Underweight?

[Livvylou]

We collected 3 babies this afternoon, they will be 9 weeks old on Sunday.

2 of them are fine, they weigh 313g and 301g and feel nice and chunky, the other is just 264g and we can feel all of her bones.... I've booked a vets appointment, but that's not until Monday and in the meantime we're really worried!

Is there anything we can do to help her? They were kept outside in an aviary, so I'm hoping she's just been burning all of her calories off to keep warm and being inside now will help?

Any advice would be appreciated please

 

[Wiebke]

We collected 3 babies this afternoon, they will be 9 weeks old on Sunday.

2 of them are fine, they weigh 313g and 301g and feel nice and chunky, the other is just 264g and we can feel all of her bones.... I've booked a vets appointment, but that's not until Monday and in the meantime we're really worried!

Is there anything we can do to help her? They were kept outside in an aviary, so I'm hoping she's just been burning all of her calories off to keep warm and being inside now will help?

Any advice would be appreciated please

Hi and welcome! I would not worry!

The birth weight can be anything from 40g-140g, and that carries through - the difference in weight can get even bigger without becoming a worry. My teddy sister pair was at their peak nearly 500g (1 pound) apart. Energetic Nia was a sleek 1000g and greedy Nerys a very hefty 1500g, but both were perfectly OK. Nia died shortly before her 6th birthday and Nerys is still with me at 7 years old. My Triplets are not quite as extreme, but the weight difference is around 250g between the largest and the smallest now that they are adults. They are all within the ideal weight range.

As long as the little one is tucking into its food and putting on weight every week, it has got every chance of reaching a normal adult weight by the time it reaches 15 months of age - that is a LONG time to catch up! Please weigh your guinea pigs weekly for the duration of their lives, daily either before or after their dinner if you are worried or they are ill.

You may find this thread here helpful: The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

 

[Livvylou]

Thank you, she hasn't eaten yet, but it's obviously a huge change for them to get used to.. I'll be weighing her daily though until I know she's gaining a little!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, she hasn't eaten yet, but it's obviously a huge change for them to get used to.. I'll be weighing her daily though until I know she's gaining a little!

Here are tips on settling in new guinea pigs and lots of other information for new owners: " Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners

 

[Livvylou]

Thank you, I'm working my way through the guides and she's eaten well, I've just weighed her and she's gained a whopping 29g so hopefully with plenty of food on offer she'll soon be nice a chubby!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, I'm working my way through the guides and she's eaten well, I've just weighed her and she's gained a whopping 29g so hopefully with plenty of food on offer she'll soon be nice a chubby!

It sounds like she is settling well and doing fine!