Sudden Weight Loss But Still Eating

[gus+walter]

Hi guys,
Long time no see! Sadly I have come here with a question as I don't know who else to ask.
Gus has lost over 100g in the space of a week. He's eating as enthusiastically as ever, but has seemed a little withdrawn and quiet.
Gus has always been a quiet guy, and 6 weeks ago he got himself a new cage mate, Dexter. Dexter is the same age and was the same weight as Gus when I first introduced them. Now Dexter weighs more and is constantly chasing Gus and rumblestruting (if you remember Walter, he was the same lol). Could this sudden weight loss be down to the badgering of his new friend?
I will weigh him again tomorrow and if it hasn't gone up, I'll be taking him to the vet. I don't particularly want to do this because my local vet isn't very experienced with piggies, but I am disabled and can't venture far to see a rodentologist ideas?
I have critical care and metacam in their first aid kit, am I ok to go ahead and give him a little to see it he perks up? Also would it be beneficial to separate him so I can keep an eye on poops, wee etc?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys,
Long time no see! Sadly I have come here with a question as I don't know who else to ask.
Gus has lost over 100g in the space of a week. He's eating as enthusiastically as ever, but has seemed a little withdrawn and quiet.
Gus has always been a quiet guy, and 6 weeks ago he got himself a new cage mate, Dexter. Dexter is the same age and was the same weight as Gus when I first introduced them. Now Dexter weighs more and is constantly chasing Gus and rumblestruting (if you remember Walter, he was the same lol). Could this sudden weight loss be down to the badgering of his new friend?
I will weigh him again tomorrow and if it hasn't gone up, I'll be taking him to the vet. I don't particularly want to do this because my local vet isn't very experienced with piggies, but I am disabled and can't venture far to see a rodentologist ideas?
I have critical care and metacam in their first aid kit, am I ok to go ahead and give him a little to see it he perks up? Also would it be beneficial to separate him so I can keep an eye on poops, wee etc?

I would think that the introduction of a new companion is no coincidence.

What you can do to test whether it is down to food bullying, please feed your boys only small portions of pellets and veg several times a day in bowls that are over a body length apart from each other. This will give Gus a chance to get his fair share. Do not leave pellets sitting around. Also make sure that the hay can be accessed by more than one way and access to it cannot be blocked.

If you are worried that Gus is being kept from eating and sleeping enough, trial separate for a short time. If Gus immediately perks up when away from Dexter, then you know that the bond is somewhat dysfunctional.\

However, it can also be that the arrival and all the stress may have brought an underlying issue to the fore (especially in no longer quite young piggies), so if you are worried, please have Gus checked at your vet's.

 

[gus+walter]

I would think that the introduction of a new companion is no coincidence.

What you can do to test whether it is down to food bullying, please feed your boys only small portions of pellets and veg several times a day in bowls that are over a body length apart from each other. This will give Gus a chance to get his fair share. Do not leave pellets sitting around. Also make sure that the hay can be accessed by more than one way and access to it cannot be blocked.

If you are worried that Gus is being kept from eating and sleeping enough, trial separate for a short time. If Gus immediately perks up when away from Dexter, then you know that the bond is somewhat dysfunctional.\

However, it can also be that the arrival and all the stress may have brought an underlying issue to the fore (especially in no longer quite young piggies), so if you are worried, please have Gus checked at your vet's.

Thank you, Wiebke.

I will take Dexter out and see if he perks up. I have worried about their bond as Dexter will not let him have any peace. At first I thought it was because Dexter is new and wants to be head honcho (which he now is) but it's been 6 weeks and he's still chasing and mounting him at every opportunity.
I watch over them at meal times to make sure Gus gets his fair share, there are 2 pellet bowls and 2 of everything else to try and prevent food hogging.
I will take him to the vet in the morning just to be safe and make sure that the stress hasn't brought something else on that I can't detect myself. His eyes and ears are clear and bright, there's been a couple of small poos from him but they are well shaped and good in colour. From what I can see, there's no dental issues (front teeth are fine and he's eating normally) and no impaction. Hopefully it's just because of Dexter and not an underlying health problem. I'll keep this post updated if there are any changes after separation.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, Wiebke.

I will take Dexter out and see if he perks up. I have worried about their bond as Dexter will not let him have any peace. At first I thought it was because Dexter is new and wants to be head honcho (which he now is) but it's been 6 weeks and he's still chasing and mounting him at every opportunity.
I watch over them at meal times to make sure Gus gets his fair share, there are 2 pellet bowls and 2 of everything else to try and prevent food hogging.
I will take him to the vet in the morning just to be safe and make sure that the stress hasn't brought something else on that I can't detect myself. His eyes and ears are clear and bright, there's been a couple of small poos from him but they are well shaped and good in colour. From what I can see, there's no dental issues (front teeth are fine and he's eating normally) and no impaction. Hopefully it's just because of Dexter and not an underlying health problem. I'll keep this post updated if there are any changes after separation.

