Teeth and eating problems....

[pixiemouse]

Hello,
I have a 4yr old piggie named Pixie, he always had a good appetite but couple months ago I've noticed he lost weight and not eating as much and struggling to eat.....so I took him to the vet and they had to grind his teeth down coz they were overgrown .....he started eating better again week after that and it was all good for couple of months but now similar things are happening.....I can't see that his teeth are very long like last time but he doesn't want to eat any veggies that I think she should have like the ones containing vitamin C .....he eats his dry food and particularly he picks the dried fruit first.....he only eats cucumbers which I heard have no nutrition for him.....but he still has enough of the appetite ....can anyone help me with an advice.....I can't believe that his teeth would overgrow again so quickly as the vet told me in the worst case scenario we would have to come back in 6months time....I know a bit about cavies but I' m no expert.....is there any other veggies that I can try offering....some softer ones.....Could it be something else bothering him.....like coz he is by himself at the back yard....could he get lonely coz of that or depressed and coz of that not eat as much......I appreciate any suggestions.....thank you

[Kayleigh]

What feed is he on? If hes picking (from a muesli) then i would change the food to a pellet food. Dried fruits etc shouldnt be fed or be part of the feed as they are high in sugars.

Overgrown teeth can be a problem as can ulcers in the mouth. Is he eating hay ok?

Weightloss can be a variety of things, has he been wormed (always worth ruling that out) ivermected (for mites) and had a good checkover to check for lumps, bumps, sores in the mouth etc?

Kayleigh

[pixiemouse]

The dry food that l get for him is something "premium rabbit and guinea pig food"....it's got a mixture of grains as well as dried fruit such as banana chips ,sultanas,paw paw etc.
It's got some pellets in it too,but does that mean that I should feed him only pellets?
How do I do the worming....do I have to take him to the vet's for that and would they check for mouth ulcers and stuff?....he is eating hay....I don't know how much but....and is there a difference between fresh grass and hay....for guinea pig's diet....I mean is one better than the other or are they roughly the same?
Thanks for your feedback Kayleigh I appreciate it.....I have so many questions about piggies and I couldn't find it all on the net to read.....and the Vet...well they just fixed his teeth but didn't advise me anything of how to avoid his teeth growing back.....

[Kayleigh]

No problem we are here to help.

You can get a wormer from the petstore or vet. Here in the uk i use panacur rabbit wormer paste.

Guinea pigs shouldnt really have a heavy grain/dried fruit based diet as its high in sugars. Where are you located and what feeds are available? I would try and find a guinea pig pellet .... i know it sounds and looks boring but its the easier option. Grass is good to feed when its about. Hay is used as its easily available and very good for the pigs too. Keeps digestion going which is vital.

Does he get fresh fruit/vegetables?

Vets can check for sores etc in the mouth but if hes eating thats good.

Ill repost again later as im at work just now haha.

Kayleigh

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