Syringe feeding while working

[Systmiki]

One of my guinea pigs recently had back to back ear infections, and due to those has developed some dental issues. His front teeth were trimmed but his back teeth still need to be taken care of. He is currently too underweight to under go that process. He is on critical care feed per vet instructions and is in desperate need of getting his weight up.

Unfortunately this upset has occurred as my job has called me back to work full time. I have a roommate who has opposite days off as me so he can be well watched while at least four days a week. But I grow concerned about the days he doesn't have a care taker to feed him.

I feed him 24 mL of critical care and 15 mL of water every four hours from 8pm when I get home from work to 9am when I have to go to work. He gets a full rack of hay, a full bowl of pellets and a bowl of soften food while I'm gone. Although his teeth are giving him trouble with eating hay.

Is there anything else I can do for him? I have the ability to keep him at work with me but I dont want to over stress with traveling to and from work those three days.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Instead of spending time syringing the 15ml of water, just give him an extra 15ml of syringe food. There is a lot of water in the syringe food, so no need to syringe extra water.

 

[Systmiki]

Instead of spending time syringing the 15ml of water, just give him an extra 15ml of syringe food. There is a lot of water in the syringe food, so no need to syringe extra water.

Good to know! I will try doing that instead. Thank you!

 

[Siikibam]

He shouldn’t be having a bowlful of pellets. A tablespoon is enough. All the best and I hope his teeth are sorted soon.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

He shouldn’t be having a bowlful of pellets. A tablespoon is enough. All the best and I hope his teeth are sorted soon.

Whilst you shouldn’t give a bowlful normally, often dental piggies can pick nuggets up better if you’ve got a thick layer of nuggets.

 

[Siikibam]

Whilst you shouldn’t give a bowlful normally, often dental piggies can pick nuggets up better if you’ve got a thick layer of nuggets.

Ah, that makes sense! Thank you.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Ah, that makes sense! Thank you.

Yes, they often struggle to pick up, so a thin layer, on the bottom of a bowl (even a shallow bowl) can be very difficult for them. Being able to bury their face into a thick layer, really helps them.