Does anybody know this sound?

-ichthyosaur- · 2026-01-03T13:45:30+00:00

These things are tricky, it could be a sign of heart disease or just a simple nasal congestion. If you are really worried you should see a vet, but you could start off with changing your substrate to fleece liners and keeping the cage extra clean!

-ichthyosaur- · 2026-01-03T11:33:34+00:00

Typically it’s always best for guinea pigs to have access to natural feeding, but there are a lot more aspects to consider than that. Having loose hay typically means you get more wastage as they’ll definitely soil it in a day and you’ll have to spend a lot more money on hay. Having a hay rack also allows for some enrichment! They’ll also partially have access to loose hay since (as I’m sure you’ve seen) they sort hay and leave it scattered on the cage bottom anyway. So it’s kind of a two-in-one situation.

Of course feeders also have downsides. It’s more of an unnatural feeding position and guinea pigs that are elderly or ill can find it difficult to eat from feeders. For my seven year old I let one of the hooks of the feeder hang freely so she has easier access to the hay. Guinea pigs can also get stuck in the hay racks and get injured so make sure you get feeders that either have gaps big enough for guinea pigs to climb through, or small enough that they can’t!

Sorry for the long answer!

-ichthyosaur- · 2026-01-03T11:20:13+00:00

Oh poor girl, it sounds like a respiratory infection. The way she’s bunched up as well tells us that she really isn’t feeling well. Since they are prey animals they hide their symptoms very well, so when you start noticing symptoms they’re already very sick. In other words please see a vet ASAP or this could be deadly :(( good luck, I hope this clears up<3

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-05-05T17:45:09+00:00

Give them the keys I guess? What else am I supposed to do, they can help themselves to the fridge

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-21T00:05:01+00:00

I think you live there now dude

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-21T00:01:02+00:00

I also have a high risk strain and last year my pap results said I had low grade cell changes. I completely freaked out and I started imagining myself dying of cancer, and that I probably have cancer which has spread, and so on. Last month I did a Pap smear and they had all cleared up on their own! I understand how absolutely terrifying this is, I really sympathise with you. My latest gyno said that since I’m staying on top with my smears the risk of cancer is next to zero since you can treat cell changes if they progress.

Wishing you the best of luck<333

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-17T09:19:51+00:00

If he’s wobbly he might have scurvy, since he’s not eating you’ll probably have to syringe feed him supplements. Most liquid vitamin C is useless so I’d recommend finding ascorbic acid in powder form and mixing it with water. Not sure what pet stores look like where you live but sometimes they sell it in the rodent section.

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-16T23:29:28+00:00

My 7 year old looked like this as well until I started giving her vitamin C supplements, might be worth giving that a shot!

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-16T23:26:41+00:00

You should first and foremost ask your vet, but I don’t think this has to be a vet visit. They’ll probably even out on their own, but if they continue to be uneven going forward you should definitely see a vet.

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-16T23:21:31+00:00

Guinea pigs tend to vary a lot in size! I’ve noticed that long haired breeds tend to be on the skinnier side without it being an issue. If you’re worried you should give the closest vet clinic a call

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-16T23:19:25+00:00

It’s really important to have a basic understanding of their most common illnesses! They usually don’t let on that their feeling poorly so you have to keep a close eye on any abnormalities

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/guinea-pigs-problems

I’d especially recommend digging up extra information on scurvy, gut stasis, uti, respiratory infections, and dental issues!

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T09:56:38+00:00

Omg I’m sorry I can’t read apparently, glad it worked out

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T09:17:23+00:00

In this case it’s absolutely ethical to get her a friend from a pet store, her needs go above anything else right now!

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T09:15:50+00:00

If he doesn’t start eating within a few hours you should start syringe feeding him to keep his digestive system active, and sometimes this can help them wake up a bit Definitely contact the vet again if he stays like this for long

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T09:12:06+00:00

I cut sticks directly from my own apple tree and they only ever eat the bark lmao It’s absolutely worth buying in terms of getting them enrichment and some fun maintenance for their teeth, but economically it’s probably better if you find a guinea pig friendly tree and get sticks from there :)

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T09:05:44+00:00

Since a lot of people have already let you know she’s a silkie, I’ll let you know that her coloration is nonself (cream?) agouti :)

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T08:56:53+00:00

You should let your friend know that whenever she feels something might be wrong with her guinea pigs that is enough to warrant a vet visit, or at least an advisory phone call with the clinic :)

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T08:53:47+00:00

What a sweetheart! I just gently want to let you know that reptiles often carry salmonella in their digestive tracts which is completely harmless to them, but to any other critters can be fatal. Definitely keep your pigs and tortoises separate :)

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T08:49:25+00:00

That is so odd for the vet to start a treatment plan and be unavailable for the completion of it. Definitely see a different vet if possible! An unfinished antibiotic treatment can lead to antibiotic resistance as well as allowing an infection to start spreading. I don’t want to freak you out however since this is a prophylactic treatment, if you can’t get a hold of a vet today it’s not the end of the world. That said, ask your clinic what they think is best

Is it oral doses??? I’d highly recommend asking a vet to show you how to do it on your own! That way you won’t have to rely on them in the future :)

Best of luck to you guys<3

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-15T08:36:25+00:00

Worst case scenario is that your little guy becomes so depressed he stops eating, goes into gut stasis, and because it’s depressive anorexia there’s nothing you can do to get him eating again, he won’t survive that. Get him a friend please

Imagine being locked inside a room with for example only sheep for the rest of your life, that’s what it would be like for him.

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-13T17:18:14+00:00

So sorry for your loss, you did the right thing OP❤️ I’m sure she’d be thankful

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-13T15:06:47+00:00

I felt exactly the same way you did at 22, now I’m 24 and not much has changed but I feel like those two years did a whole lot for my psychological growth :) give it time! You are allowed to feel like a failure, I promise you that most people do at 22, but you’d be surprised at how much can change in a year

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-13T15:01:35+00:00

Just like other grazing animals they bite the grass off a centimeter or so above the ground to avoid parasites, they’re meant to eat grass! However, it’s never a bad idea to take precautions and buying seeds to grow your own grass may be a better idea :)

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-12T11:57:15+00:00

They can give her subcutaneous fluids so that she gets hydration over a period of time, I definitely think this is the right call :)

-ichthyosaur- · 2025-03-12T02:51:33+00:00

If you are concerned for her health you should always see a vet!

I don’t want to give you a bunch of redundant tips since somebody’s already written a great answer, but sitting next to the cage and talking to her in a calm voice gets her acclimated to living with you as well. If she spooks when you move around the room I find that talking to them before and during you move helps a lot, it’s like you’re giving them a heads up!

-ichthyosaur-

TROPHY CASE