My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Small pets

Children's guinea-pig has lost his squeak!

8 replies

CatsAndTheirPizza · 19/07/2013 19:41

I've noticed our gp can't seem to make his normal 'weeek' noise when he hears food - anyone else finding this in the heat?

OP posts:
Report
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/07/2013 20:02

Probably heat induced apathy as you say but keep an eye on the pig.
When they "go downhill" they become very listless and you have a very short window of oppurtunity with guineas.

If he's still eating'n'drinking'n'peeing'n'poohing then all is good.

My GP1 usually does an unholy shriek when we pick him up. But he's been quieter of late (though his cagemate/brother died a couple of weeks back)

Report
KRITIQ · 20/07/2013 15:12

Our ladypig guests certainly haven't lost THEIR squeak - like tweenagers at a Justin Bieber concert they are!

But yes, it could be the heat. Pigs went for their bimonthly vet check and he asked how they were coping with the heat (answer, better than us as they have a fan in their room!)

The only time I've had a pig who "lost his squeak" except due to illness though was after his companion died. He was a very amiable pig who loved interacting with people and I thought he'd probably be "okay" on his own. After 2 weeks, he stopped squeaking and started becoming depressed. Bit the bullet and went for boar matching.

Has your pig suffered a bereavement lately or any other major change that might have unsettled him?

Of course, he could have become complacent, knowing he'll get the veg whether or not he shouts.

Report
fortifiedwithtea · 20/07/2013 20:43

Now that is odd. If the weather has cooled in your area as it has in Essex I would take your guinea to the vet on Monday.

The only time I've ever has a hoarse pig Hmm was after a boar had a dental under GA.

My sows have been louder more demanding in this heat.

Report
CatsAndTheirPizza · 15/08/2013 00:48

Thank you all. He died on Monday after a visit to the vet who said he was on his way out but to let him go on his own. I think I'm more upset than the children!

OP posts:
Report
differentnameforthis · 15/08/2013 02:55

Oh how sad! I hate losing little GPs. :(

Report
FernieB · 15/08/2013 06:51

Sorry to hear that - sending lots of hugs.

Report
CatsAndTheirPizza · 15/08/2013 13:03

Thank you. He had a good innings tho'.

OP posts:
Report
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/08/2013 19:20

Very Sad to hear.
They do go downhill don't they and I think they often don't come back from the brink.

Your vet was right to let him go peacefully at home (we took GP2 to the vets and he passed away that evening. I was so grateful he was with us rather than in a vets treatment room. Though obviously if an animal is in pain you need to do the right thing)

Their little bodies seem so rubbery and weightless when they go

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.