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Piggy broken heart syndrome?

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Glok24

Junior Guinea Pig
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So recently one of my pigs passed away at around 5 years old, the other one, 6, has been acting strange since then, and has slowly started refusing food, even her favorite treats, she is starting to loose the sheen in her fur, and i am incredibly worried. It has been almost 2 months since the other passed, and it seems to line up perfectly with when the others health started to decline, i wanna know if anyone else out there has experienced this behavior before, or if theres more i can do, or if maybe it is just her time
 
Glok24 said:
So recently one of my pigs passed away at around 5 years old, the other one, 6, has been acting strange since then, and has slowly started refusing food, even her favorite treats, she is starting to loose the sheen in her fur, and i am incredibly worried. It has been almost 2 months since the other passed, and it seems to line up perfectly with when the others health started to decline, i wanna know if anyone else out there has experienced this behavior before, or if theres more i can do, or if maybe it is just her time
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Hi!

How old is your girl?

Please have her vet checked to exclude a medical problem first and foremost. Bereaved guinea pigs can become depressed and need new companionship at any age, but you need to cover the medical angle first before you opt for depression; the loss of a mate lowers the immune system and can allow underlying issues to come to the fore.

I have recently lost a 9 year old that has come here as 7 year old after becoming withdrawn and depressed in the wake of losing the last of her same age mates. The companionship of my piggies has given her a new interest in life and has kept her going for another 1 1/2 years.

Please switch from the regular weekly weigh-in to weighing daily at the same time in order to monitor the food intake. Over 80% of it is unlimited hay, so you can't see that by just looking at it. Start topping her up with syringe feed and water if she has lost more than 50g/2 oz of her original weight (which I am sure she has). This measure does NOT replace a vet check; it is simply a measure to keep her guts from closing down and keeping her alive for any medical treatment to kick in and work. You can use mushed up pellets as long as you cut off the syringe tip as shown in our syringe feeding guide.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Recommended Californian rescues that offer dating a new mate at the rescue: Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations
Recommended exotics vets in your state: Veterinarians: California - Guinea Lynx Records
 
I will do my best to start syringe feeding. Are you generally able to get the feeding syringes at a pet store, or do i need to go to a specialty store?
She is a little over 6 years old.
 
You may be able to get the right size of small (non-hypodermic) syringe at a pharmacy, or else vets will have them (as well as the bigger size). you need to cut the very end of the small syringes off, in order to push the pellet mash or special syringe food through. Here is a complete guide to syringe feeding, hope it helps : Syringe Feeding guide
 
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