I would strongly recommend to not leave any food around except hay when there is a mystery food loss that can be caused by food hogging from the other piggy; that includes pellets. Rather feed small portions that can be eaten in one sitting, so you can control the intake.

 

[gus+walter]

The boys are separated now and I can already see a change in Gus. He looked around for a while to find Dexter and then popcorned around when I gave him his pigloo back (I haven't let them have pigloos while so much chasing and mounting was going on, just lots of cozy tunnels.) He ate all his veggies and then stretched out in the hay box for a long needed nap.
Dexter has been less vocal in his run, once he seen he had loads of hay and his own pigloo, he also popcorned and did a few zoomies.
I'm going to weigh Gus again today to check for weight gain. I think my next step is to remove the hay loft from the C&C and use that correx and grids to extend the 4x2 to a 6x2 with a divider so they can still interact through the bars and will have floor time together (always supervised).
These boys like to keep me on my toes!
I made a vet appointment for this afternoon to rule out any health issues.
Thanks for your advice and support

 

[Claire W]

I am hoping that Gus has no underlying health issues and that he will soon settle down again.

Out of interest, which vets do you use as I am always on the look out as a just in case? x

 

[gus+walter]

Vet gave him the all clear, so it's definitely down to stress. Poor little Dexter was shouting for Gus as soon as he could smell him. I let them have some floor time together so I could closely watch them. As expected, Dexter came out all rumbles blazing and mounted Gus immediately. I shoo'd him away and let them have another go at saying hello, much the same but this time Gus chattered his teeth (an extremely rare behaviour from him), I called it quits there and let them have the floor separately.
I'll need to take down the hay loft and extend the C&C with a divider so they can at least live side by side. The Mr isn't too happy, but I'm not about to let Dexter go back into the world of rescue just because they don't get along as well as we hoped. At least this way they will both get their own space and food but can still interact through the bars and floor time (if they behave).
I use Wendy Lane vets in Littleborough @Claire W. They're not the most cavy savvy, but they treat the boys so well and one of the vets loves guinea pigs, so I always try to get him

 

[Wiebke]

Vet gave him the all clear, so it's definitely down to stress. Poor little Dexter was shouting for Gus as soon as he could smell him. I let them have some floor time together so I could closely watch them. As expected, Dexter came out all rumbles blazing and mounted Gus immediately. I shoo'd him away and let them have another go at saying hello, much the same but this time Gus chattered his teeth (an extremely rare behaviour from him), I called it quits there and let them have the floor separately.
I'll need to take down the hay loft and extend the C&C with a divider so they can at least live side by side. The Mr isn't too happy, but I'm not about to let Dexter go back into the world of rescue just because they don't get along as well as we hoped. At least this way they will both get their own space and food but can still interact through the bars and floor time (if they behave).
I use Wendy Lane vets in Littleborough @Claire W. They're not the most cavy savvy, but they treat the boys so well and one of the vets loves guinea pigs, so I always try to get him

I think that Gus has made it clear that Dexter is a bit much for him; try and see how they do as nextdoor neighbours with constant interaction. Anytime you put them together, there is going to be lots of mounting; that is in the anture of any boar bonding, whether it involves other boars or sows.

I hope that Gus is going to pick up his lost weight quickly!

 

[ayemee]

Ah it's a shame they haven't worked things out. I've been following them both on your Facebook page and they looked sweet together.

At least they can live side my side. Glad it wasn't anything medically wrong.

 

[gus+walter]

Ah it's a shame they haven't worked things out. I've been following them both on your Facebook page and they looked sweet together.

At least they can live side my side. Glad it wasn't anything medically wrong.

I'm sad that they won't be living together as that is what I would ideally want, but I can't have Gus all stressed out and losing weight like that. I'm so glad it's not something medical! I can totally work with this.
Would a 3x2 be enough space for them individually (with daily floor time)?
Hopefully living side by side will be enough piggy interaction to keep them both happy. I feel really sorry for Dexter because he's wheeking for Gus and keeps pawing at the mesh door of his temporary run. It's my birthday on Sunday, so hopefully the Mr will be feeling extra generous and help me rearrange the cages (I need to move the rats cage somewhere to make room for the extension).
The page is fantastic for support, thank you for following and being part of that, it really means a lot
I'm totally in love with Dexter and want him to have the best life possible after a rocky start. Lots of cuddles and through bars interaction will hopefully keep everyone happy (and heavy)

 

[ayemee]

I'm sad that they won't be living together as that is what I would ideally want, but I can't have Gus all stressed out and losing weight like that. I'm so glad it's not something medical! I can totally work with this.
Would a 3x2 be enough space for them individually (with daily floor time)?
Hopefully living side by side will be enough piggy interaction to keep them both happy. I feel really sorry for Dexter because he's wheeking for Gus and keeps pawing at the mesh door of his temporary run. It's my birthday on Sunday, so hopefully the Mr will be feeling extra generous and help me rearrange the cages (I need to move the rats cage somewhere to make room for the extension).
The page is fantastic for support, thank you for following and being part of that, it really means a lot
I'm totally in love with Dexter and want him to have the best life possible after a rocky start. Lots of cuddles and through bars interaction will hopefully keep everyone happy (and heavy)

