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New Baby Alvin

WinstonPatrick

WinstonPatrick

New Born Pup
Joined
Dec 18, 2023
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Location
Canada
Hi guys! I haven't posted in a long time but I just adopted this little angel from the pet store I work in. We did find that he came in quite small and not thriving and gaining weight as we'd thought he would.
He was thoroughly checked by our veterinarian and there were no concerns.
He just doesn't seem to have that zest for eating that he should.

He is so cuddly and vibrates constantly when you hold him. I'm just looking for thoughts on enticing him to eat more. His poop is normal. Id rather not go to Oxbow Critical Care if possible.
 

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I am weighing him daily. He's definitely not eating enough hay. He will eat a small amount of leafy greens but I don't want to give him too much so that he doesn't want to eat hay. He's been with us for about 4 weeks but is only up to around 380 grams. I think maybe some critical care might be a good idea after all. I'm worried about his water intake as well. Still looking forward to your thoughts. I think I might stop by my veterinarian and get his teeth checked. Again, thoughts please 🙏
 
Roselina said:
Ah I hope he thrives he’s very sweet - could he be lonely ?
You could try him with a little readigrass until he’s used to it
Click to expand...
He could be lonely, he didn't have a cage mate because we received another little guy we had to isolate because of a bad hay poke. We worked round the clock for weeks giving eye drops and antibiotics and we are overjoyed he recovered.
Can you please tell me what readigrass is?
 
Piggies&buns said:
He is a cutie!

A few questions to allow us to advise further :

Are you weighing him daily yourself?
He is living with another piggy?
How old is he?

If he is not eating enough hay and/or losing weight, you are likely going to need to feed him critical care.
Click to expand...
It's hard to be specific with age but I want to say at least 2.5 months. He's not with another pig, because my skinny pigs are over 3 years old. My skinny never got along so they are content to live in 2 cages beside each other. I'm waiting to receive a new cage with a partition that I can put one of them in with Alvin. I am now considering another baby guinea for company now that loneliness could be a factor.
I just want to say how wonderful all of you are and how amazing this site is. Guinea pig parents are truly great people.
 
ReadiGrass is a dried grass forage product, particularly popular for horses and small animals, produced by Friendship Estates. It is grown, harvested, and dried on their farm in Yorkshire, using a low-temperature drying process to retain the natural flavor, aroma, and nutrient value of fresh grass.

Key features and benefits:
  • High Palatability:
    Horses and small animals tend to find ReadiGrass very appealing, even fussy eaters.

  • Naturally Low Starch:
    This makes it suitable for horses prone to laminitis or needing to lose weight.

  • Good Source of Fiber:
    Helps maintain a healthy digestive system and can aid in preventing overgrown teeth in small animals.

    • Versatile:
      Can be used as a treat, a chaff alternative, or a partial/complete hay replacer for horses.
    • Nutritious:
      The drying process preserves many of the nutrients found in fresh grass.


    • Suitable for various animals:
      While primarily marketed for horses, ReadiGrass is also suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals.
 
That was an AI info result

It’s very rich grass so you would use a little to get Alvin used to it but it is good for helping piggies to put on weight
A Rescue advised me to use it for my skinny pig to help maintain his weight
 
Roselina said:
That was an AI info result

It’s very rich grass so you would use a little to get Alvin used to it but it is good for helping piggies to put on weight
A Rescue advised me to use it for my skinny pig to help maintain his weight
Click to expand...
I'm in Canada, maybe I could get it on Amazon.
 
Roselina said:
That was an AI info result

It’s very rich grass so you would use a little to get Alvin used to it but it is good for helping piggies to put on weight
A Rescue advised me to use it for my skinny pig to help maintain his weight
Click to expand...
Would this be it?
 

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I’m glad you’re weighing him daily - what are the checks showing you on a daily basis?

He is too young to be by himself - loneliness could be at least part of a factor here but also because they learn from older piggies
He should at the very least be beside your other piggies.
You can certainly try to bond him with one of your 3 year old pigs, and The sooner you can do that the better.

If he isn’t eating (enough) hay he absolutely needs support feeding.
If you are going to give readigrass it should be only a very small handful mixed into normal hay as a forage. It will not replace the need for syringe feeding if he isn’t eating enough hay, but it may help to pique his interest.
 
As well as syringe feeding you could try leaving a small dish of the Critical Care in his cage so he can help himself. Mine loved it with some banana mashed in.
They preferred Oxbow CC aniseed flavour.
You could also try a small dish of mixed raw oats and grated carrot.
Ramekin dishes are very useful.

I’m sure that, as @Piggies&buns said loneliness is a factor so living beside your other piggies will help.
Alvin is very lucky to have found such a loving and caring home

Holding you in my thoughts.
 
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