Guinea not eating but doesn’t appear to be his teeth any ideas what could be wrong with him?

[Ruthie04]

My 3 year old male is off his food and losing weight. We’ve taken him to see 3 different vets all who say they don’t know what is up with him. He has a lump on his stomach (all vets think this is nothing to worry about abs not the cause), red feet (they think this is because he’s less active and sitting where he is toileting so he’s on soft blankets which were changing regularly and bathing his feet in salt water. He gets excited every time I take food to him, he runs out purring to see what there is (I have literally offered him every suitable fruit/vegetable/herb etc I can think off) but nothing tickles his fancy he will just sniff it all then go back to bed. He’s not eating hay or dried food but we are feeding him critical care. He had an X-ray and two teeth filed last week as they thought they might be the issue but we’re a week post op now and still no improvement. Just don’t know what it could be or how to help the little guy.. anyone any ideas we might not have covered?
thank you in advance!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is he still losing weight even though you’re feeding him critical care? If so, then you need to feed him more often.

Have the vets carried out any checks to see what the lump is?
Was the vet who did the dental experienced enough? Vets are trained in dental work and unfortunately a Incorrectly done dental can make things worse.

this is our vet locator. The vets on here are recommended by members as being cavy savvy. Vet Locator
the only vet trained to do conscious piggy dentals is Simon at Cat and Rabbit clinic in Northampton. If it doesn’t turn out to be a dental issue, then getting there to see Simon would highly benefit your piggy. Members travel from all over the country to get to him and piggies are usually eating again the same day following a conscious dental.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Ruthie04]

Is he still losing weight even though you’re feeding him critical care? If so, then you need to feed him more often.

Have the vets carried out any checks to see what the lump is?
Was the vet who did the dental experienced enough? Vets are trained in dental work and unfortunately a Incorrectly done dental can make things worse.

this is our vet locator. The vets on here are recommended by members as being cavy savvy. Vet Locator
the only vet trained to do piggy dentals is Simon at Cat and Rabbit clinic in Northampton. If it doesn’t turn out to be a dental issue, then getting there to see Simon would highly benefit your piggy. Members travel from all over the country to get to him and piggies are usually eating again the same day following a conscious dental.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

hi,
He hasn’t been weighed since his op. I’m feeding him as much as can but I have a young baby who doesn’t like been put down so juggling the pair is tricky. I don’t drive so getting to Northampton from york with a baby in tow during lockdown is sadly just not practical right now thank you for the recommendation though.
They said they could do a biopsy on lump but they don’t think it’s the issue so don’t want me to spend money if I don’t need too. He’s not worse he’s just not getting better sadly.

 

[Piggies&buns]

i understand it’s tricky - I’m a mother of two as well. My youngest hated being put down as a baby as well.

however, weighing him daily is the only way to know he is getting enough critical care into him. In a piggy who isnt eating any hay for themselves, then they need to receive around 90ml in syringe feeds per day day.

personally, I’d go for the biopsy just for peace of mind that it definitely isn’t the problem. Have they given you an indication of what they think the lump is?

were the vets youve been to on our recommended vet list? If not, could you try to go to one that is?
sadly a piggy who isn’t eating hay then the risk of overgrowing teeth will become a problem. They need hay to keep the teeth wearing down.

 

[stef.trg]

hi,
He hasn’t been weighed since his op. I’m feeding him as much as can but I have a young baby who doesn’t like been put down so juggling the pair is tricky. I don’t drive so getting to Northampton from york with a baby in tow during lockdown is sadly just not practical right now thank you for the recommendation though.
They said they could do a biopsy on lump but they don’t think it’s the issue so don’t want me to spend money if I don’t need too. He’s not worse he’s just not getting better sadly.

