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Thirsty & Tired

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Cavy.girl

Cavy.girl

New Born Pup
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North Yorkshire, UK
I'm concerned about my boy Timmy.

Timmy is 5 years old, and he now lives on his own with his brother, Scooby, in another cage. There were 3 brothers, but we sadly lost Stewie last week. Although he had to be PTS at the vets, we weren't sure what exactly caused him to shut down, heart failure or kidney failure.

I was first worried about Timmy a few months ago when I noticed his thirst had increased and he was also very tired; either at the bottle or sleeping. Usually when the pigs play together around the house they're all lively, chatty and running about, but Timmy seems to get fatigued quickly and disinterested in playing. I would say he often looks pretty depressed.

To add to this, he has lost a little weight, not a massive amount but it's noticeable to me. I don't think he's eating as many pellets as he used to, but he still loves his hay and fresh veg.

He's been to the vets but the diagnosis wasn't helpful - vet said he looked healthy and that it must just be his age. I've had guinea pigs for a looong time and know this is rubbish but I'm at loss as to what to do or try.

Now before Stewie died I noticed that all three boys have developed what looks like a tiny cataract in one eye. When I pointed this out to the vet he actually said it was a cyst, which I really don't believe.

I'm wondering if all this sounds like Timmy has diabetes, or maybe kidney disease?
 

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Hi! I am sorry about your worries! How much is Timmy actually drinking in a day? The rough guide is that 300ml should be investigated as to either kidney failure or diabetes. Cataracts can be diabetes related, but they are also more frequently age related, as is a slow gradual weight loss. Lethargy and fatigue could also point to heart issues, but older piggies tend to sleep more anyway.

Have you got another decent vet you could go to within your reach you could got to for a second opinion? Not all areas in the UK (and even more so across the world) are equally well served, so it can be much more difficult for some of our members depending on your specific area. I think that the Northeast is a bit of an area where really good piggy savvy vets are a bit rare on the ground, but perhaps local members could help you out.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi! I am sorry about your worries! How much is Timmy actually drinking in a day? The rough guide is that 300ml should be investigated as to either kidney failure or diabetes. Cataracts can be diabetes related, but they are also more frequently age related, as is a slow gradual weight loss. Lethargy and fatigue could also point to heart issues, but older piggies tend to sleep more anyway.

Have you got another decent vet you could go to within your reach you could got to for a second opinion? Not all areas in the UK (and even more so across the world) are equally well served, so it can be much more difficult for some of our members depending on your specific area. I think that the Northeast is a bit of an area where really good piggy savvy vets are a bit rare on the ground, but perhaps local members could help you out.
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Hi Wiebke, thanks for replying.

I wouldn't say Timmy's drinking that much, possibly a 100-200ml?

In your opinion, would weight loss happen with a heart problem?

He's not terribly skinny, just a tad bony on his hind legs. He's just so tired. He'll play a while with his brother who's the same age but he has no where near the same amount of energy and it makes him grumpy.

I'm not loving our current vets but we seem to have exhausted them all - fallen out with vets over crappy care or policy, or don't feel trusting of their knowledge. It's frustrating because we need someone close for emergencies and so the animals aren't travelling for ages in the car, but even this vet we're with is 25 minutes away.
 
We have got a recommended vets locator on the top bar. Piggies travel surprisingly well. I have to see my specialist vet in Northampton by using the train as I don't drive, so that is over an hour from door to door each way - and I have travelled with older or freshly operated piggies. I have travelled over 3 hours on the train as part of a pick-up or longer journey to a suitable home with old piggies, the oldest being a nine year old sow that happily lived on for several months at the sanctuary she went to after her owner unexpectedly lost her home. Please take a companion piggy if you travel whenever possible; that helps to reduce the whole stress with a vet trip. Longer trips are actually easier in some ways as many piggies will fall asleep during the drive. ;)
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/travelling-with-guinea-pigs.109071/

It is impossible for me to make an informed diagnosis as to what exactly is going; that really needs to be left to a vet. Older piggies tend to gradually lose weight (like old people do!) when the whole body is no longer working that well; the heart can be one of the organs can be involved in this process in your case. Your vet may also check him for arthritis etc. Because they have a shorter life, the ageing process is much more noticeable in guinea pigs. :(
 
Where abouts in North Yorkshire are you? The vet I use is in Stockton upon Tees and is pretty cavy savvy. Jacqui Paterson - she's on the recommended list we have. It may be worth a trip if you can't find a good vet nearer to you. You could test for glucose in his urine with a dip test stick that you can get from a chemist (Multistix GP). If the glucose is high, this is not necessarily a sign of diabetes, but another test after he's been on a very plain diet (oats, hay and cabbage only) that has high sugar levels is more indicative of diabetes. I hope he picks up. xx
 
Elwickcavies said:
Where abouts in North Yorkshire are you? The vet I use is in Stockton upon Tees and is pretty cavy savvy. Jacqui Paterson - she's on the recommended list we have. It may be worth a trip if you can't find a good vet nearer to you. You could test for glucose in his urine with a dip test stick that you can get from a chemist (Multistix GP). If the glucose is high, this is not necessarily a sign of diabetes, but another test after he's been on a very plain diet (oats, hay and cabbage only) that has high sugar levels is more indicative of diabetes. I hope he picks up. xx
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Hi! I'm in Richmond so top end of North Yorkshire. I noticed Jacqui on the list and have been thinking about taking Timmy to see her. If she's good with pigs then Stockton isn't far. I've been down to the CCT and to various rodentologists before but they're all down south or across the country so this would be much more convenient. Do you mind if I ask what she charges for consultations?
 
He sounds a lot like my older pig, Linney. She has similar symptoms (weight loss and general lethargy/low energy.) I'm not yet sure if she is just old or if there is an underlying health issue. She is in the middle of being worked up by the vet (one vet thought she heard a heart murmur, the other more experienced vet thought not. She is on an antibiotic because she had abruptly stopped eating. If I still don't think she's back to baseline by the time her 2-week course of antibiotics is done, they will be testing her kidney function, heart function, glucose, etc.) So I'm not much help, but I'm interested in seeing what your vet has to say. Hopefully you get some answers- make sure to report back, I'm definitely curious! It's hard having older pigs, isn't it? I worry so much more now!
 
My last consultation without and meds was about £13. Including antibiotics it's usually around £20. Ask to see Dominika - she's the one I see and she's pretty clued up. Hope she can help. x
 
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