Old Piggie Getting Very Thin.

[Louisep1973]

I have had my three rescue piggies for a year now, and my niece had them for 18 months before that. She got them from a rescue. Rapunzel was in a very poor state when she was first rescued, as a result of being overbred from for several years.

We can't be sure how old she is, but from her history I'm guessing she's pretty old. Over the last 3 months she has gradually got thinner and thinner, and now I can feel her bones when I pick her up. Her coat has also lost its brightness and colour.

She seems very happy, not in any pain and very content to be with the other two piggies, but she is very thin indeed. I'm loathe to take her to the vet as she has never really liked being handled all that much, and frets if she is separated from the others even just for a couple of minutes. They have a lovely free range shed set up, with access to grass every day and as I said, she seems very happy. Is this just old age and should I just let nature take its course?

Of course if I thought she was in any pain I would take her to the vets immediately.

Thanks for any words of wisdom

 

[maxdawn]

I think she needs to see a vet. Piggys hide pain, she could be losing weight because she in pain. You could take one of the other pigs to the vets to keep her company. Hope she gets well soon

 

[Caviequeen]

It could be old age i supose but if your able to feel her bones then id take her to the vet just in case and try and bring the other two or atleast one so shes not alone.
Praying she gets better.

 

[Wiebke]

It is likely that she has organ failure of some sort, but you need to make sure that there isn't a treatable cause like bladder or kidney stones, arthritis, dental problems or a lump that is causing the weight loss. Unfortunately, as with any major weight loss, a vet trip is necessary.

 

[Wiebke]

You also may find this thread here helpful: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/

 

[Louisep1973]

Thanks all. Will take her on Monday.

 

[NASH]

What did the vet say? we also have a very thin bony old little girl, shes been poorly but she was skinny before being ill and any attempts at feeding her up just result in bloat which is a shame as she would sell us all for a cabbage leaf.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

Poor Rapunzel, I would too suggest taking her to the vet. In case like @Wiebke said, it is anything treatable.