ashleemelda
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi all. I recently got two guinea pigs, Moira and Twyla (named after the Schitt’s Creek characters lol), on Sunday May 26th as an early birthday gift. They are from Petco.
Early this morning, Friday June 7th, I noticed Twyla was lying down in her cage, which in itself is fine and all, but when I went to pick her up she wouldn’t move, instead choosing to stay in one spot for upwards of 15-20 minutes to the point her sister Moira had to jump over her to get where she needed to be, which is very unusual, as she normally runs to hide or follows Moira wherever she goes. Twyla also has not had any recent bowel movements whereas Moira has had many, and I haven’t seen her eat food or drink from the water bottle. I was able to use a syringe to transfer water which she lapped up eagerly, though.
Additionally, I felt her tailbone and it seems very pronounced, which has me fearful she is losing weight.
They are still very skiddish and shy and not so sure of me, so they haven’t quite yet taken to the staple Vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers or lettuce, that is until yesterday when the lettuce I’ve been leaving around the cage was gone. But I’m not 100% if Twyla was the one who ate it or not.
They are provided fresh water, Timothy Hay (pellets and straw), and vegetables every day. They also have a sizable C&C cage with plenty of room to roam, which I spot clean several times a day. Moira has been acting like her typical self - eating, drinking, having bowel movements, running around, chewing on wood, etc., whereas Twyla continues to be stationary (she is currently on my bed, but not running around it like she normally does) and is not reacting to the food right under her nose. She has also started “hiccuping” in the past few minutes and looked to have put her head down for a brief moment. I went to pick her up and she started making “tsk-ing” sounds.
Unfortunately I live in a very small town and the earliest the vet can get me in is not until Wednesday, June 12th. I explained that I was very worried, especially because I and the other members of my household work and cannot monitor her 24/7, but the vets not allergic to guinea pigs are not free until then.
This being said, I was wondering your all’s thoughts on my situation and what I can do until the vet appt. I am very worried she will not make it until then. Thank you.
Early this morning, Friday June 7th, I noticed Twyla was lying down in her cage, which in itself is fine and all, but when I went to pick her up she wouldn’t move, instead choosing to stay in one spot for upwards of 15-20 minutes to the point her sister Moira had to jump over her to get where she needed to be, which is very unusual, as she normally runs to hide or follows Moira wherever she goes. Twyla also has not had any recent bowel movements whereas Moira has had many, and I haven’t seen her eat food or drink from the water bottle. I was able to use a syringe to transfer water which she lapped up eagerly, though.
Additionally, I felt her tailbone and it seems very pronounced, which has me fearful she is losing weight.
They are still very skiddish and shy and not so sure of me, so they haven’t quite yet taken to the staple Vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers or lettuce, that is until yesterday when the lettuce I’ve been leaving around the cage was gone. But I’m not 100% if Twyla was the one who ate it or not.
They are provided fresh water, Timothy Hay (pellets and straw), and vegetables every day. They also have a sizable C&C cage with plenty of room to roam, which I spot clean several times a day. Moira has been acting like her typical self - eating, drinking, having bowel movements, running around, chewing on wood, etc., whereas Twyla continues to be stationary (she is currently on my bed, but not running around it like she normally does) and is not reacting to the food right under her nose. She has also started “hiccuping” in the past few minutes and looked to have put her head down for a brief moment. I went to pick her up and she started making “tsk-ing” sounds.
Unfortunately I live in a very small town and the earliest the vet can get me in is not until Wednesday, June 12th. I explained that I was very worried, especially because I and the other members of my household work and cannot monitor her 24/7, but the vets not allergic to guinea pigs are not free until then.
This being said, I was wondering your all’s thoughts on my situation and what I can do until the vet appt. I am very worried she will not make it until then. Thank you.
