Possibly strange behaviour

[Rosie19]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum and was desperately wondering if anyone could help me?

A couple of months ago my 2 and a half year old female piggy named Rose sadly passed away after becoming seriously ill with suspected ovarian cysts (which we were not told about from our vets until we did our own research) and I was very upset. But when we started researching it and finding stuff out, we went straight to our vets. She said we could book her in for a scan to check. We agreed and were going to book it over the next few days but then Rose suddenly went down hill fast, she suddenly looked very ill and became very slim. To cut it short, it was a tragic death for such a gentle pig. Then we were left with Gypsy, who had clearly become very lonely without Rose. We had them both since they were a couple months old, so we had them for basically their whole life. I was very upset but knew we had to get Gypsy a friend, so we went looking and adopted a 10 week old baby female (who is now a lot older as we have had her for over a month now).

They were getting on really well until I started noticing Gypsy was sleeping lot, but I'm still even now not sure if this is that unusual as she doesn't appear to be sleeping a ton more than Hazel (I wonder if its since Rose I've been extra careful and observant?) but then I was walking past their cage and noticed something on the side of it, my first thought was poo splatter up the wall but when we had a closer look I realised it was blood, we took both piggies out and checked them over, and found a tiny bit of blood on Gypsy's ear and figured she had been bitten by Hazel. No bites since then and they seem to be getting on, But then my mum noticed today that Hazel went next to Gypsy, stretched and then she suddenly heard this whistling, wheezy type noise from one of them and when she went to had a look it seemed as though Gypsy was slightly shaky. We are not sure which one made the noise, and since the noise and shaking happened (this morning) nothing has happened since. They don't fight lot, Gypsy is also usually the boss.

Can anyone help us out on this one? I am slightly reluctant to take her to the vets as with Rose they failed to recognise the (quite obvious signs now I look back) and am worried they might miss something with her too. We discovered Rose had most likely burst ovarian cysts because of our own research, nothing the vet told us. So, if we have to take her to the vet and it keeps happening for example then we will, but I would like to hear peoples thoughts and experiences on this. Please help! thank you

 

[Sabrina-piggy]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum and was desperately wondering if anyone could help me?

A couple of months ago my 2 and a half year old female piggy named Rose sadly passed away after becoming seriously ill with suspected ovarian cysts (which we were not told about from our vets until we did our own research) and I was very upset. But when we started researching it and finding stuff out, we went straight to our vets. She said we could book her in for a scan to check. We agreed and were going to book it over the next few days but then Rose suddenly went down hill fast, she suddenly looked very ill and became very slim. To cut it short, it was a tragic death for such a gentle pig. Then we were left with Gypsy, who had clearly become very lonely without Rose. We had them both since they were a couple months old, so we had them for basically their whole life. I was very upset but knew we had to get Gypsy a friend, so we went looking and adopted a 10 week old baby female (who is now a lot older as we have had her for over a month now).

They were getting on really well until I started noticing Gypsy was sleeping lot, but I'm still even now not sure if this is that unusual as she doesn't appear to be sleeping a ton more than Hazel (I wonder if its since Rose I've been extra careful and observant?) but then I was walking past their cage and noticed something on the side of it, my first thought was poo splatter up the wall but when we had a closer look I realised it was blood, we took both piggies out and checked them over, and found a tiny bit of blood on Gypsy's ear and figured she had been bitten by Hazel. No bites since then and they seem to be getting on, But then my mum noticed today that Hazel went next to Gypsy, stretched and then she suddenly heard this whistling, wheezy type noise from one of them and when she went to had a look it seemed as though Gypsy was slightly shaky. We are not sure which one made the noise, and since the noise and shaking happened (this morning) nothing has happened since. They don't fight lot, Gypsy is also usually the boss.

