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Weight loss - am worried

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JayneG

JayneG

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hi all. I'm worried about my 4.5 year old Eric. He had mites 4 weeks ago which he has been treated for with Ivermectin (final dose due next week). He was 1300g then and is now 1120. He seems fine in himself, good appetite as usual, but is still losing weight. Am wondering about giving him some critical care as well as his veg and pellets to help, what do you think? There must be something up if he is losing weight :-(

I have a sachet of CC but I'm not sure about the instructions on it. It says to mix 1 part Critical Care with 2 parts warm water. How much?! I don't understand that. I assume I can just mix enough each day to form a sludgy paste/solution and mix it in with his veg? Advice much appreciated!
 
Hi

I usually do a couple of teaspoons of CC with 2 parts water, it's easier to make up more if he eats it all than to waste it! I don't make it too mushy. I tend to feed it in a chunk of cucumber, use a teaspoon to scoop a 'bowl' out the cucumber and fill it with CC - less messy than syringing, if the pig is eating volunatarily!

Good luck

Sophie
x
 
Thanks Sophie. I think I will try him with some. I know he's not underweight yet, but I don't want him to lose any more weight. Hopefully he will like the taste!
 
It is quite a substantial weight loss and although he isn't underweight, I would be on the look out for any other symptoms. Feed the Critical Care and give plenty of hay, but maybe a trip to the vet for a general check over might be a good idea, as it does seem a lot to lose. Having said that I have found my piggies seem to lose a bit of weight as they get older, usually around the five years mark.
 
No not drinking more. He isn't acting any differently. I know he's getting older now, so it could just be that, but the weightloss seems a lot doesn't it. I can feel his bones on his back end now, never could before :-(

Shall give the CC and I see the vet. Thanks guys. I do so worrying about him :-(
 
Skin problems are very irritating (and often painful) this in itself can cause weight loss as a result of stress. Perhaps worth speaking to your vet specifically about the weight loss, he may have some ideas and perhaps be able to prescribe short term pain relief to see if it improves matters.
 
Skin problems are very irritating (and often painful) this in itself can cause weight loss as a result of stress. Perhaps worth speaking to your vet specifically about the weight loss, he may have some ideas and perhaps be able to prescribe short term pain relief to see if it improves matters.
 
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