Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are small rodent mammals, which for decades have been very popular as pets, for your health it is essential to offer a balanced diet and, therefore, it is urgent to consult our regular veterinarian if we find that our pig does not eat.
Precisely, in this Article of Animal Expert, we will talk about the causes that can explain the lack of appetite of guinea pigs, what their good diet should be and what we should do to solve their lack of appetite, if you like guinea pigs, but your pigson does not eat, read on!
- Piglet teeth are constantly growing.
- For this reason.
- It is very important that they carry the dentures using food.
- Sometimes this wear does not occur and this entails oral problems that.
- In addition to affecting the teeth themselves.
- Can cause injuries and infections.
- In addition to tartar.
The pain you feel when feeding is responsible for the lack of appetite of our piglet, in these cases we will see that the pig does not eat (or hay) and does not drink, reason for a quick visit to the veterinarian because, without eating or drinking, our guinea pig can become dehydrated very quickly.
The solution is usually tooth sanding (always done by the veterinarian), if this is the cause, and antibiotic-based treatment to fight infections and painkillers to prevent pain.If we follow the instructions of our veterinarian and there are no complications, soon our pig will eat normally.
In some cases, the pigsucker may not eat, drink, or move, and may have a respiratory process, such as pneumonia.Sometimes, if we look closely, we can see an aqueous discharge in his nostrils and eyes.It’s also a veterinary emergency.
Respiratory problems are not always infectious, small pigs can also develop tumors, such as adenocarcinoma, which are detected by x-rays or ultrasounds and produce symptoms similar to pneumonia, this type of tumor is quite common in guinea pigs older than three years.At this stage, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of consulting a veterinarian who specializes in these animals, as there are considerable differences with other more common patients, such as dogs and cats.
Based on the test results, the veterinarian will determine the appropriate treatment.Also, because guinea pigs don’t eat when they feel discomfort, it’s very important to keep them hydrated, helping them drink and eat.
Another cause that may explain why guinea pigs do not eat or drink is in their digestive system, and at this point it is important to emphasize again how essential a proper diet is, not to provide piglets with foods that may cause digestive problems to manifest thee., for example, through gases or obstructions.
Our pigle does not eat and, in addition, we can notice the abdomen inflamed or hardened, in this situation the pain can also be seen to the touch or with simple manipulation, reason for veterinary consultation so that the professional can determine the cause of the problem. Sometimes a foreign body is responsible for an obstruction.With an X-ray or ultrasound we can determine the reason and treat it with medication or an intervention.
This deficiency causes a disease known as scurvy, guinea pigs, like humans, are not capable of producing this vitamin in their body, so they must ingest it through food, so it is essential to know the list of fruits and vegetables recommended for guinea. pigs.
If our piggy doesn’t get enough vitamin C from your food and supplements it, you can develop this disease.Vitamin C is linked to collagen synthesis, which is a protein involved in the formation of bones, cartilage and connective tissue (skin, ligaments, tendons, etc.).Thus, its lack will manifest itself by the appearance of the following problems:
Each of these symptoms is a reason for veterinary consultation and, in addition to treating them, the solution is to improve the diet by establishing an adequate daily amount of vitamin C.
In addition to the physical aspects that we have discussed in previous sections, we can find guinea pigs that do not eat, drink or move for reasons such as stress or sadness, these animals are very sensitive to changes and, if they occur, can affect them to the point of losing their appetite and mood.
As we have noted many times, it is very important that our pigste and drink because, if you do not, you can become dehydrated quickly, so it is important to go to the veterinary clinic immediately.the problem, we should observe our friend and present him with improvements that encourage him, such as more attention, companionship, other meals, a bigger bed and / or cleaner, etc.
Throughout the previous sections we have seen the importance of paying attention to a piglet that does not eat and sometimes does not drink or move, since this can cause a serious illness, in addition, as we have already pointed out, it will be crucial to help our piglet stay hydrated and fed.
To do this, water can be administered with a syringe, always gradually and in the corner of the mouth, in the cavity behind the teeth, to avoid choking. On the food side, we can encourage you to eat by offering you porridge or porridge., also administered as a syringe (water can be added to make it more liquid).
However, we should consult our veterinarian to make sure that the composition of these foods is the most suitable. Once our piggy hand starts eating again, your diet should be high in fiber to help you use your teeth while promoting digestion.Transit Note that guinea pigs are completely herbivorous.A correct diet should contain the following foods, expressed in approximate percentages:
This would be a model diet for adult guinea pigs; for piglets under six months or pregnant females, it needs to be adjusted, as nutritional needs change.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest taking your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.