Piggy Losing Weight, Vets Are Closed For Xmas

[Matt]

Hi everyone

I've notice recently my pig Toby has started getting a bit slimmer than normal. He has always been on the smaller side of things, never been above 900g as far as I can remember but recently his weight has dropped a bit.

About a month ago he was about 870g (can't remember the exact figure). 2 days ago we has down to 820g and today it's as low as 780g. Problem is with Christmas tomorrow there aren't any vets I can take him for a few days now.

What would be the best course of action to keep him healthy until the vets reopen? Would forced feeding help at all?

Thanks

 

[Guinea Slave]

Hi Matt

Sorry to hear this. It could be age or the beginning of something such as kidney issues.

Is he eating? That's the key thing.

 

[Matt]

Hi Matt

Sorry to hear this. It could be age or the beginning of something such as kidney issues.

Is he eating? That's the key thing.

He's only 3 years old so should still have plenty of time on him yet. He appears to be eating ok, always takes a treat when offered. Our other pig Logan had a bladder stone a few months ago but that was more obvious as there was blood in his urine, that's not happening this time.

As soon as the vets reopen we'll take him in for a check.

 

[VickiA]

I think I'd step in with syringe feeding to help with his weight and to make sure he is getting enough nutrition If you haven't any critical care or recovery plus you can make a mix with warm water and mushed up pellets. Some piggies will take warm pellet mash from a spoon.

 

[Wiebke]

Please start syringing and watering any Guinea pig that is losing more than 50g of weight in a short time until you can see a vet and until any Treatment as kicked in. hat It is absolutely vital to keep the guts going. tps://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/

 

[Matt]

Please start syringing and watering any Guinea pig that is losing more than 50g of weight in a short time until you can see a vet and until any Treatment as kicked in. hat It is absolutely vital to keep the guts going. tps://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-syringe-feeding-guide.115359/

Thanks for the advice. We're syringing food and he's still going to the toilet and eating hay/pellets so that's good at least. Vet opens on Tuesday so we'll take him in then even if his weight increases. Merry Christmas everyone.

 

[Tim]

All the best mate, I hope your little man copes over Christmas. Merry Christmas

 

[VickiA]

All good wishes to you - it's a drain having a poorly piggy but it's so hard over Christmas when the vets are closed. Hope all goes well.

 

[helen105281]

I know how stressful it can be when they are poorly over Christmas, luckily we managed to get our poorly one seen last night and good job we did as she had a bladder stone the size of a cashew. It's positive that he is eating for himself, hope you get some answers when he sees the vet on Tuesday.

 

[acapae]

Problem is with Christmas tomorrow there aren't any vets I can take him for a few days now.

What would be the best course of action to keep him healthy until the vets reopen?

All UK vets by law have to provide out of hours cover; whether by having their own vets on rota, sub-contracting OOHs staff, buddying up with a nearby practice, or referring people on to elsewhere. Although this is more expensive than when they're open like normal, there's no super boost of cost over the festive period. So the vets being closed doesn't mean he can't be seen - if you do decide he needs he does need urgent medical attention, you don't have to wait.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the advice. We're syringing food and he's still going to the toilet and eating hay/pellets so that's good at least. Vet opens on Tuesday so we'll take him in then even if his weight increases. Merry Christmas everyone.

If he deteriorates, please check for an out-of-hours or a 24 hours Service in Leeds.