will be better with this.

I will be asking on Friday if blood tests can be ran and if she thinks this may be down to a underlying condition. Just ordered Burgess dual care but the soonest it'll arrive is the 20th of May, and I'm not sure he will make it till then or if the vet will advise him to be put to sleep first. Either way, his big brother will enjoy it as well.
Thank you for your response x

 

[beccalovar]

Welcome to the forum! The only thing I can add to the above (getting them on pain relief if suspected arthritis would be my first port of call personally, given his age) is that having dealt with emaciated guinea pigs either through starvation or stasis, do not underestimate the benefit of probiotics. Guinea pigs rely on good bacteria to break down and utilise nutrition effectively and after reduced food intake, stasis, diarrhoea etc this bacteria can suffer and therefore they may not be using the food they eat as well as they could be.

There was very little if any information online on dealing with emaciation in guinea pigs (not that yours is there yet!) When I first started rescuing piggies, however guinea pigs share a lot of similarities with horses, and the one thing I read time and again with rehabilitating emaciated horses was how crucial probiotics were, alongside proper hydration.

While vets don't seem to be able to agree whether probiotics actually provide benefit to them, in my anecdotal experience, they most certainly help. I've had some quite skeletal piggies unable to gain weight until I introduced probiotics into their routine. Fibreplex is easiest to get in the UK however personally I prefer benebac when I'm able to get hold of it.

Just something to try while you're trying to pinpoint any health issue that could be the cause.

I also agree adding rye and cereal hays into the diet for some extra protein to aid in muscle function and rebuilding.

Hi! Thank you for your response! I ordered Oat hay which is here Friday and just ordered Fibreplex which will arrive tomorrow.

I want to ask can this be given alongside his Emeprid? He's on 0.8 three times a day. That's his only med currently asides from CC feedings!
The one I ordered also says for rabbits but I assume it'd work the same for guineas? Just want to make sure

Thanks for your caring response <3

 

[Eriathwen]

Hi! Thank you for your response! I ordered Oat hay which is here Friday and just ordered Fibreplex which will arrive tomorrow.

I want to ask can this be given alongside his Emeprid? He's on 0.8 three times a day. That's his only med currently asides from CC feedings!
The one I ordered also says for rabbits but I assume it'd work the same for guineas? Just want to make sure

Thanks for your caring response <3

Heya! Yes it's fine to use alongside emeprid, and the rabbit one is the right one don't worry
It should also help with the soft poops too hopefully as it contains extra fibre.