Rochester Piggy
Teenage Guinea Pig
I am seriously panicking about this. Is this a normal weight fluctuation?
She had a de wormer in March after her cagemate came down with internal parasites.It's only the difference between a full/empty bladder. I don't think your piggy is ill, I think you missing something. It really isn't healthy to be so obsessed his weight. You are going to be making him ill. Investigate internal worms.
Thanks Wiebke. She is a very healthy piggy and loves running laps and wheeking! I know what you mean about the anxiety. I have minor Borderline Personality Disorder, and when I'm not feeling good mentally, if I grab a pig and pet her for a few minutes, I can relax. A few weeks ago, i decided to do a study on Cali. I weighed her right before eating veggies and right after. She flucuated 45 grams!You need to go on alert if a piggy has lost over 50-60 (2 oz) of weight in a week (or a day, but for that you usually notice signs). Please take into account that the daily weight fluctuation is 30-40g. Ideally you always weigh before dinner or breakfast when tummy and bladder are hopefully empty.
Please also take into account that there is a huge range of external issues that can suppress the appetite like hot weather/wide temperature swings, a stuck bottle, (food) bullying by a companion, pain, medication and GA drugs, issues with the mouth/teeth/sense of smell etc. As well as the battery in your scales...
If you are worried, you can offer additional top up syringe feed, but do not force it down, please!
If you have a tendency to obsess over weight and are weighing your healthy piggies daily instead of weekly, please ask a partner or family member to weigh your piggy for you once weekly unless you notice other signs of not being well.
While guinea pigs are good for people with anxieties, they can easily become a source of obsession.
Thanks Wiebke. She is a very healthy piggy and loves running laps and wheeking! I know what you mean about the anxiety. I have minor Borderline Personality Disorder, and when I'm not feeling good mentally, if I grab a pig and pet her for a few minutes, I can relax. A few weeks ago, i decided to do a study on Cali. I weighed her right before eating veggies and right after. She flucuated 45 grams!