Concerned piggy moving weird

[Guineapoops2022]

Hi there I have a piggy around 6 months old she has seemed unhappy/change in behaviour for the last 2 months she feels lighter than my other pigs but gained weight on last weigh in

this morning when she was eating pellets I saw her jolt hard to explain but almost like back and forth like a twitch I really hope it wasn’t the start of a fit she seemed ok afterwards I gave her a cuddle which she wasn’t impressed with usual biting

Is there any signs of a seizure of fit before hand it was so strange like a jolt maybe 8 times and then nothing I’m pretty sure it wasn’t popcorning…

 

[Siikibam]

Given the change in behaviour I would have her checked out. How has her weight been overall? Has she been maintaining?

I’d also consider switching to weighing her daily for now just to make sure she’s getting enough hay into her.

I’m not sure what the jolting could be. Hopefully it’s something simple. Let us know how you get on with the vet.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Switching to daily weight checks is a good idea. She may have gained at the last check but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a downward trend.
You can’t compare her to your other piggies - they are all individual so it won’t help in her case specifically.

Please do have her seen by a vet for any concerns.

 

[Guineapoops2022]

I’m going to phone the vet today if possible they can see us Monday hopefully I feel bad having not taken her until now but she’s not happy she’s not herself she won’t sit still maybe that’s normal it’s just her personality but I was on here before as if you even stroke her lower back or legs at all she flips on her sides almost screaming like in pain really unhappy she’s always biting and head butting she never used to do these things her weight has been maintaining but I’m definitely going to weigh everyday from now on many thanks for getting back to me so quickly I just have this feeling there’s something going on and when I saw her jolt I thought she was about to full on fit I hope it’s nothing I love my marshmallow/marshy hairy baby x

 

[Piggies&buns]

Definitely get her seen as soon as possible, something doesn’t sound right with her and it may be she is in pain.
Have you noticed any other symptoms - hair loss etc?

 

[Guineapoops2022]

I would say she never liked anyone ever touching her lower back if you even part her hair she squirms but we thought it might just be sensitive as thier hair is parted certain ways maybe your not meant to be stroking it the other way, she doesn’t like being brushed so I ended up shaving her a little to avoid repeatedly brushing and stressing her out but it’s grown in quite fast. I have seen her lunge at the other piggy’s a few times always head butting like constantly if you are holding her she never used to do this and constantly nibbling or biting she doesn’t want held she won’t sit still she will run up your body won’t cuddle with you and the squirming almost screaming noise when middle of back even sides legs she will literally flip on her side and turn her head back at you it’s almost like popcorning but squirming and unhappy jumping I just thought maybe she didn’t like it but I’m not sure now hopefully she will be ok someone on here suggested possible parasites I have looked I can’t see anything… many thanks for the help guys x

 

[Siikibam]

Mites can’t be seen with the naked eye so you can’t know. In any case the best thing to do is have her checked out. Hopefully you’ll get an appointment for Monday.

The other thing to consider is that she may now be brave enough to let you know she doesn’t like being held or stroked. They generally don’t like their rear areas touched in any case.

 

[PiggiePerson]

My piggy who has been losing weight (unexplained, vet said he seems clinically fine but obviously I have been keeping a close eye) did what sounds like a similar movement a couple of days ago and I’ve never seen it before. He lifted up his bum as if he was about to poo and then without moving his paws he lurched forward and then held position for a second or so before rocking back and repeating this movement two or three times. Was kind of like he was trying hard to push but nothing came out. Is this similar to what you saw your piggy do? How have his poos been in terms of size/frequency?

 

[Guineapoops2022]

My piggy who has been losing weight (unexplained, vet said he seems clinically fine but obviously I have been keeping a close eye) did what sounds like a similar movement a couple of days ago and I’ve never seen it before. He lifted up his bum as if he was about to poo and then without moving his paws he lurched forward and then held position for a second or so before rocking back and repeating this movement two or three times. Was kind of like he was trying hard to push but nothing came out. Is this similar to what you saw your piggy do? How have his poos been in terms of size/frequency?

Very frustrating and worrying to be losing weight but vet is saying clinically fine I hope your piggy stops losing weight asap I’m not sure the two movements are the same it’s so hard to explain what they do sometimes but I hope it is constipation over something really serious I wouldn’t say my piggy was trying to pop definitely no bum lifting and poops have seemed normal x

 

[Siikibam]

@Guineapoops2022 Guinea pigs can’t be constipated.

@PiggiePerson you’re better off starting your own thread so you can be given info about your piggy. I hope they’re okay.

 

[Lisanjake]

Hi there I have a piggy around 6 months old she has seemed unhappy/change in behaviour for the last 2 months she feels lighter than my other pigs but gained weight on last weigh in

this morning when she was eating pellets I saw her jolt hard to explain but almost like back and forth like a twitch I really hope it wasn’t the start of a fit she seemed ok afterwards I gave her a cuddle which she wasn’t impressed with usual biting

Is there any signs of a seizure of fit before hand it was so strange like a jolt maybe 8 times and then nothing I’m pretty sure it wasn’t popcorning…

Was the movement silmilar to this? My girl has very similar symptoms. I’ve posted about this too recently x

Why does she do this after eating anything?

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Hi,

Hi there I have a piggy around 6 months old she has seemed unhappy/change in behaviour for the last 2 months she feels lighter than my other pigs but gained weight on last weigh in

this morning when she was eating pellets I saw her jolt hard to explain but almost like back and forth like a twitch I really hope it wasn’t the start of a fit she seemed ok afterwards I gave her a cuddle which she wasn’t impressed with usual biting

Is there any signs of a seizure of fit before hand it was so strange like a jolt maybe 8 times and then nothing I’m pretty sure it wasn’t popcorning…

Hi, sorry to hear that your piggie is not well. I just wanted to tell you that my piggie Dexter did movements similar to what you are describing. After developing more symptoms, I took him to see the vet and it turned out he had a hernia, in fact two.

Now Dexter's hernia I believe was due to complications after his neuter so I'm not sure how common hernias are when they just develop without cause, if that makes sense.

Has your little one been spayed or had any surgery carried out?

 

[Lisanjake]

Hi,

Hi, sorry to hear that your piggie is not well. I just wanted to tell you that my piggie Dexter did movements similar to what you are describing. After developing more symptoms, I took him to see the vet and it turned out he had a hernia, in fact two.

Now Dexter's hernia I believe was due to complications after his neuter so I'm not sure how common hernias are when they just develop without cause, if that makes sense.

Has your little one been spayed or had any surgery carried out?

Ohhh no way? I’ve never heard of that in guinea pigs before so that is interesting, bless him

No she’s not been spayed or had surgery to my knowledge (I rescued her when she was young so don’t know her full background)

It seems anytime she eats she suddenly runs off to bed a bit hunched and closes her eyes

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Ohhh no way? I’ve never heard of that in guinea pigs before so that is interesting, bless him

No she’s not been spayed or had surgery to my knowledge (I rescued her when she was young so don’t know her full background)

It seems anytime she eats she suddenly runs off to bed a bit hunched and closes her eyes

Yes, I unfortunately lost him in December due to his hernia . In hindsight, I never would have got him neutered. I hope your piggie is ok and it is something easily treated.

The fact she is hunching does signify pain. It's awful when we don't know what's wrong isn't it? If only they could talk and tell us what's the matter. It would make life a lot easier.