Stunted Growth?

[Janelle]

Rumpy started out with a rough beginning. Her mama died birthing them. Then, her owner (following the advice of a non-savvy vet) gave them puppy replacement formula and used sevin dust on them when they had lice. They were also kept in a small, cardboard box (about 12in x 12in) with no toys, no water, a little bit of hay, and a junk pellet with seeds and stuff in it. Then a couple of weeks ago, Rumpy had that bout with bloat, though she's been fine since. Rumpy is now 11.5 weeks old and weighs the same as my 3.5 week old babies.

Rumpy: 12.2 oz
Dusty: 12.1 oz
Bunny: 11.8 oz

She eats like crazy and is super active and healthy. She had lost a couple of ounces when she was bloated, but gained an ounce back right away and has been holding pretty steady at 12 oz. Do you think that all of her problems maybe stunted her from reaching her potential? Should I be worried?

[paula.m.moore]

She's still pretty young, isn't she?

Some pigs are just smaller than others. My Ruby doesn't weigh 2 lbs yet, despite having a hearty appetite and being about 10 months old. Rumpy's beginning could have something to do with it but I don't think I'd be worried just yet.

[Janelle]

Oh, good. Yeah, she's just 11.5 weeks old. She's so little and cute and sweet. My aunt has her sisters. I should ask her how big they are. Thanks! That makes me feel better.

[SNAKE CHARMER]

Like paul said all animals gorow at different rates for example the pet store I go to has six colombian red-tail boas two of them are sisters named little girl and big girl big girl is 7ft wall little girl is 5ft both of them are sosters same parents,same age,but different size but both are healthy as can be.

[Janelle]

Thanks, SC. That's a good point--my bro is 6 feet 2 inches, and I'm only 5 feet tall! hee hee It also might take her a little while to snap back 100% from being sick. I guess as long as she's not losing weight, she's probably ok.

[AnimalHouse36]

Like paul said all animals gorow at different rates for example the pet store I go to has six colombian red-tail boas two of them are sisters named little girl and big girl big girl is 7ft wall little girl is 5ft both of them are sosters same parents,same age,but different size but both are healthy as can be.

This isn't like guinea pigs though. Usualy, siblings tend to be the same size.

Janelle: Like Paula said, I would wait a little longer before you go into panick mode!

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by AnimalHouse36

This isn't like guinea pigs though. Usualy, siblings tend to be the same size.

Not always.

[Janelle]

I did call my aunt, but she wasn't home, and my little cousin didn't want to touch the scale without permission. So I'll have to wait to find out how big they are anyway.

Thanks. I'm not panicked yet!

[plopper]

Originally Posted by AnimalHouse36

This isn't like guinea pigs though. Usualy, siblings tend to be the same size.

Janelle: Like Paula said, I would wait a little longer before you go into panick mode!

I have to agree with Ly & Pigs. I have had litters born here from rescue sows (not breeding) and depending on the size of the litter there can be weight variations. For Instance; The runt of one litter weighed 45g less than his siblings but Is perfectly healthy.

In my opinion there Is no right weight for a guinea and the Idea behind regular weighing Is to monitor growth but more Importantly be alert If there Is loss in mass.

In all my years of guinea keeping I have adhered to the same dietary and housing rules and I have had small pigs and extremely chunky ones.

[Janelle]

Thanks. You all make me feel better!

[SNAKE CHARMER]

Originally Posted by Janelle

Thanks, SC. That's a good point--my bro is 6 feet 2 inches, and I'm only 5 feet tall! hee hee It also might take her a little while to.

My brothers a midget(If you saw him you'd think he was in the 2nd grade)

[PiggieMamaKelly]

This is an encouraging thread for me. I have a girl who seems to have "stunted growth" too. She's only about a pound a half and she's probably at least 6 months. Good to know that slow growth happens frequently.

Thanks!

[Janelle]

Rumpy's back up to 13.2 oz! This was the weight she was at before she got bloated and lost 2 oz. So it's taken her a while to recover, but I feel so much better seeing her gain.