sick guinia pig

Question
My son's two-year old guinia pig is losing weight. He is not eating, has watery eyes and it looks like he has something red on his but.

Answer

cavy skull Runny eyes and weight loss are always a symptom of illness. The problem is not always being able to say what it is.  The red on his butt doesn't really tell us anything. In cases like this a picture is worth a thousand words.

To start I think you should look at his teeth. The easiest way to do that is turn him on his back and open his mouth. If he squeals that's even better. The front teeth (incisors) may be overgrown and he's not able to chew his food. Guinea pigs' teeth grow continuously and they must have something to chew on to keep them properly worn. Hay is a great all purpose bedding/chew tool/hidey hole,etc.

If the front teeth are overgrown they are easy to clip. The top teeth should just barely overlap the bottoms. Sometimes the bottom teeth will get out of alignment and grow over the tops. A simple pair of toenail clippers will do the job.  Cavies don't have the sense of tenderness and pain in their teeth that we do. If you're not comfortable doing that a vet could do it for you.

Not being able to eat certainly causes weight loss. But again, without a picture of the red spot on the rear I'm unable to even guess what it could be.

In the meantime you can get some Critical Care at any pet store and feed him by syringe. It's mixed as a milk formula and has all the vitamins and nutrients needed to sustain his health. Be cautious when feeding by syringe, do not just push a syringe full into his mouth. Tiny drops administered at the sides of the cheek will prevent him from aspirating and choking. Think of it like you lying down and someone opening your mouth and pouring in an entire glass of water. You'd choke to death.

The way to feed any animal is to position them the way they would if they were eating on their own. That means the pig should be standing in a natural position, belly down. Not being held like an infant, belly up. Give several small feedings every 1/2 to 1 hour so he can digest slowly.

I'll attach a picture of a cavy skull that shows how the front teeth align. Just click on the picture and it will enlarge it so you can see detail. The picture shows proper alignment of the teeth, front and back.

Again, I am just guessing that's the problem. I would still recommend a professional exam to try to pinpoint the problem. But in the meantime keeping him hydrated and fed is top priority.