Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Dec 8, 2017 0:27:00 GMT
I finally got some pictures downloaded. You really can't see how skinny he is, but you might be able to see how he's missing some fur on his back. Btw. that's his spine sticking up. You can also see that somebody chewed on his ears at some point. Poor little guy. He is doing well though and definitely has a strong personality. His one eye was a little crusty when he got here, but it's looking much better already. Attachment Deleted Attachment Deleted Attachment Deleted
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 8, 2017 8:31:36 GMT
He is adorable love, thank you so much for sharing his piccies with us.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Dec 8, 2017 9:04:35 GMT
Aww he's adorable. His eyes do show he's a bit worse for wear, but that's great they're clearing up as he thrives with great care.
Most often excessive thirst and weight loss would indicate diabetes. If there's any way you could get hold of one of the little dipsticks to test for sugar, you could easily find out if that were the case. It'd be an easy way to rule out an infection too as the sticks usually check for protein.
It might just be he's a big drinker, or it might be that he is unwell because of having had a poor diet and stress, and that it'll right itself. How much would you say he drinks a day?
Really good news that he's doing so much better though.
|
|
Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Dec 8, 2017 14:27:29 GMT
I think he drinks a lot, but he might also be playing with the bottle as you suggested. He has a smaller plastic water bottle...not sure what it holds (maybe 1.5 cups...I'll have to check) but if I fill it up at night, it's empty in the morning. Same thing after work. It's just a lot more water than my other pigs drank. I'm not familiar with those sticks. Where would I get one? This morning he was 845 grams btw.....yay! 😀
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Dec 8, 2017 15:29:00 GMT
I got a couple from a friend when I needed them, but I think you can buy them at chemists. I don't think they're expensive.
That does sound like a lot of water to be drinking, so I think it's definitely be worthwhile checking anyway.
The weight gain is definitely looking like a pretty solid pattern now!
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 8, 2017 18:26:42 GMT
Aw, he's such a sweet little guy, and he has had a rough time. Have you seen improvements in the quality of his coat, since you got him? I agree with Bean that diabetes is usually the cause of excessive drinking, if he's not wasting a lot of the water. Is there any way you can put something under the bottle spout, to catch the drips, a small towel, you could check in the morning to see if it absorbed a lot of water. The bottle could be leaking, he could be play with it, or he could be drinking all that water. Also, are the any urine spots you can check for color, just to know if his urine is a basically regular color? Lastly, could he be getting into salt/sodium? I know it's in the food and possibly in the hay, but does he get any treats that might have it added. Sodium makes us thirsty, would could be why he's drinking. Good luck with all of that. You have an adorable little guy there
|
|
Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Dec 8, 2017 22:45:19 GMT
I think he might be playing with the water bottle more than I thought. I put a towel under it now to see how much it absorbes, I don't think he eats anything with sodium. His treats are just veggies.
I'm not sure about his coat, but I'm hoping it will get better. He's not scratching it, so it seems like it's not bothering him. Who knows what it could be. I don't even know how old he is or anything, it's so sad.
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 8, 2017 23:01:49 GMT
If you found a lot of water in the towel, then either he's playing with the nozzle, or the bottle is leaking. When you fill the bottle, fill it just a bit more, so the water sort of mounds up on the top, then screw on the cover until you hear the suction sound. I'm using some old bottles I thought were no good, because they kept releasing the water. They're fine. I wasn't creating a good enough vacuum. It's not that there's anything wrong with his coat, as some of the roughness could be hereditary. Rough coats can also indicate a dietary deficiency or an illness, which is why I mentioned it. His coat may get more silky over time, or it may be that he has a rough coat. You're getting to know him
|
|
Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Dec 9, 2017 5:11:56 GMT
The water bottle isn't leaking and he uses it a lot, but I thought he was drinking it all until I saw how wet the towel is. Now I know, he likes to play with it. His coat is not really rough, but very thin in some spots. I'll try to get a good picture some time. He's getting more talkative, so he must be getting more comfortable here. He's such a sweetie ❤️
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Dec 9, 2017 6:44:31 GMT
That's good that he's playing with it as it would be an awful lot of water to drink. If he'll drink from a bowl, that's a good way to check how much is going in them too (although he might stand in it and play with it that way!).
Glad he is settling in well with you!
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 9, 2017 9:49:36 GMT
It is so nice to hear some good news, well-done hunni and thank you for the updates.
