Question:
I'm a bit worried about Anya. Up until about a month ago, she weighed 587 grams. I picked her up last night (I don't hold her often because she tries to bite) and she felt a bit lighter and more boney. I weighed her last night and she's down to 547. She seems to be feeling fine...still getting grumpy at me, taking treats, etc. The one thing that coincides with her weight loss is the new cage. The new cage is smaller than their old cage but has a wheel. Being that she is hyper anyway, I am wondering if she's over-doing it on the wheel? She doesn't seem to be having problems eating, she's drinking and she's pooping okay. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am going to start giving her oats more often and see how that goes for the next week. I am also going to add another food bowl. I found some tufts of hair in the cage and I wonder if she's getting pushed out of the food...I find it strange that the other girls would turn on her like that (after two years) but who knows. Does anyone else have suggestions?


Answer:
Candice, it is encouraging to hear she is eating good, drinking, and her poop looks normal. Perhaps because she has lost weight she is weaker and the other girls can sense this and know they can push her away from the food bowl?
If Anya's metabolism is fast to begin with (it sounds like it is) the wheel could very well have something do with the weight loss. I remember when Delilah had a wheel she was thinner than she is now. When I took the wheel out of the cage, she packed on the weight again. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her physically.


Answer:
Hmmm Maybe the new environment is affecting all three girls and the "roles" have changed. Anya could very well be in the midst of bullying. Have you thought about giving her a bit of nutrical as a supplement every week? Or maybe taking the other two out of the cage for playtime to give Anya time for some food?
Maybe take the wheel out for a while and wsee if she gains again. That's really all I can think of


Answer:
I am going to start taking Anya out by herself. It was strange, last night I went to give her the oats and Hazel came in and just pushed her out of the way. That is VERY strange because it is usually Anya doing the bullying. I never thought that the new cage could shift the roles but that does make sense. Thanks for the input Sophie. I am going to start with the Nutrical and see how that goes as well.
Denise, I thought that I had heard of this before...it was probably Delilah's case that I was thinking of. If my females aren't breeding, there shouldn't be a problem with them being slimmer, should there? Zoya doesn't run much and has held her weight...same with Hazel.
Does anyone know of a way to immobilize the saucer wheel? I had to drill holes in the melamine to put it in...I'm afraid the girls will chew around the holes if I take it out.


Answer:
Could you take the wheel out and just put some screws in to block the holes? (maybe the ones that are holding the wheel to the wall right now?)


Answer:
That could work. Thanks for the idea. (Maybe I should start thinking "simpler"...I was trying to figure out how I could fill the holes and/or put a board over them )


Answer:
It doesn't really sound like your girl is overdoing it Candice, but I did have one chin that ran so often on her wheel, she lost 100 grams It was like she was addicted to running. I took the wheel out and give her out of cage time and her weight went back up.


Answer:
Well, I went home to check on her at lunch and take the wheel out. I gave them all a treat and that's when I panicked. Anya ate part of her papaya and then it looked like she was trying to throw up. Do you think that something is stuck in her mouth or throat? I am going to call the vet for an appt. If nothing else, I will have peace of mind.


Answer:
Maybe she has a developing hairball?
Oh, Pasito did this when he was little, he made the gagging reflex, and was on deaths doorstep when I found him like that, as I had been at work until 10:30 PM. Anyways, with hubby's help and a flashlight and long tweezers, we were able to poke around. I found a hay sliver stuck in his throat, and we managed to get it out. The vet had him on antibiotics afterwards, as the swelling indicated an infection had started.
I hope Anya is ok.


Answer:
hmmm, another thought, as I have seen this before as well. Could it be her teeth?