hello

Question
QUESTION: hi how are you would you no when a guinea pig is dieing? I THINK MY FAVE I IS thanks amica

ANSWER: Hi Amica,

There are many signs of ill health in guinea pigs - the most notable (and most serious) being a puffed-up apperance. Not eating and not drinking should be taken very seriously, and mean a trip to a specialist small animal or exotic pet vet is needed. It is important to check guinea pigs daily - that their eyes are bright and free from foreign objects and discharge, that their noses aren't running and their breathing is okay, that there's no mites, blockages, discharge or warts in their ears, that everything looks normal "down below", that their nails are not too long, and that they have no bald patches or wounds on their skin.

If your guinea pig is old (over 4 years of age) and is in good health, then he or she will gradually fade. They can live up until 8 years of age, but the oldest piggy I've had was 6 and a half. One of mine died at 10 months. They're like humans - it depends on their genetics and also their living conditions. They will start to eat less, drink less, move around less, and sleep more - just like an old human. Make sure you feed your piggy his or her favourite foods and supplement vitamin c if you need to. Give him or her lots of fuss and cuddles - a happy piggy that feels loved will live longer as an OAP than a sad piggy.

Good luck and I hope your piggy isn't dying!

If you have any other questions, just ask.

Jenny.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THANK YOU SO MUCH  4 SENDING ME A E-MAIL BACK ... WHAT KIND OF FOOD COULD YOU TELL ME TO GIVE MY BOY HE IS AGING HE HAS LOTS SO MUCH WEIGHT THANKS AMICA

Answer
Hi again Amica,

If he's losing weight rapidly then I'd recommend you take him to a specialist small animal or exotic pet vet, to rule out the possibility that he is suffering from a medical condition that is causing it. You can find a list of accredited small animal hospitals online, and if there isn't one near you, you can try calling nearby vets and asking if they have any vets who are knowledgeable about and interested in guinea pigs. It's worth taking the time to do this, as most domestic vets are only qualified to treat cats and dogs - small animals and exotics are optional extra lectures. Or ring your local guinea pig rescue and ask which vet they use! If you're in the UK you can try calling the Cambridge Cavy Trust and asking to be put in touch with local rodentologists - they are not vets, but they have been specially trained to treat health problems in guinea pigs though they cannot perform surgery.

If the weight loss is gradual, then it's probably just old age. Make sure you keep up his vitamin c intake up by feeding him carrots and brocolli, and try giving him fresh parsley - in his final weeks, this was the only meal my old boy would happily tuck into. Other piggy favourites are red and yellow peppers (remove the seeds, white flesh and stalks), celery (cut it up small so he can't choke on the threads), and cucumber. Make sure he has lots of crunchy veg and hay as roughage for his digestive system and to keep his teeth down - and continue to use his usual dried mix. You could also try using Carrotys from the Naturals range as treats - my boys LOVE these but only feed him 2 a day as most treats are fattening (not in a good way). If he's not eating much, you could try adding a vitamin c supplement to his water, though keep an eye on him as he may not like it and will stop drinking, which wouldn't be good!

Give him lots of love and make sure the room he's in is at a comfortable constant temperature - not too hot and not too cold. Chatter away to him, groom him, give him a tube (preferably an edible one called a chube) to play in, and make him feel as though life is worth living! One day, when he's in pain or it's just too much for him, he'll rock himself gently into a forever-sleep. You can rest assured that he had a happy, healthy old age with you.

You may also want to consider introducing him to a younger boar to perk him up ... how old is he?

Best wishes you and your Old Aged Piggy,

Jenny.