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 9, 2017 14:33:46 GMT
Oh, excellent on both counts! Glad you now know he's not actually drinking all of that water. So much better than worrying about why he's consuming so much. That's a big relief So glad he's settling in more and more all the time The more settled he is, the more he'll eat what he ought to eat, and hopefully, gain some solid weight He's realizing he's in a good place He appears to be at least part Abby, which gives the coat a kind of wild, fluffy look, instead of the sleek, shiny look of the flat-coated pigs. That's why, just from pictures, I can't tell if he has a rough coat, or just a wild one. I'm glad it's just a bit wild. My Morty seemed to have some of just about every pig in him, except Teddy, and he had a crazy coat If his coat is thin in some areas, it could be war wounds, as you said his ear is a bit tattered, so he could have been attacked by other pigs. Hopefully, his hair will grow back, once he's relaxed and regained his weight. He may also feel more capable of defending himself, once he's bulked up and healed
|
|
Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Dec 9, 2017 23:24:32 GMT
He plays with the water bottle all the time. It's kind of annoying,,,haha. He's definitely not flat coated. He's got some fluff, but not all the rosettes as some guinea pigs. I think you might be right about the thin coat. It could be where he had some wounds or poor nutrition. I'm thinking the same - if he can bulk up a bit, he can defend himself better and fight for food if he has too (he shouldn't have to, because there's plenty, but still). I just bought some alfalfa hay, so he has a variety.
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 9, 2017 23:55:23 GMT
Aw, I bet he'll like the alfalfa. It's actually a legume, not hay, so could help him bulk up a bit, too
|
|
Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Dec 11, 2017 14:44:20 GMT
I always thought alfalfa was hay, so I learned something new 😀 The little guy is doing well. He seems happy, but may be a little bored without any friends. He doesn't really like being picked up, but he will sit in his snuggle bag in the evening after I feed him some critical care. He likes that. His weight is very up and down. I was so happy when he gained weight everyday last week, but I think it was Saturday it was way down again. This morning the weight was up a lot, but his stomach also felt really big, so maybe he just ate something. He doesn't seem to be eating as much hay and pellets as he did last week. I'm not sure if I should just keep doing what I'm doing and see what happens. He talks a bit now and continues to play with his water bottle and cardboard house.
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Dec 11, 2017 15:17:01 GMT
Don't forget that pretty much everything he does contributes to his weight loss or gain. Subtract 35g from the weight he gains or loses, as that's how much he can gain or lose from being totally full or totally empty. As long as he doesn't constantly lose weight, he's at least hanging in there. If he eats the same amount, but is more active, he'll gain less. If he eats less and isn't more active, he'll lose weight.
I think it's very likely he is bored. Guinea pigs are very social animals, and really like having another pig around. Having a friend tends to make them more active, more willing to try new foods, etc.
Since it seems as if he's been through the wars, he may not be an easy pig to partner. Obviously, a female pig should work, but that means you paying for neutering or spaying surgery. Is it possible to take him back to the rescue, try him with some other boys, and see if there's one he really gets along with? I don't know if the rescue woman has the set up for a meet and greet with other pigs. You'd need a neutral area with a bit of hay in it, just as you do when bonding pigs at home. If he can find a good pal, it might help. Just don't be surprised if he isn't ready to put himself at risk again. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Dec 11, 2017 16:48:02 GMT
I agree, an overall trend of gain rather than loss is more telling than a day on day comparison. If you've got that nailed, then keep going for a while longer and hopefully as he relaxes and starts really getting the nutrients from finally having a decent diet, his weight will continue to improve, as will his general health.
If you feel he's plateauing then I think a vet visit would be necessary, to make sure there's nothing going on inside him which is preventing him from getting well. You have some positive signs though, so hopefully things will continue to move in the right direction.
|
|
Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
|
Post by Whimsy on Dec 13, 2017 5:09:35 GMT
Four years ago I moved into this apartment, because I split up with my boyfriend of 9 years and had to leave our house. I couldn't find a place where guinea pigs were allowed, but this building allowed two cats which I had at the time. I had to leave my old home and moved in here with my cats and two piggies. For 3 years I keep them a secret and had to hide hay when I bought that, sneak the piggies in and out for vet appointments, make sure nobody would find out I had them, be careful there were no signs of them when people came to my door etc. It was very stressful. The last couple of months I have worked hard on getting our bylaws changed, so small caged mammals are allowed and tonight we had our general meeting where we voted on the bylaw change. I'm so happy that everybody except one person chose to support me and we are now allowed to have those types of pets. I'm so excited that I can be open about having/ fostering guinea pigs. It's such a relief. Anyway, I just wanted to share my good news 😀
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Dec 13, 2017 8:41:12 GMT
That is great news sweetie and a load off your mind. I am so glad that nearly everyone made this possible for you. Do you know who the miserable bugger is who went against you?
Hugs JO xx
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Dec 13, 2017 8:56:55 GMT
That's great, well done Whimsy!
It must be such a relief to know you don't have to conceal your smaller furry family anymore, and can help out with fostering without it causing you all that worry. What a weight off your mind, and I'm sure there are plenty of other people who will benefit from you having driven this change too.
Bravo!
|
|