What to do if your guinea pig is not eating well and has lost weight

A healthy animal has an appropriate appetite. It is active and constantly wants to chew something. Feeding occurs 2-3 times a day. When people lose their appetite, they do not immediately pay attention to this, and it is in vain. If your guinea pig doesn't eat or drink, this is the first sign that something is wrong with it. Moreover, complete refusal of food can quickly result in death.

The pet's digestive system is designed in such a way that it cannot fast for more than one day. At the same time, irreversible changes occur in the intestines that will not allow the animal to recover from the disease. In Europe, euthanasia or a good death is often recommended. In other words, the animal is simply euthanized painlessly.

The dangers of not eating

If a guinea pig stops eating, the function and intestinal microflora are disrupted. Inflammation and severe diarrhea begin, which leads to death. A complete refusal to eat leads to intestinal cessation, the stomach swells and the pet dies.

With a prolonged absence of food, the nerve endings of the digestive organs are disrupted and even die. In this state, the movement of food stops, since these are the nerves that give the signal for the contraction of the stomach. In the absence of food, the point of no return occurs after 16 hours.

Rickets

This disease is formed when the working pace of the secretion glands is disrupted, as well as in the absence of the required amount of mineral salts in the animal’s body.

Pigs can get rickets in the winter . It is observed in young individuals.

Symptoms:

• curvature of limbs;
• thickening of joints;
• The pig's back sags.

Pigs suffering from rickets experience stunted growth.

Treatment

and 2-3 drops of trivitamin are added to the pig’s drinking water every day .

For treatment, the use of a quartz lamp is recommended . Radiation of a rodent can be carried out after receiving a recommendation from a veterinarian.

Reasons for refusing food

The most common reasons why your guinea pig is not eating well and losing weight are:

1. Violation of the function of grinding teeth, as a result of which they grow too long.
2. Diseases of the digestive system.
3. Poor quality or unwashed food.
4. Refusal to eat can be a consequence of serious illness.
5. Oral problems.
6. Hot climate.
7. Internal and external parasites.

If your guinea pig stops eating, contact a qualified professional immediately. A rodentologist can determine the cause.

Why doesn't my guinea pig want to eat?

There are many reasons why a guinea pig refuses food. This may be a consequence of illness or a response to improper living conditions. However, knowing exactly the sources of eating disorders, you can quickly take measures to eliminate them.

Bad food

There are foods that are strictly contraindicated in the diet of guinea pigs. This is caused by maladjustment of the digestive system and further health problems.

Find out also how much guinea pigs cost.

These include:

• dairy products - milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.;
• meat - in any form;
• sweets - chocolate, cookies, marmalade, etc.;
• nuts;
• potato;
• canned food;
• cereal or any instant breakfast cereal.

All these products cannot be digested well in the guinea pig's stomach and will lead to gastrointestinal problems.

Wrong content temperature

The optimal temperature regime for the room in which the guinea pig is kept is +18…+25°C. In case of deviation from the norm, the animal will react by decreasing or increasing its body temperature, which will negatively affect its overall health. The appearance of the coat will also change: at low temperatures it grows and becomes thicker, at high temperatures it becomes sparse and short.

Pay attention to the information about where the name “guinea pig” comes from.

Additionally, to avoid loss of appetite, you need to take into account other air parameters. These include humidity and the amount of oxygen - they can be regulated by frequent ventilation (the cage should not be in a draft), and during cold weather and heating - by throwing a damp towel over the radiators or turning on a humidifier.

Dental problems

The most common reason for rodents refusing food is dental problems. For example, insufficient grinding of the incisors, which is caused by the lack of a sufficient amount of rough and hard food in the guinea pig’s daily diet. As a result, teeth grow too long and sharp, which often leads to the inability to eat normally and injuries to the inner surface of the cheeks and gums.

Did you know? The Incas were the first to domesticate guinea pigs, although they were used as a source of meat. This happened 7 thousand years ago.

The way out of this situation is to go to the veterinarian. The procedure for filing the incisors is not painful for the animal and will not take much time for the pet owner, and tangible relief occurs almost immediately.

Another reason for forced hunger strike is malocclusion, which can be either congenital or acquired. In the first case, an infrequent but regular visit to the veterinary clinic will be required, where the rodent’s teeth will be systematically filed down and trimmed. If the bite is damaged as a result of injury or tooth breakage, correction will take only a few sessions, during which the guinea pig's teeth will be filed and a special supporting bandage will be put on.

