Mushy food

[Ninarodders]

Hi, So my guinea pig had a bladder stone removed. He's around 5. He lost a lot of weight but has out back some on.

On going care for him vet said cut down on dry food to increase wetness etc. And meds 2x day

To get him used to syringes I gave him mushy pellets in a syringe which both of them love!

I have noticed whenever I do this he gains weight but then looses it again.

I know vet said cut down on pellets but can he have mushy pellets as they are wetter to help gain weight?

 

[Piggies&buns]

How long ago was his surgery?

If he is losing weight it is because he is not eating enough hay. He needs to be syringe fed a recovery feed while he is not eating enough hay for himself. Once he is feeling better and starts to eat enough hay on his own, he should not lose weight at each daily check and you can ease off/stop the syringe feeding.
How much syringe feed are you giving him (in ml) each day?

So, generally speaking, pellets contain a lot of calcium and too much calcium can lead to the formation of bladder stones. However while a piggy isn’t eating hay you must replace that hay intake. Feeding mushed pellets is the emergency version of recovery feed. Recovery feed contains higher amounts of fibre than pellets so is better for longer term syringe feeding.

One tablespoon of pellets is the recommended amount per pig per day but that can’t apply if you as using them as a syringe feed.

 

[Ninarodders]

Oh ok thank you. So its the ingredients in the food just as mush as it being dry.

It was a month ago now. Just to clarify he isn't loosing weight. He lost a lot and hasn't put it all back on. He stable at around 1130g but he was 1200+ pre illness. He went down to 1044g so has gained some back. But when he has mushy food (like maybe once a week) I notice he gains maybe 50+g. But then looses that gained weight slowly over a couple days. He very active takes his meds fine, eating loads, constantly squeaking for more when I'm near the fridge. I was worried he wasn't getting enough pellets and that's why he is asking for food more loudly than before

 

[Piggies&buns]

Ah I see.
So in an older piggy they may never fully regain weight lost due to illness and will instead find a new lower weight. As long as it is stable at each weight check through his own hay intake then it’s fine and he doesn’t need syringe feeds.

If you are syringe feeding him once a week and he eats lot at that time, then he is artificially getting extra calories and may then lose the weight - which is possibly what you are seeing.
Syringe feeding is for if they are unwell and not eating enough hay.

Pellets are just one tablespoon per day. They are like treats so he is going to ask for them - you must never give in if he has had his one tablespoon for that day. What he needs is additional hay.
You never want to overfeed pellets to a piggy who is eating well - it, as I say, is just additional calcium which can lead to stones but also cause a reduction in hay intake as they fill up on unhealthy things.

What I do with my older piggies is give a couple of teaspoons of dry porridge oats in the evening. My two oldies are 6 years old and don’t maintain their weights like they used to. The oats give them a boost without stopping hay intake or causing extra calcium

 

[Ninarodders]

OK thank you.

I'll just add I don't give in and give them more pellets. Never have. Only mushy food I was giving him so he'd have a good association with syringes. (He will now take meds on his own). Thats when I noticed he'd gain weight then re lose it (the temp calories you said about). I do give them lunch now; as in some lettuce or a slice of cucumber or another veggie we have in.

They both know the fridge and the younger one will (when cage is open) run and sit on your feet if he hears the fridge open. Its so cute. He's like I will sit here till you give food haha. So screaming for food when they hear the fridge isn't new but he's deffo louder than he used to be. Maybe he's going deaf