Both lost 100g in a week!

[Claire W]

I’ve just done the weekly weigh in for Elizabeth and Esme and they’ve both lost 100g in a week! I don’t think it’s an emergency and as the exotics vet is on holiday next week, I’ve booked them both in on the 27th November. Receptionist said to monitor them and if they continue to lose, to take them in sooner. Obviously if they maintain or put the weight back on, I’ll cancel the appointment. Does anyone know what could have caused such a massive weight loss in them both? I’m very worried

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this. Given it’s both of them, the first check I would check is that the scales are weighing correctly.
If you can confirm that they are working properly, then definitely monitor the girls daily.

I hope they are ok

 

[Wiebke]

Please check your scales first and foremost. If they are not even or the battery goes you can get funny results.

Please also keep in mind that we have had several cold nights and cooler days this week so your girls may be burning more calories just to keep warmer.
Since they are both on the overweight side, any weight loss is naturally quicker and bigger since what is coming off is the yellow fat around the inner organs and not any muscle mass - losing the yellow fat would be actually a good thing.

 

[VickiA]

I’d definitely suspect the scales since the weight loss is even for both of them.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you. I’ve checked the scales and the battery and all seems fine but I could be wrong, how would I know? It may well be the colder nights. I’ll weigh them again tomorrow and hope they’ve gained or at least maintained.

I’m trying not to panic seen as it’s both of them

Esme was losing weight a few weeks ago that we figured out she wasn’t eating the PAH hay but she had gained it’s back again when I started giving them hay that wasn’t PAH

 

[Piggies&buns]

Weigh something you know the weight of to check the scales - an unopened bag of sugar for example

 

[piggieminder]

I was getting some odd readings with my scales. The battery power indicator said the battery was fine but I changed it anyway and the problems went away, all piggy weights were as expected!

I hope your odd weight losses are as simple.

 

[weepweeps]

I hope it’s just the scales Claire. It would be very odd that they have both lost the exact same amount.

 

[eileen]

Maybe change the battery on your scales ,see if that helps.i hope it's something simple.

 

[Claire W]

I’ve discovered it isn’t the scales after following the advise but I’ve just ordered some more batteries. I thought I had some more but can’t find them. I so hope I don’t need to keep their appointment at the vets and it’s just a glitch x

 

[Claire W]

I am very worried about the girls this morning. Elizabeth has maintained for the last two mornings but Esme is down to 1125g from nearly 1230g, Elizabeth 1200g from 1300g I’ve watched them both eat veg and pellets but I haven’t seen them near the hay It’s the same hay as they’ve always had? Apart from teeth, what other illnesses can cause weight loss?

Esme was losing weight a few weeks ago that my vet put down to grief from losing Ella but she gained the weight back again but has lost it again x

 

[Wiebke]

I am very worried about the girls this morning. Elizabeth has maintained for the last two mornings but Esme is down to 1125g from nearly 1230g, Elizabeth 1200g from 1300g I’ve watched them both eat veg and pellets but I haven’t seen them near the hay It’s the same hay as they’ve always had? Apart from teeth, what other illnesses can cause weight loss?

Esme was losing weight a few weeks ago that my vet put down to grief from losing Ella but she gained the weight back again but has lost it again x

Hi

With both your piggies losing the same amount without any other symptoms, the problem is clearly environmental and not illness related. Concentrate on keeping them warm and away from any cat confrontations if at all possible.

They are both still rather overweight for their size so there is no concern about the amount of weight lost.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you. It’s just I’m sure they’re not eating hay especially Esme but I’m not sure. Not sure if I’m imagining it after Ella

I’m hoping it is environmental, it’s just figuring out what. The cats? The temperature? Something else? They’ve never lost weight during the colder months before

 

[Merab]

Hope you can get to the root cause.
Mystery weight loss isn’t easy to deal with.

 

[Claire W]

Esme is down another 20g this morning and is down to 1117g, I’m so worried Elizabeth has maintained and settled around 1200g

I’ve noticed Esme is chewing the plastic dome they have in their cage. She won’t let me check her teeth

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry to hear this Claire, hope you can find out what’s going on

 

[Claire W]

I’ve opened a fresh bag of hay to see whether they’re just not keen on the hay I’m using even though it’s their usual brand. Both girls have lost a further 10g over night

 

[weepweeps]

I hope they like the new bag of hay.

 

[Wiebke]

I’ve opened a fresh bag of hay to see whether they’re just not keen on the hay I’m using even though it’s their usual brand. Both girls have lost a further 10g over night

Please only weigh once a day, always at the same time in the feeding cycle. The weight is naturally lowest in the daily 30-40g swing first thing in the morning so you can only compare weights made at the same time in the day.

I have already suggested upping their pellet allowance a bit if they struggle with the colder surroundings and using snugglesafes all the time, like I do with my own frailer older piggies - especially the arthritic ones.

 

[Claire W]

Please only weigh once a day, always at the same time in the feeding cycle. The weight is naturally lowest in the daily 30-40g swing first thing in the morning so you can only compare weights made at the same time in the day.

