thirsty and lethargic guinea pig

[thomoavra]

not sure where to really post this. hope this is the right place. my guinea pig seems a bit off. for some background- hes 2 years old, lives alone but we got him with another guinea pig (same age) who passed when he was 1 and got him a new friend after he passed but then that guinea pig passed too. now hes alone and he doesnt mind it, hes a very chill kind of piggy. i first noticed problems on saturday, he seemed rlly quiet and didnt squeak when i came in like usual. i put him in his outdoor run and he was eating the grass very quickly and aggressively. hes been drinking more aswell, getting through a bottle in just a day or 2. he also felt and looked bigger than usual, but then he seemed normal sized again after going in his run. he was lethargic in his run, he just eventually sat in the tunnel for ages instead of eating grass. he seemed fine again on sunday but then today, he was so quiet and hes been really lethargic even in his run. he didnt finish his pellets which usually he practically inhales but he did eat lots of grass. what could be wrong with him? btw- his diet is good, ive done lots of research on the right things to feed him. he gets fresh hay daily, the right amount of pellets daily, mixed leaf lettuce or green peppers daily with the occasional treat.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this.

Please do see a vet.

Is his gut used to fresh grass? Too much grass on an unprepared tummy can make them poorly. Grass access needs to be introduced slowly every year - for example 5-10 minutes access to grass only each day for the first week and then building it up by 10-15 minutes each week.

I would suggest you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him each morning so you can monitor hay intake. Step in with syringe feeding if his hay intake has dropped.

I hope he is ok

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[thomoavra]

it wont let me edit. by peppers i mean bell peppers. i just gave him some green bell peppers and he refused to eat it.

 

[thomoavra]

I’m sorry to hear this.

Please do see a vet.

Is his gut used to fresh grass? Too much grass on an unprepared tummy can make them poorly. Grass access needs to be introduced slowly every year - for example 5-10 minutes access to grass only each day for the first week and then building it up by 10-15 minutes each week.

I would suggest you switch from the routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh him each morning so you can monitor hay intake. Step in with syringe feeding if his hay intake has dropped.

I hope he is ok

Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

i cant afford to see a vet and my mum wont take him. hes used to grass, i gave it to him with a slow introduction. grass is the only thing hes eating right now, hes refusing everything else like pellets and veg.

 

[Piggies&buns]

i cant afford to see a vet and my mum wont take him. hes used to grass, i gave it to him with a slow introduction. grass is the only thing hes eating right now, hes refusing everything else like pellets and veg.

I’m afraid he will need to see a vet to find out what is wrong with him. Lethargy is a sign you can’t ignore.
Can you take him to the vet yourself?


To add, he really should have a friend. Piggies don’t do well on their own so even though he may appear ok, he definitely will be feeling lonely.

 

[thomoavra]

I’m afraid he will need to see a vet to find out what is wrong with him. Lethargy is a sign you can’t ignore.
Can you take him to the vet yourself?


To add, he really should have a friend. Piggies don’t do well on their own so even though he may appear ok, he definitely will be feeling lonely.

I'm gonna try get him to the vet.
I'm aware he needs a friend, I'm getting him one as soon as i can.