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Olive Losing Weight

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ayemee

ayemee

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hello guys,

I know I haven't posted much but I have been lurking. (Been super busy!)

I haven't noticed any change in Olives behaviour or eating pattern. She's drinking fine and I always watch to make sure she's getting her fair share of food. But she's been slowly losing weight. I kept an eye on it and she seemed to become a stable weight. But this last couple of weeks she's dropped down to 580g. She's so tiny. I'm taking her to the vets tomorrow.

I feel like it could be her teeth. This is just what happened with Brillo so I feel like it's something I'm doing...

I've been feeding her separately the last two days and she's eating fine and large amounts.
Feeling pretty rubbish.
 
ayemee said:
Hello guys,

I know I haven't posted much but I have been lurking. (Been super busy!)

I haven't noticed any change in Olives behaviour or eating pattern. She's drinking fine and I always watch to make sure she's getting her fair share of food. But she's been slowly losing weight. I kept an eye on it and she seemed to become a stable weight. But this last couple of weeks she's dropped down to 580g. She's so tiny. I'm taking her to the vets tomorrow.

I feel like it could be her teeth. This is just what happened with Brillo so I feel like it's something I'm doing...

I've been feeding her separately the last two days and she's eating fine and large amounts.
Feeling pretty rubbish.
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Please start topping her up with syringe feed. That is a very low weight, even for a small guinea pig. Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

All the best! I hope that your vet can find out what is causing the weight loss.
 
ayemee said:
How often should I syringe feed her? Should I syringe her with mashed up pellets? Thanks.
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You can syringe her with mushed up pellets; it is even more appetising when they are still a bit warm in my experience. How often depend on how much she is eating in one go and how much she is eating on her own.

If you suspect dental issues, try to see whether chopping your veg into fine strips can help.
 
What was her weight when she came to live with you? (she is your newest addition isn't she?). I agree with Wiebke about topping up with syringe feed. If you suspect teeth I would try yo get her to Simon if possible. Does her breath smell musty at all?
 
helen105281 said:
What was her weight when she came to live with you? (she is your newest addition isn't she?). I agree with Wiebke about topping up with syringe feed. If you suspect teeth I would try yo get her to Simon if possible. Does her breath smell musty at all?
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I can't remember. :( I just know she has lost weight. I'm weighing her daily from now on. No her breath doesn't smell musty that I've noticed.
 
So she may have been small when she arrived. Ok, that rules out oral thrush. I hope the vet can give you some answers, in the meantime, carry on as you are with additional syringe feeding.
 
Back from the vets. Her teeth are fine and they are suspecting worms.

She is on treatment for the next 9 days. Fingers firmly crossed for her.
 
Sorry your Olive is unwell :soz: All paws crossed here for her x
 
ayemee said:
Back from the vets. Her teeth are fine and they are suspecting worms.

She is on treatment for the next 9 days. Fingers firmly crossed for her.
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Sorry to hear about Olive and her low weight. How did your vet come to that conclusion btw? Did they have a look at a pooh sample or are they sending one off?
Sending lots of vibes for Olive.
 
lauraboara said:
Sorry to hear about Olive and her low weight. How did your vet come to that conclusion btw? Did they have a look at a pooh sample or are they sending one off?
Sending lots of vibes for Olive.
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She checked her teeth, listened to breathing and heart rate. Everything was fine so this is her first thought. She's going back next week. If no improvement then she will have blood tests to check for thyroid function.
 
Keep her topped up with syringe feed to keep her weight stable, is she eating okay - no slowness? Usual gusto etc...?
 
sport_billy said:
Keep her topped up with syringe feed to keep her weight stable, is she eating okay - no slowness? Usual gusto etc...?
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Sorry I didn't see this until now! Yes she's fine in herself. Eating plenty which makes me thinks it is worms.

She's looking better today. A bit brighter and not as skinny. Sounds silly I know, but I weighed her this morning and she's at 645g. Which I think is good progress for a couple of days! :)

Here she is this morning after having her meds.

20160505_102121.webp
 
Hi there , you said Olives 580g but you dident say how much her target weight is, and you dident say how old she is ?
l have several pigs (sows in particula) that have lost weight and the older thy get the more lightly weight loss is ! and dropping to 500g is the norm, and they seem to maintan that
 
gizzy said:
Hi there , you said Olives 580g but you dident say how much her target weight is, and you dident say how old she is ?
l have several pigs (sows in particula) that have lost weight and 500g is the norm
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Hello,

I don't really have a target weight for her. I just want her to get back to being how she was before she lost the weight quickly. Even if she doesn't reach that again, her boney figure isnt the normal for her.

She is around 4 years old.
 
l have several pigs (sows in particula) that have lost weight and the older thy get the more lightly weight loss is ! and dropping to 500g is the norm, and they seem to maintan that,

personaly unless she readily tacks syringe paste l would be reluctant to sy feed on a regular basis , as they do not need to chew as much

and l beleve the chewing prosess creates digestive enzins nessasery for propper digestion
 
Rushed Olive to the vet this morning. She was fine when I left her last night but came down this morning to find her hunched up and not eating.

Vet has discovered an ulcer in her eye. Plus she has a lot of gas. Her stomach making horrible noises.

She's had eye gel prescribed, along with food to mix with water and syringe feed her.

She's had pain killers and an injection to get the gut moving. The vet felt her thoroughly and said her bowels felt very inflamed.

The next 24 hours will be quite crucial. So glad I'm off work today.
 
oh bless :( come on beautiful Olive
maybe the ulcer in the eye has put her off eating a bit - pain can stop them eating as usual, also the hunching position can be due to pain, if she has gas & an ulcer it could be factors with the pain issues.
hopefully now she's had an injection this will help & the gut stimulant will be a double whammy to get her back to rights again :tu:

do you have any gripe water to help ease the gas issues or a vibrating pad or electric toothbrush just to help disperse the gas bubbles a little quicker?

fingers & paws all crossed tightly for a speedy & full recovery. luv the girls & i

xx
 
Gripe water and a warm bath was very helpful for my piggy. Poor baby, glad you're home today to play doctor :D good luck!
 
GPTV said:
oh bless :( come on beautiful Olive
maybe the ulcer in the eye has put her off eating a bit - pain can stop them eating as usual, also the hunching position can be due to pain, if she has gas & an ulcer it could be factors with the pain issues.
hopefully now she's had an injection this will help & the gut stimulant will be a double whammy to get her back to rights again :tu:

do you have any gripe water to help ease the gas issues or a vibrating pad or electric toothbrush just to help disperse the gas bubbles a little quicker?

fingers & paws all crossed tightly for a speedy & full recovery. luv the girls & i

xx
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Cookies&Glitter said:
Gripe water and a warm bath was very helpful for my piggy. Poor baby, glad you're home today to play doctor :D good luck!
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Thank you both. X

Yes I have some gripe water. She's having that as well as tummy massages and she's being syringe fed recovery food. So far she's taking it well. Shes moving around more and having a tiny nibble at some hay.

She's passed around 4 poos which shows things are moving again. The poops were the biggest ones I've ever seen. Huge!
 
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