So, my guinea pig, Hiro, is hunched up, he's eating more than usual and drinks a lot of water, he wheeks happily whenever I come in and comes to me, it's just...His posture is worrying me, about seeing a vet, there are no vets here that are specialized with working with small rodents, they all just work with cats or dogs, so, what do I do?
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Poppy_and_Daisy
Junior Guinea Pig
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- Nov 26, 2015
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I'm not really sure what to suggest. Some guineapigs tend to hunch over when eating but if they are doing it constantly I'm not sure?
Hi.
Have you been weighing him to make sure his weight is stable?
Is he hunching over and fluffing his coat up? This is often a sign of pain.
If his weight is fine and it's simply his posture making him sit like this he could have some arthritis and he's sitting like that as its comfortable for him. How old is he?
Have you been weighing him to make sure his weight is stable?
Is he hunching over and fluffing his coat up? This is often a sign of pain.
If his weight is fine and it's simply his posture making him sit like this he could have some arthritis and he's sitting like that as its comfortable for him. How old is he?
I'd highly Doubt it at his age.
Is he sitting hunched and puffing his coat up? Or do u just mean he's sitting hunched when he eats? Do u have a photo of him doing it?
if he's hunched up & his coat is all fluffed up/stuck out (& he's probably facing a corner) he will more than likely be in pain, he may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a (usually upper) respiratory infection.
if he squeaks when he wee's or has blood in his wee its probably a UTI.
or if he is wheezy, runny or crusty eyes or nose, breathing differently or heaving when he breathes its more than likely a URI.
if his movement is normal then hopefully he hasn't damaged any limbs, & if his weight is steady & he's eating fine then his teeth sound like they're probably ok.
he may even have an ear infection, an abscess brewing (either dental or bodily) or something else causing him pain
please get him to a vet even if its just a dog/cat vet that doesn't specialise in guineas, they will be able to prescribe painkillers (usually metacam/loxicom) & antibiotics if needed (if URI or UTI) often baytril, but other antiobiotics are available that can be more suitable all according to what it is.
make sure you keep him warm enough & away from draughts. make sure he has enough food & is kept hydrated (may mean syring feeding or watering) until he's back on track.
also weigh daily to make sure he doesn't lose weight.
PS whereabouts are you based? are you in the UK? there is a handy recommended vet locator on the toolbar at the top if thats any help?
if your elsewhere we may have other members that can recommend a good vet locally elsewhere in the world. xx
if he squeaks when he wee's or has blood in his wee its probably a UTI.
or if he is wheezy, runny or crusty eyes or nose, breathing differently or heaving when he breathes its more than likely a URI.
if his movement is normal then hopefully he hasn't damaged any limbs, & if his weight is steady & he's eating fine then his teeth sound like they're probably ok.
he may even have an ear infection, an abscess brewing (either dental or bodily) or something else causing him pain
please get him to a vet even if its just a dog/cat vet that doesn't specialise in guineas, they will be able to prescribe painkillers (usually metacam/loxicom) & antibiotics if needed (if URI or UTI) often baytril, but other antiobiotics are available that can be more suitable all according to what it is.
make sure you keep him warm enough & away from draughts. make sure he has enough food & is kept hydrated (may mean syring feeding or watering) until he's back on track.
also weigh daily to make sure he doesn't lose weight.
PS whereabouts are you based? are you in the UK? there is a handy recommended vet locator on the toolbar at the top if thats any help?
if your elsewhere we may have other members that can recommend a good vet locally elsewhere in the world. xx
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