GuineaDan
Junior Guinea Pig
Hello, I have posted in the Health and Illness forum about Mario's condition here. To sum up (since it's been a bit of a rollercoaster!) he has been losing weight very noticeably (both from scales and physical handling) and has suspected kidney issues.
I understand that regaining weight will take some time, however right now I'm just looking to add to his diet to stabilise his weight first.
He has access to hay and water constantly, pellets (though he's been ignoring them), and he gets fresh veg every night (bell pepper, cucumber, leafy greens). He also sometimes gets a small piece of fruit whenever I'm eating some. I've been slowly giving grass as well (he hasn't had it for a while so it's a slow re-introduction). We were told to stop syringe feeding him by the vet, but I'm not sure if the vet that mentioned this even looked at him (we went to a different vet and she spoke to him out of the room). Since you can literally feel most of his bones, it's safe to say I will continue syringe feeding him.
I have seen that porridge oats can help guinea pigs gain weight - how much should be given? (I'm going to be gradually introducing it of course.) I've seen some places say only a few flakes, some people have been giving a little bowl of oats... So very conflicting information.
And would museli be okay to give an underweight guinea pig? Since it's fattening? Perhaps one without sunflower seeds since those seem to pose a splintering issue?
Are there any other foods that can be given to help stabilise his weight/give him extra nutrients and calories? The vet did say he needs fibre and protein, which makes sense.
I hope this is alright to post and doesn't count as a double post - I figure it's better to have a separate thread for food advice haha.
I understand that regaining weight will take some time, however right now I'm just looking to add to his diet to stabilise his weight first.
He has access to hay and water constantly, pellets (though he's been ignoring them), and he gets fresh veg every night (bell pepper, cucumber, leafy greens). He also sometimes gets a small piece of fruit whenever I'm eating some. I've been slowly giving grass as well (he hasn't had it for a while so it's a slow re-introduction). We were told to stop syringe feeding him by the vet, but I'm not sure if the vet that mentioned this even looked at him (we went to a different vet and she spoke to him out of the room). Since you can literally feel most of his bones, it's safe to say I will continue syringe feeding him.
I have seen that porridge oats can help guinea pigs gain weight - how much should be given? (I'm going to be gradually introducing it of course.) I've seen some places say only a few flakes, some people have been giving a little bowl of oats... So very conflicting information.
And would museli be okay to give an underweight guinea pig? Since it's fattening? Perhaps one without sunflower seeds since those seem to pose a splintering issue?
Are there any other foods that can be given to help stabilise his weight/give him extra nutrients and calories? The vet did say he needs fibre and protein, which makes sense.
I hope this is alright to post and doesn't count as a double post - I figure it's better to have a separate thread for food advice haha.