Weight Loss

[orangeinepig]

So I have a seven year old guinea pig who has lost weight gradually over the past month or two and has dropped roughly 200-300 grams however she did this last year so am I right to presume it's just because she is older and through winter she is finding it hard enough to keep the weight on and stay warm enough or could there be an underlying problem? My two year old pig has lost a bit of weight and my seven year old did gain her weight back in spring last year so if anyone has any ideas whether it is just because she is a senior pig or there is an underlying problem it would be helpful

 

[TheCavySlave]

I'm not sure, I expect @Wiebke can help though. My first instinct at any weight loss is see a vet, but I may be wrong! Best of luck though x

 

[orangeinepig]

I'm not sure, I expect @Wiebke can help though. My first instinct at any weight loss is see a vet, but I may be wrong! Best of luck though x

Thanks I forgot to say we saw a vet last year but she thought it could be linked to arthritis so I was given Loxicom however I haven't been giving it daily due to the fact that it can damage their kidney or liver over a long period of time(can't remember which one)

 

[Wiebke]

So I have a seven year old guinea pig who has lost weight gradually over the past month or two and has dropped roughly 200-300 grams however she did this last year so am I right to presume it's just because she is older and through winter she is finding it hard enough to keep the weight on and stay warm enough or could there be an underlying problem? My two year old pig has lost a bit of weight and my seven year old did gain her weight back in spring last year so if anyone has any ideas whether it is just because she is a senior pig or there is an underlying problem it would be helpful

Hi! Part of it can be because she is older, but please have any guinea pig checked that is losing more than 100g gradually for any underlying issues (50g if it is already on the small side). Only a vet that is doing a proper check-up can tell.
If a guinea pig is losing weight quickly within a few days, please see a vet as soon as a piggy has lost 50g.

Generally, a once yearly MOT at the vets is recommended.

 

[orangeinepig]

Hi! Part of it can be because she is older, but please have any guinea pig checked that is losing more than 100g gradually for any underlying issues (50g if it is already on the small side). Only a vet that is doing a proper check-up can tell.
If a guinea pig is losing weight quickly within a few days, please see a vet as soon as a piggy has lost 50g.

Generally, a once yearly MOT at the vets is recommended.

I can see if she can get booked in tomorrow at my local vets that we use however I have tried persuading my parents if I can use an exotic one but unfortunately the closest is too far away sadly

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks I forgot to say we saw a vet last year but she thought it could be linked to arthritis so I was given Loxicom however I haven't been giving it daily due to the fact that it can damage their kidney or liver over a long period of time(can't remember which one)

it is important that you give loxicom/metacam regularly, as it builds up. How bad the damage to the kidneys is with long term use is much more debated now. You can discuss giving glucosamine additionally to an arthritic piggy with your vet.

My own Nerys has been taking metacam for over two years for her arthritis. She passed away 8 years old and didn't show any issues with her kidneys.

 

[orangeinepig]

it is important that you give loxicom/metacam regularly, as it builds up. How bad the damage to the kidneys is with long term use is much more debated now. You can discuss giving glucosamine additionally to an arthritic piggy with your vet.

My own Nerys has been taking metacam for over two years for her arthritis. She passed away 8 years old and didn't show any issues with her kidneys.

Well that's good to know that it didn't have an effect on your pig . I had been told by one of the new vets at the practice that it was a fairly safe drug but I just wanted to make sure I allowed a few days for the levels to lower down a bit to not cause too much of a build up however if it didn't have any effect on your guinea pig over a period of two years then I will probably go back to daily dosing

 

[Wiebke]

PS: My Hywel was for half a year on a fairly high metacam dosage for unusual post-neutering complications. He lived the happiest of boar lives with up to 13 sows for another 5 1/2 years and passed away in September from a completely unrelated issue.

 

[gizzy]

I have had many a pig that has lost over half there body weight as there age passes the 6 year mark , l am sure that many cases
Are simply age related ! just the same as humans