A 3x2 would be fine for each of them with daily floor time. At least you know they can live side by side. Hopefully Dexter will calm down once he knows he can still see and smell Gus. x

 

[Claire W]

Vet gave him the all clear, so it's definitely down to stress. Poor little Dexter was shouting for Gus as soon as he could smell him. I let them have some floor time together so I could closely watch them. As expected, Dexter came out all rumbles blazing and mounted Gus immediately. I shoo'd him away and let them have another go at saying hello, much the same but this time Gus chattered his teeth (an extremely rare behaviour from him), I called it quits there and let them have the floor separately.
I'll need to take down the hay loft and extend the C&C with a divider so they can at least live side by side. The Mr isn't too happy, but I'm not about to let Dexter go back into the world of rescue just because they don't get along as well as we hoped. At least this way they will both get their own space and food but can still interact through the bars and floor time (if they behave).
I use Wendy Lane vets in Littleborough @Claire W. They're not the most cavy savvy, but they treat the boys so well and one of the vets loves guinea pigs, so I always try to get him

Thank you although I am happy with my current vet, I am always on the look out as a just in case

 

[gus+walter]

Thank you although I am happy with my current vet, I am always on the look out as a just in case

Which vets do you take your piggies to? I'm starting to think that the vet missed something. I've gone on poo patrol and have found lots of small poos in Gus' hay box. Could this be down to not eating enough because of stress and food stealing? I've been giving him a syringe of critical care the last couple of days to try and boost his weight, along with syringes of water to make sure he's hydrated.
When it rains, it pours

 

[Claire W]

Which vets do you take your piggies to? I'm starting to think that the vet missed something. I've gone on poo patrol and have found lots of small poos in Gus' hay box. Could this be down to not eating enough because of stress and food stealing? I've been giving him a syringe of critical care the last couple of days to try and boost his weight, along with syringes of water to make sure he's hydrated.
When it rains, it pours

Small poos are often related to not enough food intake or a digestive problem which again can relate to lack of food.

I think I remember you having a bad experience but I use Crown House and although I don't like all the vets there, I always ask to see Lindsay. She's lovely and has guinea pigs and rabbits of her own. She's always willing to listen to concerns and will quite happily contact a specialist if she isn't sure of something.

Although there are quite a few vets around here, it's hard to find a good one locally. I tried Wendy Lane on Bury Road a few years ago as I wanted a second opinion but they refused to see Ena without seeing her medical notes from my regular vets which I wasn't prepared to consent too.

Theres a new one that's opened up on Whitworth road (near B and M bargains, Dunelm Mill etc) who claim to have a vet good with small animals but I'm not sure Valley Vet Care - Rochdale Lancashire

 

[gus+walter]

Small poos are often related to not enough food intake or a digestive problem which again can relate to lack of food.

I think I remember you having a bad experience but I use Crown House and although I don't like all the vets there, I always ask to see Lindsay. She's lovely and has guinea pigs and rabbits of her own. She's always willing to listen to concerns and will quite happily contact a specialist if she isn't sure of something.

Although there are quite a few vets around here, it's hard to find a good one locally. I tried Wendy Lane on Bury Road a few years ago as I wanted a second opinion but they refused to see Ena without seeing her medical notes from my regular vets which I wasn't prepared to consent too.

Theres a new one that's opened up on Whitworth road (near B and M bargains, Dunelm Mill etc) who claim to have a vet good with small animals but I'm not sure Valley Vet Care - Rochdale Lancashire

I had been to Crown House previously, you've got an excellent memory! I did have a wobbly experience, but Gus is still registered there too so I think I'll try and get an appointment with Lindsay.
I have been to Valley Vet Care, they squeezed Walter in as an emergency when Wendy Lane and Crown House were closed. They were really nice there, they gave me a free sachet of Supreme Science Recovery while I was waiting for my critical care to come in the post.
It's nice having someone else local we can rate the vets and find the best for our little ones.

 

[Claire W]

I had been to Crown House previously, you've got an excellent memory! I did have a wobbly experience, but Gus is still registered there too so I think I'll try and get an appointment with Lindsay.
I have been to Valley Vet Care, they squeezed Walter in as an emergency when Wendy Lane and Crown House were closed. They were really nice there, they gave me a free sachet of Supreme Science Recovery while I was waiting for my critical care to come in the post.
It's nice having someone else local we can rate the vets and find the best for our little ones.

That's good to know as I always think of Valley Vets in an emergency situation

Unfortunately, I think there are both good and bad vets at most practices but as both Emma and Ellen have ongoing health issues, Lindsay has always been good which is why I prefer to see her as she knows both my girls inside out x