Is my guinea pig ok?

[maryguineapigs]

Hello! So I used to have 2 guinea pigs, but one of them passed away a year or so ago. I was left with one guinea pig, but he seemed completely fine and happy. 3 weeks ago I adopted a new baby guinea pig (a skinny pig actually). They were finally introduced and they got along great! Now they live in the same cage. I’ve been starting to notice that my 3 year old guinea pig has been seeming unhappy lately. Is he depressed or in pain? Or does he not like the new one. He has been sleeping a lot and not wanting some treats (although he is a really picky eater). He does eat hay and some pellets, though not as many as he used to. Should I take him to the vet? I’m really not sure what to do.

 

[Siikibam]

We can’t tell you because we can’t see him and can only guess based on your (very sparse) description. How has his weight been? Not eating veg, treats or pellets is fine. The important thing is hay, but if he’s losing weight then he’s not eating enough of it. I would get him booked in with the vet so they can rule out any illnesses.

 

[maryguineapigs]

I don’t think a picture would help because he looks the same. He does eat hay and veggies and drinks water. I just weighed him today and he weighs 983g (he’s always been a smaller guinea pig). I’ll keep track of the weight from now on. Most of his poos look pretty normal, he just doesn’t want to come out a play as much.

 

[Siikibam]

A photo won’t help either. What did he weigh previously and when did you last weigh him? Please get him seen as soon as possible. A change in behaviour should be investigated. Weigh daily and if he’s losing then offer him mushed up pellets.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I think if you have any concerns, booking a vet appointment to be on the safe side is an idea. They’d also rather you book and assure you everything is fine then leave it and he potentially be quite poorly. Any changes in a piggies behaviour that makes you even slightly think about their health should ideally be investigated. As prey animals, they have a skill for hiding illness and it is our job to watch for acute signs

 

[Claire W]

I agree that making him a vets appointment is ideal as they will be able to tell whether he is poorly or not.
Please keep us updated

 

[Wiebke]

Hello! So I used to have 2 guinea pigs, but one of them passed away a year or so ago. I was left with one guinea pig, but he seemed completely fine and happy. 3 weeks ago I adopted a new baby guinea pig (a skinny pig actually). They were finally introduced and they got along great! Now they live in the same cage. I’ve been starting to notice that my 3 year old guinea pig has been seeming unhappy lately. Is he depressed or in pain? Or does he not like the new one. He has been sleeping a lot and not wanting some treats (although he is a really picky eater). He does eat hay and some pellets, though not as many as he used to. Should I take him to the vet? I’m really not sure what to do.

Hi!

Please have your boy vet checked, first and foremost. Switch from the normal life-long once weekly weigh-in and body check to weighing daily at the same time. Start stepping in with additional top-up feeding support after 50g/2 oz of weight loss to help stabilise the weight.
You can only ever concentrate on the behaviour after you have excluded an underlying medical problem. The age gap shouldn't be a problem in a working relationship.
How old is your boar?

Please take the time to read the information in these guide links here. You should find them very helpful working out what is going on and how to best support your boy:
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour
Bonds In Trouble

 

[Pigwhisperer]

Another vote for a vet check! One of my piggies developed arthritis at the age of 3 which I couldn't have known without the vet.

I took her in because she was moving around noticeably less, and when did she was "hopping" both back legs together instead of walking normally. She was eating normally and hadn't lost weight.

Whatever the issue might be they hide pain very well so if you're at all concerned, it's best to get checked out. Good luck.

 

[rhimorrison]

Another vote for a vet check! One of my piggies developed arthritis at the age of 3 which I couldn't have known without the vet.

I took her in because she was moving around noticeably less, and when did she was "hopping" both back legs together instead of walking normally. She was eating normally and hadn't lost weight.

Whatever the issue might be they hide pain very well so if you're at all concerned, it's best to get checked out. Good luck.

What did the vet suggest doing for your pig with arthritis?

 

[Pigwhisperer]

What did the vet suggest doing for your pig with arthritis?

As I say they're very good at hiding pain so although the vet thought there was pain in the hip joint she couldn't tell anything definite until she did an xray, which wasn't cheap (about £200 including a brief general anaesthetic) but which showed the arthritis clearly in both back knees, worse on one side.

So long term she is on Metacam, 0.2ml/day.