Piggy losing weight

[Stockyanna]

My lovely bright lively piggy is getting smaller by the day. She's had 5 visits to the vets in the last month. Nobody has any idea what is happening. I give my pigs about ten choices of veg every day so I don't overload on anything, and about a month ago she just went off everything. Wednesday she had an x ray and they couldn't find anything majorly wrong. She had food in her tummy which would suggest a digestive issue. But I feel like I'm losing her. She's so bony now and I've tried everything. All kinds of veg. She won't eat the critical care and will only eat grass. She's now refusing the pro biotic. Just not sure what to do now because she seems hungry. Just won't eat any of what I give her I feel like I'm going to lose her soon as she just hasn't got the reserve anymore. It's breaking my heart. She's so full of life still and such a little character. Even the vet says she just doesn't seem ill. He's tried researching why she's gone off her food but can't find anything. I must admit they've been brilliant calling each day. I just don't know how to get her out the danger zone if she won't take anything from me. She does eat a couple of bowls of grass if I sit with her but nothing else

 

[Stockyanna]

Does anybody know of a probiotic that you can administer by syringe to the mouth rather than in their bottle? She drank the one from the bottle initially but now refuses

 

[DM030819]

@Stockyanna Where do you live? In the UK Pets at Home as a probiotic called Pro-C that can be given by syringe.

Fibreplex comes preloaded into a syringe.

Could you get a second opinion by a guinea pig savvy vet? Weight loss can be from a number of issues, dental problems being one and it worries me that you haven't mentioned your vet checking the teeth.

 

[Siikibam]

@Jaycey beat me to it. I thought teeth as well. If you’re in the UK, there’s a list of recommended vets here. I’d go for a second opinion. Also start syringe feeding. If she refuses you could perhaps try offering it to her on a spoon? You could also try mushed pellets. Are you also weighing her daily?

Sorry you didn’t get much help from the vet. Try another and see what they say.

Here’s the guide on syringe feeding.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Good luck

 

[Stockyanna]

@Stockyanna Where do you live? In the UK Pets at Home as a probiotic called Pro-C that can be given by syringe.

Fibreplex comes preloaded into a syringe.

Could you get a second opinion by a guinea pig savvy vet? Weight loss can be from a number of issues, dental problems being one and it worries me that you haven't mentioned your vet checking the teeth.

Hi. Ok thanks I will try pets at home. They have checked her teeth. She's been in a couple of times for the day. They said her teeth were leaning a little but prob not enough to stop her eating. They filed them down a little. I have tried critical care through a syringe but she wasn't having a bar of it. I keep trying to find a pellet that she will eat so not sure if soaked pellets will appeal any more. She's a stroppy little thing and refused blank the syringe feeding. So not even sure if I would get a probiotic down her. But trying everything at the moment. The thing is she will happily knaw on the sticks you hang up amd occasionally will eat corn on the cob. Just won't touch anything else. They think it's a digestive issue. The vet are renowned in this area for small pets. But i am considering it. We have had 5 visits now

 

[Stockyanna]

Hi. Ok thanks I will try pets at home. They have checked her teeth. She's been in a couple of times for the day. They said her teeth were leaning a little but prob not enough to stop her eating. They filed them down a little. I have tried critical care through a syringe but she wasn't having a bar of it. I keep trying to find a pellet that she will eat so not sure if soaked pellets will appeal any more. She's a stroppy little thing and refused blank the syringe feeding. So not even sure if I would get a probiotic down her. But trying everything at the moment. The thing is she will happily knaw on the sticks you hang up amd occasionally will eat corn on the cob. Just won't touch anything else. They think it's a digestive issue. The vet are renowned in this area for small pets. But i am considering it. We have had 5 visits now

Oh and I live in Colchester in Essex

 

[Stockyanna]

@Jaycey beat me to it. I thought teeth as well. If you’re in the UK, there’s a list of recommended vets here. I’d go for a second opinion. Also start syringe feeding. If she refuses you could perhaps try offering it to her on a spoon? You could also try mushed pellets. Are you also weighing her daily?

Sorry you didn’t get much help from the vet. Try another and see what they say.

Here’s the guide on syringe feeding.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Good luck

Hiya. Yes the vet checked her teeth. Filed them down a little. I'm not convinced it is her teeth because she devoured a whole mini corn on the cob and keeps eating the stick treats I hang up. The vet thinks it is to do with digestion. He thinks that she's uncomfortable after eating with built up gases that it is putting her off eating things again. But grass she loves! The other night after the anaesthetic she ate a lot of her normal greens, i.e. Spinach, carrot tops, cucumber and pepper. But hasn't eaten it since. It's a worry. I'm constantly checking on the web cam every 20 mins to check she's eating. She's lively. That's the annoying thing. And loves veg normally. Just can't work it out. I am weighing her every day and it is slowly creeping up

 

[Claire W]

If her weight is slowly creeping up, then she will be eating. Is she eating hay at all?

 

[Stockyanna]

If her weight is slowly creeping up, then she will be eating. Is she eating hay at all?

