Question for fellow Guinea Pig owners

[stacy347]

We have an Abyssinian piggy named Chip who is going to be 4 in June ~ and I am curious about some changes he is going through.
I know this is going to sound really nuts, LOL but have any of you ever had a GP that sort of went senile?
I honest to goodness think something like that is happening to him.
He has always been a big veggie lover of course but for the last month or so about 5 minutes after he eats his HUGE pile of spinach, carrots, whatever, he turns around and starts squealing his head off like he is starving and hasn't eaten in a month. And it isn't for attention because even when you hold him, he is still acting this way and is constantly looking around for something to eat.
This is now going on 24 hours a day and it is getting really out of control. I can't even tell you the last time I got to sleep through the night...it's like having an infant in the house again (he's extremely loud, like he's desperate) .

I really do love the little guy but I can't do this much longer and I know 4 is relatively old for GPs but this is the first time I have considered him being close to "the end". I know that when people start with dementia, one common sign is that they have had their meal but then turn around and say that they are starving and haven't eaten all day...that's what is making me think this but I don't know if this could happen with a GP.

Any other GP owners out there that have seen their piggy go through this type of thing that can offer any advice? TIA!!

 

[Teejay32]

he might not be hungry, but wanting to chew something instead...are his teeth ok?

 

[stacy347]

When he was in my lap yesterday, he looked up at me and I didn't see anything wrong with his teeth (no chips or breakage) ~ not sure if they hurt...but he is biting into his carrots with no trouble. Thanks for the input

 

[LBAK]

I'm not sure what to tell you. Our first guinea pig was always very verbal. Maybe he just wants more attention. Our new guinea pig doesn't squeal and I kind of miss it. Try giving him some toilet paper rolls to chew or something and see what happens. Our GP loves those.

 

[stacy347]

Chip loves those too, LOL! We give him lots of stuff and he is always around people (even when not being held, he is always in a room with people) and he has always been vocal as well (at normal levels) and will stand up and talk to me as I walk by.

What he is doing now is totally different from what he has done all of his life...we've had him since he was a baby (about 6 weeks old) and in the last 4 years, we've gotten to know his personality quite well and this is totally out of character for him which is why I'm concerned.

I was just curious to know if anyone else had gone through something like this with an older GP ~ believe me, he is extremely well taken care of (read: spoiled, LOL) so I honestly don't think it is anything he is lacking, just something he is going through.

 

[pjlla]

Two pigs here, but no help.... sorry. Is it possible the squealing is from pain? Maybe he has some sort of stomach ache after eating? Reflux? Cramps? Are the droppings looking unusual at all? Sorry to hear about your troubles. Let us know how things work out...................P

 

[tmt martins]

Could it be a water problem .We had this and it was a new water bottle Pickles just didn't like it for some reason.

 

[stacy347]

Thanks for the different ideas!
He has had the same type of water bottle his whole life and this particular bottle for about 6 months so that is likely not the problem...a stomachache/cramps could be possible (not sure why he would want to continously eat though). I'm still doing some searching, too, but thanks for all the replies so far, I really appreciate it!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

You said that he is a "big veggie lover." Maybe as he's getting older he's having trouble digesting all those veggies or getting gas from them. GP's are only supposed to have limited veggies although some do fine with lots. Maybe he's just having some stomach changes going on and not able to handle the veggies like he used to, even though he may love them. (Hmmmm, sounds like a human thing to me! ) Maybe you could try a little less on the veggies and a little more on the fiber for a little while.

Good luck with the little guy!!!!

 

[Hannathy]

4 isnt that old for a piggy , ours is about 3 and he does that. ours will squeak and get a carrot and run in his igloo to eat it then run out and squeak again. this is just because ours is very social and after a snack he wants you to stand at the cage and scrach him through the bars. it sounds normal to me. though he may be board.