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Loss of appetite

K

kerrywhite

New Born Pup
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I look my 2 year old guinea pig to the vets two days ago as I noticed he wasn’t eating much and was just constantly sat in his bed.

The vet said his back teeth are slightly over grown but wasn’t an urgent need to book him in to get them clipped.

He has pain meds to take for the next 5 days to help with any discomfort before reviewing the situation.

He won’t eat any hay or nuggets and only has the tiniest bit of veg before he’s not interested.

Resulted to syringe feeding him to try prevent any weight loss but just I feel helpless and hate to see him not his usually popcorning happy self!

Can anyone suggest anything else?

I would like to add that they have a constant supply of hay and nuggets and have chew toys etc in the cage to help keep their teeth down
 
I’m sorry to hear this.

If your piggy has an issue with the molars then it does need to be dealt with. Any overgrowth will stop him from wanting to or being able to eat. It won’t get better on its own.

Is he getting a good dose of pain meds twice a day?

I’m glad you are syringe feeding him.
It is essential you also switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him every morning. This is the only way you will know you are getting enough syringe feed into him. You need to aim for at least 60ml per day.

Do note that they should not have constant supply of nuggets. Nuggets do not keep their teeth wearing - they simply go mushy in the mouth so don’t do anything for dental wear.
They also aren’t healthy so should not have any more than one tablespoon of nuggets per day. They contribute a lot of calcium to the diet which can lead to the formation of bladder stones.
Too many nuggets can also cause a reduction in hay intake which as a result can cause digestive and dental problems.
Chew toys also don’t wear the teeth.
The only thing that wears the teeth is hay and grass. It’s the action of chewing the hay at the back of the mouth with the molars which keep them in shape and it is that action which keeps the incisors wearing properly also.

Wiebke

Thread 'Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support'

1 Weight and Weight Loss
- Why regular weight monitoring matters
- How weight changes over a lifetime
- How to weigh on your kitchen scales (with video)
- The weight loss rules
- How critical is the weight loss for my piggy?
- Possible causes for weight loss
2 Body Mass Index (BMI) or 'Heft'
- Why is understanding your piggy's weight so important?
- 'Average' weight vs. individual weight - the big trip up
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Wiebke

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

Introduction
1 Choosing the right place to medicate/feed your piggy
2 Guinea pig whispering and asserting your authority
3 Recovery products and emergency improvisation
4 Syringe recommendations
5 Weight monitoring: your biggest ally
6 Weight loss guidelines and when to step in with feeding
7 Syringe feeding amounts/frequency advice
8 Practical medication and syringing tips
9 Medicating and feeding cooperative guinea pigs (videos)
10 Medicating and feeding uncooperative guinea pigs (hold pictures and tips)
11 The line between life and...
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