• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Bloated? How Can I Tell?

Status
Not open for further replies.

TheBoarsBaggins

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 21, 2017
Messages
34
Reaction score
36
Points
125
Location
Knoxville, TN (temporarily)
hi everyone,

So I took my boars (about 3 mos old) out to weigh them for the first time but when I put Frodo on the scale he puffed himself up and his sides just above his hind legs puffed out. I started to wonder if maybe that is what bloat or some similar gastrointestinal issue looks like...

Or is that what pigs do when they're plopped on a scale for the first time and possibly frightened?

So I held him for a bit and put him back in his cage and he looks normal again. So I started testing it with Bilbo to see if he would also sort of puff himself out if I kept my hand under his tummy while he's laying down. I'm attaching some shots of them so you can see what I mean.

What I'm asking is whether or not bloat or gastro problems are obvious? They're eating and drinking normally and their stool looks typical. When they are in that puffed up posture, their sides are soft and squish in easily when pressed. At no point while I was handling them did they exhibit any sounds of discomfort. I tapped on their bellies and I can't tell if it's a hollow sound or not. It sounds like how tapping on a living being's body would likely sound.

I apologize for the disorganized thoughts. I'm just trying to figure out what's normal and what's not. Ive never had pigs before.

I appreciate any help. Thanks

-Jess

IMG_7463.webp

IMG_7471.webp

IMG_7472.webp

IMG_7473.webp

IMG_7479.webp

IMG_7476.webp

IMG_7478.webp

IMG_7479.webp
 
They're normal, healthy looking pigs. It's quite nornal for them to have a bit of a bulging tummy or sides especially when they squash themselves up. We saw our Podrick has a muffin top as he has a spongy bit right where the top of his jeans would be if he wore them.

Bloat is caused when there is a buildup of gas or liquid in their digestive system. It can be caused by a blockage. So it's quite painful.

They've be in pain so it's common for them to stop moving around as much, maybe just sit in a cornerd and for their hair to stand on end.

Their stomachs can look more rounded and you can try to tap it. But I've had quite a few pigs sound like that but they aren't bloated.

It can put them off eating too as their stomachs feel full and they generally go off eating when in pain.
 
Thank you so much.
They're normal, healthy looking pigs. It's quite nornal for them to have a bit of a bulging tummy or sides especially when they squash themselves up. We saw our Podrick has a muffin top as he has a spongy bit right where the top of his jeans would be if he wore them.

Bloat is caused when there is a buildup of gas or liquid in their digestive system. It can be caused by a blockage. So it's quite painful.

They've be in pain so it's common for them to stop moving around as much, maybe just sit in a cornerd and for their hair to stand on end.

Their stomachs can look more rounded and you can try to tap it. But I've had quite a few pigs sound like that but they aren't bloated.

It can put them off eating too as their stomachs feel full and they generally go off eating when in pain.
 
I was worried that one of my sows had ovarian cysts because she was bulging so much at the sides...nope, the vet said it was just due to her being a fat guinea pig!
 
@TheBoarsBaggins No problem at all. Please feel free to ask anything on the forum. We're all here to help and we're all learning new things every day.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top