Little guinea pig losing weight

[TheGherkin]

Got 2 baby piglets at the end of March. Both seemed fine until one suddenly died a couple of weeks ago.
The other has been fine, eating, friendly, all good (and we got her a new friend too).
Weighed them this morning and she’s gone from 430g on April 15th to 365g today. She feels skinnier too.
Any ideas? Am I being paranoid because of what happened to other pig?

[Beaverhausen]

Take her to the vets could be a viral infection.

[TheGherkin]

Can it wait til Tuesday? (Damn bank holiday)

[AtSea1979]

That’s a lot to lose. This time of year they should be putting lots on with the grass munching. How long are they outside for?
Go to vets asap.

[missmouse101]

Could be a dental problem. V common in cavies. Please do take her to the vets to diagnose correctly.

[PurpleDaisies]

That sort of weight loss definitely needs investigating by a vet. I’d go ASAP

[Flicketyflack]

Please see vets, huge amount of weight loss.

[TheGherkin]

She’s eating ok. But definitely off colour. I fear the worst but there’s bugger all I can do this time of night

[Lancelottie]

If they're babies, have they had too much grass? The new growth can upset them as it's quite rich.
www.guineapigwelfare.org.uk/guinea-pig-care/seasonal/spring/re-introducing-grass/

Or could she have eaten something else outside? Does she have normal poo?

The main thing is to keep plain hay going in at one end and out at the other while you investigate (or Critical Care mush, but I'm guessing you won't have that lying around).

[Isadora2007]

Vets at the pets at home branches should be open tomorrow.

[TheGherkin]

That’s an idea. Will ring around tomorrow.
Today was the first time they went out on the grass. She was the chubbier of the 2 originals but now she’s feeling bony. It’s too sad.

[TheHobbitMum]

I'd also say vet ASAP, I've found with cabbies they only show illness when really ill and they go downhill fast. I've lost pigs very suddenly as they hide illness so well (as lots of prey animals do), I hope liitle pig is okay and happy & fat soon

[MimsyBorogroves]

Vets ASAP.

As prey animals, they hide their illnesses. Weight loss could be teeth, heart condition, respiratory infection or something else entirely. But they go downhill very, very fast.

[MumOfTwoMasterOfNone]

Hope your little piggy is ok. Another one saying vets tomorrow, that's a huge amount of weight loss

[TheGherkin]

So piglet is just about alive. She’s lying on her side breathing fast.
Do I stress her and take her to the vet or leave her dark and quiet?

[TheGherkin]

Vet not open til 10.30.

[PurpleDaisies]

Have you tried phoning the vet number? It will normally put you through to an emergency service number. They’ll be able to advise you.

[PurpleDaisies]

I would take one of mine to the vet in your situation.

[TheGherkin]

Thanks. She’s gone. It’s too sad.

[Flicketyflack]

💐

[millimat]

Poor you. I've just posted on a separate one as one of ours died last night too

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Oh just read this thread. It is a shock when a young pig dies but yes when they lose weight its a big klaxon for guinea-pigs , these little animals literally fill their faces like anyone else breathes oxygen.

It could've been something she'd eaten, a blockage (stray bit of plastic maybe) or a tooth problem.
Trouble is , you often never find the answer.

virtual clover