Critical Care / Mashed Nuggets Feeding Amount

[Doragon]

Hi guys!

My 1 year old, Oreo (1.1kg) has reduced appetite following his neuter, the procedure was last Monday (17th) His appetite has been a little reduced since Wednesday evening. I have stepped in with assist feeding (I’m aiming for a minimum of 10ml every hour or two) as he is still eating bits of hay and broccoli.

He had a vet check yesterday at our guinea savvy vet and she can still hear gut movement., so we have re-started his 0.4ml of loci on two times daily in case it’s a pain thing. Currently, I have critical care set to arrive tomorrow and I am substituting with mashed nuggets, he has burgess excel. (it was bad timing, my batch on hand was out of date and disposed of and both vets local to me were out!).

Just wanted to double check how much I should aim to get into him, especially as he’s still eating bits and pieces solo? It’s been a couple of years since I last helped a piggie out like this so wanted to double check! Thanks guys!

 

[Piggies&buns]

The amount of syringe feed needed in each 24 hour period is dependent upon what your piggy’s daily weight checks are telling you. The more they eat independently the less syringe feed would be needed and vice versa.
If they continue to lose weight then they are not eating enough independently and you’d be looking at a minimum of 60ml per day.

Basically you are looking for an amount which stops day to day weight loss.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Doragon]

thank you so much!

 

[Doragon]

Apologies for double posting! But his weight appears to be stable. He was 1014g with his weekly check on the 21st, yesterday his weight was 1007g and today 1000g. I’m aware a full / empty bladder makes so much difference but I’ll keep an eye and top up, as I’m able to tell by eyeballing he’s definitely not eating. (Solo for now, but will be introduced/ bonding process to my females in 7 weeks time!). But I am so much more relieved he’s not had a sudden weight drop.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes it is pretty stable. Weight loss is only considered loss at 50g. If he gets to they point then syringe feed.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

I am very sorry about your worries. Please take the time to read the syringe feeding guide link. I have tried my best to condense what is a huge sliding scale from a partially impacted appetite/small weight loss to total loss loss of appetite and thirst into some fairly easy to follow rules. You do not have to throw the full might at your piggy for as long as they are eating and drinking at least partially on their own and you have to constantly adjust how much/how often to feed depending on their own food/water intake and how much/little you can get into them in one session when they are really ill and every syringeful is a major struggle. Feeding care is less about fixed numbers and more about constant assessment and adjustment to provide as good care as you can in a usually very fluid situation. And about realistic expectations.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

We speak of weight loss only after losing 50g; that is the time when you want to book a vet appointment, sooner with a quick weight loss (it happening within just 1-3 days) and less urgent with a slower gradual ongoing weight loss. Use the daily weigh-in first thing in the morning to plan your support for the coming 24 hours. If your piggy is deteriorating visibly and taking less food over the course of the day, then you have to change tack on the go.

You can step in with providing voluntary top up feed in a bowl (outside the cage so you can judge your piggy's appetite by how much they are eating and how that impacts on the weight loss). Step in with syringing if the appetite is flagging and the weight loss continues. Keep a diary to show the vet if needed, so they can take the weight loss pattern into their diagnosing information. Mark the days you have topped your piggy up and those when you had to switch to syringing.
During an illness and recovery, your main aim is to slow down and stop any further weight loss. Regaining any weight (if possible) only comes into play once the recovery and the healing process have been completed enough for the body to be able to again; which can sometimes take weeks or even months.

I hope that this helps you?

 

[Doragon]

Thank you so much! It’s so helpful. I think I may be worrying too much, but I also know how fast these piggies can swing! I’m crossing my fingers it’s merely a pain thing as he had the full okay from the vet yesterday. I’ll keep a close eye on his weight and make another appointment if needed. I think I will top up feed, as I can see reduced appetite in him but not go hard unless he starts dropping weight. Thank you so much!