Sick Ginea Pig

Question
I have had my ginea pig for 4 months.  2 weeks ago she stopped eating and now she has lost alot of weight.  She does not squeak any more and getting her to take water is difficult.  I've tried all her favorite treats.  What advice do you have.  

Answer
Hi Jamie,

I would get to the vet ASAP. This counts as an emergency. Two weeks is an extremely long time not to have eaten, and I am concerned  that her digestive system will shut down completely if you do not begin syringe feeding her NOW.

Cavies are grazing animals, their digestive systems are 'designed' to cope with a continual flow of food. Even just twelve hours of not eating is a concern as going too long without food does damage a piggy's body. Combined with the lack of fluid intake it is a very dangerous situation. Dehydration is bad especially now the weather is getting warmer.

Your piggy has lost weight because she is sick and is not eating. It could be as a result from a dental problem, pain, digestive problems...it could be almost anything with has caused her to stop eating.

Contact your emergency vet - do not leave it any longer - and begin syringe feeding her a solution of:-

- Pure water.

- Her dry feed (must be plain pellets - no seeds, nuts or colored bits) mixed with water. Most pelleted dry feeds turn to "mush" once put into contact with water so just water it down slowly until it is thin enough to go through a syringe.

- A blend of suitable fresh vegetables (for example: carrot, lettuces, tomato, parsley, coriander/cilantro, fresh grass) and water. Liquidise the veggies in a blender then mix with water until thin enough to squeeze through a syringe.

Feed her every 4 hours and alternate between pure water, a "mash" and the vegetable solution.
Do this very, very slowly and carefully to begin with, and start with small amounts - say 1cm of solution in a syringe. You have to give her digestive system a chance to restart and too much food could do more harm than good. Continue to do this roughly every 4 hours until you can get to a vet.

Good luck. I really hope she makes it through her illness - and remember that if she ever stops eating again, loses weight or has any other signs of illness, you HAVE to begin syringe feeding her and to get her to a vet ASAP. Especially if she refuses to eat anything.

Best Wishes,

- Laura