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Underweight piggy?

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kay_xx

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I have already posted a question today about the possibility of my new guinea pig having a fungal infection and so he is going to the vets on tuesday (unfortunatly cant get him there any sooner because they wont be open till then). His weight is still a concern to me tho.

He is 6 weeks old, born 10th november. He weighs about 205 grams. You can feel his hips.

He is eating and pooing well. Not seen him drink tho.

Told the breeder about his weight when a friend said he should be 325 grams to leave his mum and the breeder said he had to be seperated because of his age.

Is he underweight or is there nothing to be concerned about.
 
I'm not sure whether you could find a vet before Tuesday. I hope someone closer to you can answer that. Weights vary a lot, though, even among healthy piggies. (Once he's adult, the best thing to do is to weigh your piggy frequently -- at least once a week, and daily when you're worried about him -- and use any CHANGE in weight as your danger sign. See http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html ... and in fact the whole of the rest of that web site too!)

The breeder is right that your piggy needed to be separated from his mum, as male guinea pigs can impregnate their mums from 4 weeks old!

Does your piggy have a herdmate? That will be a very big factor in how happy he is (no matter how much you cuddle him), and of course being happy will help his health.
 
I got him so my older boar, who I got about a month ago from someone who needed to rehome him, had a friend. They seem to get along well although I think the baby has a fungal infection and so have had to be seperated. As soon as he is better and when the vet says its ok they will be living together.
 
What type of guinea pig food have you got?

To get weight on young pigs I find the excel pellets the best, soften 2 tablespoons with some hot water, leave to soak for 10 mins and mash up with the back of a fork. Do not give much veg as you need them to fill up on the balanced nutrition of the pellets.

Also give Excel blackcurrant and oregano pellets (dry) as they are a lot smaller and easier for small pigs to eat.

Green oat hay is more fattening than other types.

HTH

Suzy x
 
zebrallama said:
I'm not sure whether you could find a vet before Tuesday. I hope someone closer to you can answer that. Weights vary a lot, though, even among healthy piggies. (Once he's adult, the best thing to do is to weigh your piggy frequently -- at least once a week, and daily when you're worried about him -- and use any CHANGE in weight as your danger sign. See http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html ... and in fact the whole of the rest of that web site too!)

The breeder is right that your piggy needed to be separated from his mum, as male guinea pigs can impregnate their mums from 4 weeks old!

Does your piggy have a herdmate? That will be a very big factor in how happy he is (no matter how much you cuddle him), and of course being happy will help his health.
Click to expand...

I would just like to pick up, responsible breeders and rescues seperate and 21 days rather than 4 weeks as sometimes they can impregnant mummy as early as three weeks.
 
He is on pellets rather than musile with a very tiny amount of veg like a tiny bit of carrot and seems to be putting on weight as weighed him again today and came up 215 grams. Will get the pellets you suggested for him thanks everyone
 
Are you syringe feeding him as well? If he has a good appetite this is a sure way to be in control of weight gain. Especially as its bank holidays theres plenty of time to get in feeds. Excel like Suzy says really is one of the best piggy foods for mushing up, although supreme science selective mushes up easier.
Also I suggest you bring the other piggy inside to and keep them in the same room. This will make him feel a lot more secure. Lots and lots of hay and TLC and he should gain weight.
My adult boar is putting on weight post operation and hes gaining between 5- 10g a day now. And hes a big piggy so his weight gain sounds good to me. But you most certainly will have to syringe feed? Have you done it before? We can help you on here if your unsure.
 
No I have never syringe fed before and I would bring my other one in but dont think its a good idea as I'm pretty sure my baby has a fungal infection and have posted another thread about it and I dont want to risk spreading it. I'm studying animal management at college so on christmas break at the moment so got all my time to give him :)
 
I want to say thanks for the guinea lynx idea. My guinea has lost an ounce since last weigh in. I will keep an eye on him but I am not panicking now! Thanks again!
 
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