Char.wilson
New Born Pup
Hi Everyone,
I have a male guinea pig called Dougie who is between 3 and a half and 4 years old. He has recently been to the vets for a possible case of minor bloat. My vet said he was a little bit gassy but she couldn't find any blockages and he was still eating and pooping normally. As a precaution he was given Emeprid for 4 days before getting the all clear.
My vet and I did notice that he has lost a bit of weight since the beginning of this year. He used to be between 1150-1250g but is now weighing in at about 1000-1050g. He is still eating and drinking happily and very active. Aside from the minor weight loss his faeces have been a little off the last month whereby every now and then one-two are a bit clumpy or smaller/tear shaped (90% are still healthy and normal though). Finally, he has had some very minor impaction recently and can occasionally be seen with a poop "half-out" and hanging so to speak for a few minutes.
My vet seems to think he is just getting a bit older so his metabolism/digestion is slowing. I am trying to be a bit more on it in checking for impaction or any other blockages but I am looking for advice in the care for older piggy's as he is my first. Are there any foods recommended for older pigs to help his metabolism (and help him get some weight back)? His vet has said she is happy he has a balanced diet at the minute as his teeth are in excellent condition but I am wondering if he is starting to need something extra? Furthermore I just wanted confirmation that he is about the right age for this or whether anything I have said is a bit more of a red flag that I haven't been aware of? Lastly any other general advice for older piggy's would be very much appreciated as I am trying to do right be him.
Sorry for the essay but any advice would be absolutely golden <3
I have a male guinea pig called Dougie who is between 3 and a half and 4 years old. He has recently been to the vets for a possible case of minor bloat. My vet said he was a little bit gassy but she couldn't find any blockages and he was still eating and pooping normally. As a precaution he was given Emeprid for 4 days before getting the all clear.
My vet and I did notice that he has lost a bit of weight since the beginning of this year. He used to be between 1150-1250g but is now weighing in at about 1000-1050g. He is still eating and drinking happily and very active. Aside from the minor weight loss his faeces have been a little off the last month whereby every now and then one-two are a bit clumpy or smaller/tear shaped (90% are still healthy and normal though). Finally, he has had some very minor impaction recently and can occasionally be seen with a poop "half-out" and hanging so to speak for a few minutes.
My vet seems to think he is just getting a bit older so his metabolism/digestion is slowing. I am trying to be a bit more on it in checking for impaction or any other blockages but I am looking for advice in the care for older piggy's as he is my first. Are there any foods recommended for older pigs to help his metabolism (and help him get some weight back)? His vet has said she is happy he has a balanced diet at the minute as his teeth are in excellent condition but I am wondering if he is starting to need something extra? Furthermore I just wanted confirmation that he is about the right age for this or whether anything I have said is a bit more of a red flag that I haven't been aware of? Lastly any other general advice for older piggy's would be very much appreciated as I am trying to do right be him.
Sorry for the essay but any advice would be absolutely golden <3
