Worried about pig - lack of energy!

**pocoyo** · #1 01-11-07, 08:07 am

Hi there,

I'm really worried about one of my guinea pigs. I have two, and one of them over the last few days shows a big lack of energy. I took them to the vets yesterday to get them checked out but the vet said they they are fine. He also said that they are a little overweight. He said as they are young, if they carry on this way they will become fat adults. I have started limiting the dry food as it has always been there for them at liberty.

Also, i have noticed that they are always sitting and sleeping together in their home whereas they usually cannot stand each other most of the time and irritate each other.

I'm really worried. Has anybody got any experience of this or any suggestions?

Thank you in advance.

Pocoyo.

**VoodooJoint** · #2 01-11-07, 08:16 am

I never saw you mention what size/kind of cage they have. If their cage is too small then they will not get the exercise they need to stay healthy. Toys and floortime are also excellent ways to get them to move around and burn off those extra calories.

**pocoyo** · #3 01-11-07, 08:18 am

Hi there,

They have a huge c and c cage. It takes up almost half of our spare bedroom. They also get to run around our living room at liberty about 2 to 3 times a week. I had them out this morning but they just went in a box and went to sleep.

I'm really worried.

**kittnkarr** · #4 01-11-07, 09:16 am

You said that they are young, how young? What are their ages?

Also what are you currently feeding them? You mentioned pellets but what type and how much? If they are under 6 months of age then letting them have access to pellets all day is not bad for them. It is when they go above the 6 month mark that you want to limit their intake to 1/8 to 1/4 cup per pig per day.

Do you feed any vegetables? They need a cup per pig per day as well.
Created by Ly&Pigs
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...on-charts.html

From Guinea Lynx
Guinea Lynx :: Diet

This may help in determining what is wrong with your pigs. It is possible that they are not getting enough Vitamin C in their diet which can sometimes lead to lethargic pigs (one of the symptoms).

**pocoyo** · #5 01-11-07, 11:38 am

Hi there,

They are about 7 months old now. They get their fresh veg every day...and they munch it just as good as ever

I thought maybe i wasn't giving them the right veg so i put a thread on here about all the different types of veg other people give their piggies and it seems i am giving them the right stuff, plus i have included other things such as peppers, basil and parsley.

Thank you for those links.

Any other information or suggestions would be helpful :0)

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #6 01-11-07, 01:38 pm

Are you feeding hay? Weighing them weekly?

**Malhablada** · #7 01-11-07, 01:46 pm

They might just be cold, especially if they're huddling together in their bed. Assuming everything else is in order, with their diet and exercise level and whatnot.

**HiMyNameIsAmy** · #8 01-11-07, 03:08 pm

One of mine was doing that too. But she popcorned today, so it's all good. I was really worried though. Malhablada is right; it could be the weather. It's sounds like yours were doing the exact thing as mine, (she's young too!) but i wouldnt worry. Mine is fine now.

**ellenvega** · #9 01-11-07, 03:14 pm

It's just the one pig that's acting differently? You should start weighing them, if you haven't already. Unexplained weight loss can be the first sign of illness in a pig. Do you notice anything different in her pooping/peeing habits? Is she eating with the same gusto? Any discharge around the nose/eyes or slobber on the chin? It might be nothing at all, it's hard to tell.

But it's abnormal for a very active pig to suddenly go lazy.

**this_lil_piggy** · #10 01-11-07, 03:23 pm

Ditto, Ellen.
An active pig going inactive isn't considered normal and could be the first warning sign that something is wrong.
I would start monitoring their weight, input, and output asap. And, make sure they don't have any nose/eye discharge. This could be the beginning of an URI.

It is normal for older pigs to decrease activity over time, but your pigs are still pretty young, and the change wasn't gradual.

**ellenvega** · #11 01-11-07, 03:32 pm

What kind of exam did your vet give? Does he have a lot of experience with guinea pigs? Cavies tend to act withdrawn and hide their symptoms in a strange environment.

**pocoyo** · #12 01-12-07, 06:07 am

Thanks for all these repies everyone.

I think i have figured out the problem. Mine is the opposite as it has been the heat. We have the heating at 20-25 degrees usually all day. The one guinea that seemed lacking in energy has a thick coat as he's a rex. So we turned off the radiator in their room and they have come to life.

I'll keep an eye on him but he does seem a lot better :0)

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