Think My Guinea Pig Is Loosing Weight

[Sarah-jane]

Ok, so I usually weigh him every few days. Last time was on Friday, his a little fidget but the dial usually ends around the 2.5lbs mark.
I'm a natural thicko when it comes to this stuff so am I correct in saying that its bang there where the 8 is? It's half a pound, isn't it?

Well weighing home earlier I've noticed he weighs less, I've put a blue circle round where the dial stops and had a panicky google about weights and stuff.

I've read that if they loose 4lbs they need to see a vet. By using process of elimination, google and worked out what d+=1oz means, it looks like he's lost around 4lbs.

Can someone who's good with scales help me? The green arrow is what he used to weigh and the blue circle is where he is now.

I'm so worried I'm gonna wake up to a piggy that's not eating again.

 

[Sarah-jane]

p.s. soz for the rubbish picture

 

[AbiS]

Is he still eating? I would weigh him again when you wake up to compare and if he has lost weight I would think about taking him to the vet.

 

[maxdawn]

The lbs are the big bold numbers on the inside of the circle. oz are the little line in between the lbs. He's not lost 4 lbs but has losed 4 oz. I would weigh him again today to see what he is day.
I find reading these kind of scale a bit tricky. I got some digital scales makes weighing also easyer

 

[helen105281]

I would get some digital scales and weigh in grams it's much easier. As Abi says weigh him again this morning and see if he has gained or lost any more.

 

[Elwickcavies]

OK, looking at the kg side of the scale it looks like he was 1.12kg and now is 1.05kg, which is a loss of 70g, or just over 2oz. I would weigh him again today to see if there is more loss and if so see a vet. The weight does vary and 50g can be the difference between a full bladder and an empty one. Hope this helps. x

 

[Sarah-jane]

Is 4oz something to worry about? I've just weighed him again and he's still the same. He's eating still- munching on hay as i type & had some green pepper, he's leaving the rest as he doesn't like it anymore.

Should I give it a day to see if he puts the weight back on, or take him straight to the vet? I'm 90% sure he has a URI, - Mothers instinct, even though he hasn't shown any obvious signs, the occasional sneeze, I did notice a tiny clump of hair came out when I was stroking him a couple of weeks ago.
Do you know any Super-Veggies that will help boost his immune system?

Thanks for all you help everyone

 

[helen105281]

I am not good with pounds and ounces but I do think you need to take him to the vet. Also trust your instinct, mine is usually right with my own pigs.

He needs veg high in vitamin c such as pepper. It would be a good idea to give him a course of Metatone Vitamin tonic which you can get from the supermarket. It is 0.5ml a day for one week and 0.3ml a day for the week after, it will stimulate his appetite and boost his immune system.

 

[Sarah-jane]

I feel a bit silly now.

Ok, so I weighed him again yesterday and today..... He's put 4oz back on!

I think it's because we were running low on veg (we have a Riverford delivery once a week- Sir demands Organic!) And it came yesterday so I was able to give him a good Veggie Munch Up.
He had a good solid 3- hour eating session- literally Non- Stop eating!
Plied the ounces straight back on!
Someone told me on here a while back that piggies have a very high metabolism and they were correct! I can't remember who you were but thank you for that info.

Also thank you to everyone else who has commented on this post. It really helps.

I've become so paranoid recently since loosing his brother, I'm scared that if I don't fuss over every detail I'll miss something.

At the end of the day though, you can only do your best.
Once again Thank you all so much!