Vet visits- when to go?

[BearAndPanda]

Hi guys, I’m just wondering what are some red flags that a piggie is sick and how to tell if a guinea pig has that symptom. Also, if your guinea pig doesn’t have symptoms but if the pig is actually unwell, how do you tell?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Their weight is a good indicator of a problem brewing even if there aren’t yet any other symptoms. A sudden drop in one go or a gradual but continual downward trend is a sign of a potential problem. At those points, you step in and syringe feed and consult a vet

 

[VickiA]

I would say any weight loss and/or change in your piggies’ normal behaviour should be investigated by a vet. They are fiendishly good at hiding their illnesses.

 

[Merab's Slave]

I echo what @Piggies&buns and @VickiA have said.
If anything seems slightly off with one of mine I go to the vet.
I’d rather pay a consult fee and be told nothing is wrong than risk leaving a possible issue until it’s too late.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys, I’m just wondering what are some red flags that a piggie is sick and how to tell if a guinea pig has that symptom. Also, if your guinea pig doesn’t have symptoms but if the pig is actually unwell, how do you tell?

Hi!

You may find the information links in chapters 7-9 in our New Owners' guide collection very helpful. Here is the link to our comprehensive information resource, which you may wany to bookmark: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

The information guides in the chapters listed are dealing with life-long weekly weight and body checks (what exactly to look out for and what you can do), preparing for illness and vet care, early signs of illness, a list on how urgently you need to see a vet for a range of issues as well as a one stop emergency information and care link where you can find everything you need to look after your piggy until you can see a vet and until any medication kicks in and they have recovered enough to no longer need any extra support.

If in any doubt, please see a vet for a hands-on examination. We can't help you with asymptomatic illness concerns as we have no access to a piggy and any verbal information you can provide us with is filtered by your own perception. That is the big drawback of any online place.