Ca:p Ratio

[xToNix]

I took my pig to the vet as I noticed some behavioural changes and he didn't seem himself. He was given some gut medication which helped a little. It was then recommended he have bloods (awaiting results) and an xray. He was given an antibiotic as the vet noticed congestion in the lungs. The following day I noticed what I think was sludge around his man parts and bits of sludge in the cage. I took him back to the vet who showed me the X-ray, said there was a little sand but nothing of significance and advised me to give metacam as he's squeaking and sometimes he jerks a little when urinating. I've since been looking at articles on Ca:p ratio and in all honesty am struggling to get my head around it. I found a thread on here from 2009 which gave examples of weekly meal plans which I thought was a godsend but I became concerned when kale and parsley were in the same weekly plan giving 5-10g a day. Someone else said they struggled getting their head around giving so much kale but was assured it was ok as long as the Ca:p ratio came out around 1:3:1. Using a calculator I found on guinea lynx it calculated I could give 5g of kale and 30g of round lettuce which is about 2 fairly big leaves as well as a few other things (split into 2 meals) but is that too much kale? Is that too much lettuce? I'm feeling a little stressed out and finding things very hard at the moment as I just want my piggy to be well again. I just need someone to tell me exactly what and how much I should feed them please I've been syringe feeding him extra water and all my piggies have unlimited hay. Thank you in advance.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Hi @xToNix

Sorry only just seen your post here, sometimes things can get moved down as other posts come along.

I do remember the food plan, in fact I actually have the same one blue tac'ed on one of my cupboards as a reference point. What I would say is that I believe that the amount calculated is based on healthy piggies without any previous condition. Since you are having problems with your little guy I would reduce the calcium ratio further, I personally don't recommend giving kale and other items which are rich in calcium such as carrots more than twice a week, once a week if their are issues. Have you considered the dry food content too?

I would be interested in anyone else's opinion here.

 

[rome_italy]

I also used that calculator when my piggies were fed with many vegs. It is a very good calculator, but you should consider also the amount of oxalates contained in a veg...
After a lot of experiments (one of my piggies came home from the rescue with some worries for her bladder and her wee with too many deposits; the vet suggested me to keep an eye on her) I have noticed that the BEST diet for them is the one based on fresh grass and now, after so many months I can say that since when the diet has been grass-based the residuals have gone and the vet is satisfied and totally agrees with this diet (very few pellets, maybe only one teaspoon a day, not more, plus huge amount of fresh grass and a piece of bell pepper and sometimes some butterhead lettuce. The ratio Ca-P of the grass is perfect and their gut works better with hay and grass more than vegs which have a different ph and often a too high Phosphorus.
About the kale my piggies never ate it at the rescue and they don't like it. The only vegs they have learnt to eat are: lettuce (not romaine), red radicchio, bell peppers, cicory, dandelion (some talcum residuals if they eat too much cicory and dandelion) and cucumber. Nothing else, they refuse everything else. But they ask for fresh grass, different types...
Bladder infections usually start from the gut bacteria which can be not balanced and with the bloodstream can arrive into bladder and kidneys; therefore I suggest to try a natural diet... of course you should treat the infection first.
My piggies have also a little supplement of vit C daily.

 

[xToNix]

Hi both,

It became apparent that although there was sludge present which has now stopped, my piggie seems to be squeaking in pain when defecating/trying to defecate and I have created a new thread about this.

That being said I have significantly reduced the amount of pellets I was feeding them
as there was sludge present and another member of the forum has shared a link to a low calcium diet.

Thank you both very much for taking the time to reply, it's very much appreciated

 

[rome_italy]

Squeaking in pain is a clear signal... but you are in time. My piggie Calliope used to squeak as well just touching her belly but the new diet did miracles for her. And Calipso who was extremely slim with all the bones visible (hidden by the fur), started growing fast and putting on weight and some good fat (she is still slim) eating in this more natural way. Of course you need to do some experiments, what works for me might not work for you. But the key of a good diet is the reduced amount of innatural compressed food which they like so much than they feel full and don't eat much hay which is their most natural food. (Grass is hay with water and vitamins).
You in UK have so wonderful lawns... grass has little calcium and lots of vitamins

these are the nutritional values of barley grass, very common here in Rome in parks, roads, everywhere (in late winter/spring) and it has been the main ingredient I used with my young piggies:

there are many naturopath doctors who suggest it also for us humans... (barley grass is on the left side of the picture below; Calliope -on the left- used to eat also some spike as you can see).

Calipso and Calliope were 4 months old at the adoption and Calipso weighed less than 400g. Calliope had some bladder trouble and lots calcium residuals. Today they are 8 months old, a very good health, Calipso weighs 800g. No pellets. They have an amazing fur, skin, muscles, wee, poo...
I am definitely pro-grass (and pro-hay of course)