Lethargic pig - should I be worried?

[Gem00]

Hi I’m new here!
My guinea pig poppy is 3 years old now. She is just recovering from a mite infection, and she’s got a history of very minor chest infections
I’ve noticed over the course of the afternoon she’s become quite lethargic - just laying by her hay in quite a bunched up ball, instead of laying really flat and relaxed. She’s also breathing quite hard through her nose, and sat quite upright and alert. When I gently press her tummy she breathes a lot harder. She did eat her dinner, but wasn’t excited for it and isn’t eating hay. I’m quite worried because it’s really out of character for her. My mum thinks I’m being dramatic but I spend pretty much all day with her so I know her really well. Do you think I should be worried? Is there anything else I should look out for?

 

[Gem00]

UPDATE - since I wrote this she’s perked up a bit and is interested in some hay

 

[Claire W]

If she is seeming ‘off’ then I advise a vet check if only for peace of mind

 

[Wiebke]

UPDATE - since I wrote this she’s perked up a bit and is interested in some hay

Hi!

Please switch from weighing once weekly to weighing daily at the same in order to monitor the food intake; this is the best method of getting a real time feedback, so you know when you need to step in and how much feeding support you need to give, and when it is time to see a vet. Seeing a piggy nibble on a bit of hay or veg can be very deceptive; the poo output generally lags a day or two behind so by that time you notice a problem you are already running behind.

You may find these very practical links here helpful; they tell you when you need to see a vet and how urgently:
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment