Weight loss and hyperactive

[Liesl]

My guinea pig, Priscilla, has been poorly since last September. She was leaking urine badly and had her bladder flushed out which has improved her leaking mostly. The scan showed that she either had an inflamed bladder or it could be cancer but she is still going strong. However, she has lost 200 g in weight and she is hyperactive a lot of the time. She also can’t eat grass without having diarrhoea. I can’t afford to keep going to the vet and also that being referred to the exotic pet specialist which is what happened before. It seems nobody really knows what’s wrong with her and seems reluctant to explore further as she is so active and seems to be happy. She eats hay and nuggets and is drinking a lot. I give her a bath every other day to clean her due to low level urine leakage. I am concerned that I should be doing more and pushing the vet to explore more. Any advice please?

 

[DM010620]

I'm really sorry for what's happening, I don't know anything but I'm here to support you❤❤

 

[Liesl]

Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Has your guinea pig being checked for sterile interstitial cystitis that does not react to antibiotics? It has become rather common over the last decade but is not much known with general vets. It can only be diagnosed by default and can only be managed with metacam and cystease but not healed. Sterile IC can last for several years before it goes away on its own. It tends to typically flare up every 2-3 months.
Links - Interstitial Cystitis - Guinea Lynx Records
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Alternatively, has her womb been checked?


If your piggy is very edgy, impatient, can't sit still and is losing weight, then she may be suffering from hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately it is not yet well researched in guinea pigs and treatment is not yet reliably established.
Unfortunately both issues may require a trip to an exotics vet for a proper diagnosis.


Please step in with offering extra support feed via recovery feed and - if your piggy doesn't like the taste - a mix of mushed pellets and timothy based recovery feed; not necessarily via syringe as your piggy is hungry, but some extra to help to slow down her weight loss. Both issues together mean a double whammy in terms of weight. You can feed it in a bowl. In my own experience, a hyperthyroidal piggy is always hungry!
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

 

[Liesl]

Hi and welcome!

Has your guinea pig being checked for sterile interstitial cystitis that does not react to antibiotics? It has become rather common over the last decade but is not much known with general vets. It can only be diagnosed by default and can only be managed with metacam and cystease but not healed. Sterile IC can last for several years before it goes away on its own. It tends to typically flare up every 2-3 months.
Links - Interstitial Cystitis - Guinea Lynx Records
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Alternatively, has her womb been checked?


If your piggy is very edgy, impatient, can't sit still and is losing weight, then she may be suffering from hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately it is not yet well researched in guinea pigs and treatment is not yet reliably established.
Unfortunately both issues may require a trip to an exotics vet for a proper diagnosis.


Please step in with offering extra support feed via recovery feed and - if your piggy doesn't like the taste - a mix of mushed pellets and timothy based recovery feed; not necessarily via syringe as your piggy is hungry, but some extra to help to slow down her weight loss. Both issues together mean a double whammy in terms of weight. You can feed it in a bowl. In my own experience, a hyperthyroidal piggy is always hungry!
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Thank you for your thoughts – really helpful. No, she has not been checked as far as I know for anything else except they did take swabs when they flushed out her bladder and said she didn’t have an infection. I have been giving her a recovery nutrition powder called Emeraid which she absolutely adores but she could eat this all day long and it cost a lot of money! She is always hungry. I have suspected hyperthyroidism and probably need to see the exotic pet specialist. I have looked at the articles on this condition but there doesn’t seem to be very much out there. It’s really hard to not keep giving her fresh food as she seems to be begging for it! She always has nuggets and hay. Thank you for such a prompt response, I think a vet trip is needed.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your thoughts – really helpful. No, she has not been checked as far as I know for anything else except they did take swabs when they flushed out her bladder and said she didn’t have an infection. I have been giving her a recovery nutrition powder called Emeraid which she absolutely adores but she could eat this all day long and it cost a lot of money! She is always hungry. I have suspected hyperthyroidism and probably need to see the exotic pet specialist. I have looked at the articles on this condition but there doesn’t seem to be very much out there. It’s really hard to not keep giving her fresh food as she seems to be begging for it! She always has nuggets and hay. Thank you for such a prompt response, I think a vet trip is needed.

Best discuss her digestive issues with a specialist vet. I strongly suspect that they could be related to the bladder or reproductive tract problem which can impact on the gut around it.

All the best! Unfortunately only a good vet can tell you want exactly is going on and how to best deal with the problems.
Here is our list of recommended Uk vets: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

PS: My Pili Pala was eventually diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) in the wake of a severe GI stasis and then developed suspected hyperthyroidism on top of it, which is a relatively new problem as far as cavy veterinary care is concerned. She lived another year on her cocktail of meds and recovery food/mushed up pellet mix and even made it through last year's record heat wave despite her gradually declining weight. I perfectly understand where you are coming from even though you her problem was not quite the same as yours! I currently also have an IC piggy...