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Not Eating Hay

PiggyPoppa

PiggyPoppa

New Born Pup
Joined
May 21, 2023
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Our Girl has been struggling with gas/GI issues for the past couple weeks now and We’ve been keeping up as best We can with Critical Care feedings. Her tummy feels less puffy than it did a few weeks back so We’re hopeful the gas has subsided. Our main concern now is She’s not eating hay at all, maybe a piece here and there but nothing close to the amount they need daily. Because of this She has been losing weight daily despite the feedings we give Her. Has this ever happened to anyone else, is it common for Piggies to lose appetite for hay from gas/GI. Any help is appreciated, thanks
 
I forgot to mention a few things. When She was diagnosed with the gas/GI issues Our vet recommended separating Her and Our Boy, They had been living together but are now in separate cages, as the vet felt like maybe they hadn’t bonded and She was put off being in the same cage with Our Boy. Could She be depressed and miss Him that’s why She’s not eating the hay. Also I don’t think it’s a dental issue as We’ve given Her these very hard vit c tablets daily since She is off veg and she has no problem eating those
 
If she’s losing weight then you will need to syringe feed a more. I had a piggy who didn’t eat for themselves and I was feeding him up to 100ml of critical care in the day. Good luck I hope you can find out what the problem is.

Also I’d re-introduce them. Do a full bonding on neutral territory don’t just put them back in together.

If you don’t think she is improving I’d get her seen again at the vets.
 
PiggyPoppa said:
Our Girl has been struggling with gas/GI issues for the past couple weeks now and We’ve been keeping up as best We can with Critical Care feedings. Her tummy feels less puffy than it did a few weeks back so We’re hopeful the gas has subsided. Our main concern now is She’s not eating hay at all, maybe a piece here and there but nothing close to the amount they need daily. Because of this She has been losing weight daily despite the feedings we give Her. Has this ever happened to anyone else, is it common for Piggies to lose appetite for hay from gas/GI. Any help is appreciated, thanks
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Hi

Loss of appetite is common with bloating issues as it is with pain. Please be aware that the bloating an be due to dysbiosis (an overgrowth of wrong digestive bacteria in the gut microbiome) but it can also be caused by a pain issue radiating into the gut or an internal growth or large ovarian cyst etc. pushing on it.

What medication has your girl been put on?

As to feeding support: You are aiming at 60 ml (plus additional water) over the course of 24 hours or as close as you can come. Your primary aim is stabilise the weight.
Please follow the advice in our very comprehensive and very practical how-to guide: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
 
She is on Metacam for discomfort. We've been trying to give Her as much Critical Care as We can, She is very squirmy and usually spits out a bunch. We are really concerned since She's not eating any hay and was wondering if anyone else has a Piggy that went through the same thing and how they got Them to eat hay
 
PiggyPoppa said:
She is on Metacam for discomfort. We've been trying to give Her as much Critical Care as We can, She is very squirmy and usually spits out a bunch. We are really concerned since She's not eating any hay and was wondering if anyone else has a Piggy that went through the same thing and how they got Them to eat hay
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Can you please tell us the metacam concentration (cat/0.5 mg or dog/1.5 mg strength) and the dosage?

There is no trick in the world to get a piggy off their food to eat hay. If they don't then there is a very good reason why not. Unlike predatory pets, guinea pigs cannot fast; their need to eat is much more immediate. The only way to get her to eat hay is to remove the reason why she has stopped doing it and to keep feeding her in the meantime. Most of us on here have been where you are now with piggies of ours; often repeatedly. It is not a nice place and it is very exasperating and draining. Unfortunately, there is not a magic wand trick. Believe me, we all would be a lot happier if there was! :(
 
I agree. She will start to eat for herself when she is feeling better. In the meantime it’s up to you I’m afraid. I totally syringe fed a piggy for about 8 weeks. It’s tiring and stressful.

I’d maybe take her back to the vets to see if there is anything other than the bloat going on. Good luck.
 
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