I have already suggested upping their pellet allowance a bit if they struggle with the colder surroundings and using snugglesafes all the time, like I do with my own frailer older piggies - especially the arthritic ones.

I have been weighing them first thing in the morning before they have their breakfast which is why I know they’ve losing weight. Esme was 1117g yesterday morning and 1107g this morning. She was over 1200g before all this started and Elizabeth was over 1300g but was 1190g this morning

I’ve given them extra pellets and they had a snugglessafe last night following your advise but they have still lost

 

[Bill & Ted]

I know it’s a long shot Claire, do you have a boiler or open fire near them? Carbon monoxide poisoning? Fumes are odourless and only a monitor will show if there is any problems. Just wondered as Wiebke said environmental?

 

[Claire W]

I know it’s a long shot Claire, do you have a boiler or open fire near them? Carbon monoxide poisoning? Fumes are odourless and only a monitor will show if there is any problems. Just wondered as Wiebke said environmental?

No, there’s no boiler or open fire near them. I think when @Wiebke is thinking environmental. I think she’s thinking the temperature in their room and the fact we have 3 cats who aren’t getting on so causing an atmosphere in the house x

 

[Claire W]

I’ve taken the guinea pigs to the vets for their weight loss and there’s nothing wrong with them Elizabeth is essentially carrying around 3 stone in weight with her lipoma but there’s not much we can do about that Got to try and keep them warm as our house gets cold overnight. He’ll only worry about Esme if she drops below 1000g. He gave me Emeraid in case I want to try and bulk them up a bit. He’ll weigh them again when they go for nail trims and check ups at the beginning of January but he basically told me to stop worrying xx

 

[Wiebke]

I’ve taken the guinea pigs to the vets for their weight loss and there’s nothing wrong with them Elizabeth is essentially carrying around 3 stone in weight with her lipoma but there’s not much we can do about that Got to try and keep them warm as our house gets cold overnight. He’ll only worry about Esme if she drops below 1000g. He gave me Emeraid in case I want to try and bulk them up a bit. He’ll weigh them again when they go for nail trims and check ups at the beginning of January but he basically told me to stop worrying xx

Glad that you have heard from your vet what we have been telling you. They have likely just reacted to the drop in temperatures and will be fine with a little extra calories like some plain porridge oats to compensate but they should not continue to lose a lot more once their metabolism has adjusted.

Keep in mind that what they have both lost is bad yellow fat around their organs if you still struggle to feel any ribs. You only need to worry once single ribs start standing out because that means that they are coming to the lower range of their ideal body weight.

 

[weepweeps]

I’ve taken the guinea pigs to the vets for their weight loss and there’s nothing wrong with them Elizabeth is essentially carrying around 3 stone in weight with her lipoma but there’s not much we can do about that Got to try and keep them warm as our house gets cold overnight. He’ll only worry about Esme if she drops below 1000g. He gave me Emeraid in case I want to try and bulk them up a bit. He’ll weigh them again when they go for nail trims and check ups at the beginning of January but he basically told me to stop worrying xx

I’m pleased your vet has reassured you.

 

[piggieminder]

I hope you will stop worrying now Claire. It is such a worry when you don't know if they are ill or not. A vet visit is a good idea if it will set your mind to rest.

 

[Bill & Ted]

No, there’s no boiler or open fire near them. I think when @Wiebke is thinking environmental. I think she’s thinking the temperature in their room and the fact we have 3 cats who aren’t getting on so causing an atmosphere in the house x

Yes, if the cats are stressed then the piggies will probably be picking up the vibes

 

[Bill & Ted]

Good to hear the girls are in good health. I wonder if you can work towards getting the cats less stressed maybe. I don’t have cats but have heard good things about Feliwey? from neighbours about their cat problems. Sorry not sure if that is the right spelling, but general cat stress relief products? Apologises if you have already tried them

 

[Claire W]

Thank you everyone. I’m still stressing that the vet may have missed something but I have added a second fleece so they now have two fleeces (one either end and middle) that I can pull down over night to cover the front too to hopefully stop any drafts from getting in to the cage. Although he won’t budge on having the heating on overnight (that’s a firm no) he has no problem with me heating the snugglesafes and keeping the dehumidifier running overnight in their room which gives off heat so I’ll see how we go x

@Bill & Ted we’ve tried Feliway defusers and they sadly haven’t worked x

 

[Bill & Ted]

Thank you everyone. I’m still stressing that the vet may have missed something but I have added a second fleece so they now have two fleeces (one either end and middle) that I can pull down over night to cover the front too to hopefully stop any drafts from getting in to the cage. Although he won’t budge on having the heating on overnight (that’s a firm no) he has no problem with me heating the snugglesafes and keeping the dehumidifier running overnight in their room which gives off heat so I’ll see how we go x

@Bill & Ted we’ve tried Feliway defusers and they sadly haven’t worked x


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I thought you probably had, it was just a thought Hope these little kitties settle down soon