I’m sorry that you’re in such a tricky situation. Just seen that you‘re from York. Have you been to see Mike at Birchwood Vets? He‘s just outside of York in Gate Helmsley. Not 100% sure how experienced he is with dental issues but he‘s very dedicated, knowledgeable, and thorough. So definitely worth a shot if you haven‘t been there yet. I‘m from York too so happy to help you get your boy there if you need

 

[mrcadillac]

Take your guinea pig to the vet. Mine has the same syptoms and doctor will perform a surgery on her tomorrow

 

[Ruthie04]

i understand it’s tricky - I’m a mother of two as well. My youngest hated being put down as a baby as well.

however, weighing him daily is the only way to know he is getting enough critical care into him. In a piggy who isnt eating any hay for themselves, then they need to receive around 90ml in syringe feeds per day day.

personally, I’d go for the biopsy just for peace of mind that it definitely isn’t the problem. Have they given you an indication of what they think the lump is?

were the vets youve been to on our recommended vet list? If not, could you try to go to one that is?
sadly a piggy who isn’t eating hay then the risk of overgrowing teeth will become a problem. They need hay to keep the teeth wearing down.

he keeps picking food up and trying but not eating it and eventually giving up bless him. I’m getting around 100ml a day in at the moment plus his water as he’s not drinking.
No they just said it didn’t feel like anything to worry about. I don’t know whether to try another vet but then I have to start again with initial consultation etc and it’ll just cost more.. just wish I knew decisively how best to go forward.

 

[Ruthie04]

I’m sorry that you’re in such a tricky situation. Just seen that you‘re from York. Have you been to see Mike at Birchwood Vets? He‘s just outside of York in Gate Helmsley. Not 100% sure how experienced he is with dental issues but he‘s very dedicated, knowledgeable, and thorough. So definitely worth a shot if you haven‘t been there yet. I‘m from York too so happy to help you get your boy there if you need

I haven’t no, but thank you for the recommendation and very kind offer I’ll look him up and look into it thank you

 

[VickiA]

Take your guinea pig to the vet. Mine has the same syptoms and doctor will perform a surgery on her tomorrow

I’m sorry that your piggy is poorly. I’ve started a thread for you to keep your posts together about her.

 

[Piggies&buns]

We, of course, can only guess, but as I said a dental which hasn’t been done properly can make things worse. If he isn’t eating properly then he is either poorly in some other way and has lost interest in eating due to feeling unwell, or it is because he is simply unable to pick up, move food around his mouth and chew properly, and This would be my guess.
There is clearly something not right and if the vet can’t see anything wrong, then I absolutely would be trying a different vet. Do look at our vet locator to see if you can find someone else. As I said though most vets are not properly trained in piggy dentals.

you’re getting a good amount of syringe feed into him so hopefully his weight is stable, but do try to weigh him daily so you can really monitor him

 

[VickiA]

he keeps picking food up and trying but not eating it and eventually giving up bless him. I’m getting around 100ml a day in at the moment plus his water as he’s not drinking.
No they just said it didn’t feel like anything to worry about. I don’t know whether to try another vet but then I have to start again with initial consultation etc and it’ll just cost more.. just wish I knew decisively how best to go forward.

If he is picking it up but not eating then it does sound like it could be either dental or neurological. I definitely think I’d look at getting a second opinion. You are doing a great job keeping him going but you will be hoping to see some improvement.

 

[Ruthie04]

I’m sorry that your piggy is poorly. I’ve started a thread for you to keep your posts together about her.

Thanks very much!

 

[Ruthie04]

Take your guinea pig to the vet. Mine has the same syptoms and doctor will perform a surgery on her tomorrow

I’ve taken him to the vet and they’ve already done surgery on him it just hasn’t helped

 

[Bill & Ted]

Do you have any relatives or friends who could run you down to Northampton. They little piggie does sound like he wants to eat but can’t. This is what my Ted did when he first developed dental spurs. If he could be examined by either of the Maddock’s (vets) they will tell you straight away if it’s a dental problem or not, and if so will file down his teeth correctly using a dental brace and cheek separator, all done consciously. Your boy may be eating again within 10 minutes of the dental like my Ted did and NO anaesthetic is needed. They are expert vets with guinea pigs, no referrals are necessary and very reasonably priced too x