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Loss of appetite - vet says fine

Hi, thanks for asking - she is okay, but she had lost about 30g, now back up 15g. We're struggling to get enough Critical Care into her - and finding it a bit stressful. I'm going to try mashed up pellets in case it's the flavour she objects to. She ate a bit of cucumber earlier but not enough to sustain her so we are still syringe feeding & water every 2-3 hours. My husband thinks she looks more spritely but until she's eating again I won't stop worrying.
 
It's good that she's putting on weight again. Syringe feeding is stressful cos it's so exhausting and you know without the food you are giving your piggy she will go downhill.
 
Betsy said:
I give 1 syringe of water for every 2-3 of syringe food. Is Clover on antibiotics? I can't remember. If she is she would benefit from some probiotics too something like Pro-C available from Pets at Home. Just add a pinch to a small amount of water, syringe it up and give it to her around an hour or two after the antibiotics.
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Betsy said:
I give 1 syringe of water for every 2-3 of syringe food. Is Clover on antibiotics? I can't remember. If she is she would benefit from some probiotics too something like Pro-C available from Pets at Home. Just add a pinch to a small amount of water, syringe it up and give it to her around an hour or two after the antibiotics.
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Hi, no she's not on antibiotics, just metacam, renitadine and eye lube, but will bear that in mind in case the vet prescribes
 
Betsy said:
It's good that she's putting on weight again. Syringe feeding is stressful cos it's so exhausting and you know without the food you are giving your piggy she will go downhill.
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Yes, at least it's been over the weekend - will be tricky next week when we're back at work (fortunately I work from home but have a heavy day tomorrow). I know it's hard to say, but how soon would you expect to see improvement from syringe feeding? What are the signs that she's getting better/worse?
 
You are a very dedicated piggie owner.I'm pleased that your piggie is putting on weight.it is emotionally draining to syringe feed a piggie every 2 to 3 hours.you are giving your piggie the best care and outcome.it depends on the cause for lack of appetite.if it is an infection you really do need antibiotics.as your piggie feels better the more likely she will eat for herself.xx
 
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eileen said:
You are a very dedicated piggie owner.I'm pleased that your piggie is putting on weight.it is emotionally draining to syringe feed a piggie every 2 to 3 hours.you are giving your piggie the best care and outcome.it depends on the cause for lack of appetite.if it is an infection you really do need antibiotics.as your piggie feels better the more likely she will eat for herself.xx
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Thanks, I'll see what the vet says on Tuesday about antibiotics - I suspect that will be the next step.
 
Nicjones99 said:
Hi, thanks for asking - she is okay, but she had lost about 30g, now back up 15g. We're struggling to get enough Critical Care into her - and finding it a bit stressful. I'm going to try mashed up pellets in case it's the flavour she objects to. She ate a bit of cucumber earlier but not enough to sustain her so we are still syringe feeding & water every 2-3 hours. My husband thinks she looks more spritely but until she's eating again I won't stop worrying.
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Hi!

Just give her as much as she will take in one go and feed more often instead. Take a deep breath; the daily weight band is 30-40g where the weight swings over 24 hours between a full and empty bladder and belly. We talk about weight loss only from 50g/2 oz onwards, so your piggy is doing really well! ;)
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Just give her as much as she will take in one go and feed more often instead. Take a deep breath; the daily weight band is 30-40g where the weight swings over 24 hours between a full and empty bladder and belly. We talk about weight loss only from 50g/2 oz onwards, so your piggy is doing really well! ;)
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t
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Just give her as much as she will take in one go and feed more often instead. Take a deep breath; the daily weight band is 30-40g where the weight swings over 24 hours between a full and empty bladder and belly. We talk about weight loss only from 50g/2 oz onwards, so your piggy is doing really well! ;)
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Thanks, that is good to know - she's not keen on the syringe, that's for sure. Any tips for nighttime? Extra-big feed before bed, etc, or is it just a case of set an alarm and keep getting up?
 
Betsy said:
I gave one last syringe feed at 11pm as much as Christian would take and then another at 5am as I just couldn't wake up for the 3am feed.
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Yes, it's like having a newborn again! I don't know how people have managed to syringe-feed their guinea pigs for weeks on end - true dedication. I'm really hoping her appetite comes back soon.
 
I look after piggies needing syringe feeding most days, as I run a sanctuary for guinea pigs with ongoing health issues. I used to get up and feed in the night, but I began to suffer from exhaustion, due to lack of sleep. I also run my own business and I couldn't risk making a mistake, due to tiredness. I no longer syringe feed during the night and all piggies are fine with a last feed around 10.30 pm and another feed around 6.30 am.

I am currently 100% syringe feeding three guinea pigs. Without a decent nights sleep, I would be unable to function throughout the day and look after all the piggies in my care.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I look after piggies needing syringe feeding most days, as I run a sanctuary for guinea pigs with ongoing health issues. I used to get up and feed in the night, but I began to suffer from exhaustion, due to lack of sleep. I also run my own business and I couldn't risk making a mistake, due to tiredness. I no longer syringe feed during the night and all piggies are fine with a last feed around 10.30 pm and another feed around 6.30 am.
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Thank you, that is good to know, what an amazing job you do - I'm not surprised you were exhausted. If I wake up in the night I will go down and feed her (though last night 3am I couldn't get back to sleep again afterwards) but otherwise hopefully early morning will be okay. She seems stronger than she was yesterday so I'm not quite so worried.
 