Here you can read why guinea pigs squeak.

The following symptoms may indicate dental problems:

• refusal of solid food pellets;
• selection of animals from all the food offered only the smallest pieces;
• excessive salivation;
• weight loss in a short time;
• chewing food is carried out only on one side of the jaw;
• constant chewing movements (while the food in the feeder is practically not touched).

Since dental problems entail constant poor chewing of food, the result can be various gastrointestinal diseases with accompanying stool disorders (diarrhea, constipation). Therefore, if after grinding down the teeth the animal does not get better (appetite does not return, body weight does not gain), then you need to look for the cause in diseases of the stomach or intestines.

You may find information about the life of guinea pigs in the wild useful.

Diseases that make you not want to eat

Among the main diseases that can lead to a decrease or complete loss of appetite include:

1. Colds are especially common in the autumn and spring. The first symptoms include general lethargy, refusal of food and water, rapid breathing, runny nose and cough. The average duration of such an illness is about 5 days, but without proper care and treatment it can lead to the death of the animal. Colds should be treated with sulfonamide drugs, for example, “Sulfazin” at a dosage of 0.1 g per 1 kg of weight, 3 times a day. It should be noted that taking the drug should continue even after the temperature drops, until complete recovery. For a runny nose, streptocide powder is used, which is blown into the pet’s nose, and an infusion of nettle leaves will help get rid of a cough. In this case, antibiotics are recommended to be given only in extreme cases and only in conjunction with probiotics.
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2. Infectious diseases have many variants, but perhaps the most common ailment is salmonellosis. It often occurs with symptoms of gastrointestinal tract damage - periodic diarrhea and loss of appetite. In particularly acute cases, it takes about 24 hours for the disease to develop, during which the animal dies.

3. Constipation - defined by the absence of feces. If during the first 24 hours a guinea pig stops going to the toilet, often lies motionless, and refuses food, these are the first symptoms of the disease. Treatment consists of administering 2 ml of Vaseline or flaxseed oil into the mouth with a syringe every 3-4 hours. For abdominal pain, which can be identified by characteristic screams and attempts to bite when palpating, it is recommended to add medications such as Mekatan (2-5 drops 2 times a day).

Parasites

The reason for refusal to eat can be worms, which are easily found in the pet’s feces (the eggs are usually passed out along with the feces). In this case, anthelmintic drugs designed specifically for rodents (for example, Dirofen) will work well. Loss of appetite, as well as severe stress, can also be associated with the active activity of skin parasites, which include fleas, lice eaters and ticks.

Important! When caring for guinea pigs that are diagnosed with an infectious disease, all precautions should be taken, since most infections can also be dangerous to human health.

The main symptoms are:

• severe itching, which is accompanied by scratching;
• refusal of food;
• stress and anxiety;
• hair loss, bald patches, skin irritations.

To establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to submit a scraping to a veterinary clinic.
During the treatment process, the cage, house, feeder and drinking bowl will need to be treated with chlorine-containing preparations. Treatment procedures for guinea pigs (for example, “Ivermekit”) should be done in a course of 10 days, followed by repetition after 2 weeks. Find out also whether a guinea pig can eat kiwi.

At the same time, you should also take into account that bathing for a guinea pig will be additional stress, and therefore it must be carried out with great care, and then wipe the animal dry or dry it with a hairdryer.

Additional symptoms

A guinea pig does not refuse food just like that. This is a symptom of impaired body function. Most often caused by illness. Check your pet for additional symptoms:

• My eyes are watering.
• Hard or bloated belly.
• Increased gas formation.
• Too long teeth.
• New growths on the gums.
• Lethargic behavior or excessive aggression.
• Inactivity.
• Intense thirst.
• Hunched back.
• Hair in tufts, bald spots and bald patches.
• Weakness and apathy.
• Increased body temperature.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Lack of urination.

There can be a lot of symptoms, these are just the most common. It is easy to get confused and prescribe the wrong treatment. It is better to contact a veterinarian immediately. If the animal begins to eat less, it may simply not like the food.

Diagnosis

The animal may appear hungry and want to eat, or may be "actually inappetent." The diagnosis will be based on information about diet, environment, recent changes, urine and excrement patterns; and on physical examination of the respiratory and digestive tracts, head and mouth; and on the results of blood, fecal, and microbial tests. A urine test may be helpful. It is best to have a complete blood count done before any medications are prescribed.

