G pig not eating

[pigsinmud]

We have 2 g pigs. They are both girls and are nearly 4 (I think). I feel a bit neglectful, but have just discovered one of them is feeling rather thin. Now I haven't picked them up since last weekend - dds have been handling them and feeding them.

She was behaving quite oddly just now. Laying her head on the food bowl, taking a nugget and making a strange crunchy sound. Her front teeth look ok. I went and got some cucumber....she sort of pushed it round the hutch with her nose as if she couldn't work out what to do with it.

I'll get her to the vet tomorrow. Is there anything particularly nutritious and easy for her to eat that I could tempt her with today? I shall separate her so I know how much she is eating.

She might be having soft pooh because of the grass? Ours have been out for odd grazing times to build up, so if they haven't had grass for a while the temptation is to go mad for grass (like tiny locusts )

Does she eat hay? Is she still reluctant to eat pellets?
I would cut the veg down if she's got soft pooh, maybe give her a few of her favourite but increase the hay/pellets.
Maybe treat her to some of the fancy hay to tempt her?

My boar had soft pooh for a while, we gave him hay/pellets/water for supper and put a probiotic/Vit C on the veg for breakfast. (They weren't grazing , it was January)
Took him to the vets (he had a scratched eye) ,his pooh was improved but not 100%.
He ended up with a mega attack of the runs, and sadly, we lost him. The sows who ate the same and lived with him, were fine.
No explanation why he had it.
But keep a close check on their droppings. Can indicate a gut imbalance (can be a yeast flare up) but most likely, the grass.

She died this morning. I realised by yesterday evening that there was something worse going on. She had a little critical care from the syringe, but the poos were looking more and more runny.

This morning she refused the syringe. Her eyes looked sad. I would have taken her straight to the vet, but dd2 was throwing up all night so I couldn't leave the house. I was going to take her when dh got home this afternoon, but she went quicker than I thought she would.

Her sister now looks very sad alone in the run.

I'm very sorry. She knew she was loved.

Sorry to read your piggy has passed. You did everything you could for her and she would have known how much you cared.

RIP Piggie

Oh, very shilke it does sound very much like our boar TBH.
There really is nothing that you could've done for her and when they get to the sad little sunken eyes stage, they're on their way out.
She passed at home in her own environment. To take her to the vet would've stressed her.
When piggies are dying they are not ones to hang about.

(We took our boar, he had fluid infusions and antibiotics (injected) poor soul. Not pleasant for a guinea )

Off to The Bridge now piggie, there are many piggies there to greet you.

I hope this is not too soon, but we've got a friend arriving for her! A local breeder (lovely sensible breeder) has a 2 year old sow. She has had a couple of litters and is retired and needs a retirement home so she's coming to us on Saturday. Hopefully that will cheer our lonely g pig up.

We buried her sister next to our lovely hen, who died a couple of weeks ago....not on a good run at the moment.

The best thing for a bereaved piggy is a new friend. You are absolutely doing right for her To your girl 5 days alone will feel like forever. They very much live in the moment. In her mind she is now the only guinea pig in the world. She will be overjoyed to see another of her own kind.

It sounds like a win, win situation: new friend retiring from having piglets technically they're pups but who cares .

Sending you good vibes for a happy introduction.

Your piggie will be delighted to have a fellow piggie , but introduce them slowly , and make them and their accomodation 'neutral' when they do bond.

Our pigs were alone for 6 days (GP1 then GP3) until their new cage mates came along. They each slept in DD room but the long days alone were a worry to us.

Good luck with new piggie

(Pups is not a pretty word, unless it's seals. My GPs had piglets they say)

Sorry to hear about your poor piggie Schilke. It can be very quite quick towards the end.

It's never too soon to get a friend for a bereaved pig. They really thrive on company. My Scruffypig was alone for about 3 weeks after Smoothpig died and he was miserable. Then we got the piglet, Gingerpig, and he perked right up. Just give the cage, food bowls, houses etc a thorough scrub so they're all neutralised. I use white vinegar and hot water for a good clean. And give them time to bond - a pile of tasty veg can help the process.

BTW. I know it's 'pups' but it sounds wrong. 'Piglets' sounds so much better. Why 'boar' and 'sow' and then 'pup'? No logic!