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Worried about my Pig

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Dinosaur

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Firstly excuse me if I use the wrong words, it's my first posting on here!

We have 2 Guinea pigs, they are now 18 months old and have always been healthy. Our Alpha Male guinea pig (Spike) has always been grumpy but active, but over the past 36 hours, he has become really lethargic. Everytime I check on him he's is laying down completely flat, and doesn't run away when I go to stroke him, which he usually does.

I've checked him over, and there are no cuts, no squeaking with pain when I feel his tummy, and legs, he's not dribbly and still bright eyed. He is still eating, but he just isn't right.

Are there any things I should be on the look out for? His hutchmate (another male) is perfectly fine.

They are kept in an outhouse, as it's still too damp here to go outside, but whenever the grass is dry enough they go into their run for a few hours.

Would a guinea pig eat a plant from the garden, that might make them ill? That would be the only thing out of the ordinary that he could have eaten.

I'm probably just being over cautious, but I do worry about them....

Thanks!
 
A flat, listless guinea pig usually means they are really not well. Guinea pigs are great at hiding illness so often by the time us hoomans notice they aree quite sick.

Is he still eating?

If he's been like this for a few days with no improvement then get him to a vet as pigs can go down hill quickly. He sounds like he needs checking out quickly.
 
Agree with MerryPip - piggies hide illness very well so sometimes anything we notice that is untoward is better to be checked out.
I took one of my girls to the vet last week as I was worried - something not right and I thought she had lost weight. Vet gave her a thorough examination and nothing was found, she must have just been having a few 'off days' and my scales were out :red
Felt a bit silly but it was very reassuring :)
Please get your piggy seen by a vet asap :...
 
Thank you.

He is still eating, I've been giving him his favourites to make sure he is but I'll get him to the Vets tomorrow.

I think I'm going to bring them into the indoor hutch tonight so I can check on him in the night. I would separate them, in case of cross infection, but I think that would make him worse. Or do you think I should keep them apart until I know what is wrong?
 
Dinosaur said:
Thank you.

He is still eating, I've been giving him his favourites to make sure he is but I'll get him to the Vets tomorrow.

I think I'm going to bring them into the indoor hutch tonight so I can check on him in the night. I would separate them, in case of cross infection, but I think that would make him worse. Or do you think I should keep them apart until I know what is wrong?
Click to expand...

Ooh, toughie - think I would be inclined to keep them together for now but really cannot emphasise how important it is to get him seen quickly.
I find my piggies who live in pairs are unhappy if separated and hinders any recovery so unless it's placing another piggy at risk, keep them together :)
Could you ring your vet and ask for advice - they may want to see him ?/
 
I'll keep them together I think, seperation anxiety would definitely make him worse, and would stress out our quieter pig too. I'll speak to the vet in the morning and see what he suggests.

I can see me getting up every few hours tonight just to check on him.

Thank you again for your help.
 
Keep them together, bring them indoors and please have any listless guinea pig seen by a vet as soon as possible. Are his sides heaving (heart is straining)? Have a listen to his tummy - if you can;t hear any gurgly noises, he be going into gut stasis. Is his belly soft or hard?

Please weigh him daily and if necessary hand feed.
 
Wiebke said:
Keep them together, bring them indoors and please have any listless guinea pig seen by a vet as soon as possible. Are his sides heaving (heart is straining)? Have a listen to his tummy - if you can;t hear any gurgly noises, he be going into gut stasis. Is his belly soft or hard?

Please weigh him daily and if necessary hand feed.
Click to expand...

Agree with this too.

x.
 
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