Dental examination

A dental examination is mandatory in cases of anorexia.

It is very important to perform an oral examination in all cases of anorexia. Foreign bodies, fractures, inflammation of the roots, and most importantly, malocclusion may be the cause. Excessive salivation and mouth ulcers indicate the need to check premolars and molars.

X-rays of the skull are helpful in determining the nature of dental problems. A guinea pig with an overbite may try to eat, but it may not be possible or may be very slow.

Learn more about the signs and treatment of malocclusion.

Refusal of water

Some owners mistakenly believe that their pet cannot learn to use a water bottle. But for a pet this is a fairly simple task. The pig will not die from dehydration if there is water in the cage.

Common reasons why a guinea pig won't drink water:

• The diet contains enough moisture from grass, greens, and vegetables;
• The drinking bowl is suspended too high. The animal should not raise its head to drink.
• Check the drinker for serviceability. Perhaps the ball has stopped letting water through.
• The water is stale or not potable.
• The guinea pig has stopped drinking because it is accustomed to the bowl and refuses the water bowl, or vice versa.
• The pet is sick or under stress.

Parasitic diseases

Do rodents have parasites? Pigs often suffer from parasitic diseases, mainly coccidiosis.

1. Fascioliasis. The causative agents of the disease are flatworms from the group of flukes that infect the liver. It is possible to understand that the pig is sick only at a late stage of helminthiasis, when it is no longer possible to save the pet. The dying pig is lethargic, apathetic, does not eat or drink.
2. Coccidiosis. The causative agents of the disease are single-celled parasites from the genus Coccidia. The infection is transmitted through poor-quality food. A sick pig is lethargic, does not want to eat, suffers from bloating, and does not poop. Instead of normal feces, liquid mixed with mucus and blood flows out of the anus. For treatment, the drugs Himcoccid, Ditrim, Furazolidone, Sulfadimezin are added to the drink.

3. Trichomonosis. Intestinal pathology provoked by single-celled parasites. An infected rodent has profuse bloody-mucous diarrhea, and the oral cavity is covered with a yellow coating. Therapy is carried out quickly, otherwise the pet may die from lack of air due to damage to the mouth. For treatment, Metronidazole is added to the feed.
4. Oxyurosis. The disease caused by roundworms has no obvious symptoms. Sometimes you may notice that the pig has lost weight and is defecating liquid mixed with blood. For treatment, Fenbendazole, Piperazine, Thiabendazole are used, the drugs are mixed with food or drink.

5. Skin parasites. Most often, pigs become infected with fleas. An infected animal experiences dermatitis, accompanied by baldness, redness and irritation of the skin. Due to severe itching, the rodent twitches, jumps, and itches until it bleeds. The subcutaneous mite and the lice beetle are parasites that usually infect pigs living in crowded nurseries. To remove bloodsuckers, antiparasitic ointments, aerosols, and shampoos are used.

First aid and treatment

Urgently show the animal to the ratologist. It is necessary to quickly find out the cause and prescribe the correct treatment. There is not a doctor of this qualification in every city, and he does not always see you. The pet has at most 16 hours. Therefore, you need to be able to feed a guinea pig artificially. Force feeding begins when the hunger strike lasts more than 8 hours. There are several feeding options:

1. Children's fruit or vegetable puree without prunes. The serving is 20% of the usual diet.
2. Soaked food in grass granules.
3. Wheat bran porridge or rolled oats with water are suitable.
4. You can use baby porridge without milk.
5. If the animal cannot take a bite, you need to grate vegetables, for example, pumpkin or carrots, on a fine grater.

The pet must be fed through an insulin syringe without a needle with a cut off tip. Thus, food will enter the intestines, albeit in a small dose. You can add a little ascorbic acid to increase the level of vitamin C in the body. Feeding should be done every 3 hours. Even if after a few days the guinea pig begins to eat on its own, take it to the doctor as soon as possible.

Digestive system

Symptoms

With digestive diseases, there is a clear decrease in appetite and increased thirst.

Treatment

Before treating constipation, it is necessary to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract - a spoonful of Vaseline or castor oil.

one of the drugs to take orally : “Syntomycin”, “Biomycin”, “Phthalazol”, “Enterosperol” or “Levomycetin”.

to add strong tea to the animal's drinking bowl .

If you are absolutely sure that your pet does not have terrible diarrhea due to feeding errors, let him chew on pomegranate peel or galangal root.