New Guinea mom

[lovemyguineas23]

Hello, I am brand new to owning guinea pigs, first I want to start off by expressing how cute and fun they can be! Shortly after adopting my first guinea from a friend, I did my research and discovered they do better with cage mates! So after a week of my adopted guinea being alone, I finally found a baby (5 weeks) to adopt and become a cage mate for my 12 week old. My guinea has been home for 3 hours and already has diarrhea I know that Google can do damage on a worried mind, so I came here to ask from experienced owners, has anyone seen this before? If so, what should my next move be? Also, he has only eating a small nibble of a carrot and a couple bites of hay since arriving. Any and all advice would be appreciated!

 

[Piggies&buns]

First, have you checked that both piggies are definitely the same sex? https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/illustrated-sexing-guide-for-all-ages.156297/

If so, have you carried out a neutral territory bonding correctly? It must be carried out on neutral territory, don’t just put a new piggy into the cage of an existing piggy as it’ll be seen as a territory invasion.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Both your piggies are too young to be alone so it’s important you follow the procedure and have them together In the same cage.

If it is very watery diarrhoea then it is urgent that he sees a vet straight away. Please stop giving veg while piggy is unwell.
If it is soft poops but not full diarrhoea, then stop giving veg until poops firm up again. Feed only hay and the limited amount of pellets (one tablespoon per pig per day). You will need to switch from routine weekly weighing to weighing daily while there is a suspicion of an ongoing health issue so you can monitor hay intake more closely.
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Hay is the most important part of the diet. Carrot is merely a treat and should only be fed in tiny amounts once per week only, it’s too sugary for them to have it often. Veg can be given - not while your piggy is unwell though - at one cup per pig per day but you must introduce any new veg slowly so as to not cause a digestive upset.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Weight - Monitoring and Management

You say he, so assuming both your piggies are boys it’s important they have a large cage - two boars need a cage measuring at least 150x60cm, but 180cm x 60cm is better. Anything smaller than that and it can cause problems as boars are more territorial and need more room.
Cage Size Guide
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

 

[Swissgreys]

You have been given excellent advice above which will hopefully help.

Welcome to the Forum and I am sorry you find yourself in this situation.
It is wonderful that you wanted to get your single piggy a freind - where did the new baby come from?

If it was a pet shop then you may be able to reclaim the cost of any vet treatment as you were technically sold damaged goods.
I know we don't think of an unwell pet like that, but keep all receipts and inform the pet shop.

I hope your piggy gets better soon.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

As said above, excellent advice you have been given.

I agree that it could be an issue in relation to where the piggy has come from. One of ours had a parasite (GIardia) infection very young as a result of a careless breeder.

Definitely a vet check up needed.