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Guinea Pig loosing weight

3 replies

dontstopmenow · 10/01/2021 20:17

My 6 year old GP is loosing weight. It’s been noticeable for about the last month but she is getting quite thin now. I don’t know whether this is expected when guinea pigs are older or if it is a “go to the vet” job. She seems to be eating reasonably well but being quite subdued.
Any thoughts from people more experienced?

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/01/2021 22:28

Weight loss is always a concern with a piggie (unless you've been adviced to slim one down)

6 is a good age for a guinea-pig . Is your pig a lone one . Have they recently lost a cagemate ?

Is your guinea-pig struggling to eat , dropping food out of her mouth ?
First query would be teeth. Check the front ones . Is one broken or uneven?
You won;t see the back ones but your vet can put a thin light down with a magnifying glass . If there's an overgrown or sharp spur they might be able to file it depending on your guinea-pigs temprement but she might need sedation.

Are her eyes nice a popping and bright ?Or sunken? Can be dehydration . The eyes and teeth of piggies are very close together , teeth can affect eyes .

Are her droppings normal for her ? Or slimey? mis shapen ?
They can get a yeast imbalance in the gut . Too much sugar / fruit can set it off .

Diabetes in guinea-pigs especially older ones , can lead t weight loss .

Does she have a favourite food you can tempt her with? Most will kill for parsley . Or dandelions (wash and dry well , make sure they're not chilled)

It's a huge worry when they stop eating . You might need to get some Critical Care or similar (Fine Grind , mix up sloppy and use a small syringe or the tip of a teaspooon. Just behind the teeth, make sure she chews the spoon/syringe so she swallows , it mustn't go too quickly .

If you haven't got it you can mash pellets in warm water as an emergency .

I'd also add Vit C and Probitic Powder to the veg for an ill guinea-pig .

If she has a cagemate make sure she's not being bullied away from the food .

If you weigh her regularly then you can track her weight . Anything between 2-4 oz loss in an adult guinea-pig really needs to be checked out .
Good Luck .

dontstopmenow · 10/01/2021 22:39

Oh thank you! I’ve been so worried, I’m sure she must have lost at least 4oz. I haven’t weighed her to be sure. She has a cage mate who is being super sweet with her at the moment, kind of cwtching up when she is resting. She seems to be eating ok but I have changed their hay so maybe that is the problem.
I think I will phone the vet tomorrow and get the usual hay back and hope she gets better. We will all be devastated if something were to happen!
I always thought gp’s live to about 8-9yrs so I’m not prepared for this!!!

OP posts:
rebeccachoc · 12/01/2021 11:18

Very good advice you've had so far but there's another thing to consider. As my vet puts it, if they are eating normally and losing weight then the energy is being used elsewhere so consider worms, mites and unfortunately, tumours.

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