Guinea pig question

DAISY · 14-08-2007, 10:01 AM

Any guinea pig owners able to offer a bit of advice?
My daughters 2 guinea pigs suddenly seem to be putting on weight quite quickly and have ravenous appetites all of a sudden. They are about 18months old and females. The change in appetite and size is quite noticible and they seem to be drinking alot more as well although I've put that down to their sudden liking for dried guinea pig food. They are their normal happy selves, very vocal and get lots of excercise. They have eaten alot more grass than normal as they were outside evryday during the brief warm spell.
Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

Rach

laine21 · 14-08-2007, 11:00 AM

Phantom pregnancy? years ago when we bred them, one year two of our females had phantoms....just wishful thinking on their part.

Toni115 · 14-08-2007, 02:55 PM

Could it be worms??

DAISY · 14-08-2007, 03:15 PM

Wouldnt thay loose weight with worms and not gain?

Rach

Toni115 · 14-08-2007, 03:18 PM

Yeah I suppose they would, I was thinking along the lines of a bloated belly rather than fat. Are they gaining weight all over?

rodneypig · 14-08-2007, 04:05 PM

It may be that, as you say the increase in dry food intake has caused them to drink more and that because of this they are putting on weight, however it could also be a kidney problem or an ovarian cyst. I would say as they are both showing the same signs that it is more likely to be something simple like a touch of bloat, if they have been eating excessive amounts of grass suddenly. There not called pigs for nothing!!
It may be worth a trip to your vets if you are worried.

helen1 · 14-08-2007, 07:03 PM

Mine did this some years ago, the change of diet, extra fluid and grass could be the cause-it may not be weight just bloating. Personally I would go back to the original diet, if they are drinking so much I would be concerned about the effect of the diet on kidneys.

Henry-flash · 14-08-2007, 07:07 PM

I was reading something a while ago that said too much dried food can cause kidney problems. I had kidney problems with a couple a few years ago, but since giving more grass, hay and greens I have had no problems.

DAISY · 15-08-2007, 01:39 AM

Thanks everyone.Will cut back on the dried food to be safe and see how they go. They already eat plenty of grass hay etc so sure they wont miss it too much.
Think they may have got used to my brother spoiling them when I was away as they squealing for treats everytime they see me.

Will have to give him a talking to.

Rach

14-08-2007, 10:01 AM	#1
DAISY Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LIVERPOOL Posts: 2,763	Guinea pig question Any guinea pig owners able to offer a bit of advice? My daughters 2 guinea pigs suddenly seem to be putting on weight quite quickly and have ravenous appetites all of a sudden. They are about 18months old and females. The change in appetite and size is quite noticible and they seem to be drinking alot more as well although I've put that down to their sudden liking for dried guinea pig food. They are their normal happy selves, very vocal and get lots of excercise. They have eaten alot more grass than normal as they were outside evryday during the brief warm spell. Any thoughts on this? Thanks Rach __________________ Rach Mum to 12 horsfields, 2 redfoots, 2 spur-thighed, 4 dogs, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig, 3 chipmunks, 3 african pygmy hedgehogs, 4 bearded dragons, 1 goldfish. 2 daughters and 1 husband.

14-08-2007, 11:00 AM	#2
laine21 Member Hatchling Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Moreton, Wirral Posts: 632	Phantom pregnancy? years ago when we bred them, one year two of our females had phantoms....just wishful thinking on their part. __________________ Laraine ___________ 4 Leopard Tortoises, 2 Baby Herman Hatchlings, 2 dogs, 1 guinea pig, 2 daughters and 1 incredibly wonderful patient partner!

14-08-2007, 02:55 PM	#3
Toni115 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ongar Essex Posts: 3,203	Could it be worms?? __________________ Toni xx Proud owner of 1 redfoot, 1 moggy, 1 very stupid dog, 1 dwarf Lop, 2 leopard geckos and two teenage girls!

14-08-2007, 03:15 PM	#4
DAISY Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LIVERPOOL Posts: 2,763	Wouldnt thay loose weight with worms and not gain? Rach __________________ Rach Mum to 12 horsfields, 2 redfoots, 2 spur-thighed, 4 dogs, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig, 3 chipmunks, 3 african pygmy hedgehogs, 4 bearded dragons, 1 goldfish. 2 daughters and 1 husband.

14-08-2007, 03:18 PM	#5
Toni115 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ongar Essex Posts: 3,203	Yeah I suppose they would, I was thinking along the lines of a bloated belly rather than fat. Are they gaining weight all over? __________________ Toni xx Proud owner of 1 redfoot, 1 moggy, 1 very stupid dog, 1 dwarf Lop, 2 leopard geckos and two teenage girls!

14-08-2007, 04:05 PM	#6
rodneypig Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southampton Posts: 135	It may be that, as you say the increase in dry food intake has caused them to drink more and that because of this they are putting on weight, however it could also be a kidney problem or an ovarian cyst. I would say as they are both showing the same signs that it is more likely to be something simple like a touch of bloat, if they have been eating excessive amounts of grass suddenly. There not called pigs for nothing!! It may be worth a trip to your vets if you are worried.

14-08-2007, 07:03 PM	#7
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	Mine did this some years ago, the change of diet, extra fluid and grass could be the cause-it may not be weight just bloating. Personally I would go back to the original diet, if they are drinking so much I would be concerned about the effect of the diet on kidneys. __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

14-08-2007, 07:07 PM	#8
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	I was reading something a while ago that said too much dried food can cause kidney problems. I had kidney problems with a couple a few years ago, but since giving more grass, hay and greens I have had no problems. __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

15-08-2007, 01:39 AM	#9
DAISY Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LIVERPOOL Posts: 2,763	Thanks everyone.Will cut back on the dried food to be safe and see how they go. They already eat plenty of grass hay etc so sure they wont miss it too much. Think they may have got used to my brother spoiling them when I was away as they squealing for treats everytime they see me. Will have to give him a talking to. Rach __________________ Rach Mum to 12 horsfields, 2 redfoots, 2 spur-thighed, 4 dogs, 1 cat, 1 guinea pig, 3 chipmunks, 3 african pygmy hedgehogs, 4 bearded dragons, 1 goldfish. 2 daughters and 1 husband.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)