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Guinea Pig is losing weight and won't eat.

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Piggy2003

New Born Pup
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Hi!
I've had my guinea pig for a few years, he's usually really healthy, but lately he's dropped so much weight I can feel his ribs and am having a tough time convincing him to eat. He only eats when I am holding him or sitting right next to the cage. And even then he won't eat unless I chop his food small enough for a few bites (this includes carrots, cucumber, and any other hard food). He is also hesitant to eat pellets. What do I do?
 
Please urgently step in and syringe feed him a recovery feed or mush his pellets with water and syringe feed that to him. Please also see a vet urgently for a diagnosis of the underlying cause.

Syringe feeding fibre is essential as it replaces the hay he is not eating for himself (and not eating hay is the reason he is losing weight).
Hand feeding veg will not replace his food intake as veg is only 15% of the diet but they need 80% of their daily food intake to be hay.
You must weigh him daily and must syringe feed as much fibre recovery feed or mushed pellets as is necessary to stop him from losing weight each day. This will likely mean feeding every two hours and ensuring he gets as close to or in excess of 60ml of syringe feed per day. Your daily weight checks are your guide as to how much recovery feed he needs per day - if he continues to lose weight each day, then he needs to be fed more.

All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
 
As @Piggies&buns said he also urgently needs to see a vet.
Syringe feeding will help keep his digestive tract working, but without a diagnosis and treatment this won't be enough.
A check up will hopefully explain why he has stopped eating and the proper treatment will get him eating again.
 
I can't afford a vet trip. I can barely pay for food ATM. I was assuming it was because my other pig died and he was stressing, missing him. Not sure what to do......
 
Piggy2003 said:
I can't afford a vet trip. I can barely pay for food ATM. I was assuming it was because my other pig died and he was stressing, missing him. Not sure what to do.....
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I'm sorry to hear this.
It could be because of the passing of his friend but it cannot be assumed (it’s called acute pining but is rare). He may have an illness which needs to be checked out and treated.
He really does need to see a vet urgently. Syringe feeding a sufficient amount will keep his gut functioning but won’t cure any illness.
Is there somebody who can help you out with the cost of seeing the vet?
 
Piggy2003 said:
No. I am considering giving him up to the RSPCA so he at least has a chance.
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As difficult as this will be for you, it is the best thing for your piggy.
At least this will allow him to receive medical treatment if he needs it.
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation, but handing him over to a rescue is the most responsible thing to do.
 
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