Facing Wall
I've noticed my 2 year old boar has started sleeping/ hanging out facing the wall rather than facing outwards. He has not had any significant weight changes, is eating regularly, still socializes with his brother, and seems entirely normal otherwise. Since their 2nd birthday in August, they have both stated allowing me to pet them more frequently (and purring when I do!), but other than that there have been no noticable behavior changes.
Not sure if facing into his corner it's enough to warrant a vet visit, or if maybe I should just keep an eye on him?
They live in a 3×5 cage with towels/fleece for bedding and eat dandelion greens as their main vegetable.
Not sure if facing into his corner it's enough to warrant a vet visit, or if maybe I should just keep an eye on him?
They live in a 3×5 cage with towels/fleece for bedding and eat dandelion greens as their main vegetable.
- Sef
- I dissent.
Facing the wall is often a sign of pain. If memory serves, dandelion greens are fairly high in calcium (I'd need to double-check). Are you noticing any signs of sludge on the fleece? When he poops/pees, is he vocalizing or hunching? How do his poops look? I assume no signs of blood in his urine? And as Erinspigs asked, any sign of stomach distention or does he look "fluffed up" at times?
Do read:
https://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html
Do read:
https://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html
Yes he is getting hay and pellets as well.
No puffing up, shaking, or any signs of pain while urinating. Feces are normal in shape, size, and frequency. No sludge on bedding.
I had similar concerns about the calcium, but have had two separate exotic pet vets (both who own guinea pigs themselves) tell me dandelions are the best food for my pigs.
Thanks everyone for the input! He doesnt seem to be facing the wall so much if at all anymore. I am starting to think some of the girls' poops had been kicked into that corner from their cage and he was just sniffing them! Though I am not certain.
Always appreciate the feedback :)
No puffing up, shaking, or any signs of pain while urinating. Feces are normal in shape, size, and frequency. No sludge on bedding.
I had similar concerns about the calcium, but have had two separate exotic pet vets (both who own guinea pigs themselves) tell me dandelions are the best food for my pigs.
Thanks everyone for the input! He doesnt seem to be facing the wall so much if at all anymore. I am starting to think some of the girls' poops had been kicked into that corner from their cage and he was just sniffing them! Though I am not certain.
Always appreciate the feedback :)
To add: pigs were originally on a diet of parsley and romaine and both vets suggested I switch them from that diet onto strictly dandelions. I got the second opinion because I thought that was odd as well. But they were going off of xrays and ultrasounds and thought that would be best for my piggos
- Sef
- I dissent.
I'm going to assume maybe your question regarding Metoclopramide was related to this guinea pig, so I'm posting my response on this thread (as Lynx suggested, please always add to an existing pig's medical thread vs. starting a new one).
You will need your guinea pig's weight in order to calculate it. As an example:
.5 (based on lowest dose of Metoclopramide) x guinea pig's weight in kg = ______. Take that number and divide by the strength of the liquid suspension, which is apparently 2 (mg/ml). That resulting number is your dose in cc's.
It sounds like 2mg/ml is the strength of the suspension you were given, in which case that dose seem like a high dose. To be sure, use the calculator that Lynx provided, or you can calculate it yourself. That drug has a dosage range of roughly 0.5-1mg/kg--meaning that for every kilogram of weight, the guinea pig should get anywhere between .5 and 1mg of the drug.Instructions say "Give 0.6ml by mouth twice daily. Metoclopramide 2mg/ml" then it says "Metoclopramide 10mg"
You will need your guinea pig's weight in order to calculate it. As an example:
.5 (based on lowest dose of Metoclopramide) x guinea pig's weight in kg = ______. Take that number and divide by the strength of the liquid suspension, which is apparently 2 (mg/ml). That resulting number is your dose in cc's.
@sef1268 I missed this response. Sorry, I did not realize to stick to one thread. I will do that in the future.
My Metoclopramide post was about Ellie, who passed away. I am currently wondering whether it was due to an overdose in the medication.
This wall facing post is about Ralph. Knock on wood, he is doing fine :)
My Metoclopramide post was about Ellie, who passed away. I am currently wondering whether it was due to an overdose in the medication.
This wall facing post is about Ralph. Knock on wood, he is doing fine :)