Hi I would really appreciate any advice as I am at a loss.
I have two boars (brothers aged 13 mths). One (Cinnamon) became unwell in December with a small bladder stone which he was treated for with antibiotic (baytril which didn't work well, so he also had septrin which seemed to help) and required syringe feeding (Critical Care) as he stopped eating. He recovered although not back to previous weight (1030g), at best he got to 900g. He produced orange urine in January so returned to the vet and had another xray which didn't show any stones, he didn't have any signs of infection or blood or protein so again I supported him with syringe feeding as he had lost some appetite. We gave him metacam in case he was inflammed from the previous stone and he picked up again almost to 900g. I have avoided high calcium veg in case it encouraged more bladder stones. I stopped the metacam after a week and initially he seemed ok, then looked unhappy (sitting in the corner, sunken eyes and quiet) so I restarted the metacam and he seemed to pick up again.
A week ago he again looked unhappy although was keen to eat (hay, veggies and nuggets) so we returned to the vet. He had blood tests and an xray and a urine sample as well. Nothing abnormal on any tests and he continues to eat well and drink well. No suspicious lumps or bumps have been found on vet exam, he's had his teeth checked fully twice now and all ok, his poo and wee are normal, still has an orange tinge sometimes. He has always been quieter than his brother and when unwell barely makes a sound when held. His weight dropped at the lowest to 650gm last week with no loss of appetite, I have restarted the syringe feeding and today his weight has reached 700gm (I weigh him at at the same time every day). Other information - currently I have separated him by wire mesh from his brother so I can monitor his food intake and because his brother pesters him when he's not right (trying to mount him frequently). The boys have been kept inside since Cinnamon became unwell in December and have a large cage plus floor time inside. I have continued with the metacam since taking him to the vet last week but we are at a loss as to what is causing this weight loss despite him eating well.
I am also concerned that he may still be in pain/discomfort at times as sometimes he grinds his teeth but he lets me hold him and feed him, he has never made noises when weeing or pooing even with the stone. He has become more affectionate but I have put this down to the frequent handling and feeding over the last couple of months.
Many thanks.
I have two boars (brothers aged 13 mths). One (Cinnamon) became unwell in December with a small bladder stone which he was treated for with antibiotic (baytril which didn't work well, so he also had septrin which seemed to help) and required syringe feeding (Critical Care) as he stopped eating. He recovered although not back to previous weight (1030g), at best he got to 900g. He produced orange urine in January so returned to the vet and had another xray which didn't show any stones, he didn't have any signs of infection or blood or protein so again I supported him with syringe feeding as he had lost some appetite. We gave him metacam in case he was inflammed from the previous stone and he picked up again almost to 900g. I have avoided high calcium veg in case it encouraged more bladder stones. I stopped the metacam after a week and initially he seemed ok, then looked unhappy (sitting in the corner, sunken eyes and quiet) so I restarted the metacam and he seemed to pick up again.
A week ago he again looked unhappy although was keen to eat (hay, veggies and nuggets) so we returned to the vet. He had blood tests and an xray and a urine sample as well. Nothing abnormal on any tests and he continues to eat well and drink well. No suspicious lumps or bumps have been found on vet exam, he's had his teeth checked fully twice now and all ok, his poo and wee are normal, still has an orange tinge sometimes. He has always been quieter than his brother and when unwell barely makes a sound when held. His weight dropped at the lowest to 650gm last week with no loss of appetite, I have restarted the syringe feeding and today his weight has reached 700gm (I weigh him at at the same time every day). Other information - currently I have separated him by wire mesh from his brother so I can monitor his food intake and because his brother pesters him when he's not right (trying to mount him frequently). The boys have been kept inside since Cinnamon became unwell in December and have a large cage plus floor time inside. I have continued with the metacam since taking him to the vet last week but we are at a loss as to what is causing this weight loss despite him eating well.
I am also concerned that he may still be in pain/discomfort at times as sometimes he grinds his teeth but he lets me hold him and feed him, he has never made noises when weeing or pooing even with the stone. He has become more affectionate but I have put this down to the frequent handling and feeding over the last couple of months.
Many thanks.
I definitely think the ultrasound is the way to go, no need for a GA & maybe the vet can look at his bladder, liver, heart etc. It's worth a try. Weight loss can be down to stress too, maybe get him checked for any hair loss (Mites) etc. Other reasons could be oral thrush preventing him eating properly even if his teeth are fine, or on rare occasions it could be digestive problems or parasites, but that is very rare. Depending on how much you can afford to spend it might be worth doing a full fecal analysis, the sample would need to be sent off to Mary at Chester Zoo as she does a full analysis, whereas most vets will just do a fecal float.