Behavior Pixie Rose has stopped grooming herself

[Pammers2169]

Hello, Over the last 2 wks I?ve noticed Pixie?s with a crusting at the corner of her eyes closest to her nose. I began cleaning her eyes every night but nothing changed. She looks very tired and sad.

A week later I noticed black specks on her nose. I began cleaning her nose every night. A few days later her bottom was dirty (she is mostly white). I gave her a butt bath last night.

Tonight I seen the fluid used for grooming come during veggie time. During evening veggies almost all my piggies eat and groom at the same time. She didn?t groom herself.

I will be going to the veterinarian Saturday and will take her with me. She eats very well and is active. Any thoughts about this, have never seen or heard of this happening. Thanks

 

[foggycreekcavy]

Pigs that don’t feel well don’t feel like grooming. Can you get into the vet any sooner?

 

[Pammers2169]

Update on Pixie Rose, she was treated with oral antibiotics and antibiotic eye drops. She had no cough or sneezing. What I learned I want to share. She completed her first orders for antibiotics and had an extra 3 days added because she continued with symptoms.

She was seen today and still has the eye drainage and nasal draining. Her front inner paws are still raw from her cleaning the nasal drainage. She has had no sneezing, coughing, lung sound clear/good and her drainage is clear.

I’ve never had a guinea pig who had had nasal drainage and we think Pixie was so tired of cleaning herself since her poor little paws were bald and sore. I learned that what I thought was her not grooming was actually nasal drainage.

While speaking to the vet all that was changed was the hay I buy. I’m going back to my old brand for her cage. The vet suspects it’s related to the hay change. She will start a antihistamine.

I feel terrible it took this long to figure out and while the new hay is not the define source it all seems to make sense. Now I’m feeling nervous about giving her an antihistamine.

 

[bpatters]

How old is she? It's very common for senior pigs to stop grooming themselves very well, probably because of arthritis.

 

[Pammers2169]

Pixie is 3 years old.