Can anyone help us out on this one? I am slightly reluctant to take her to the vets as with Rose they failed to recognise the (quite obvious signs now I look back) and am worried they might miss something with her too. We discovered Rose had most likely burst ovarian cysts because of our own research, nothing the vet told us. So, if we have to take her to the vet and it keeps happening for example then we will, but I would like to hear peoples thoughts and experiences on this. Please help! thank you

Hi, I think the first thing you should do is start researching. Whenever I feel worried(aka everyday) I call the vets office and ask some questions about the behavior I’m worried about and then I usually keep an eye out for signs that anything could be wrong, my piggy peed blood too but it turns out it was just a popped blood vessel, but i highly suggest to go to the vets even if your not sure, getting checkups are also important!

 

[Nassala]

What you describe doesn't seem unusual, but one of the best things you can do is give your piggies a weekly weigh. One of the first signs of illness you will usually see is a drop in weight, as pigs are very good at hiding everything else. Secondly I would have a look around for a Guinea savvy vet - it is worth travelling a bit further for. There are some recommended vets on this forum but if none are near you, still worth looking around on your own. If she looks shaky again, I would take her to the vet. Even a non Guinea vet can do basics (or should). Good luck with your piggies, I hope you find nothing to worry about.

 

[Rosie19]

Hi, I think the first thing you should do is start researching. Whenever I feel worried(aka everyday) I call the vets office and ask some questions about the behavior I’m worried about and then I usually keep an eye out for signs that anything could be wrong, my piggy peed blood too but it turns out it was just a popped blood vessel, but i highly suggest to go to the vets even if your not sure, getting checkups are also important!

I'll definitely start to look things up and I was going to make an appointment with the vets to get Gypsy's nails clipped (she has two black feet and I'm always scared of getting the quick) so while we phone up to get appointment we'll ask some questions. I will also ask them to check her out in general with her health etc while she's there. I am going away on camp for a few days tomorrow so my parents will be looking after them but as soon as I'm back I'll make an appointment. I am going to weigh her tomorrow before I go and weigh her when I get back, if her weight is pretty stable and we haven't noticed any of the behaviour again do you think we should still be quite as worried? I would still get the vets to check her over since we would be there anyway. Just out of interest though, do you and Nassala thing it could be something serious? Or me just over reacting. I'm keeping a good eye on the bite obviously, and its not a big one and it seems to be healing, I'm mainly worried about that weird noise she made and the sort of maybe slightly quieter behaviour as she's always been a bold piggy, (also by quiet I don't mean really subdued just maybe slightly just slightly sleepier? if that even makes sense?) But something that did cross my mind was could age be catching up with her or is she still too young for that? She'll be three towards christmas time. Thanks so much to both you and Nassala for your help so far! It's just after Rose I don't want to miss any vital signs early on. I know I probably sound like I'm over reacting on the slightest thing but I dont want a repeat of last time .

 

[Jesse's pigs]

The shaking, I can only possibly assume here, is perhaps rumbling. It looks like a trembling/shaking and the pig often makes a low rumbling/growling sound along with the movement. It is a common sight in bonding and nothing to worry about. Possibly was just your girl reminding the little one who is boss.

As for the bloody ear, I wouldn't worry too much unless it was a deep cut and a reasonable chunk or bite wound. When I bonded my first pair of boys, the older one got a bit overzealous and nipped the younger ones ear so that it bled a tiny bit- again nothing to worry about. However if significant blood is drawn we advise separation as it is likely a failed bonding.

As for change in behaviour it could b several things. Has the temperature increased where you are? I know my piggies change when it gets hotter. And how long ago did she lose her friend? She may still be grieving her a little bit and thus slightly quieter. My boy Steve used to be a mad man but is now slightly more laid back- I find they do tend to chill out a bit more at/past the 2 year mark as after 2 they are no longer deemed babies.

Hope this helps a little

 

[Rosie19]

The shaking, I can only possibly assume here, is perhaps rumbling. It looks like a trembling/shaking and the pig often makes a low rumbling/growling sound along with the movement. It is a common sight in bonding and nothing to worry about. Possibly was just your girl reminding the little one who is boss.

