Drooling, not eating
You could try him on other greens. Julienne them so they resemble grass in shape.
The safe second growth of grass is what comes up after the first mowing.
Watch out for clover - can have the same effect. Has to be introduced gradually. Once their systems are used to it they can handle more.
The safe second growth of grass is what comes up after the first mowing.
Watch out for clover - can have the same effect. Has to be introduced gradually. Once their systems are used to it they can handle more.
I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who helped Rufi survive! Without your wonderful community, he would not be here... God bless you!
Rufi steadily gains weight, though he would not eat hay. But hopefully this will change until autumn. In every other aspect, he seems normal and happy.
Rufi steadily gains weight, though he would not eat hay. But hopefully this will change until autumn. In every other aspect, he seems normal and happy.
-
- You can quote me
Ditto Lynx.
Remember that YOU did the work. We can advise and support, but YOU are the one that handfed him, took him to multiple vets, and did everything you needed to do to help him recover.
You have kept your commitment to him throughout, and saved his life. That's important. Take some pride in that, too.
Remember that YOU did the work. We can advise and support, but YOU are the one that handfed him, took him to multiple vets, and did everything you needed to do to help him recover.
You have kept your commitment to him throughout, and saved his life. That's important. Take some pride in that, too.
Unfortunately, Rufi's ability to cut and chew has deteriorated.
Looking for the reason, I observed that Rufi's cheek is moist.
I presume there can be 4 reasons:
-weak jaw muscles
-overgrown molars
-overgrown incisors
-a combination of the above
Can you guys give me an advice? Of course, I could take him to the vet, but they are also inexperienced in these matters regarding Guinea pigs. I would like to save Rufi from unnecessary stress and pain.
Thank you in advance!
Looking for the reason, I observed that Rufi's cheek is moist.
I presume there can be 4 reasons:
-weak jaw muscles
-overgrown molars
-overgrown incisors
-a combination of the above
Can you guys give me an advice? Of course, I could take him to the vet, but they are also inexperienced in these matters regarding Guinea pigs. I would like to save Rufi from unnecessary stress and pain.
Thank you in advance!
He needs to see the vet for a check up. If his molars are overgrown they will need to be planed. Has he been wearing his Chin-Sling and has it been on tight enough? You should be able to get a finger between the Chin-Sling and his cheek but it should be very snug but his eyes should not be watering.
Are his incisors aligned when he is wearing the Chin-Sling and is viewed from the front? If not he will need a pad on one side to nudge the jaw over into proper alignment. But if the molars have overgrown again, they will need planing.
Are his incisors aligned when he is wearing the Chin-Sling and is viewed from the front? If not he will need a pad on one side to nudge the jaw over into proper alignment. But if the molars have overgrown again, they will need planing.
-
- You can quote me
DON'T let them cut his incisors too short -- if they cut them at all. Ideally the incisors don't need to be trimmed at all; only the molars, and those only if necessary.
They often "look" overgrown if you look at them from a human, or dog, or cat, reference point of view. If you ever see the incisors of a rat or mouse, though, you'll see something closer to what a guinea pig's are supposed to look like.
(Actually, a rat's upper incisors are normally shorter than a cavy's, but you get the idea.)
They often "look" overgrown if you look at them from a human, or dog, or cat, reference point of view. If you ever see the incisors of a rat or mouse, though, you'll see something closer to what a guinea pig's are supposed to look like.
(Actually, a rat's upper incisors are normally shorter than a cavy's, but you get the idea.)