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Change in biting

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Mother Hubbard

Mother Hubbard

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My old gal Buttercup is over6yrs now, but I Noticed the other day she had a wet chin, did a full check, no reason for it just perhaps it was cucumber dribbles. She's a quiet thing now but I noticed it took her a long time to eat some pepper today, her biting action seems to have changed also.whilst I have looked at her, her front teeth seem fine but not sure what's going on.

Back teeth?

She's got soft poops as well,so I will be taking her off veggies.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Lil
 
I wonder if it is due to her age. It could be the back teeth though as they say when piggies have teeth troubles they tend to drool. I would take her for a check up and weigh her each week to see if there is any change. What a great age she is. Amelia Jane is five and I am so worried about her being old. I hope I am as lucky with her as your little one.
 
Hi, from what you describe I think a dental issue with her back teeth is the most likely cause. As piggyfan says, I would take her to have them checked and would suggest weighing her daily also.
 
Thank you both. I have come home tonight, she's been making all sorts of noises, have managed to tip her and look in her mouth, front teeth are fine but mouth seems swollen. She ate some pepper, but I have weighed her. Last week she was 1056kg, today 898kg which is massive. Her eyes seem sucked as well. Best time I can get into vets is tomorrow night. She's refusing syringe feeding and I don't want to push her.

So I am taking her to work with me and going straight to vets. I have a hospital appointment myself tomorrow morning following an visit to the docs to see a nurse, then saw the doc who then said, nope hospital with you, so seeing consultant.
So neither of us is feeling great.

I am positive it's dental, if vet confirms I will be making decisions quickly. I just wish I had some painkiller for her but I have none left or critical care either, thought I had some in my medical box, guess I used it all.
Any advice on what I can do to make her comfortable tonight would be appreciated.
 
If her eyes look sunken it maybe she is dehydrated, which could happen if she has not been eating enough of her veg. I would persevere with the syringe feeding even if she is objecting, even if only a little it will help her and help keep her guts moving if she is not eating on her own. If it is nice and wet it will help to rehydrate her too. I would also give her water by syringe, little and often. I would also continue to offer veg as if dental she will be finding it difficult to eat hard food especially hay, the soft poops may be a result of not eating enough fibre (ie hay).
I wish you both well for tomorrow
 
It does sound as though it's dental. I can offer a temporary sanctuary place if you would like to get Simon to take a look at Buttercup. I currently have a temporary resident here who arrived last Thursday unable to eat anything for himself. Since seeing Simon he's making fantastic progress and is eating finely chopped veg easily. x
 
Hi Debbie

Apologies for not replying last night, I did manage to get a good 5 small syringe full of mashed excel nuggets and quality poop inside her last night, (big breath). I hope to do the same this morning and take a load of ready made syringes with me to the office to keep feeding her through til she's in the vets tonight. I was reading your dental piggy post last night, and it's clear she has 3 symptoms from your list alone. So it's pretty clear. I immediately thought of your sanctuary, and am 99% sure after today I will be making a trip to you. THANK YOU for your offer. I will get her comfortable after her visit to the vets tonight, if only to get painkiller, first diagnosis, and fill up my med box. And I will come back you.

Crikey, today is going to be an extraordinary day.

Thanks all and especially Debbie x
 
Ok, just home :laluot_28:
Long day, but diagnosis is indeed dental. Her back teeth are overgrown and turning into the tongue. Vet did offer to deal with her teeth, but as we know, under a GA. He was very knowledgeable but I need to move quickly, she'll be getting transported to a specialist - fingers crossed.
 
Glad you have a diagnosis. Buttercup will be in great hands with Debbie and Simon is fantastic with the piggy dentals. Good luck :)
 
Just an update:

Buttercup was safely delivered to Debbie at The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary in Friday. After a reasonable 1hr 30, Buttercup was ready to settle her stomach and lovely Debbie set to work with some syringe feeding. She's been reacquainted with black current and oregano tasting yummies and was booked into Simon that evening.

It would appear she isn't dental, after the diagnosis from my vet, but she does appear to have oral thrush which she is being treated for.
Butter has taken to Debbie very quickly, having a little nibble on her top and belt! She's a cheeky old gal. So she's remaining until she's fit and eating properly again and gaining her weight. She was1056kg and dropped to 800'ish in a week!
I also had a chance to meet the residents of the sanctuary, there are some gorgeous piggies there. I could have stayed there for the whole day if it weren't for the fact I needed to go to work. I feel very confident she's in good hands.

A big yeah for the Excellent Animal Sanctuary!
 
She has weighed in at 840g this morning. Although Simon thinks it may be oral thrush as she has that wet dishcloth smell in her mouth, he was more concerned about her breathing and is treating that at the moment with Zithromax. He is going to see her again tomorrow morning. She is eating fairly well but isn't particularly active. Her breathing looks less pronounced today. xx
 
I am missing my old gal, she's such a character as she comes readily for lap time. Cage seems so quiet without her, even Marmalade doing circuits and making the cage bounce isn't the same :)

So glad she's in the right hands, I think of her daily.
 
Sadly it isn't all good news coming out of TEAS at the moment. Little Buttercup had to be rushed into the vets yesterday morning as her breathing had deteriorated badly. We have changed the antibiotic and she is now having Marbocyl injections. She is currently stable, but it may be that her age is against her, and we have to consider we may lose her. I am keeping her owner informed and would welcome some healing vibes for Buttercup. x
 
aww poor buttercup, I do hope she can come home and be well, but do remember she's a good age and had a fabulous life with you lil.
Hoping to hear some good news for you soon :)
 
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