Pearl

[Pearl and Zip]

Is she okay?

Her weight went from 1126g to 1151g in one day. She has weighed this weight before, so the weight should be normal for her, I’m just worried about the sudden change.

She is four years and four months.

Her fur is slightly fluffed sometimes.

She is reaaaally fat.

She’s kind of snuffley when she breathes.
She has had a breathing problem before, but much more severe than this. Hooting? Wheezing? Snoring?

 

[Pearl and Zip]

She also eats her poop, but I think that’s normal as her cage mate does it as well.

She sometimes grunts when grooming herself, I don’t know if this is part of a breathing problem.

 

[Reenie]

There can be up to 30g difference for a full tummy and bladder, so her weight is ok. If you feel her body gently and can feel her ribs through her flesh, she's not fat. Piggies have a naturally plump look about them, and can have a big butt. Eating poop is not just normal, it's essential to ensure they get all the goodness from their food (a bit like cows chewing the cud). The breathing may need a vet visit.

 

[Pearl and Zip]

Today I noticed she is losing fur around her legs.

She also has tiny lumps on her lips. Is this normal? She’s eating just fine and weighs 1107g

 

[LittleGems]

I would go and getting a vet visit x

 

[DM030819]

@Pearl and Zip Could she be starting with arthritis? When their legs are hurting they can bite the hair off themselves.

 

[fanniephina]

Second the vet visit as soon as you can. It could be nothing but these things aren't anything to wait on for guinea pigs. The weight is not really an issue either way as the loss is not significant. The breathing is most important but even the loss of fur is something to just get checked out.

Hope everything is well with your sweet little Pearl.

 

[Merab]

Your pearl is lovely but I agree that with the concern you have a vet check is a good plan.
If there’s nothing wrong you will be reassured and if there is an issue you’re probably going to catch it quickly.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[Flutterby]

I agree, it wouldn't hurt for her to have an MOT at the vets.

 

[Pearl and Zip]

Is her lip okay, or is it just the legs?

 

[Pearl and Zip]

@Pearl and Zip Could she be starting with arthritis? When their legs are hurting they can bite the hair off themselves.

I’m not sure. She is slower than she used to be, but is that just because she’s old?

 

[DM030819]

That's not always the case @Pearl and Zip . My Jon Snow is a few weeks shy of 5 and he still zooms around and jumps all over the place. He's more active than my younger pigs.

I'd definitely ask the vet about arthritis. If you don't want to get an xray done then the vet could trial Metacam to see if it helps.

I don't know about the lip unfortunately. I have seen pigs lip colours change. The vet will be able to advise.

 

[Pearl and Zip]

She also has trouble grooming herself. I’ll ask the vet about this too, but is there anything I could do now?

 

[DM030819]

It does sound like she's getting less flexible which can be arthritis.

She should be fine not being able to groom herself until the vet visit but if she tries and is unable to clean her eyes you could wipe them for her.

 

[Pearl and Zip]

The vet just replied to my email. He says he doesn’t think for sure it is Arthritis.

Pearl does not seem to be harmed when I touch her legs. Does this mean it might not be Arthritis? I don’t know much about arthritis.

My parents don’t really want to take her into the vets because it takes up time and money. I’d pay for it myself, but I don’t have much. I’m going to try selling on Etsy to pay for the vet visits in a few months.

I brush Pearl whenever I can to help groom herself.

 

[Pearl and Zip]

We went to the vet two days ago and they said it was probably hay mites or a fungal infection. They gave us treatments for both. Our other pig may have hay mites too. Zip

 

[Merab]

Hope the treatment works quickly

 

[Pearl and Zip]

The fur near her butt is brown and matted! It is near the area with hair loss.