Piggies losing weight

[thwinka]

Hello Hoping for some advice or suggestions please if possible! I weighed GP2 at the w/e and discovered he had lost 100g in weight since the week before? Have been unable to find any firm reason for his weight loss? His teeth had overgrown slightly but could find no signs of illness after all checks/urine tests etc. He was found to be impacted and his penis had become encrusted in dried on semen(sorry tmi but just want to give all info!)
It was thought that maybe he was finding this uncomfortable and so hadn't been eating as much? He is eating fine now, has ground his teeth back down, and has stopped losing weight. He isn't putting it back on though which concerns me? Would you expect him to be putting the weight back on yet as when my other piggy was ill, he was putting it back on at the rate of 10-15 grams a day?
Anyhow, just weighed GP1 today and he has lost a bit of weight as well. Looking at his weight chart, he has also been losing weight on/off for a month? I wasn't concerned at first as his weight can yoyo a bit but there is definitely a pattern forming with him as well?

Sorry for the length of this post, I just wanted to include as much info as poss? I have a vet appointment for tomorrow, but after speaking to them on the phone, they say its very unusual for both piggies to be ill at the same time, and that it may be down to external changes. Eg food change? Does anyone have any experience of this? I haven't changed their food, so not that. Any other suggestions of what it could be?

[guineapiglet]

hi thwinka hope you are OK. Sorry to hear about GP2 - can you remind us how old he is?

It is a funny time of year for guineas, they do tend to lose a bit of condition in the winter, not out on fresh grass, and no sunshine. Glad you have got a vet appointment booked, hopefully this will have some clues - the fact he has been impacted and has tooth problems sounds as if they might be contributing factors, guineas are designed to eat non stop and to wear their teeth down in the process continually.

Try feeding him some bulky type food to keep him interested, my girls loved bread (and cereal), bananas, etc, lots of hay, fresh grass if you can, - I am sure he will at least maintain his weight if he is feeling better and eating. Let us know how you get on. XX

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Hi thwinka

100g is a LOT for a GP to lose (4oz in real money for all us non metrics out there )

My GP1 lost loads of weight in 2013 but he's slowly regaining his chins and rump, I don't think he'll ever be as firm and muscular as he was before.

You can tell alot about a GP health by their coat condition , skin condition, eyes and general demeanor.

The impaction unfortunately is a boar problem. Has he been dehydrated? Maybe it's been warmer indoors (are they indoor pigs?)

And it is difficult to weigh them accurately , they never seem to sit still in the scales.

Mine have a pile of food (besides their hay and pellets ) and they always clear their plates (breakfast and supper) apart from the things they think are beneath them. Goodness knows where they put it
But if they stop eating, that's not a good sign.
Your vet wold have ruled out diabetes in the urine tests. And bladder infection.
The crusty semen - he might be getting a bit up close 'n' personal with his cage mate?

Can you cut some grass for them? Our boys would sell their own mothers for fresh cut grass.

[thwinka]

Hi guineapiglet I'm fine thanks :-) Seems like ages since I was last here! You have some piggies now? That's fab!! Last time I was on here you had 3 piggy nephews who were being very troublesome and argumentative He is almost 4 bless him now. Been to the vets and very little help tbh.
Couldn't even examine his teeth properly and was basically of the opinion that he 'was still a healthy weight'!! Well yes he is, but he was even more of a healthy weight 2 weeks ago! No urine checks or anything.
It was myself who did all that so at least I know there are no infections lurking. He's a bit of a mystery as he is glowing in every other way and has lost no more weight since Saturday when I cleared him out and prised all the hard stuff from his penis. Careful monitoring but it looks like he may have been in pain from this and he simply went off his food

As for GP1, he has a URI He started coughing last night bless him and this morning one of his eyes was sunken and he sounded squeaky in his throat. He is now on antibiotics and lots of TLC.

Yes, impaction! Never had to deal with that before 70isalimit isn't it pleasant! By the time I had dealt with that and pealed the lovely white stuff from his penis I felt on the verge of vomiting They are indoor piggies yes, although he drinks like a fish so wouldn't imagine he is dehydrated. Its a bit of a mystery at the moment. They are both tucking into their veg and redigrass though so that's good

On the plus side, GP3 is now officially healthy and has packed his bags and gone to stay at a rescue to be paired up!! So exited!! He's been with a tiny 5 month old Boar for the last 48 hours and they are getting on ok so fingers crossed! Mine has fallen head over heels for the baby piggy but baby piggy has territorial issues with his hay atm so they are trying to work through the issues in the hope that he will learn to share