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Piggy quandary

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slack

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Good evening

I have been reading lots of info on the forum which had been helpful.

I have a 3 year old male piggy who suddenly stopped eating this Tuesday morning.

He's been to the vet who prescribed him Fibreplex and emeprid.

I also started him on syringe feeding (mushed up Excel nuggets) as per info on here and yesterday he started pooping and eating hay again, even asking for some veg, so I gave him a slice of cucumber, which he ate.

Now today we are back to where we started. No interest in food.

Back to syringe feeding! Is there any more I can be doing?
Thanks in advance
 
slack said:
Good evening

I have been reading lots of info on the forum which had been helpful.

I have a 3 year old male piggy who suddenly stopped eating this Tuesday morning.

He's been to the vet who prescribed him Fibreplex and emeprid.

I also started him on syringe feeding (mushed up Excel nuggets) as per info on here and yesterday he started pooping and eating hay again, even asking for some veg, so I gave him a slice of cucumber, which he ate.

Now today we are back to where we started. No interest in food.

Back to syringe feeding! Is there any more I can be doing?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome
Something is obviously going on - usually either a problem in the digestive tract starting with the mouth/teeth and ending with the anus or a pain issue somewhere in the body that is impacting on the appetite and is often not easy to work out when there are no clear signs. You have been given a gut stimulant and probiotic product to help the gut rebalance and will need to see the vet again if that alone is not helping.
For the time being you will have to continue with the feeding support and adapt the frequency according to how much your piggy will take on with every feeding session and depending on the weight changes from one day to next. Please weigh on your kitchen scales always at the same time in the feeding cycle (I find first thing in the morning best for the purpose; that is when the weight is lowest and you can plan out your day).

Unfortunately, mystery weight or appetite loss is my least favourite symptom because so many very different problems can hide behind it. It is always a very anxious time.

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Signs of Pain in Guinea Pigs

For other readers: here the is link to our feeding and medicating guide that this thread refers to: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome
Something is obviously going on - usually either a problem in the digestive tract starting with the mouth/teeth and ending with the anus or a pain issue somewhere in the body that is impacting on the appetite and is often not easy to work out when there are no clear signs. You have been given a gut stimulant and probiotic product to help the gut rebalance and will need to see the vet again if that alone is not helping.
For the time being you will have to continue with the feeding support and adapt the frequency according to how much your piggy will take on with every feeding session and depending on the weight changes from one day to next. Please weigh on your kitchen scales always at the same time in the feeding cycle (I find first thing in the morning best for the purpose; that is when the weight is lowest and you can plan out your day).

Unfortunately, mystery weight or appetite loss is my least favourite symptom because so many very different problems can hide behind it. It is always a very anxious time.

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Signs of Pain in Guinea Pigs

For other readers: here the is link to our feeding and medicating guide that this thread refers to: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Click to expand...
Thanks. I will do my best for him. Do I need to get a purpose made food replacement or can I continue with the mushed nuggets ?

Also, should I be looking to add a vitamin C supplement? I have seen that mentioned in these pages.

Thanks again
 
Hi,

Mushed up pellets should be fine however personally I use critical care for ours...the one we use is called emeraid critical care for herbivores...we use the mint flavour...also having a supplement in isn't a bad thing then if there is any changes and you feel like you need to add it it is there...other than that communication with a vet is key...note down any time anything changes and the events leading up to it...then if you go back to the vet although we may not see a pattern they might and it could help for a speedy diagnosis...also adding their weight into it so its kept track of is good...unfortunately it is an awful problem guinea pigs don't seem to react the same as you'd expect for illnesses...not eating can be a many an issue so a full work up at the vets may be needed...
 
Good luck I hope you can find out the cause of him not eating.
 
🤞sending your little boar lots of healing vibes. Will he eat plain dry porridge oats in a bowl, you could try it
 
Bill & Ted said:
🤞sending your little boar lots of healing vibes. Will he eat plain dry porridge oats in a bowl, you could try it
Click to expand...
Good evening.

Thank you all for your kind messages.

We have a guinea showing appetite!
I found a pack of Oxbow tucked away that I did not know we still had.

A few ml's of that every so often today really seems to have pushed him on.

Fingers crossed this is a turning point in his recovery from whatever started this.

We have organic oats in, have never offered him those before so will give it a go.

Thanks again.
 
Sad to report our dearest Raven died today. Thanks to your good work here we managed to share another 2 months of fun with him.
Keep up the good work.
 
No idea. He was absolutely fine until Sunday when he lost his appetite again. I tried my best but this time it was not to be. He was a great character and will be missed by us all. I think we will be having a break from piggies now. I wish you all long happy times with your furry friends!
 
I’m so sorry to hear this. Popcorn high Raven. Take care ❤️
 
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