Strange behavior

[Bob's mom]

Hello all,

I have a question about the behaviour I've been seeing in my guinea pig. A little backstory:

My 6 years old guinea pig had lost 50/60 gram of weight about 2/3 weeks ago. The vet couldn't find anything wrong, I went home with pain med (4 days) and critical care. He is doing much better now, slowly back to his normal self, weight had stabilized. I also took him off critical care 2 days ago. Just to be safe, I'm going to another exotic vet in 2 weeks to get a second opinion and perhaps get some Xray to get to the bottom of this.

I notice that he would run out of his igloo to eat hay when I come in the room and when he's done, he would go back inside his igloo, yawn, then chatter his teeth, not grinding, but chattering, same as when right before he eats. I really don't remember him doing that before. Any ideas?

Thanks so much!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello all,

I have a question about the behaviour I've been seeing in my guinea pig. A little backstory:

My 6 years old guinea pig had lost 50/60 gram of weight about 2/3 weeks ago. The vet couldn't find anything wrong, I went home with pain med (4 days) and critical care. He is doing much better now, slowly back to his normal self, weight had stabilized. I also took him off critical care 2 days ago. Just to be safe, I'm going to another exotic vet in 2 weeks to get a second opinion and perhaps get some Xray to get to the bottom of this.

I notice that he would run out of his igloo to eat hay when I come in the room and when he's done, he would go back inside his igloo, yawn, then chatter his teeth, not grinding, but chattering, same as when right before he eats. I really don't remember him doing that before. Any ideas?

Thanks so much!

Hi!

I would recommend to have his teeth checked but otherwise I cannot comment as I cannot see the body language or situational context to judge whether it is a health or a behavioural issue due to you syringe feeding.

 

[Bob's mom]

Yeah I think I'll have the new vet take a look as well. I checked the front teeth and they look good, but I couldn't see the back, I wonder if x-ray would help them figure out. I really don't feel comfortable putting him under.

Also, he was doing that when syringe feeding the critical care and doing it again when off of that and just when after eating hay. He just yawn, chatter teeth, then lay down to nap.

 

[Wiebke]

Yeah I think I'll have the new vet take a look as well. I checked the front teeth and they look good, but I couldn't see the back, I wonder if x-ray would help them figure out. I really don't feel comfortable putting him under.

Also, he was doing that when syringe feeding the critical care and doing it again when off of that and just when after eating hay. He just yawn, chatter teeth, then lay down to nap.

Perhaps this link here may help you if it is more of an attitude issue? Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?
Chattering is not normally a sign of a dental problem, more of a grudge issue. Deliberate yawning can also be social interactive behaviour. It is a strong worded 'stay away from me or...'; not quite as strongly worded as a lunge (which is kind of the last and very physical warning) and is in my experienced more often used as a warning to a more dominant piggy from a weaker position.

 

[Bob's mom]

Thanks for the info. Oh boy. Maybe he's like "I'm going to nap, stop staring at me and get the heck out. Oh and come back to bring me lettuce and tidy my room in 20 min!" that's really the kind of piggie he is....lol...
I can't wait for his doc appointment in 2 weeks.....

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hope the vet check goes well for him and it’s nothing but a bit of pigitude!

 

[Bob's mom]

Thanks! I hope he's okay too.