[Gpdd] HEALTH - Sudden weight loss

[Emma White]

Hi there!
My name is Emma and I am from Queensland in Australia. I have been a  
lurker on this list in the past and have just re-subscribed. I have a  
sweet girl-piggie called Suki who is about 2 and a half years old,  
she has long hair and is an tortiseshell colored abby-cross-sheltie,  
I think.
I am posting in the hope some of you may be able to help me. I have  
noticed a sudden and drastic weight loss in Suki, within the past  
couple of weeks she has gone from feeling slightly skinnier than  
normal to absolutely skeletal when I held her tonight at feeding  
time. It is hard to tell just from looking at her because she is so  
fluffy, although I have noticed her hair is looking thinner too. I am  
worried sick right now, and although I will take her to the vet as  
soon as they are open on Monday, I thought you all on this mailing  
list would probably know more than most of the vets around here. I   
have owned piggies before, and have been unable to find a vet in my  
city who has knowledge of guinea pig care. When I have taken previous  
piggies to the vet, the vet seemed surprised that I was bothering to  
spend so much money on vet care for them! One vet had to keep  
referring to books and the internet because she hadn't had much  
experience with piggies before! So you can see why I would trust the  
advice of you knowledgable piggie-folk rather than the vets!
Any suggestions how I can get Suki to gain some weight? She is still  
wheeking happily when she gets her daily vegetables and eats them  
along with her chaff/guinea pig mix, although she has never been a  
huge eater. It is winter here at the moment, but she lives in an  
indoor hutch, so the cold shouldn't be affecting her. Is it possible  
that she is getting old? I would be devestated to lose her. I am more  
than willing to syringe-feed her if it will help. Any suggestions  
will be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance...
Emma & Suki
emma10678 at dodo.com.au