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Small pets

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Original poster

I think ToffeePiggy is not too good

17 replies

toffeesponge · 07/11/2013 14:40

She lost her boyfriend a few weeks ago and recently had treatment for mites. I had a thread in another name regarding her having either ovarian cysts or a sinister growth. I opted not for surgery for her after lots of good advice from you all. Today she had a sticky eye so I have bathed it and all seems okay now. Cleaned her out and she is currently laid on a hay pile. The last few days she hasn't eaten as much as normal. We took a while to get used to catering for just one piggy but even when giving her less she seems to be eating barely half. The other day I thought she had passed away and made DH check and he said she was but meant OK so heart stopping moment there. I am dreading the day she goes. We have lost two animals this year since May as it is Sad.

I guess I am asking if you think she is okay. I know you can't possibly know as you can't see her but I am worried

She is 5 years old.

OP posts:
FernieB · 07/11/2013 16:29

So sorry Toffeepiggy is not well. Normally I would say take her to the vets but given her medical history, they may end up giving her loads of meds and just stressing her. I think she is better being quiet at home with you. Mine can be a bit up and down with the amount they eat - she could be feeling a change in the weather. I hope she perks up for you - you've had a rough year pet-wise.

Original poster
toffeesponge · 07/11/2013 17:43

I really don't want to take her out never mind to the vet if I can help it as it is so cold. Equally I don't want her to suffer if the vet can help her. Have left her to eat her tea in peace and will check on her in a bit. Thanks.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/11/2013 20:29

I think all you can do at the moment is try to tempt her with treats.
Cut up some nice smelling apple, banana, cucumber, parsley.
Anything easy to eat and smelling nice enough to tempt her.
If she's really "on the way to The Bridge" she'll stop eating and sadly their internal organs function stops.

(Their guts become static without a constant high fibre supply and their livers will suffer. By then it's the end of the road. My little boy had this but TBH he went very quietly. I kind of wish I hadn't taken him to the vet really. There wasn't anything they could do and he had to endure a journey by car on one of the hottest days.
But hindsight is a wonderful thing Sad )

Original poster
toffeesponge · 07/11/2013 21:27

When I clean her out she chills out in a laundry basket and I noticed today she had pooed in their and it wasn't a pellet as usual. She was rather surprised to have her face washed Grin. Hasn't eaten much tea Sad. If she dies imminently that is three pets in 6 months we have lost Sad.

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fortifiedwithtea · 07/11/2013 22:39

First thing I would do is weigh Toffeepig in grammes and repeat daily. If they are ill they can lose weight dramatically very fast.

TBH it does sound like a trip to the vet is needed. It could be a tooth giving her trouble, maybe a cut tongue or cheek has put her off eating. But the vet may well suggest a GA to look in her mouth. A rodentologist would be best if you can find one in your area.

Meanwhile, shredd/grate Toffepigs veg and mash her dry food (burgess excel type of food) with a little warm water and let her eat off your fingers or a spoon. 70 is right about their organs shutting down without regular intake of fibre.

We all hope our pets drift away in peace at home. Fatimus refused to eat at all after her operation and went very fast. However Old Boy was eating small amounts and in obvious pain. His poo was coming out in huge soft masses and hurt to pass but he was alert, not at all floppy. I had to have him PTS because I couldn't see him starve to death. So I would never say never to a last goodbye at the vets. You must do what you know is best for your piggie.

Its a very sad situation to be in and I'm very sorry for you and Toffeepig Sad. I hope she picks up again.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/11/2013 22:39

Was here pooh different to a normal GP pooh shape?

Original poster
toffeesponge · 08/11/2013 10:55

Just weighed her and she is 125g. She was very sociable and keen to have tickles which is unusual as she has spent a lot of time running away. She definitely looks much better and happier today Smile.

She hasn't eaten all her tea from last night but has had some. She gets cereal for breakfast and hay once a day and then tea time is fresh veg. That is what we have always done in the 4 years we have had her. Hope that is right as what we were told to do!

Her poo yesterday wasn't a shape, it was slightly runny without being fluid iyswim.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 08/11/2013 15:26

125g ? That is tiny .
5 ounces.

Are you sure on that?

Can you remember how much she weighed when she went to the vet before (I'm sure they'd have weighed her when she was examined)

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 08/11/2013 15:34

An adult male should be 900g - 1200g (IIRC my boars are 30 ounces which is just shy of 2lb)

Sows tend to be smaller but easily 700+ grammes.

Is she normally a little pig or has she lost loads of weight recently.

Original poster
toffeesponge · 08/11/2013 16:51

I reweighed her and she was even less Shock then the scales started counting down so I figured it must be because they were on the carpet so I put the scales on the kitchen table and weighed her again. I can't recall numbers but DS assures me the scales said about 678g.

She doesn't look any different to when we had her at the vet tbh, quite pear shaped.

How often so I need to weigh her to keep an eye on her weight?

She has been given tea and thrown it all around her cage Grin.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 08/11/2013 17:42

678 g is much better than 125 g

You should ideally weigh every week (I don't negligent pigmum I go by how much fat I can grab. Our GP1 lost weight but has got two chins back .)

Original poster
toffeesponge · 08/11/2013 19:06

I'll do weekly weigh ins from now on.

OP posts:
fortifiedwithtea · 08/11/2013 20:28

yes every week for a well guinea but daily for an ill piggy. 678g is still on the light side Sad

Original poster
toffeesponge · 08/11/2013 21:20

She definitely isn't eating all her tea. She doesn't like much so if anyone can recommend fail safe foods to tempt her with I would be very grateful.

OP posts:
Sawdust · 09/11/2013 14:37

Parsley is the golden food stuff in this household!

Weighing them often when they're ill is really a good idea. 678g is a bit small. If she needs a boost, you can get recovery food that you syringe into their mouths, though of course that doesn't solve the underlying problem.

Is it all foods that your Piggie is refusing? I have had pigs that are ill that can't manage crunchy hard stuff but can manage softer stuff like parsley and grass.

If that is the case then it could be more of a tooth than a general illness issue, as pain from hard food will be stopping them from eating. Even softening the nuggets by soaking them in water can help.

If it is all food that she won't eat then you may need a vet unless you decide it would only prolong her suffering. It's true about their digestive system shutting down if they don't get enough food.

Also, just as a thought, you mention that you've lost other pets (pigs?) recently. Could she be missing them and depressed?

So sorry that you're going through this. I hope she will be OK.

Original poster
toffeesponge · 09/11/2013 14:57

I forgot to buy parsley and currently are rained in but will go after tea if she doesn't eat what I will give her. She is eating some food from what I can tell - she is making a big mess Grin - but not all of it.

She lost her boyfriend in September, almost 2 months exactly ago now and has been inside in our lounge ever since.

I bought satsumas - can she have some? I have a list of what the can and shouldn't have but I read on here all sorts of things they have that I would never think to give her. She doesn't have much fruit as she doesn't seem to like any we have tried. - Bananas, apple, pear and strawberries all left.

OP posts:
Original poster
toffeesponge · 11/11/2013 16:57

Just about to take her to the vet.

Wish us luck.

Her front legs are not working right.

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