Guinea Losing Weight, Any ideas? Options

[lisasturge]

My little 5 month old guinea is losing weight - I've been watching him and he is acting normally, eating and drinking everything happily. I've cleaned them out and not found any signs of upset stomach.

Does anyone have any ideas what might cause it ? I'm reluctant to rush him to the vet when he seems otherwise well, and if I do take him I'd like something to go on before then.

[littlebrambles]

There are so many causes for weight loss in piggies it's difficult to to give an accurate diagnosis on a forum.

If he is looking well other than the weight loss it could be his teeth aren't working properly or he may have a heart problem.

Whatever is wrong with him he does need to see a vet as it's not normal. A young pig does not loose weight.

Weigh him every day at the same time over a few days and keep a record of it so that you can give the vet accurate information.

Also watch him closely eat long strands of hay or grass - there should be no dropping of food and it should be a rythmic chomp! until it has all gone. If he is eating poorly it may simply be his teeth.

Any weight loss of over 60g in a week really needs to be investigated.

Good luck, hopefully it can be sorted quickly.

[lisasturge]

good advice, thank you! Getting him on the kitchen scales shortly.

[kimthecat]

I agree with a vet check just to be on the safe side. Piggies are prone to diabetes and one of the symptoms is weight loss but its more likely something simple like teeth, make sure your vets check his back teeth properly.
Ali

[Augustus]

What Littlebrambles said.

I know he's only 5 months, but has he been starved at all, before you got him? I find it very difficult to get weight onto Demi, who nearly starved to death before I had her. She's small and I do worry at times.

But it may be an infection or teefy things. Best go to the vet.

Samantha

[lisasturge]

I've had him 2 months and he has always been a healthy weight, I think he was born in the rescue I got him from, if not they had them in from day 1, so he's always been fine until this last week.

[Rianna]

hoping a vet can shed some light on his weight loss for you .

I weigh all my guineas every couple of months and with 16 of them it can take a while It is a good thing to do just as a matter of course so it can highlight any problems they may have.

I also weigh my bantams

[lisasturge]

I'm afraid it isn't good news from the vet. He found a largish intestinal tumour which would account for the weight loss which has increased in the last 3 days or so.

Currently Buzz is eating and drinking and is lively, if not quite himself and snuggled up with his friend. He does, however, only have days left.

Gutted, we lost Bullseye in Feb at the grand old age of 6 and Buzz came to us then from a rescue.

He has the cutest habit of sunbathing in the hay rack as it is just the right size

[Rianna]

omg I am so very sorry . Poor baby to have a tumour at such a young age

Hoping he is with you enjoying himself longer than you think

[lisasturge]

Thank you. The vet was really surprised and spent a long time checking he was right, he said it wouldn't be strange in an old guinea but was a shock in such a baby.

Going to phone the rescue tomorrow and let her know too.

In the meantime the hutch is full of celery and cabbage and all things yummy!

[littlebrambles]

I'm really sorry to hear your sad news, it must be very upsetting for you.

I'm glad you took him to the vets though, it was a kind thing to do.

Piggies are amazing creatures though and he'll enjoy every minute of his day just as he's always done.

Special treats for a special boy.

Best wishes x x x


Louise at

Little Brambles Guinea Pig Rescue

[kimthecat]

Oh I'm sorry it's bad news.

[Augustus]

Awwwww, sorry to hear that. Gentle wheeps from the Leyton Hoggy Possy.

S

[LesleyAnn]

awww so sorryto hear your news, thinking of you

[lisasturge]

Sadly Buzz went to rainbow bridge last night, sooner than expected but he seemed quite comfortable yesterday and was eating, drinking and wheeking so hopefully he didn't suffer.

I have contacted the rescue and she has a litter of babies needing homes and as I don't want Rex to get lonely, I'll be heading there later in the week to see if he gets on with one of them.