I'm just posting because I think there may be some people on here experienced with guinea pigs.  I have a female piggy aged 6 and a half - I posted a while back about her when her pal died. Anyway today when handling her I have thought her body shape is different, the rear half of her body seems very swollen, it was noticable as lately she has been feeling thin and bony then today so different I think there is something wrong. I have phoned the vet but the first available appointment is Monday. She has been eating okay but quite inactive and drinking excessively. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong, and whether it is okay to leave her till Monday before seeing the vet? I don't want her to be suffering at all. Thanks for any advice. 

It's very hard to say without seeing her. She's very old of course and there could be so many different things. I did once have one that got bloat just like a dog can. Does the stomach feel extended and like a drum? If so it's urgent to see the vet. If it, it could be a tumour or kidney problems or virtually anything.

Having owned literally hundreds of them, I would say that she is quite old.  Only ever had one live to 9 years.  I found oldies quite skinny later in life, and would hear warning bells at her being swollen.  To be honest, if left until Monday, if it's serious, she's likely to be dead by then. 

IMO not fair for her to suffer.  I would see the vet, even it means him advising you to PTS.

i agree, she needs to see the vet sooner, although we are not sure what is wrong as it could be a number of things, it would be fairer on her to be seen by the vet today / tomorrow x x

Thankyou all. We've been examining her, and her stomach doesn't feel taut and hard at all, it looks swollen but soft so maybe isn't bloat? Also when we turned her over, on her chest near her neck is something that looks like a tumour. I am guessing it might have been there longer but we don't turn her over onto her back very often. Apart from being very inactive she seems happy enough. I am trying to decide if she should be fitted in as an emergency at the vets, but as I said she doesn't seem distressed and I can't help but think the advice may be pts.  

> I can't help but think the advice may be pts

In which case it should be done sooner rather than later.  Wrong to make her go another day IMO.  It's witholding veterinary care.

>I can't help but think the advice may be pts.  

Better a week too early than a day too late.

I very much agree that no animal should be left to suffer, though it is not always easy to know how they feel . When our other piggy was injured we rushed her straight to the vets because it was obvious from her heavy breathing and general demeanour that she was in pain. However during Friday evening this girl (Fluffy) was very responsive to being petted and tucking into her food, when I phoned the vets again they did advise us to wait.  Over the weekend she has been having a lovely time pottering about in the garden nibbling on her favourite dandelions and clover and clearly happy having lots of attention. I am satisfied she is not in pain, but I do think that due to her age that she will not be having any surgery, hence my saying she may be pts. We will find out tomorrow.

> We will find out tomorrow

Do let us know the outcome.

Well, the vet said that as well as the lump visible, she can feel more inside hence the swollen appearance. She said that surgery would be possible but the internal surgery would be major and in view of Fluffy's age there would be high risk, and if she survived it it would not prolong her life by much.  I really don't want to subject the poor old girl to that. But the vet also agreed that she seems happy in herself and whilst she is still eating and pottering about there is no need to pts. So we will keep a close eye on her to make sure she remains content, and enjoy whatever time she has left.

That seems like the best thing all round. Play it by ear and let her dictate what happens. As long as she's happy there's no welfare issue.

I'm so glad she's OK.
I have such fond memories of all my guineapigs.
They are such brilliant little animals.

Hope she has a good few months yet of pottering about :)

To update for those who kindly gave advice - Fluffy had kept well until last night when we noticed she stopped eating, was making awful distressed sounding noises and was passing blood. This morning she was peacefully pts at the vets who agreed she was suffering with no hope of recovery. She was a lovely natured and friendly piggy who we'll remember fondly.

Thank you for letting us all know.  Rest in Peace Fluffy.