Well it keeps creeping up and then dropping again. She dropped 100 grams in 3 days last week but I got it up again. She was 910 when she went to the vet and was 850 the next day. She was that for a few days. I have just weighed her and she was 940 so has gone up a little. Yes she is eating hay but not as much as she used to. And I have just tried her in her run and she ate grass for a solid hour nearly. But won't touch anything else. I am going to try her on some syringed pellets in a moment but I think it will be difficult.

 

[Claire W]

Well it keeps creeping up and then dropping again. She dropped 100 grams in 3 days last week but I got it up again. She was 910 when she went to the vet and was 850 the next day. She was that for a few days. I have just weighed her and she was 940 so has gone up a little. Yes she is eating hay but not as much as she used to. And I have just tried her in her run and she ate grass for a solid hour nearly. But won't touch anything else. I am going to try her on some syringed pellets in a moment but I think it will be difficult.

It's good that the weight is going up and down and not just on a downwards spiel. I'm aria that apart from seeking a second opinion to see if another vet can find answers, I'm not sure what to suggest. Are you weighing at the same time as in before or after breakfast everyday as weight can fluctuate as much as 50g in one day?

 

[Stockyanna]

It's good that the weight is going up and down and not just on a downwards spiel. I'm aria that apart from seeking a second opinion to see if another vet can find answers, I'm not sure what to suggest. Are you weighing at the same time as in before or after breakfast everyday as weight can fluctuate as much as 50g in one day?
Maybe not quite the same time. I will do it same time from now on. She won't let me syringe feed her at all

 

[Siikibam]

You could try offering it to her on a spoon?

 

[Stockyanna]

You could try offering it to her on a spoon?

Just tried that! She has just eaten a grape off me and some carrot tops and a piece of cucumber. Was good to see. But I'll probably find tomorrow she won't touch it again

 

[Siikibam]

Just keep trying is my advise. Will she eat coriander and celery etc? Are you going to be able to get a second opinion? At least she’s not constantly losing weight though.

 

[Stockyanna]

Just keep trying is my advise. Will she eat coriander and celery etc? Are you going to be able to get a second opinion? At least she’s not constantly losing weight though.

She won't eat celery, lettuce or kale at the moment. And no mixture. And when she has eaten the odd bit of green it is only a few mouthfuls. She always used to tear it out your hands! Well I've seen two different vets at the same practice. She's been put out twice now. Just worried that isn't doing her any good. She's still so lively. If I thought she was seriously ill then I'd accept it a bit more. The vet said there was some food in her stomach which is why he thought it a digestion issue and gave me some probiotic sachets but she won't touch it. I've just ordered some fiberplex which is coming tomorrow. Try it through a syringe but that isn't easy! I've tried several times now. She's very strong willed! The vet thinks that possibly she eats the food and it gives her pain so is putting her off eating it next time. I know she's hungry though. When I put her on the lawn earlier she didn't stop eating grass. I'm just concerned that's all she's mainly eating

 

[Stockyanna]

Well she has eaten a bigger range of food today and has now gone very quiet and just sitting there as if she's uncomfortable. So I know what that will mean tomorrow. She won't eat again because it will put her off. So it has to be the digestion problem. I keep seeing a pattern.

 

[Siikibam]

Are the vets you saw piggy savvy?

 

[Lady Kelly]

If your vets aren't experienced guinea pig specialists I would think its past time that they looked to refer you on to a specialist to find out what is going on. Have they given medication for digestive issues as well?

I had a quick look at our vet locator on the shortcut bar and have seen that this one is in Colchester
Colne Valley Vets
Ben Bennett
Off Maudlyn Rd
Colchester
Essex
CO1 2GU
01206 794695

It might be worth calling to check Ben still works there and getting the history transferred over for a fresh set of eyes to consider it. Or ask your vets for a referral to a specialist.

 

[Stockyanna]

If your vets aren't experienced guinea pig specialists I would think its past time that they looked to refer you on to a specialist to find out what is going on. Have they given medication for digestive issues as well?

I had a quick look at our vet locator on the shortcut bar and have seen that this one is in Colchester
Colne Valley Vets
Ben Bennett
Off Maudlyn Rd
Colchester
Essex
CO1 2GU
01206 794695

It might be worth calling to check Ben still works there and getting the history transferred over for a fresh set of eyes to consider it. Or ask your vets for a referral to a specialist.

Hiya. Thanks for that. But it is Ben that I have been seeing. I've had a number of issues including her being ultra hormonal so I saw him for three weeks on the trot for hormone injections. But he was scratching his head with why she wasn't eating what she was. I was given probiotic sachets to try but she wouldn't touch it. I've since been using the fibreplex with the syringe. But she takes it reluctantly! But I'm preserving. I have got her weight up slightly which I'm so delighted with and although she won't eat any of her normal food I have managed to stabilise it with grass and hay and corn on the cob. Been trying anything but she loves the grass the most. I do honestly believe it is a digestive issue. Last night after she ate I saw her sitting there with almost spasms in her tummy but it seems to soon pass and she is out eating again. I'm hoping that this fibreplex is helping her. It seems to be so I've ordered some more. I was so delighted that two days ago her weight was up to 985 grams but she was 950 again this morning. She had gone down to 850 I might try and call Ben again to see if he has thought of anything.

