Guinea Pig Acting Strange

[JustDavesWife]

Hi. We have two female GP's who are almost 8 months old and we have had them since October. One of them is very active and vocal and is the one that has never run away when we go into the room etc until yesterday. We put them in the garden for a bit after school and then an hour or so after they came back inside my 7 year old said that this one was being very quiet, we kept an eye on her over the evening and she was acting very strange. Basically hid herself away in the corner, wouldn't come out for her salad (never happens) and wasn't squeaking. We left her overnight and this morning it's like she's absolutely terrified but I'm not sure what of as nothing has changed. She ventured out this morning for some hay but as soon as I went in she disappeared and was all hunched up at the back of their tunnel, when you get her out she normally squeaks and does this weird croaky noise but I held her this morning and she just sat in silence. It really is like she's trying to hide away.

The other GP is absolutely fine, they have been in the garden loads of times so it wasn't anything different. I feel a bit silly taking her to the vet as she is eating and drinking but she is behaving very differently.

Just wondered if anyone has any ideas?

Absolutely take her to the vets, asap - this afternoon ideally. When guineas are reluctant to eat it's a telltale sign of illness or pain, hopefully it is something not too serious but I'd say there's something definitely wrong. The hiding away quietly is what they do when feeling ill too as they feel more vulnerable to predators. Sadly they're fragile little creatures and often will only show subtle signs of illness or injury before going rapidly downhill so it's important to trust your instincts...

While waiting for the vets keep her warm (maybe put a covered hot water bottle in cage for her to snuggle up next to) and try and tempt her to eat and drink, take her away from her companion for a little while (unfortunately if one is under the weather the other will often start bullying them and drive them away from the food, they're not very nice to each other like that), try her with her favourite foods or if not perhaps make up some sugar water and syringe or spoon some into her if she'll take it? When mine are sick I often find they can be persuaded to nibble on some cardboard weirdly enough, they must get some kind of nutrition from it?

Hope she's OK!