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SICK GUINEA! - Please help! x

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older_bird

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Hi all
brief history...had a lonely 18 month old. Adopted 2 five week old sows before Christmas. They are now 11weeks old. my original is a bit bolshy but they have large c&c cage and she has settled down and only very occasionally rumbles them or "moves them on"
Babies have been putting on 30-50g per week.
One of the babies has lost 50g in the last week and has become detached from the other two. She is eating but without as much gusto and is not "grazing" as much as before and is no longer playing like the other.
Took her to a very good exotics vet who checked teeth, for lumps, hair,skin and couldn't find anything wrong with her.
Have monitored her in last two days and she has put back on 8g but is still very withdrawn.
Does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong with her?
Diet - lots of hay, readi grass, some fresh grass and 50g of fresh veggies per day
Can anyone please help? x
P.s. - this morning she has lost the 8g gain from the last two days. She is currently eating veggies and etting quite a lot in. It is such a mystery!
Of course, I WILL take her back to the vet early next week if no chancge but it would be nice to hear people's opinions and go with some possibles in my head when I see him again
x
 
Hi there

You've not mentioned whether they are getting dried food (ie guinea pig nuggets/muesli). I would bolster her feeding with some syringed food to help maintain her weight, this will hopefully give her time to recover - the more weight she loses more less likely she is to make it.

This link give a lot of help with hand feeding. http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html

Often when no particular physical reason can be found a course of anitbiotics is given as a precautionary coverall.

Suzy x
 
Suzygpr said:
Hi there

You've not mentioned whether they are getting dried food (ie guinea pig nuggets/muesli). I would bolster her feeding with some syringed food to help maintain her weight, this will hopefully give her time to recover - the more weight she loses more less likely she is to make it.

This link give a lot of help with hand feeding. http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html

Often when no particular physical reason can be found a course of anitbiotics is given as a precautionary coverall.

Suzy x
Click to expand...



Thank you Suzy, yes, sorry, they have a ready supply of Excel pellets.
I have ust emailed the vet asking him what he thinks about a dose of antibiotics, some baytril, giving her some metatone....I will see what he says, but yes, Suzy, I think I should give her some mashed up Excel pellets (I never see her eating these from the bowl) - I think I shy away hand feeding, as to me it always seen as the last resort and she is still eating and I don't want to think she is on her last legs.
It is so frustrating when you do not know what is wrong with them!
 
If she will eat softened pellets from a spoon or bowl that's great but if she won't please do try to get some in via syringe. Topping a pig up should not be a last resort - it can make all the difference in terms of giving them more nutrition.

Suzy x
 
Following on from my post on the other thread..... I would definately observe her toilet habits. My little Melvin has just got over a uti which symptoms were weight loss and discomfort peeing. But also one of my pigs died from bloat and ear infection with ear mites (pets at home pig) so thats why I asked all those random questions. Defo hand feed her as well. Hope she's feeling better soon x
 
Thank you - It is cleaning out time this morning, so I am going to pop her in a box on her own while I do it with some softened pellets and grass and see how much she eats and of anything comes out the other end! If she doesn't eat any of the pellets I will them syringe them before she goes back n the cage x
 
Is there a chance she is just not getting to the food etc. ? Piggies can be bullies and push a smaller runty pig out. I've seen this happen with mine and ensure the 'quieter' piggy has their share of food. Maybe pop extra dishes etc. in as well.
Observe little one closely at mealtimes and see if she shys away as if she is being bullied, she'll make no effort to get to food.
May help if this is the case, to take her out and let her have her share in peace without threat from the other bigger piggies x>>
 
Hey everyone. Well in three days the little mix had put on 30g! I have no idea what the problem was but she has suddenly become lively again! I shall keep a close eye on her and weigh her daily for the time being but we may be out of the woods! Thanks everyone:))
 
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