 

[Stockyanna]

Hiya. Thanks for that. But it is Ben that I have been seeing. I've had a number of issues including her being ultra hormonal so I saw him for three weeks on the trot for hormone injections. But he was scratching his head with why she wasn't eating what she was. I was given probiotic sachets to try but she wouldn't touch it. I've since been using the fibreplex with the syringe. But she takes it reluctantly! But I'm preserving. I have got her weight up slightly which I'm so delighted with and although she won't eat any of her normal food I have managed to stabilise it with grass and hay and corn on the cob. Been trying anything but she loves the grass the most. I do honestly believe it is a digestive issue. Last night after she ate I saw her sitting there with almost spasms in her tummy but it seems to soon pass and she is out eating again. I'm hoping that this fibreplex is helping her. It seems to be so I've ordered some more. I was so delighted that two days ago her weight was up to 985 grams but she was 950 again this morning. She had gone down to 850 I might try and call Ben again to see if he has thought of anything.

Can you think of anything else I could try for gases? I do believe that is what is happening which is why it puts her off eating

 

[Stockyanna]

Are the vets you saw piggy savvy?

Sorry. Didn't see this. Yes they are

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh no, it's horrible when they are seemingly medical marvels and stump even the best of vets. Perhaps you could explain about your thoughts and observations about her digestive system and see whether he thinks prescribing zantac or something might be worth a shot.

 

[Stockyanna]

Oh no, it's horrible when they are seemingly medical marvels and stump even the best of vets. Perhaps you could explain about your thoughts and observations about her digestive system and see whether he thinks prescribing zantac or something might be worth a shot.

I have just put a call in for a call back from Ben. I shall mention that thanks. What is zantac for?

 

[Lady Kelly]

I have just put a call in for a call back from Ben. I shall mention that thanks. What is zantac for?

I've been given zantac before to keep the guts moving. I've not had much experience with digestive issues so grasping at what i can

 

[Stockyanna]

I've been given zantac before to keep the guts moving. I've not had much experience with digestive issues so grasping at what i can

I just spoke to Ben for a while and he said that he'd been thinking about her. He did say we could try the Zantac but that's given when the guts aren't moving he said and because she is pooing normally then it's probably not needed. He was amazed how well I had got her weight up because he thought she would just keep losing until she wasted away. He said because the spasms aren't for long amd she then eats shortly afterwards then to carry on as I am. He said if it was kidney issues or similar then I wouldn't have been able to get her weight up like I have. So just to keep plugging away with what I'm doing because she seems happy and is lively. I am still keeping up the fibreplex twice a day so I think that's helping. Thanks for your help

 

[Betsy]

Have you tried massaging her tummy at all if she seems bloated and you think it may be a gassy tummy? She probably won't like it as it'll be uncomfortable for her. When my Betsy had a gas build up in her tum, I would massage her tummy for about 5 mins. First of all she hated it and then after a while she got used to it. It seemed to help the gas pass through. Just make sure her rear end isn't facing you when it does pass through cos piggy farts aren't the most pleasant smelling!.

 

[Stockyanna]

Have you tried massaging her tummy at all if she seems bloated and you think it may be a gassy tummy? She probably won't like it as it'll be uncomfortable for her. When my Betsy had a gas build up in her tum, I would massage her tummy for about 5 mins. First of all she hated it and then after a while she got used to it. It seemed to help the gas pass through. Just make sure her rear end isn't facing you when it does pass through cos piggy farts aren't the most pleasant smelling!.

Oh ok. I shall give it a try thanks! I'm so gutted today. I managed to get her weight back up on Wednesday to 985 grams and today she's been down to 920 grams. Can't believe it goes down that quickly! It feels like a constant battle at the moment but I'm determined to keep plugging away.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh ok. I shall give it a try thanks! I'm so gutted today. I managed to get her weight back up on Wednesday to 985 grams and today she's been down to 920 grams. Can't believe it goes down that quickly! It feels like a constant battle at the moment but I'm determined to keep plugging away.

Please bear in mind that something like 40g can be the weight difference between a full bladder and an empty one so may account for some of the weight difference. Sending healing vibes for her

 

[Stockyanna]

Please bear in mind that something like 40g can be the weight difference between a full bladder and an empty one so may account for some of the weight difference. Sending healing vibes for her

Yes I realise that but she just seemed boney again. I can see her going down. I really felt like I was turning a corner. It's a constant battle at the moment. She now won't eat mixture, pellets, lettuce, celery, peppers, kale, carrots and tops, peppers or spinach. I'm starting to despair! All she wants is grass. She's been eating that all day today in the run plus now eating some hay. But that's it! And I can see she's hungry. That's the frustrating thing!