• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Unsure what is wrong- worried it may be serious

Strike

Strike

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 28, 2019
Messages
32
Reaction score
32
Points
175
Location
U.K.
So we had the guinea pigs out on the grass, and they do this almost every day for about an hour each time. Plenty of shade, I did it after the sun had gone (around 6pm) and it was cool. So I don't think he had overheated.

Its normal for them to lie down in the houses after maybe 30 mins, and they'll get up again towards the end of the hour. However my 3yo boar who has never had any health issues laid down after maybe 15 mins? And he's usually one to never stop. He laid down on his side, and was kicking his back legs. I thought he was having a seizure at first, but as I approached he stopped kicking his legs and just laid there. He won't stop laying down. It has been 30 minutes or so and he keeps readjusting himself because he seems uncomfortable. He also looks like he needs to pass something, but is passing poo fine. In fact he's passing quite a lot. He's sitting with his 2 front legs in front of him and his back legs to the side, but also changing to lay completely on his side.

I'm super worried, but I can't go to the vet unless I know I have to.

If any of you know what this is and if it's normal, please let me know asap. Thank you.
 
Strike said:
So we had the guinea pigs out on the grass, and they do this almost every day for about an hour each time. Plenty of shade, I did it after the sun had gone (around 6pm) and it was cool. So I don't think he had overheated.

Its normal for them to lie down in the houses after maybe 30 mins, and they'll get up again towards the end of the hour. However my 3yo boar who has never had any health issues laid down after maybe 15 mins? And he's usually one to never stop. He laid down on his side, and was kicking his back legs. I thought he was having a seizure at first, but as I approached he stopped kicking his legs and just laid there. He won't stop laying down. It has been 30 minutes or so and he keeps readjusting himself because he seems uncomfortable. He also looks like he needs to pass something, but is passing poo fine. In fact he's passing quite a lot. He's sitting with his 2 front legs in front of him and his back legs to the side, but also changing to lay completely on his side.

I'm super worried, but I can't go to the vet unless I know I have to.

If any of you know what this is and if it's normal, please let me know asap. Thank you.
Click to expand...
I've heard of diarrea being similar, try keep an eye on his weight, are there any cats or dogs in your area? x Sorry I'm not much of a help
 
Eviolus- said:
I've heard of diarrea being similar, try keep an eye on his weight, are there any cats or dogs in your area? x Sorry I'm not much of a help
Click to expand...

Thanks, will do.
I have a cat, though he doesn't go on the grass part of the garden, and I was present the whole time.

And anything helps. Thank you.
 
Strike said:
Thanks, will do.
I have a cat, though he doesn't go on the grass part of the garden, and I was present the whole time.

And anything helps. Thank you.
Click to expand...
No problem :) Is there any chance the cat peed there beforehand? At least it probably wouldn't be fresh if that's the case. He may have just eaten a little more than his fill though, hoping for the best
 
Eviolus- said:
No problem :) Is there any chance the cat peed there beforehand? At least it probably wouldn't be fresh if that's the case. He may have just eaten a little more than his fill though, hoping for the best
Click to expand...

He would've peed in the bush area, and the guinea pigs were on the grass, so unlikely.

And that could be it. I've put him back with the others to see if he perks up a bit. He just seems really lethargic.
 
Strike said:
He would've peed in the bush area, and the guinea pigs were on the grass, so unlikely.

And that could be it. I've put him back with the others to see if he perks up a bit. He just seems really lethargic.
Click to expand...
Any chance he ate a bug or worm? That would upset his stomach, is he still eating okay?
 
If poops seem to be formed normal and he is truly showing discomfort, a vet visit would be best. Shifting positions can be a sign of being uncomfortable which may indicate an underlying issue. How is he doing at the moment? I wouldn't be too worried about him eating bugs or worms, piggies seem to know these aren't for them. Lethargy can often be a bad sign so I'd be inclined for a vet visit.
 
Yeah, I don't think he would've eaten any.

He's lying down on his side away from everyone else. They're all eating hay.
 
@Strike Is he used to eating grass? It sounds like he could be bloated. If so, his stomach will feel very uncomfortable and sore so he'll shift around to try to get comfortable.

He'll need to see a vet asap if it is bloat.
 
It sounds like your piggy is probably very sick Please take your piggy to the vet as soon as possible.
 
He is used to eating grass.

He doesn't look bloated. But I've never had a guinea pig suffer from that so I wouldn't really recognise it.

I can't go to the vet, they're closed. Both of the ones near me are shut.

I gave him some water and very liquid critical care in hopes he's just dehydrated or constipated or something.

I'm monitoring him closely, he'll likely stay inside my room tonight so I can watch him. I'm not sure what else I can do for him.

Edit: he's also eating cucumber without problem.
 
Strike said:
He is used to eating grass.

He doesn't look bloated. But I've never had a guinea pig suffer from that so I wouldn't really recognise it.

I can't go to the vet, they're closed. Both of the ones near me are shut.

I gave him some water and very liquid critical care in hopes he's just dehydrated or constipated or something.

I'm monitoring him closely, he'll likely stay inside my room tonight so I can watch him. I'm not sure what else I can do for him.
Click to expand...
How long are the vets closed for? You could check his teeth just in case but I'm not too sure, just trying to cover all bases
 
Eviolus- said:
How long are the vets closed for? You could check his teeth just in case but I'm not too sure, just trying to cover all bases
Click to expand...

Teeth are fine, eating isn't a problem.

They're closed for another 12 hours. I do know another vet personally, but I'm not sure how much she can help.
 
Strike said:
So we had the guinea pigs out on the grass, and they do this almost every day for about an hour each time. Plenty of shade, I did it after the sun had gone (around 6pm) and it was cool. So I don't think he had overheated.

Its normal for them to lie down in the houses after maybe 30 mins, and they'll get up again towards the end of the hour. However my 3yo boar who has never had any health issues laid down after maybe 15 mins? And he's usually one to never stop. He laid down on his side, and was kicking his back legs. I thought he was having a seizure at first, but as I approached he stopped kicking his legs and just laid there. He won't stop laying down. It has been 30 minutes or so and he keeps readjusting himself because he seems uncomfortable. He also looks like he needs to pass something, but is passing poo fine. In fact he's passing quite a lot. He's sitting with his 2 front legs in front of him and his back legs to the side, but also changing to lay completely on his side.

I'm super worried, but I can't go to the vet unless I know I have to.

If any of you know what this is and if it's normal, please let me know asap. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Hi! Please have him vet checked as soon as possible.
He could have bloat or some other discomfort. Only a proper examination will tell.
 
I can't drive and my parents are refusing to take me

I don't know what to do.
 
Eviolus- said:
For now just weigh him daily, syringe feed if it's necessary and try to keep him as comfortable as possible
Click to expand...

Okay, thank you.
If he hasn't improved by tomorrow morning, we'll take him then.
Thanks for your help everyone, I'll update this if anything happens.
 
Is it possible that it's due to stress? We got 3 young piggies recently and they're now getting to an age where they are having problems. Theres 2 guinea pigs that they pick on, and the boar is one of them. I don't know if their behaviour is temporary but I will separate them if I have to. They're not biting, just kinda 'squaring up'? That thing where they raise their heads at each other. And chasing each other but nothing else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top