Weight and Fluid intake causing worry

[Writhedhornbill]

One of my guinea pigs, Betsy, has put on a lot of weight recently. She lives with my other guinea pig (Debbie-Dougal) and they get on well. They have the pets at home nuggets and hay from our local pet shop. They are often given toys (cardboard rolls with hay in - and little tiny pieces of chopped vegetable) and they often have lots of vegetables (Carrot, broccoli, green beans, lettuce, cabbage)
I am just wondering what could be wrong with her. Is it a diet issue that means she has got over weight? That is what I thought it was initially, but it seems that she also is drinking a lot more. The cage is currently situated next to a radiator, but she is taking a drink very often. Going through the bottle once every two days... before it used to be a lot less...
Just wondering if anyone could help... any diet suggestions would also be greatly appreciated!

 

[Wiebke]

How long have you had Betsy for and how old is she?

I suspect that she might be pregnant - pregnancies last for around 10 weeks. Weight gain and thirst are usually the first signs.
Have a look at her nipples - if they are quite long and swollen-looking, she is most certainly pregnant.

 

[Writhedhornbill]

I have had her for almost two years (in march), and she is nearly two herself.

It would be weird if she was pregnant, although she does look like pictures I have seen of a pregnant guinea pig. Can guineas have phantom pregnancies?

 

[flintstones]

I'm presuming you have 2 girls... ? Is there anyway she could have been near a male? Has she ever had babies before?

By alot of weight how much weight do you mean?

 

[Wiebke]

I haven't heard of that - but pregnancy is usually the first thing to come to mind!

I am a bit stumped about the connection of weight GAIN with excessive drinking, as diabetes is usually connected with weight LOSS/excessive drinking.

If you are worried about her diet, this thread here might help you.

Hopefully, somebody with more experience than me will come along and have a better idea.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I don't want to alarm you, and hopefully the reason is very different, but my piggie Twinkle suddenly gained a lot of weight for no apparent reason and then passed away within a few weeks. I had a postmortem done and her kidneys were in a dreadful state and she had pockets of fluid collecting around her body. She was obviously drinking a lot of water prior to her death too as since she has gone the water bottle in the cage doesn't empty as quickly.

 

[Wiebke]

I haven't heard of that - but pregnancy is usually the first thing to come to mind!

I am a bit stumped about the connection of weight GAIN with excessive drinking, as diabetes is usually connected with weight LOSS/excessive drinking.

If you are worried about her diet, this thread here might help you.

Hopefully, somebody with more experience than me will come along and have a better idea.

Sorry, I forgot to parse in the link: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38805

However, an adult piggy does not normally suddenly put on a lot of weight with a stable reasonable diet.

 

[Writhedhornbill]

Yeah, I have two girls. Last time she was near a male was when she was very young 6-7 weeks. I have heard of some animals being able to retain sperm... I doubt very much guinea pigs can do that.
The thing is she has never been a small guinea pig, always been a bit podgy, but I have noticed she has got really fat recently...
Thank you all for your help... I'm still confused as to what is happening... She has not changed her personality at all though

 

[flintstones]

Maybe weigh her daily to get an idea of the weight shes putting on? I doubt she's pregnant!

Someone who knows more should be along shortly .

 

[Writhedhornbill]

I doubt she's pregnant too! Thank you!

 

[alcesterpigs]

Has she developed cystic ovaries?
A change in drinking habits may be an indication of kidney problems.
It could be something as simple as a leaking water bottle or that she is drinking more because she is next to a radiator and is getting too warm.
You really need to know how much her weight has increased in what length of time, have you ever weighed her or have you based your opinion on her appearance?