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What could be wrong?

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My husband and I have a guinea pig that we got 4 years ago from my SIL who didn't want her anymore, she was already a few years old at that point, so we don't really know how old she is.

She has always been a pretty healthy, happy pig, but she doesn't like to be picked up much. She only likes having her head pet between her ears, anything else causes her to scurry off into her box. To trim her nails we toss a towel over her and then pull her legs out one at a time. She tolerates that fairly well as long as her eyes are covered up.

Anyway, the last few weeks, 2 or 3 maybe, she has been eating a CRAZY amount of food. We have always just filled up her bowl or dropped in a bunch of veggies and she would pace herself on them pretty well. Now, I fill up her bowl, and the next day she is squeaking like she hasn't been fed in a month, bowl empty. At first I didn't think too much of it, but then today my husband managed to catch her and pick her up and she is WAY thin! Bones protruding thin!

The vet doesn't open again until Monday, and while I have my doubts that they see a lot of guinea pigs (my parakeet was one of four they had seen all year), I know she will do whatever she can to figure out what is wrong with our piggy.

Still I would like to not head into it completely blind.. do you guys have any ideas what might be going on? Is this a common symptom of anything? She appears fine otherwise. She is eating absurd amounts, still drinking, still active and squeaky... ideas? :(
 
I'm sorry i don't have any ideas on this......... i'm sure one of our lovely members will be on soon, it's about wake up time now! (i'm in Australia so 11hrs ahead)
I'd also like to welcome you to the forum :)
I'll be back a bit later after our dinner to see if someone has helped you.

Just a thought thyriod?
 
i'm sorry i didn't read thru your post properly! stupid me

Did you know her original weight? how much has she lost......
Has she any fur missing anywhere?

sorry just trying to get as much info for anyone that can help you


apologies i have to go now.....it's dinner time!
 
There are lots of things that can cause ravinous eating. Piggies do do this anyway, but what your descibing isnt normal at all. I am very concerned about the weight loss. Please try (although i understand she is skitty) to weigh her daily and see exactly how much she is losing.

Things like hyperthyroidism ticks all the boxes with you piggie
- overeating
- weight loss
- hyper activity (although may just be your piggie)

Ive never seen it in a piggie but I'm sure it happens. There are however other things that can cause things like this, hormone imbalances, nasty dieases etc. So see what the vet suggests.

x.
 
Yoshi had an underactive thyroid so I would imagine they can over active ones too. It's worth mentioning to your vet as they don't see thyroid problems in guinea pigs very often so may not think of it.
 
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