Slow-ish weight loss in a possibly older piggy?

[Babble]

Hi all! One of my piggies has started losing weight, 80g in 21 days (today she weighed 900g), she's been around 970-980g for about 4 months, only ever going down a little once or twice.
I don't have her exact age but she could be about 5-6yrs? I was never given an exact age but she seemed about 2-3 when I got her a year and a half ago. Could this weight loss be due to nearing old age? I have seen no other symptoms, just her usual self eating, begging for food etc! She has always been a lazy piggy but always interested in the usual stuff.
I have read a lil on the forum, something about top up feeding? I'd really like to give this a go to see if this helps get some of her weight back, but I'm a lil unsure on how much to give or how I would go about this.. Would Excel dualcare work well for said thing?
I'm getting worried, I've never had a piggy slowly lose weight before, or without at least showing another symptom to go by. I'm hoping to take her to the vet soon for a check up. Any help would be appreciated!
Just to add, I know I cant be given a reason why this is happening on here, but I really would like what others think while I wait on the vet appointment.

 

[Piggies&buns]

While it is common for piggies to lose weight as they age, it is definitely best to have a vet check done: There could be a treatable medical reason such as discomfort from arthritis for example.

Yes top up feeding is a good idea. The excel dual care is fine. You are looking to stop any daily weight loss with the support feeding.

I’ve added some guides below. I hope she is ok

Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all! One of my piggies has started losing weight, 80g in 21 days (today she weighed 900g), she's been around 970-980g for about 4 months, only ever going down a little once or twice.
I don't have her exact age but she could be about 5-6yrs? I was never given an exact age but she seemed about 2-3 when I got her a year and a half ago. Could this weight loss be due to nearing old age? I have seen no other symptoms, just her usual self eating, begging for food etc! She has always been a lazy piggy but always interested in the usual stuff.
I have read a lil on the forum, something about top up feeding? I'd really like to give this a go to see if this helps get some of her weight back, but I'm a lil unsure on how much to give or how I would go about this.. Would Excel dualcare work well for said thing?
I'm getting worried, I've never had a piggy slowly lose weight before, or without at least showing another symptom to go by. I'm hoping to take her to the vet soon for a check up. Any help would be appreciated!
Just to add, I know I cant be given a reason why this is happening on here, but I really would like what others think while I wait on the vet appointment.

Hi and welcome

Topping up is not a bad idea. Any formula will do.
As she still has her appetite, I would see whether eating from a spoon or bowl will do the trick. If she likes the taste of it (not every piggy does), you could mix a little mushed banana in for added appeal.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support

Weight (Underweight & Overweight) - Monitoring and Management

Here is our information collection on older piggies. With this kind of slow weight loss, there is generally a pain issue of some sort somewhere (not rarely arthritis) or one of the organs no longer working all that well but also make sure that the mouth and the back teeth are looked at.
Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is something that can be relatively easily addressed. Forum members can help you with more practical tips from looking after their own oldies once you have a diagnosis.

 

[Babble]

Hi and welcome

Topping up is not a bad idea. Any formula will do.
As she still has her appetite, I would see whether eating from a spoon or bowl will do the trick. If she likes the taste of it (not every piggy does), you could mix a little mushed banana in for added appeal.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support

Weight (Underweight & Overweight) - Monitoring and Management

Here is our information collection on older piggies. With this kind of slow weight loss, there is generally a pain issue of some sort somewhere (not rarely arthritis) or one of the organs no longer working all that well but also make sure that the mouth and the back teeth are looked at.
Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is something that can be relatively easily addressed. Forum members can help you with more practical tips from looking after their own oldies once you have a diagnosis.

Thank you! I'm extremely happy she is still perking up to fresh hay, veggies & nuggets, though just a lil bit ago, I cleaned their cage out and put fresh hay in. From what I saw, I feel like its a pain somewhere or something causing discomfort. She attempted to popcorn(?) more so where they kinda flail, not even a second or two later she stopped with fluffed up checks (the only part that can fluff up due to her long locks) and hunched over a little, no sound just sat there for like 10 seconds before eating again! I truly hope its something my vet can figure out!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! I'm extremely happy she is still perking up to fresh hay, veggies & nuggets, though just a lil bit ago, I cleaned their cage out and put fresh hay in. From what I saw, I feel like its a pain somewhere or something causing discomfort. She attempted to popcorn(?) more so where they kinda flail, not even a second or two later she stopped with fluffed up checks (the only part that can fluff up due to her long locks) and hunched over a little, no sound just sat there for like 10 seconds before eating again! I truly hope its something my vet can figure out!

I am sure that they will. Starting with arthritis in the legs and/or lower spine.

 

[VickiA]

I’m sure that your vet will do a thorough exam and find out whether she has pain somewhere. Many of my older piggies in the past had some arthritis somewhere and often the first indication was a small subtle weight loss over time. Once they were started on low dose long-term pain relief the weight loss stopped, their weight stabilised and there was even little gain at times.
Top up feeding is a great idea while you are waiting to see the vet. Good luck working out what is going on and well done for spotting it early.