Won't Eat Anything

Status
Not open for further replies.
GuineaPig24

GuineaPig24

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 23, 2013
Messages
179
Reaction score
70
Points
265
Location
Virginia, USA
Bacon won't eat anything! It's his third day here, and he barely even sniffed his food bowl. Meghan, his previous owner, gave him to us because she couldn't take care of him. He's been upset ever since Friday. I try to hand feed him, but he'll just barely even lick a carrot when I try to feed him one! He drinks plenty of water and shows no sign of illness. :no:
 
We have tagged @helen105281 for you, Is he eating nothing at all, not even hay ? Or is he eating when you're not in the room. A vet visit is a must if he's not eating at all as a matter of urgency ..
 
Is he on the same food as he was on his previous home? There has to be more to this then just a house move if he is not eating as I've not known a piggy go off his food from moving home. He probably is a little to scared to eat off you at the moment but if you leave it in his cage he should take it when its quiet. Its a good sign he is drinking and nibbling hay but in order for his gut to keep moving he needs to eat properly. Have you tried him with any fresh food apart from carrots. What did his previous keepers feed him? Fresh herbs are usually not turned down. Worth a shot trying.
 
Last edited:
He's probably terrified of his new surroundings and will settle - keep fresh hay, pellets and water available 24/7. You may find he is too nervous to eat from your hand too at the moment, they are scared little things until they learn to trust.
Is Bacon pooing normally as what goes in comes put - that's what I would be checking on, amounts, size etc. x
 
I would normally say it is possible for them to go off their food when in a new environment but usually they are eating when the owner isn't looking. Also bearing in mind your thread about red pee it makes me think that he may be in pain due to the possible UTI. I remember from your other thread that he had sore feet too (possible bumblefoot) so he really does need to see the vet as soon as possible to get him on pain relief and to sort out antibiotics for the possible UTI. Like I said on the other thread he may need an xray to rule out a stone too.

In the meantime, he needs syringe feeding if you are certain that he is not eating? have you ever done this before or would you like some guidance? If he is not eating at all you would need to try to get as much feed into him as you can so that his gut doesn't slow down. Is he pooing at all? Fluids are also important if he isn't drinking.

Have you weighed him at all?
 
Rodentopia said:
Is he on the same food as he was on his previous home? There has to be more to this then just a house move if he is not eating as I've not known a piggy go off his food from moving home. He probably is a little to scared to eat off you at the moment but if you leave it in his cage he should take it when its quiet. Its a good sign he is drinking and nibbling hay but in order for his gut to keep moving he needs to eat properly. Have you tried him with any fresh food apart from carrots. What did his previous keepers feed him? Fresh herbs are usually not turned down. Worth a shot trying.
Click to expand...
I've tried to give him lettuce as well, not even Sprite can resist lettuce.
 
helen105281 said:
I would normally say it is possible for them to go off their food when in a new environment but usually they are eating when the owner isn't looking. Also bearing in mind your thread about red pee it makes me think that he may be in pain due to the possible UTI. I remember from your other thread that he had sore feet too (possible bumblefoot) so he really does need to see the vet as soon as possible to get him on pain relief and to sort out antibiotics for the possible UTI. Like I said on the other thread he may need an xray to rule out a stone too.

In the meantime, he needs syringe feeding if you are certain that he is not eating? have you ever done this before or would you like some guidance? If he is not eating at all you would need to try to get as much feed into him as you can so that his gut doesn't slow down. Is he pooing at all? Fluids are also important if he isn't drinking.

Have you weighed him at all?
Click to expand...

He does poo, but the pellets are half the size is Sprite's. He weighs about the same as Sprite, but one main thing I noticed is that his skin is thinner than Sprite's fatty protective, healthy skin. Sprite's fur is also sleek and shiny compared to Bacon's. Bacon also sounds odd, like he hasn't squeaked in forever.

PS - The sores aren't too bad, just bright red, no openings or anything.
 
I think considering what Helen said and reading your other posts I would be taking him to see a vet, there is obviously an underlying cause rather then just moving home. If hes not eating much its a sign he is in discomfort so a vets is best place
 
His poos will be smaller if he is not eating but some pigs do do smaller poos anyway. Please call your vet as soon as you can to get him seen, especially now you say his hair is not in good condition. Is he scratching at all?
 
I have just said this on another thread too but could you smell his breath please and let me know if it smells of damp dishcloths at all?
 
helen105281 said:
His poos will be smaller if he is not eating but some pigs do do smaller poos anyway. Please call your vet as soon as you can to get him seen, especially now you say his hair is not in good condition. Is he scratching at all?
Click to expand...
He isn't scratching, other than occasionally gnawing his lower tummy and scratching his ear. He also has a bit of dandruff.
 
He could be eating his special poos when it looks like he is doing that. Dandruff could be dry skin, mites (either walking ones or mange mites where the dandruff would be skin debris) or the start of fungal. It is possible for him to get these conditions if he is run down, especially if he was in a bad home previously.
 
helen105281 said:
He could be eating his special poos when it looks like he is doing that. Dandruff could be dry skin, mites (either walking ones or mange mites where the dandruff would be skin debris) or the start of fungal. It is possible for him to get these conditions if he is run down, especially if he was in a bad home previously.
Click to expand...
He was in a good home before, but his previous owner is a bartender and works a lot. He hasn't had too much attention until he came here on Friday. His previous owner also said that he likes to eat when it's quieter.

Bacon's dandruff is also very small and it's making him unable to stop shedding. It's a lightish Brown color and that could be dry skin, mites, or fungus. Today, we took him outside and he nibbled the grass for a bit before making me chase him to a Bush! X3
 
If he is shedding then it does sound like he has some kind of skin condition whether it it mites, lice of fungal.

How is his eating today?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top