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What's wrong with my guinea pig?

Lola Malola

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I've had several guinea pigs before, but that was years ago. So when i finally moved into a house at college, I decided to get a guinea pig (i even had to fight my landlord for her). My problem? I think she's crazy....
She does what i think you might have referred to as 'popcoring' (or maybe i read that someone else), but she does it like she's possessed. I've never seen a guinea pig act like this. We are convinced she's having seizures or something. And occasionally, when you're holding her and pet her sides, she kind of rolls over so she's on her side and her stomach is exposed. Does anyone have any idea what is wrong with my guinea pig?
 

cavy-cool-crazy

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Welcome to Cavy Cages!

Does she tilt her head to one side at all while she's standing up/laying down? Does she actually fall over onto her side while she's jumping about? If not, you probably just have a very trusting and contented piggy.

Popcorning involves head twitching, body twisting, rolling, leaping unexpectedly, kicking their legs out behind them and running around at high speeds. It shouldn't involve actually falling over onto her side.

On a side note, what are you feeding your piggy? And are you housing her in a large cage and considering getting her a buddy? Oh, and what's your piggy's name? I almost forgot to ask!
 

Lola Malola

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She doesn't seem to do much tilting her head to the side. And she never falls over. So...then she's just a bit hyper? And i don't think she's overly trusting, she's still quite young and rather shy.
And she gets pellets and alfalfa hay in a little hopper i made myself. Also, various combinations of kale, carrots, cucumbers, and lately grapes. I suppose its possible i feed her too much fresh stuff (she's still quite small, thought atleast 3 months of age), but i hope that isn't a problem. And currently, she's in a store bought cage that currently suffices for her. i hope to make her a better cage someday, but in college housing, space is limited, and i am hoping to bully my boyfriend into helping me make one some day.
And her name is Lola. Lola Malola. I figured i'd steal her name for this forum. I'm not too familiar with forums.
And thanks for your help!
 

Salstar

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Hi Lola welcome to the forum! Your piggie does sound like she is hyper! Anyway check out this link, in particular post #3. It has an excellent list of veggies and fruits that have been grouped into categories of how often you should be feeding them.
Grapes and Kale should only be fed twice per week, while cucumber can be fed every other day. Carrots can be fed everyday if they are baby/small carrots.
https://guineapigcages.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11278

Lettuce (as long as it is not iceburg), bell peppers (all colours, without the seeds) and cilantro, are three veggies that are a staple in my piggies diet, and the diet of most other piggies on this forum. Hehe my piggies are munching away on theirs now!!
 

JennG

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It sounds like you have a younger piggie. How old is she? Out of my five girls, Coco (who is the baby at 4mons old), does what you are describing. She jumps up and twitches her body when she gets really excited. She also will run very fast all over the cage too. If you're really concerned, you can try posting your question on www.guinealynx.com. They are very knowledgeable when it comes to illnesses.
 

piggieslover

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I have a male that acts like that, then when I rub on his belly he calms down..Maybe she wants you to rub her try that and see.
 

Piglet

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I don't think you are feeding her too much - she should be receiving 1 cup of fresh food daily. Try adding lettuce to her diet (romaine, escarole, endive, red leaf -anything bar icerburg).

I have never heard of the rolling over thing?! Perhaps she just is really active
 

Lola Malola

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I have revised her diet (on my poor college student budget i'm afraid its still a bit too limited, but i've enlisted the help of a friend to steal us some more variety from the University Cafeteria), and am working on getting her a different type of hay (i'd been giving her alfalfa hay) and dreaming of a bigger cage for her. I'm afraid the cage will have to wait, but i think thats for the best as it is. Even when i let her run around a bit, she usually just hides under stuff. I intend to try to rework my room so as to fight a bigger cage in here. I'm still convinced she's atleast a little bit crazy, but then maybe most of it is just that she is young, and it has been forever since i have had young 'uns.
I just wanted to thank everyone so much for their helpful suggestions. You are all such lovely, caring, and helpful people!
Now...if you could help me with another problem. I think the cedar chips i'm using as bedding are making her sneeze a lot (she's sneezed a lot since i got her, perhaps contributing to her spastic behavior). Keeping in mind that i'm on a budget, and the fact that i'm not allowed to wash any of her towels or anything in the house washer (landlord's rules) so Fleece is out of the question, is there a better bedding i could use? I have a never-ending supply of newspapers from my room mates. Is there something i could combine with that? I was looking at some recycled newspaper (?) fluffy bedding stuff at the pet store, but everything in this town is SO expensive.
Suggestions?
 

cavy-cool-crazy

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Cedar causes respiratory problems in all small animals, so cedar must never be used. You could try aspen and kiln-dried pine as cheap-ish alternatives.
 

Kriket

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cavy-cool-crazy said:
Cedar causes respiratory problems in all small animals, so cedar must never be used. You could try aspen and kiln-dried pine as cheap-ish alternatives.

I use the pine. At walmart here it's $5 for a HUGE bag.
 

Ly&Pigs

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Kricket, I hope you are letting that Wal-Mart pine air out for 3 days before using it. I don't believe that the stuff they carry at Wal-Mart is kiln-dried.
 

Alistua

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I wouldn't worry much. I have a male that acts like that Alot. He loves having his belly rubbed when he is in his hyper mood. It just means that she is happy and healthy. :) hope that helps.
 

Piglet

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Eek - ditch the cedar chips since they are very bad for any pets health. Switch to any of the following: CareFresh, Critter care, aspen, kiln dried pine
 
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