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Patsy's lost weight

Betsy

Betsy

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Since adopting Patsy on 12 September she has lost weight every week (12 Sept she was weighed at the Foster Carer's house).

12 Sept 968g
16 Sept 950g
24 Sept 944g
1 Oct 911g
8 Oct 881g

On 14 September I took her for a heath check where she was declared very healthy except for some lumps which subsequently turned out to be ovarian cysts at a scan on 30 September. Having never adopted a piggy before I'm not sure if she is taking a while to settle in and this loss of weight is as a result of the many changes she had in the 8 weeks before I adopted her (leaving the home she knew, being surrendered to the Rescue, live in one Foster Carer's house, be moved to another Foster Carer's house, meet 2 new piggies and after another 3 weeks find herself in yet another strange place) or it's something else.

Almost every time I look at her she has her head stuck in a haypile or a food bowl.

Do I need to take her back to the vets or do I need to give her a bit more time to feel settled? Not having had her that long, I don't know her normal weight. Her health checks each week have been fine with no concerns and she still has a good heft.
 
I think with it being a continual downward trend and now amounting to quite a bit of loss, I’d prefer to have a vet check done for peace of mind. I hope she is ok
 
How old is she?
I think I’d get her to see the vet if you can get an appointment as that is a prolonged period of weight loss.
 
VickiA said:
How old is she?
I think I’d get her to see the vet if you can get an appointment as that is a prolonged period of weight loss.
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The Rescue said that they had been told she is five years old.
 
At that age, there are can always be an underlying issue that is being triggered or sped up by the stress of settling into a new home and the related lowering of the immune system. But something is definitely not quite right!

Finding out what is going on can be very tricky, as I know from my own experiences. 'Mystery weight loss' is my least favourite symptom for good reason because there can be so many different issues behind it. :(
 
All the best for Saturday Patsy.
 
Wiebke said:
At that age, there are can always be an underlying issue that is being triggered or sped up by the stress of settling into a new home and the related lowering of the immune system. But something is definitely not quite right!

Finding out what is going on can be very tricky, as I know from my own experiences. 'Mystery weight loss' is my least favourite symptom for good reason because there can be so many different issues behind it. :(
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I remember now that when Patsy had her scan, Rachel (vet) mentioned that weight loss may be a sign of the ovarian cysts doing something (can't remember exactly what though :doh: ) and to take her back if she lost any.
 
I think you’ve done the right thing getting her booked in for a check up. Hope she gets on ok on Saturday.
 
Bill & Ted said:
I think you have made the right decision there, hope it’s just settling in x
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I hope it's settling in too. She had had so much to contend with since July! I think if it were me with that many changes in my life I'd lose weight too!
 
Poor Patsy, best of luck at the vet- if it might be the cysts much better to find out now and schedule an op sooner rather than later... and I'd be getting the sweet potato and porridge oats going on for sure! X
 
PigglePuggle said:
Poor Patsy, best of luck at the vet- if it might be the cysts much better to find out now and schedule an op sooner rather than later... and I'd be getting the sweet potato and porridge oats going on for sure! X
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I just happen to have some sweet potato as I am going to make tuna and sweet potato bites tomorrow. I'll be sure to give her some tomorrow morning. I'll separate her and give her them in the morning. Thanks for the suggestion. I may add a bit of grated apple too!
 
all the best for Saturday .. kisses to Patsy and hugs to you!
 
What a worry for you, hope you get some good answers Saturday, healing vibes from my lots, xx and a big hug from me to you.xx
 
Patsy had a thorough check with Rachel today. Rachel said that Patsy's all fine. She could find nothing wrong except for her ovarian cysts. We had a long chat about it and as Patsy has no other symptoms we are putting it down to stress. Patsy has had an awfully stressful time since July and now she is starting to settle in, hopefully she'll realise that this is her forever home. I haven't had Patsy for long enough to know what her normal weight should be. She is a very healthy, confident piggy who was clearly very loved and looked after well in her previous home(s) (she had 2 homes before mine!). Rachel also said that it was nice to hear a guinea pig with nice proper stomach noises for a change.
 
Glad to hear she’s had the all-clear. Hopefully she will start to pick up once she realises she’s in her forever home 😊
 
Despite giving Patsy extra oats with either grated carrot, apple or sweet potato every morning her weight was down again yesterday. I'll see if she is willing to take a top up feed tonight and every night for a week of SS Supreme Recovery Plus to see if that makes a difference. Hopefully this will be what she needs to help with her weight loss. Every time I look at her she is stuffing her face or she's asleep. Maybe it is her Ovarian Cysts that are troubling her. Rachel (vet) is relunctant to operate unless absolutely necessary.
 
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