As for the bloody ear, I wouldn't worry too much unless it was a deep cut and a reasonable chunk or bite wound. When I bonded my first pair of boys, the older one got a bit overzealous and nipped the younger ones ear so that it bled a tiny bit- again nothing to worry about. However if significant blood is drawn we advise separation as it is likely a failed bonding.

As for change in behaviour it could b several things. Has the temperature increased where you are? I know my piggies change when it gets hotter. And how long ago did she lose her friend? She may still be grieving her a little bit and thus slightly quieter. My boy Steve used to be a mad man but is now slightly more laid back- I find they do tend to chill out a bit more at/past the 2 year mark as after 2 they are no longer deemed babies.

Hope this helps a little

Oh my goodness! I can't believe i never thought of rumbling. As it was my mum who saw it not me, I wasn't there I can't say for sure but that could make quite a bit of sense. Thank you so much for saying that because I can't believe I completely forgot about rumbling.

For the ear, there was not lot of blood and the ear wasn't ripped at all, it was just a nip by the looks of it so probably just a squabble between them.

It has got a bit hotter although I've made sure to try and keep their water as cool as possible and window left open most of the day. She lost her friend roughly about two months ago and has been with Hazel (the little one) for about a month to a month and a half. Also, Thank you for telling me about them not being deemed as babies after 2 years old. It could be quite a possibility that she is just calming down a bit and I was just wondering if its because she lives in a cage with the younger one who is very active, maybe I'm noticing her not being quite as active as Hazel (which I would expect with the age difference haha).
Thank you so much for your post and to everyones advice it has definitely jogged my memory with some things. If you have anything to add please keep telling me anything you can that might help! xx

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum and was desperately wondering if anyone could help me?

A couple of months ago my 2 and a half year old female piggy named Rose sadly passed away after becoming seriously ill with suspected ovarian cysts (which we were not told about from our vets until we did our own research) and I was very upset. But when we started researching it and finding stuff out, we went straight to our vets. She said we could book her in for a scan to check. We agreed and were going to book it over the next few days but then Rose suddenly went down hill fast, she suddenly looked very ill and became very slim. To cut it short, it was a tragic death for such a gentle pig. Then we were left with Gypsy, who had clearly become very lonely without Rose. We had them both since they were a couple months old, so we had them for basically their whole life. I was very upset but knew we had to get Gypsy a friend, so we went looking and adopted a 10 week old baby female (who is now a lot older as we have had her for over a month now).

They were getting on really well until I started noticing Gypsy was sleeping lot, but I'm still even now not sure if this is that unusual as she doesn't appear to be sleeping a ton more than Hazel (I wonder if its since Rose I've been extra careful and observant?) but then I was walking past their cage and noticed something on the side of it, my first thought was poo splatter up the wall but when we had a closer look I realised it was blood, we took both piggies out and checked them over, and found a tiny bit of blood on Gypsy's ear and figured she had been bitten by Hazel. No bites since then and they seem to be getting on, But then my mum noticed today that Hazel went next to Gypsy, stretched and then she suddenly heard this whistling, wheezy type noise from one of them and when she went to had a look it seemed as though Gypsy was slightly shaky. We are not sure which one made the noise, and since the noise and shaking happened (this morning) nothing has happened since. They don't fight lot, Gypsy is also usually the boss.

Can anyone help us out on this one? I am slightly reluctant to take her to the vets as with Rose they failed to recognise the (quite obvious signs now I look back) and am worried they might miss something with her too. We discovered Rose had most likely burst ovarian cysts because of our own research, nothing the vet told us. So, if we have to take her to the vet and it keeps happening for example then we will, but I would like to hear peoples thoughts and experiences on this. Please help! thank you

Hi and welcome!

Can you see a more piggy savvy vet?
Recommended UK vets: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
Recommended vets in some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: GL's Vet List

It is likely normal; older piggies sleep more and don't have boundless energy levels. Are you sure that your girl is not reacting to the presence of your little one?

