guinea pigs?

[I_am]

So, I have a guinea pig, whom I love very much
But she isn't doing too well
She's about 4 1/2 y/o, very skinny, her fur isn't as thick as it should be, her skin is VERY dry in some areas (belly, ears, nose), and her pellets are very tiny and mushy
Her 'sister' passed away only a few weeks ago, she had a similiar skin problem only much worse, and began having troble walking...I've been using a witch hazel-water-listerine mixture to spray on, which supposedly kills mites, but it doesnt seem to be helping--

what can I do for her?? Are there any foods she should be eating, and is there away I can bring her off her pellets and move her onto all fresh fruits and veggies?

[JennaHoneyBear]

are you feeding her adequate quantities of hay?
i fed my guinea pig organic, wheat and soy free pellets along with veggies, leaves in abundance and some fruits
have you tried taking her to the vet?

also, are you feeding her enough vitamin C?
it sounds like your guinea pig might have the blasted scurvy!
http://www.guinealynx.info/scurvy.html

What are the signs of a deficiency?

Lethargy, weakness, unwillingness to move
Hopping instead of walking, enlarged or stiff limb joints
Not eating, loss of weight
Diarrhea
Eye and nose discharge
Rough coat
Tenderness to touch (may cry out in pain if restrained), poor flesh condition
Internal skeletal-muscular hemorrhage

Vitamin C deficiency can be secondary to other medical problems. For example, a guinea pig with malocclusion that is not eating and losing weight, may not be getting adequate vitamin C.
It is wise to routinely provide extra vitamin C to an ill guinea pig.

i hope you find answers! i loved my guinea very much, they're such sweethearts

[RawHealthyBeauty]

Here is a link for you.

exoticpets.about.com/cs/guineapigs/a/gpsfeeding.htm

Wishing your guinea pig to get well soon!

[streetsurfer]

If they have mites how about something natural like neem oil, einstein oil, cedar oil, etc., rather than listerine? Works for mites on plants and it might be worth checking into. I have not had these little critters, the guinea pigs I mean, nor the mites personnally , but the little furballs remind me of tribbles. It seems a room full of them would be fun.

A prayer said for the healing of your pet-for you to be able to find the answer that will help her.

[I_am]

I usually fed them grass from my yard or organic veggies...I added a little orange juice to their water for some extra vitamin C, but I dont think they liked it very much...

Both passed away, the older one this past monday, and the younger a week and a half ago

They did have a lot of the scurvy symptoms, so it mustve been that... I wish I had read this sooner!!! ;~;

[Myca]

I raised guinea pigs for years. When using pellets, buy the ones made for guinea pigs. The ones made for rabbits do not have vit. C. They love salad greens, banana peels and all kinds of veggies.
I always fed the pellets for guinea pigs and gave them plenty of veggies and fruits.