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Piggie Not Drinking

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Kayleigh__Jane

Kayleigh__Jane

Junior Guinea Pig
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Cambs, uk
Hi
One of my piggies Barney had to be put to sleep on sunday due to dehydration. Since then my other piggie Sam hasn't been drinking. He's been eating like normal which makes me think its not his teeth thats the problem. I've been giving him as many watery veggies as i can as well as a couple of 1ml syringes of water a day. I don't know if i should get someone to look at his teeth just incase or if i'm worrying too much. He's around 5-6 years old so i dont want to stress him out.
I hope all that makes sense.
 
Hi, I am sorry for the loss of Barney he will be missed xx
I think he may be grieving the loss of Barney (were they cage mates?) Hopefully someone else on the forum can help? xx
 
Kayleigh__Jane said:
Hi
One of my piggies Barney had to be put to sleep on sunday due to dehydration. Since then my other piggie Sam hasn't been drinking. He's been eating like normal which makes me think its not his teeth thats the problem. I've been giving him as many watery veggies as i can as well as a couple of 1ml syringes of water a day. I don't know if i should get someone to look at his teeth just incase or if i'm worrying too much. He's around 5-6 years old so i dont want to stress him out.
I hope all that makes sense.
Click to expand...

I am very sorry for your loss! Did you vet say what was causing the dehydration? How do you keep your boys? Have they experienced any major changes in temperature lately? Have you checked wether your water bottle is leaking or the nozzle blocked?

Please continue to offer Sam water in a syringe, but let him decide how much he will drink. Unless the dehydration has been caused by environmental factors and has affected both boys, it should be not catching. Not every guinea pig drinks a lot, you know - if Barney was the big drinker in the pair, then it might just look to you like Sam is not drinking. Fresh grass and veg will also help, but don't go overboard. He is not necessarily dehydrated, too!It can well be that the loss of his mate has affected his appetite.

Switch to weighing Sam daily to monitor the food intake. Up to 80% should be hay, so you can't just judge by looking at him chewing. if there are health/pain problems, the eating pattern often changes. Dehydration and anorexia (not eating) are usually a secondary symptom and require a thorough vet check by a piggy savvy vet.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Guinea Lynx :: Anorexia (not eating)
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/
 
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry for your loss! Did you vet say what was causing the dehydration? How do you keep your boys? Have they experienced any major changes in temperature lately? Have you checked wether your water bottle is leaking or the nozzle blocked?

Please continue to offer Sam water in a syringe, but let him decide how much he will drink. Unless the dehydration has been caused by environmental factors and has affected both boys, it should be not catching. Not every guinea pig drinks a lot, you know - if Barney was the big drinker in the pair, then it might just look to you like Sam is not drinking. Fresh grass and veg will also help, but don't go overboard. He is not necessarily dehydrated, too!It can well be that the loss of his mate has affected his appetite.

Switch to weighing Sam daily to monitor the food intake. Up to 80% should be hay, so you can't just judge by looking at him chewing. if there are health/pain problems, the eating pattern often changes. Dehydration and anorexia (not eating) are usually a secondary symptom and require a thorough vet check by a piggy savvy vet.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Guinea Lynx :: Anorexia (not eating)
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-vet-locator/
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. They were cage mates and thinking about it now Barney was spotted more at the drinking bottle than Sam. He was still drinking though but now he hasn't touched his bottle in a week. The bottle is still working, i clean it out every couple of days to make sure. Do you think it could be anything to do with his teeth beings he is eating normally? Or is it more likely that he's missing Barney? This is the first time one of my piggies has died so i feel like i'm worrying alot over Sams health.
 
Kayleigh__Jane said:
Thanks for your reply. They were cage mates and thinking about it now Barney was spotted more at the drinking bottle than Sam. He was still drinking though but now he hasn't touched his bottle in a week. The bottle is still working, i clean it out every couple of days to make sure. Do you think it could be anything to do with his teeth beings he is eating normally? Or is it more likely that he's missing Barney? This is the first time one of my piggies has died so i feel like i'm worrying alot over Sams health.
Click to expand...

If Sam is eating normally and maintaing his weight, I would not worry. You are probably giving him plenty of fesh veg that gives hi the fluid he needs.

Dental issues usually manifest with eating/weight loss issues, not drinking issues. A guinea pig typically picks up food, but then lets it drop because it can no longer chew properly.

I would recommend to have him vet checked for peace of mind. You may consider adopting a companion for Sam. The closest good standard piggy savvy rescue to you is Wood Green by Godmanchester. Alternatively, you could consider adopting a pair of younger guinea pigs as next door neighbours for ongoing stimulation.
Godmanchester Animal Centre - Wood Green, The Animals Charity
 
I am so sorry for the loss of Barney. Have you tried putting in a water bowl for Sam as well. It may be that he does not particularly like drinking from the bottle. In their natural environment they would not drink from a bottle. We humans have given them a bottle for ease of use to us but not all animals like it. I give mine both and they will drink out of both but they much prefer the bowl. Worth a try. xx
 
Quick update on Sam.
He's drinking normally again! :D i had to sell the cage he and Barney shared as it was too big for just him so i bought him a slightly smaller one. He went in there for the first time today and within an hour he was settled and drinking from his bottle for the first time in nearly 2 weeks (i'm one happy piggie mum!)
Thanks for all your replys and advice :) x
 
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