Please keep in mind that without direct access to your piggy, we can only judge through the filter of your own perception; that is the big hamstring of any online place and why they never can replace a vet visit. None of us is a qualified vet nor can we ever replace a hands-on examination to have a corrective to that filter, especially when we have to work on very vague and scant information, as here.

Only a vet can check the heart etc.

You tend to be a lot more skittish after a bad loss.

 

[Sabrina-piggy]

I'll definitely start to look things up and I was going to make an appointment with the vets to get Gypsy's nails clipped (she has two black feet and I'm always scared of getting the quick) so while we phone up to get appointment we'll ask some questions. I will also ask them to check her out in general with her health etc while she's there. I am going away on camp for a few days tomorrow so my parents will be looking after them but as soon as I'm back I'll make an appointment. I am going to weigh her tomorrow before I go and weigh her when I get back, if her weight is pretty stable and we haven't noticed any of the behaviour again do you think we should still be quite as worried? I would still get the vets to check her over since we would be there anyway. Just out of interest though, do you and Nassala thing it could be something serious? Or me just over reacting. I'm keeping a good eye on the bite obviously, and its not a big one and it seems to be healing, I'm mainly worried about that weird noise she made and the sort of maybe slightly quieter behaviour as she's always been a bold piggy, (also by quiet I don't mean really subdued just maybe slightly just slightly sleepier? if that even makes sense?) But something that did cross my mind was could age be catching up with her or is she still too young for that? She'll be three towards christmas time. Thanks so much to both you and Nassala for your help so far! It's just after Rose I don't want to miss any vital signs early on. I know I probably sound like I'm over reacting on the slightest thing but I dont want a repeat of last time .

I don’t think your over reacting I myself am having some struggles trying to not be as worried, if your piggy is not being as active/ not eating and drinking/lethargic. I would really recommend getting her to the vet ASAP. I don’t know if this is it but she might be sleepier now that she’s got another buddy, who is younger than her and energetic, if they continue having problems I would separate them and monitor them both closely,(poops, eating/drinking, feet and private parts,etc) don’t hesitate to call vets and make appt. if you notice something off.

 

[Rosie19]

Hi and welcome!

Can you see a more piggy savvy vet?
Recommended UK vets: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
Recommended vets in some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: GL's Vet List

It is likely normal; older piggies sleep more and don't have boundless energy levels. Are you sure that your girl is not reacting to the presence of your little one?

Please keep in mind that without direct access to your piggy, we can only judge through the filter of your own perception; that is the big hamstring of any online place and why they never can replace a vet visit. None of us is a qualified vet nor can we ever replace a hands-on examination to have a corrective to that filter, especially when we have to work on very vague and scant information, as here.

Only a vet can check the heart etc.

You tend to be a lot more skittish after a bad loss.

Hi, Thank you!
I will definitely have a look at your list, as I would prefare to see a piggy savvy

 

[Rosie19]

Hi, Thank you!
I will definitely have a look at your list, as I would prefare to see a piggy savvy

Oops sorry I don't know what happended there.

Hi, thank you!
I will definitely have a look at your list as I would prefer personally to also see a piggy savvy vet. Just out of interest what do you mean by reacting to presence of little one? Just wondering. I understand you all are trying your best through descriptions I am giving (which might not be the best, so I'm sorry about that if thats the case) and I am very grateful, all your advice has been very helpful x

She is drinking, and she's definitely eating her hay, she's maybe not eating quite as much veg as she usually does but she's still eating veg, I checked her poo's they're a little bit soft but nothing wrong with them. Eyes are bright, no discharge or anything out of nose, obviously her ear like previously mentioned has a little nip and her private parts are clean and nothing abnormal. Like I said I am going away tomorrow so my parents are looking after them, If they notice something really off or if behaviour comes back/changes etc they will take her before me coming back, apart from that I will make an appointment for as soon as I am back from camp. They haven't had any more fights since we noticed the nip on her ear either, so they seem to be getting on well. I will ask my vets to examine her while we're there to get her nails done which is as soon as I'm back. Apart from slightly sleepier behaviour (which I am starting to wonder if its to do with her age and being with a cheeky, tiring out little piggy. Even though you can tell they get on very well) and the little nip on ear which I don't think is really anything to be to worried about unless it was to happen again etc. I was just wondering, What ways can heat effect a guinea pig and am I doing the right things to try and keep their environment cool with the hot weather? It isn't scorching hot here (dundee) but during the day it can get quite warm. Thanks again

