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Mama Lee	Not sure if something's wrong		Lead	[-]
Posts: 14 05/27/09 06:46 PM	Tags : None It's my Eve! I came home after my walk at the track and started to do my usual cleaning of the cage and feeding of supertime hay/veggies ritual. Eve is usually popcorning all over and Boo too...but not as much as Eve. She's been a real PITA lately to Boo kinda chasing her and almost stalking her (moving really slow and crouched like) and also trying to mount her...nothing too alarming...she's just in heat. But tonight...out of no where...right as I was putting out the hay for dinner...she just shut down. Went into the hidey house and did not come out. I reached in to pick her up and she's very good about that...but she's just kinda blobby. I put her back in the cage and she usually takes off and goes into her tube or house...but this time she just sat in my hand and didn't try to get away. I left for a bit and went back in to see the girls and they were both in the crinkle tube so I picked up Eve again and laid down on my bed cuz she likes to go under the covers. She did that and laid on my belly for a bit but never as her usual relaxed self when she cozies under the covers. Then I moved the blankets back and brought her up near my chin and she felt cold?! And she'll let me touch her anywhere...usually she doesn't like her nose petted and she just sits there...I even moved her mouth and looked at her teeth with no reaction. She's sitting in front of me now on the computer table not moving a muscle. Could something be wrong? Is it the change in tempuratures...it's back in the 50-60's in the Boston area...I did put the heat back on last night! Could she just be cold? I'm probably just being an overworried new mommy again but I just want to be sure! Thanks Mama Lee~ Last Edited By: Mama Lee 05/27/09 06:48 PM. Edited 1 time.
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PooksiedAnimals		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4082 05/27/09 07:59 PM Moderator	It has been cold around here, lately, but unless your house temperature has changed much, they probably haven't noticed (my house hasn't dropped below 63). First, the stupid questions -- has anyone else in the household handled her? Could it be possible she was dropped? Squeezed? otherwise hurt? has she been fed anything different in the last 24 hours? Did she have floor time and have a chance to eat or taste-test something she shouldn't have? If she's cold, its quite possible her heart is failing. It would cause much of the symptoms you're describing: the cold, the lethargy, the lack of reaction. I usually tell people to listen to their gut. If something feels wrong to you, its quite possible it is. Just being cold wouldn't cause her to be as "still" as she is. If it is heart failure (or poisoning or internal injury) she needs medical attention, the sooner the better. At this time of night, the closest exotics vet is probably Angell Memorial in Boston. If that is not an option, you can try to keep her warm and comfortable, and if she's still not right in the morning, hustle her to your local vet. The last pig I had exhibit signs like you're describing passed away within 24 hours (her lips and nails turned blue -- that's when I knew it was her heart). I hope its nothing and she snaps out of it.
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Mama Lee		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 14 05/28/09 11:44 AM	Thanks for the reply Pooksied! No such thing as stupid questions...the only thing different in their cage...which neither is really paying much attention to is a salt wheel?! No one else handles them but me...and I did check with hubby and daughter (she's 23). She did seem much better last night as far as her not feeling cold anymore to the touch when I put her back in her cage. She doesn't seem to be eating as much since last night...and neither her nor Boo seem to be interested in the veggies i've given them since last night either...but they could be bored with them. BUT...instead of her usual rumble strutting she is still almost stalking Boo. She walks at a snails pace all kinda low to the ground (no noises) and seems like she's trying to mount Boo if she could...Boo just runs all around the cage to get away from Eve. But will at the same time run up to the back of Eve sniffing her curiously. Then Boo will turn around and try again. It's just really weird seeing her walking around SO slowly and not being her usual excited self at feeding time?! Could it really be her heart?
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PooksiedAnimals		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4082 05/28/09 12:09 PM Moderator	The stalking is typical of being in heat. Sometimes they do a silent rumblestrut -- I've seen it. And I've had my girls stop eating something one day that was their favorite the day before. Do you have a small scale that you can weight them regularly on? That is the best way to monitor their health. Its a bit tough at their age, because they're growing (but if they've been getting heavier, and then stop or lose weight, that can be an indication of illness). I lost a pig to a heart defect when she was only 18 months old. And I had nothing but problems with her cagemate. The vet said it was a congenital defect, and blamed the breeding mills. That's when I swore I'd never get another pig from a big pet store. Abercrombie had lost weight, but otherwise seemed normal, until her lips and nails started turning blue (if I knew about weighing them at the time, I'd probably have caught it a lot earlier). Keep an eye on Eve. As long as she's eating, keeping her weight up, and at least somewhat active (and not breathing really heavy or hooting) she's probably fine. Its so hard to advise over the web, especially to someone new to guinea pigs. They're quirky, and many quirks mean nothing -- its just how they are. But it takes living with them for a while to know how to recognize which is which. "Quirky" and "ill" can often be described the same way. Sounds like the slow walking is that she's strutting, and not because she's hurt or doesn't feel well. And ditch the salt wheel. It may be tasty, but its not good for them.
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Mama Lee		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 14 05/28/09 02:22 PM	Will do! Thanks so much Pooksied...i'll keep ya posted. Where/what type of scale should I get that is ideal for weighing the little piggies?
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PooksiedAnimals		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4082 05/28/09 03:46 PM Moderator	Basically, any kitchen scale will do. Scales that measure in oz or grams is useful, and you should have one that weighs up to at least 4lbs. There's more information at GuineaLynx:: Care Guide - Weigh Weekly.
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axel		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 39 05/28/09 10:45 PM	This may sound like a stupid question, but what is a good place to get a scale to weigh my guinea pigs in? The more I hear about it the more convinced i am that it's a good idea to have one just to make sure everything is alright. :)
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PooksiedAnimals		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4082 05/29/09 07:53 AM Moderator	I managed to snag a great digital scale at TJMaxx for only $10. Any kitchen store will have scales, any place like Target or WalMart. You may also find postal scales at an office supply store that will also do the trick.
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