Nicjones99 said:
Thank you, that is good to know, what an amazing job you do - I'm not surprised you were exhausted. If I wake up in the night I will go down and feed her (though last night 3am I couldn't get back to sleep again afterwards) but otherwise hopefully early morning will be okay. She seems stronger than she was yesterday so I'm not quite so worried.
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That was the problem I found. I would get up, feed them and then be unable to get back to sleep, so some nights I was only getting about three hours sleep in total.
 
Nicjones99 said:
Yes, at least it's been over the weekend - will be tricky next week when we're back at work (fortunately I work from home but have a heavy day tomorrow). I know it's hard to say, but how soon would you expect to see improvement from syringe feeding? What are the signs that she's getting better/worse?
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I would say the fact she’s more energetic/fighting the feeding is a good sign she is getting stronger. Also she has put on weight which is great. You have the vets Tuesday, they may be able to take her for the day and feed her up while you get some rest? It will cost you though, I did that once as I was at work and it was around £70. Just a suggestion for you :)
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
That was the problem I found. I would get up, feed them and then be unable to get back to sleep, so some nights I was only getting about three hours sleep in total.
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You must have been exhausted - I guess we have to find a balance between looking after them and looking after ourselves.
 
So I got up at 5am to syringe-feed Clover and I couldn't get anything into her at all - she just struggled and wriggled and resisted, ran up my sleeve, etc. She hates the syringe and I'm worried I could be hurting her by jaabbing it into her mouth the whole time (obviously being as careful/gentle as possible). Tried wrapping her up cocoon like, but it's still a 2-person job. My husband will be out all day - any tips for feeding I haven't thought of? How much brute force should you use for the good of your piggy's heath?
 
Nicjones99 said:
So I got up at 5am to syringe-feed Clover and I couldn't get anything into her at all - she just struggled and wriggled and resisted, ran up my sleeve, etc. She hates the syringe and I'm worried I could be hurting her by jaabbing it into her mouth the whole time (obviously being as careful/gentle as possible). Tried wrapping her up cocoon like, but it's still a 2-person job. My husband will be out all day - any tips for feeding I haven't thought of? How much brute force should you use for the good of your piggy's heath?
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What are you using as syringe food? Maybe she doesn’t like it. I’ve had many piggies resist Critical Care, but love their normal nuggets, mushed up.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
What are you using as syringe food? Maybe she doesn’t like it. I’ve had many piggies resist Critical Care, but love their normal nuggets, mushed up.
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I've tried pellets too. We just managed to get 4ml into her but it was a real struggle and her weight has dropped another 7g (32g since Saturday). She's just sitting in the corner and looking a bit scared.
 
If it’s any consolation, Chunk hated any kind of syringe food (critical care normal and fine grind, Emeraid, baby food) he also hated mushed pellets for a bit but now he snatched the syringe off me for mushed pellets mixed in warm water! So hang in there, I found veggie baby food did help a bit as it was a taste he was used to. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻
 
Reggie&Chunk said:
If it’s any consolation, Chunk hated any kind of syringe food (critical care normal and fine grind, Emeraid, baby food) he also hated mushed pellets for a bit but now he snatched the syringe off me for mushed pellets mixed in warm water! So hang in there, I found veggie baby food did help a bit as it was a taste he was used to. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻
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Thanks for the tips - I will try warming it up a bit and pick up some baby food later. In a new development, Clover actually came out for some food earlier but our other pig Blossom (dominant) chased her away. I've now separated them in case Blossom is bullying Clover. Clover is now nibbling hay and ate some cucumber. Is it possible all this was caused by bullying, or that she is bullying Clover because she is now weak? I thought she was staying close to comfort her as they've always got on fine and seem well bonded. If Clover continues to eat I'm thinking of skipping the next syringe feed and weighing her at lunchtime. Any thought? Thank you for listening as my husband is going insane with my obsessing, projecting and speculation!
 
Update: Clover has spent much of the day sleeping - but actually lying down with her eyes closed rather than hunched in a corner, she looks more relaxed with Blossom out the cage. She hasn't eaten huge amounts but keeps waking up and nibbling hay. This is more like her normal behaviour - sleep a lot in the morning then more active in the afternoon. She's probably exhausted but at least she's getting some proper rest. Is this a good sign or a cause for concern?
 
Just a quick query here you said renitadine do you mean ranitadine
 
Nicjones99 said:
Yes, Ranitidine
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Ranitidine is zantac it protects the guts and will help as a gut stimulant, good drug... it will help with appetite. Is Clover eating any more food? Do you have another vets check booked?
 
sport_billy said:
Ranitidine is zantac it protects the guts and will help as a gut stimulant, good drug... it will help with appetite. Is Clover eating any more food? Do you have another vets check booked?
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Hi, yes sorry - probably shouldn't have started a new post as now have 2 going! Am off to the vets in a minute for another check-up. Clover has been nibbling and just about sustaining her weight but I wouldn't say eating with gusto. Have just syringe fed another 4ml of Critical Care to top her up - to get her to open her mouth I'm having to dip the tip in Metacam, which she loves (have been giving slightly less Metacam to compensate).
 
I'm dreading that the vet is going to say she needs an x-ray or provide more meds as the last visit cost £125 and I really can't afford to keep paying this much. I have everything crossed.
 
Was that on a weekend?
 
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