 

[Wiebke]

Oops sorry I don't know what happended there.

Hi, thank you!
I will definitely have a look at your list as I would prefer personally to also see a piggy savvy vet. Just out of interest what do you mean by reacting to presence of little one? Just wondering. I understand you all are trying your best through descriptions I am giving (which might not be the best, so I'm sorry about that if thats the case) and I am very grateful, all your advice has been very helpful x

She is drinking, and she's definitely eating her hay, she's maybe not eating quite as much veg as she usually does but she's still eating veg, I checked her poo's they're a little bit soft but nothing wrong with them. Eyes are bright, no discharge or anything out of nose, obviously her ear like previously mentioned has a little nip and her private parts are clean and nothing abnormal. Like I said I am going away tomorrow so my parents are looking after them, If they notice something really off or if behaviour comes back/changes etc they will take her before me coming back, apart from that I will make an appointment for as soon as I am back from camp. They haven't had any more fights since we noticed the nip on her ear either, so they seem to be getting on well. I will ask my vets to examine her while we're there to get her nails done which is as soon as I'm back. Apart from slightly sleepier behaviour (which I am starting to wonder if its to do with her age and being with a cheeky, tiring out little piggy. Even though you can tell they get on very well) and the little nip on ear which I don't think is really anything to be to worried about unless it was to happen again etc. I was just wondering, What ways can heat effect a guinea pig and am I doing the right things to try and keep their environment cool with the hot weather? It isn't scorching hot here (dundee) but during the day it can get quite warm. Thanks again

What you see as shaking could be rumbling?

Without seeing it and being able to judge whether it is in a social or medical context, there are just too many uncertainties in your description. I understand your worries but we are at the limit of our possibilities here.

When you are worried about a piggy but there is nothing obvious, the first thing is to switch from weighing weekly to weighing daily at the same time in order to monitor the food intake, which is mostly hay and which you cannot judge by eye. Please be aware that when switching to weighing daily, you are working with a weight band in which the weight is swinging throughout a day and not in absolute weights.
This guide here explains it all in detail: Weight - Monitoring and Management

Also make allowance for the weather; hot weather makes piggies more lethargic and it can also impact on appetite and water intake (especially if you are making changes to your diet).
Hot Weather Management and Heat Strokes

 

[Rosie19]

Hi,

I understand and thank you so much for all your help, I will start the weighing daily from today and my parents will carry it on while I'm away. I won't be posting on this while I am away but I will keep you all updated, hopefully its nothing serious but we will still get her checked out by vet as soon as I'm back. Right now she is sitting quite happily munching on her veg and she seems a lot more like herself today than she has been the past few days. Thanks again and I understand you are all doing what you can to try and help through social media which is pretty hard.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I understand and thank you so much for all your help, I will start the weighing daily from today and my parents will carry it on while I'm away. I won't be posting on this while I am away but I will keep you all updated, hopefully its nothing serious but we will still get her checked out by vet as soon as I'm back. Right now she is sitting quite happily munching on her veg and she seems a lot more like herself today than she has been the past few days. Thanks again and I understand you are all doing what you can to try and help through social media which is pretty hard.

All the best! Glad that she is looking brighter today, so you can hopefully go on holiday without too many worries!
Your parents are welcome to join the forum in case of an emergency to get the advice for what they can do at home during any vet care.

 

[Rosie19]

Hi,
Ok thank you very much and I will let them know.