Guinea pig Mouth Pawing opening

[PinkytheGuineaPig47]

Hello guys, recently my guinea pig has been opening his mouth a lot, he does it when he's drinking water, or eating hay, and getting cookie treats, it started on Friday, he was opening his mouth randomly when he was eating hay, I have a vet appointment for tuesday, would he be fine until then? he's trying very hard to eat hay and is struggling, I am syringe feeding him water, I have Critical care should I give him that? Even though he's eating his veggies and pellets completely fine, Also when I checked his tooth the bottom one seems slightly longer than the top could that be the issue? or could be overgrown molars, he is a bit slower too not himself and he isn't pooping as much either, any help would mean a lot please and thank you.

 

[PinkytheGuineaPig47]

Bump anyone?

 

[Janey]

It might be that he has a bit of hay wedged in his mouth perhaps… have you looked to see if you can see anything? As he’s not eating his hay, you need to step in with syringe feeding him - either critical care if you have some or some of his pellets soaked in warm water until they become mushy enough to fit in a syringe. You need to get as much into him as you can and every 2-3 hours if he’s eating little else.

It sounds like he’s not been eating very much as his poops are less and to be honest as you’ve noticed him slowing down, I’d advise not waiting until Tuesday but try to get him seen as an emergency tomorrow.

 

[Freela]

Personally I have seen this when there's an issue with molars being overgrown. They will open their mouths and pull their lips back and may also paw at the mouths like something is stuck. If he's having trouble with hay and pawing at his mouth, the vet should get a good look at his back teeth to see if there's a problem. I would also recommend running your hands along his jawline to feel for any lumps or bumps- sometimes a brewing dental abscess can be an underlying cause and if so, you can sometimes feel a solid lump along the jawline to point you towards the sore side. If poops are smaller, that means less intake, and you can support him with critical care or a mix of pellets and water until the appointment, but it is good that he's still eating the things he can manage on his own.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It does sound as if there is something wrong with his teeth. If you are seeing one incisor longer than the other then that can suggest there is an issue with the molars.

Please ensure you have switched from the routine weekly weight checks to daily weight checks and step in with critical care.
Weigh him each morning so you can be sure you are giving him enough syringe feed each day to keep his weight stable.

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

 

[Wiebke]

Hello guys, recently my guinea pig has been opening his mouth a lot, he does it when he's drinking water, or eating hay, and getting cookie treats, it started on Friday, he was opening his mouth randomly when he was eating hay, I have a vet appointment for tuesday, would he be fine until then? he's trying very hard to eat hay and is struggling, I am syringe feeding him water, I have Critical care should I give him that? Even though he's eating his veggies and pellets completely fine, Also when I checked his tooth the bottom one seems slightly longer than the top could that be the issue? or could be overgrown molars, he is a bit slower too not himself and he isn't pooping as much either, any help would mean a lot please and thank you.

Hi and welcome

We are a mainly UK based forum with members from all over the world so you have posted in our down time.

Pawing the mouth and opening it is a sign of discomfort in the mouth. It can be something stuck in the mouth, a sore or overgrown teeth. Please see a vet and step in with syringe feeding support if he is unable to to chew and eat normally.

Water is quite simply not enough and cannot replace any lack of the all important hay/grass fibre; guinea pigs are prey animals that cannot fast, unlike predatory pets.
Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment