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Christian lost weight - again!

Betsy

Betsy

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Since losing Velvet at the beginning of September, Christian's weight has been fluctuating significantly. So today I have adjusted his twice daily Metacam dose from 0.6ml to 0.65ml. Since he damaged his back in May I have been weighing him daily and his weight settled at 980g -1000g depending on whether he had had a wee or not. He weighed in yesterday at 965g so I upped his Metacam and today his weight was 998g. The vet said that I would know what the maintenance dose would be. I think that 0.65ml is a temporary thing and I'll keep it at that for a couple of weeks and then put it back down to 0.6ml and see what happens. I know Christian and he and Meg (his wivelet) have been affected vey much by the loss of Velvet. There are no more "I'm being murdered! HELP" wheeks at veg time and they are both still quite subdued. They are both missing her I can tell.
 
Betsy said:
Since losing Velvet at the beginning of September, Christian's weight has been fluctuating significantly. So today I have adjusted his twice daily Metacam dose from 0.6ml to 0.65ml. Since he damaged his back in May I have been weighing him daily and his weight settled at 980g -1000g depending on whether he had had a wee or not. He weighed in yesterday at 965g so I upped his Metacam and today his weight was 998g. The vet said that I would know what the maintenance dose would be. I think that 0.65ml is a temporary thing and I'll keep it at that for a couple of weeks and then put it back down to 0.6ml and see what happens. I know Christian and he and Meg (his wivelet) have been affected vey much by the loss of Velvet. There are no more "I'm being murdered! HELP" wheeks at veg time and they are both still quite subdued. They are both missing her I can tell.
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Hi!

I would not worry too much at this kind of minimal weight loss if it is a one-off. It is about the difference between a full and an empty belly. OI would worry only if the downward trend continues.

Adjusting the medication on long term patiences is always a bit of a slalom; over time you learn to spot the crucial signs and can react. I would recommend that you up the dosage slightly if the weight is going down but go back to your normal dosage whenever the weight is stable. ;)

All the best!

PS: Over the last week, my Hedydd has started her journey to the Rainbow Bridge to join all her mates which she has lost in such quick succession over the summer.
So I really feel for you! While Hedydd has seemingly coped well with her husband and his little wifelet providing company and stimulation, her quickly failing body tells a different story. I miss them all, and will miss them even more when the last living link has gone. :(
 
piggieminder said:
Sending you all hugs, you are all having a hard time, I hope Christian improves soon. X
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So do I!

I have been long braced for the fact that my oldies would likely go in a stampede as they have all become gradually frailer over the course of the year, but still it is very gutting.
 
Poor Christian, the loss of Velvet must have upset him a lot, and the cold wet weather we've been having might be affecting his back pain... hope he bounces back, you're such a caring piggy slave and keeping such a close eye on him I'm sure you'll notice straight away if there's anything else going on! Hugs and healing wheeks x
 
Just incase it helps, Dot is similar, she weighs in minimum of roughly 960g but can be up at 1kg, normally I find her at 980 ish. Me and my wife play guess the weight whenever we weigh them. Hope Christian is fine 👍
 
Sending lots of love here x
 
PigglePuggle said:
Poor Christian, the loss of Velvet must have upset him a lot, and the cold wet weather we've been having might be affecting his back pain... hope he bounces back, you're such a caring piggy slave and keeping such a close eye on him I'm sure you'll notice straight away if there's anything else going on! Hugs and healing wheeks x
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Its seems you were correct about the cold damp weather @PigglePuggle. Since upping Christian's Metacam back up to 0.7ml he has started to gain weight again. 5 days ago he weighed in at 941g (:yikes: never been that low ever) and today he weighed in at 975g. We are starting to get back the "I'm being murdered" wheeks at veg time. It's not every night but they are coming back slowly. All the pigs are starting to perk up a bit since losing Velvet 5 weeks ago.
 
I think this weather makes everyone a bit fed up and brings on no amount of aches and pains! I sympathise
for little Christian. Give me some metacam! It’s raining again today, the lawn has turned very squelchy. Glad the piggies have perked up x
 
Bill & Ted said:
It’s raining again today, the lawn has turned very squelchy.
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Thanks. Its a lovely sunny day here, hardly a cloud in the sky and 18 degrees. I have done a full hutch clean and have Dennis and Betsy inside and Christian and Meg outside in runs.
 
Betsy said:
Its seems you were correct about the cold damp weather @PigglePuggle. Since upping Christian's Metacam back up to 0.7ml he has started to gain weight again. 5 days ago he weighed in at 941g (:yikes: never been that low ever) and today he weighed in at 975g. We are starting to get back the "I'm being murdered" wheeks at veg time. It's not every night but they are coming back slowly. All the pigs are starting to perk up a bit since losing Velvet 5 weeks ago.
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Glad Christian is starting to regain weight and they are all coming to terms with the loss of Velvet. And I do hope your house move goes ahead smoothly, sounds like you've been having no end of shennanigans... dont the other people in the house buying chain realise that your piggies need their new garage accomodation?! :)
 
PigglePuggle said:
Glad Christian is starting to regain weight and they are all coming to terms with the loss of Velvet. And I do hope your house move goes ahead smoothly, sounds like you've been having no end of shennanigans... dont the other people in the house buying chain realise that your piggies need their new garage accomodation?! :)
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Clearly not! Christian especially needs to get out of the damp cold winter that is to come.
 
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