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Pooping less and weight loss...HELP!

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ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig

ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig

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Gilbert has had a history of a head tilt. They have come and gone MANY times. One time though, it didn't look like it would be going so I got him to the vets and got Trimeth. He was instantly better within 6 doses of it, but I had about 22 more doses to go.rolleyes So when I ran out, I wasn't very worried. Later though, I'm not sure how far along the road, the head tilt came again! -and went. And recently it was back, and I wanted to get him the meds, but for the past few days it has gone. He isn't unbalanced or falling on his side.

Now, after all that, it seems like he is pooping less. He still does poop, just less. Usually I'd say he poops like 70, but now maybe just about 30. He doesn't make sounds when he goes to the bathroom. In fact, he looks pretty relaxed. He's eating totally normal - which brings me to another thing. If he's eating normally, why is he losing weight?

-His normal weight was 1,153 grams, on May 9th
-On May 14th he was 1,083 grams. That's a decrease of 71 grams.:...:...
-Yesterday, May 15th, he was 1,049 grams. That's another decrease of 34 grams.

That really makes me worry because I remember hearing that weight fluctuation more than 50 grams means something. Should I just get the Trimeth in case? It wouldn't hurt right?..Or is it something else! Please help! xx
 
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I am sorry for your worry

Weight loss can have many reasons. Somehow, Gilbert isn't taking on enough food. Is his poo normally formed or smaller and drop shaped?

Please have an eye on whether Gilbert is wanting to eat but for some reason cannot (check molars, mouth ulcers and/or abscesses) or whether he is not that interested in food in the first place which indicates an illness.

You might find this guinealynx link helpful in checking through possible causes: http://www.guinealynx.info/anorexia.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/teeth.html
 
His poo is normal size and shape but it's darker - basically black. What does that mean? I'm sure he is eating, his eating habits have not changed at all. He doesn't drink from the water bottle though. Is that something to worry about? When I first got him he drank from it, but gradually he just didn't drink from it anymore, so he definitely knows it's there.
 
No change in diet at all? Different type of hay, or access to grass lately?

My own pigs have darker poops after changing the hay from meadow hay to Just Grass, the faeces are also a little smaller but well formed. This is just the result of the change in diet.
 
I have been giving him grass lately, but I have not changed his hay. Everyday during floor time, since the grass is growing now, he gets a plate of grass. Should I not give him so much or change it to every other day?
 
It's fine to feed him it daily.

A loss of 100g in a week is a concern, I understand why you are worried. No signs of bloat at all e.g. distended/tender abdomen?

At the moment I am thinking along the lines of worming (to treat for intestinal parasites which may lead to the symptoms you describe) but I believe the use of Panacur isn't advocated much in the US. Treatment with ivermectin may be worth a try.
 
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I have been feeling his belly, and it feels normal. I AM very worried. I just don't understand! He's eating very normally and is active. Nothing wrong! But somehow, he is losing weight and pooping less! If you didn't read my post above about the water bottle thing, is not drinking water something to worry about? Because I really don't think he touches the water bottle at all. Right now as I type this, I can hear Gilbert chomping on cucumber in his house rolleyes. He gets one plate of veggies in the morning, lots of hay, then during floortime, grass and a refill in dry food, and within the day, random treats. But I know when to stop. I don't know what to do :0
 
He's probably hydrated enough from his veg and grass. If I remember correctly, lighter coloured poops are more often associated with dehydration.

It may just be that the introduction of the grass has meant less waste, somehow. Weight loss may be down to a more natural diet i.e. less reliant on dry food.

If you were in UK I would recommend worming him, not sure what your options are over there. I wouldn't dose with Trimeth without consulting the vet, as there is the chance the vet may want to run tests on his faeces so he mustn't have anything like antibiotics affecting the result of such tests.
 
I think I'll lower the amount of dry food. By the way, what exactly IS worming?
I'm going to try not to worry, since he doesn not appear to be sick. Tonight when I weigh him again, cross your fingers and hope he doesn't lose anymore weight! xx If he does, then I'll be mega worried. May mean a trip to the vets.
 
I agree with Laura; my piggies do drink a lot less less since they have regular portions of fresh grass (which consists of mostly water); their poos has also gone slightly darker.

My first thought was the same as Laura's when I read your answers - worming is a possibility.
 
Update: I weighed him earlier and he has, I'm so happy to say this, gained 55 grams since yesterday! He is now 1,104 grams. :) He's still eating normally, but the pooping has not increased.
 
Hi Amelia :)
Yes now i can see why you were so concerned about little Gilbert :(
I'd still offer him his normal foods, maybe cut down slightly on the veg and offer more hay and pellets as well as his daily munch of grass :)
Trouble is there must be something that's going on? Would mum and dad take you to the vets with Gilbert? it would be worth a check over, and get them to do a faecal test.
Give Gilbert loads of kisses from the girls and lots of nose rubs and cuddles from his Auntie Glynis xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
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