Hi all, I've never ventured into the small animals forum before, normally I'm stuck in the cat forum!! But I wonder if you could help me?

My sister has a young guinea pig, I say young, probably about 6 months old? Over the past few weeks he seems to be drinking quite a lot. She says that in a 24 hour period he will drink most of a 320ml water bottle. I wonder if you could tell me if that's excessive or seems normal?

He's normal in every other way, eyes are bright, he's alert, eating normally, he gets fresh food as well as these little kibble nuggets.

Any advice appreciated!

My daughters at uni and has ginnies one of hers was drinking more all of a sudden so she took hers to the vet and it had an infection. They put it on antibiotics and it waas fine after. Not sure but I think my daughter also said its pee was smelling strong as well. Not saying yours has a urinary tract infection too but the symptoms sound the same with the extra drinking. If shes worried I would get her checked or a least phone the vet and ask their advice.

i will say some do drink quite alot where others not much. but if its a sudden change and your worried id take it in for a check up.

__________________



Banner By Smudge.

Hiya Chez

Has she ruled out a leaky bottle? Also is he being kept indoors, and has the heating just been put on perhaps higher than normal?

Though that does still sound like a lot of water. It may be a good idea for her to pop the little one to the vet for a check over if the leaky bottle can be ruled out (get her to check the bedding under the bottle, sometimes it can look dry on top, but may have completely soaked it underneath).

__________________

Thanks everyone! (and hi aurelia!!)

She doesn't think he's always drank that much, would there be any other symptoms if it was a UTI? His wee smells a bit, but doesn't all rodent wee smell?

He is being kept indoors and I guess it could have happened since she's started putting the heating on?

And the bottles not leaking.

I think she's gonna at least call the vet to get some advice.

One of my girls drinks alot and it's because of an enlarged kidney. She is 3 so it's to do with age mainly aswell.

__________________

Dont think there was any other symptons apart from the drinking and the stronger smelling urine.