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Not eating much and seems lethargic

Phoenix

Phoenix

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 1, 2019
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Rugby, UK
My piggie Smokestorm hasnt been eating much for a few days. We kept an eye on her and she has eaten, but not as much, she used to be the first to come out at veggie time but now only wanders over a bit later, maybe has a few nibbles and leaves the rest. She doesnt really get up to do much, and right now shes sitting in a pile of hay, which she had a few tiny nibbles of, and completely ignoring the lettuce right in front of her! She also looks like shes lost a little weight, but shes always been relatively podgy. I'm probably going to call the vet, but the reason i havent yet is because she still does get up to move around, and at times shes still completely awake and responsive, and happy to move around and explore.
Should i still call the vet? The vet ive used before hasnt been very good before, some of the "guinea pig experts" there seem to have no idea what their doing, while others are a lot better. At one time they had to do 3 x-rays just to figure out there was nothing wrong with Fire! I think theres another vet nearby that i could try, but i dont know whether theyd be any good or not.
Do you think its really important that Smokey goes asap? And should i try the old vet again or leave them?
 
I would try and get her booked in with the vet. I’ll link to recommended ones below. You should start weighing her once daily at the same time. If she’s losing weight then she’s not eating enough hay. You’ll have to step in with syringe feeding to help her maintain. I hope it’s nothing major. All the best and let us know how you get on.

Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
 
Phoenix said:
My piggie Smokestorm hasnt been eating much for a few days. We kept an eye on her and she has eaten, but not as much, she used to be the first to come out at veggie time but now only wanders over a bit later, maybe has a few nibbles and leaves the rest. She doesnt really get up to do much, and right now shes sitting in a pile of hay, which she had a few tiny nibbles of, and completely ignoring the lettuce right in front of her! She also looks like shes lost a little weight, but shes always been relatively podgy. I'm probably going to call the vet, but the reason i havent yet is because she still does get up to move around, and at times shes still completely awake and responsive, and happy to move around and explore.
Should i still call the vet? The vet ive used before hasnt been very good before, some of the "guinea pig experts" there seem to have no idea what their doing, while others are a lot better. At one time they had to do 3 x-rays just to figure out there was nothing wrong with Fire! I think theres another vet nearby that i could try, but i dont know whether theyd be any good or not.
Do you think its really important that Smokey goes asap? And should i try the old vet again or leave them?
Click to expand...

Hi!

Please have your piggy seen by a vet as soon as possible. Your piggy could suffer from heat exhaustion or a heat stroke considering the current weather. It's been stifling and hot over the last few days. Guinea pigs are not prepared for that; most people underestimate how much it takes to keep them cool or that they are vulnerable in hutches or on the lawn.

Step in with feeding and watering support according to the weight loss by weighing daily at the same time (kitchen scales will do). Keep in mind that hay and grass make around 80% of the daily food intake, NOT fresh veg; you cannot control the grass fibre intake by eye alone.

Please take the time to read these two very helpful guides. They can save lives:
Emergency Resources and Critical Illness Care - Contents list and subforum link
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

But only a hands-on vet examination can tell you what is actually going on.
All the best!
 
Thanks for the help. Ive phoned the vet, they said to phone again tomorrow and they might have a free appointment. If not then i will get one within a few days. Ill post again to say how it goes.
 
Phoenix said:
Thanks for the help. Ive phoned the vet, they said to phone again tomorrow and they might have a free appointment. If not then i will get one within a few days. Ill post again to say how it goes.
Click to expand...

Try the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Northampton first thing tomorrow morning. If it is heat related, then it can cause partial or full GI stasis (the gut stopping to work properly). In this case, you cannot wait for several days; especially with the heat continuing for at least another two days and you being just outside the extreme weather warning zone. You need to step in with support care NOW.

PLEASE take the time to read the links in my last post.
 
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