Weight

[Jill B]

Hi,

We've been weighing Pink and Pumpkin weekly since we got them on March 13th. They both lost about 30g between the first and second weighing but then started to gain a little each week (not sure of their ages but not they're not babies/young ones) until 3 weeks ago. Since then, Pink has continued in the right direction but Pumpkin has dropped a bit, gained a bit and today dropped again. She's now the lowest weight we've known but seems fine in every other way. I've attached their weight chart. Should I be concerned? What should I do?

 

[Hope4gem]

Have they seen a vet yet? It's good to get new piggies checked out, but especially when you have concerns about their weight. While you're waiting to see a vet, do you have any recovery food you can syringe to the piggy who is losing weight? I'm going to try to link the syringe feeding guide here. Please give it a read as it has a lot of useful info about syringe feeding. I'm a bit of a newbie myself, but hopefully more experienced members will be along soon.
Syringe Feeding

 

[Free Ranger]

Isn't Pink petite! She must be all fluff ☺
I see what you mean about Pumpkin's drop in weight but if it was me I'd just be keeping an eye on it rather than worrying too much at the moment. She's still a big chunky girl. If she pops on 20 or 30g by next week it could just be natural variation. Is she still eating well and pooping normally? The poops are a big clue.

Do you have any idea about their age? (when old ones start to get lighter I worry more) Sometimes the nails give an idea - young ones have dainty sharp nails, older ones have crusty curly talons! Or if you got them from a rescue they often have a rough idea of their age.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

We've been weighing Pink and Pumpkin weekly since we got them on March 13th. They both lost about 30g between the first and second weighing but then started to gain a little each week (not sure of their ages but not they're not babies/young ones) until 3 weeks ago. Since then, Pink has continued in the right direction but Pumpkin has dropped a bit, gained a bit and today dropped again. She's now the lowest weight we've known but seems fine in every other way. I've attached their weight chart. Should I be concerned? What should I do?

Hi!

How old are your piggies and are they outdoors or indoors piggies? How much hay are they eating? Are you weighing them always at the same time in the feeding cycle. Are they on the lawn (daily, not all or sometimes when the weather is OK)? These factors can play into minor weight wobbles, especially in a month with exceptionally cold nights.

The weights are both still pretty stable within the acceptable adult range although your second one is at the lower end; but my Begw is in a similar low weight range, even as an adult.

Please take the time to read our Weight guide; what is crucial is that you preferably weigh at the same time in the feeding cycle (like before or after a vet meal) because the difference between a full and empty tummy and bladder can make 40g.
The other point you want to feel for is their 'heft' around the ribcage - this will tell you whether they are a good weight for their current size or whether they are underweight or overweight. You can't do much about a genetically determined size issue (our human definition of a limited 'normal' weigh range is grossly unfair to all healthy piggies are outside it) but you can make at all times sure that they are a good weight for their very individual size.
Please read chapter III about Weight and Heft for assessing the cavy BMI around the ribs as well as chapter I and the rest of the guide, which you may find interesting.

See a vet if your piggies are both on the skinny side. If their weight/size ratio is OK, then there is nothing to worry about. They are healthy as they are.

 

[Jill B]

Thanks for all replies! Yes, Pink is certainly petite. I was a little concerned when I first weighed her but, when I was in lurking mode (not with an account on the forum), I read the Weight guide which reassured me that, like humans, piggies can be both petite and healthy.

I haven't yet taken them to the vets as they came from a rescue so presumably were in good health. I have registered them with a practice, however. Pink and Pumpkin came from Cavy Corner. One of the volunteers did the care class and handover (outdoors, due to Covid - we were frozen by the end!) and she did a great job but I forgot to ask the ages. I had spoken to Sue before but as her husband passed away only a few days prior, I didn't want to be phoning up and asking questions that weren't super important. They might not know the exact ages, depending on the circumstances of the rescue anyway. Their nails would suggest the younger end of the spectrum.

They are indoor piggies and, due to the changeable and mostly cold weather in the north, haven't been out on the lawn yet, though I've been cutting grass for them for the last few weeks. I haven't noticed a particular change in hay intake; there are plenty of poos from both Pink and Pumpkin (I can tell the difference as Pink's are smaller).

We weigh them on a Saturday afternoon (has been Sunday once or twice) before veggies. I think their heft is OK but I will check it tomorrow again when we do nails and a quick hair trim. I have re-read the Weight guide, Wiebke. Thank you! I think, from reading it, that the best course of action would be to book a vet appointment if there's any more weight loss with Pumpkin next week. Do you think that sounds OK?

Btw I have some syringes. I got them in thinking it would be good to get them used to one with some water before we really need to use one, though I haven't got round to doing so yet! It might be an idea to get some recovery food in this week just in case.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for all replies! Yes, Pink is certainly petite. I was a little concerned when I first weighed her but, when I was in lurking mode (not with an account on the forum), I read the Weight guide which reassured me that, like humans, piggies can be both petite and healthy.

I haven't yet taken them to the vets as they came from a rescue so presumably were in good health. I have registered them with a practice, however. Pink and Pumpkin came from Cavy Corner. One of the volunteers did the care class and handover (outdoors, due to Covid - we were frozen by the end!) and she did a great job but I forgot to ask the ages. I had spoken to Sue before but as her husband passed away only a few days prior, I didn't want to be phoning up and asking questions that weren't super important. They might not know the exact ages, depending on the circumstances of the rescue anyway. Their nails would suggest the younger end of the spectrum.

They are indoor piggies and, due to the changeable and mostly cold weather in the north, haven't been out on the lawn yet, though I've been cutting grass for them for the last few weeks. I haven't noticed a particular change in hay intake; there are plenty of poos from both Pink and Pumpkin (I can tell the difference as Pink's are smaller).

We weigh them on a Saturday afternoon (has been Sunday once or twice) before veggies. I think their heft is OK but I will check it tomorrow again when we do nails and a quick hair trim. I have re-read the Weight guide, Wiebke. Thank you! I think, from reading it, that the best course of action would be to book a vet appointment if there's any more weight loss with Pumpkin next week. Do you think that sounds OK?

Btw I have some syringes. I got them in thinking it would be good to get them used to one with some water before we really need to use one, though I haven't got round to doing so yet! It might be an idea to get some recovery food in this week just in case.

Since the weight is pretty much in the same ball park as it was upon adoption, I would not really worry. They are likely young adults at around 1-2 years of age and come from a place of good care.

I have met Sue and Winston quite a few times in earlier years (in the last few years their events tended to coincide with work commitments of mine; i.e. Guinea Pig Magazine deadlines) and I have been given a tour of the Caviary by Sue when it was brand new (as well as seeing their previous shed), so I know first hand just what good care they get.

Anway, I would see a vet if the gradual weight loss of your larger piggy continues; right now it is still in the range where you want to keep a closer eye on it but without any obvious symptoms your vet is unlikely to find anything obviously untoward. It may just be a different hay brand which your larger one is eating a little less of than at Cavy Corner.
The overall weight is still very healthy and not of any concern in that respect.

 

[Jill B]

Thank you for the reassurance. We'll keep a close eye on her.