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Help - really worried about my boar

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PiggyPotter

Hi everyone, I'm new on here and I could really use your advice.

This evening one of my boars, Fuzz, came over all sorry for himself and I'm really worried. Earlier he had been pottering about with his cage mates as normal but now he's refusing food, I haven't seen him drink and he doesn't want to move around his hutch - he just wants to curl up (especially with his mummy and daddy).

We noticed he had some really squidy poo around his bum and have cleaned that up but he doesn't seem to be interested in anything. He seems to be a bit boney around his bum too although he's always been on the slimmer side and he still has a tummy!

When I had him out he did potter on the couch a little bit and try cleaning himself so he does have some strength (plus I know he ate loads for tea last night).

I wondered if this could be impaction (he is almost 5) but would that cause the rest of it? Could anyone shed any light on what might be wrong? If he's no better tomorrow then I'm going to make an appointment with the vet but if anyone has any advice please, please help!
 
He is an old pig and, at that age, there always has to be the suspicion that everything is starting to close down, that is sad but true.
You could give him some Buscopan, one tablet crushed to a powder and mixed with water then syringe fed.
Buscopan is available from any pharmacy. It will relieve gut spasm.
It would help to give him powdered charcoal, again mixed with water, as it seems as though he has diaorrhea. I would doubt that he is impacted, from your description.
I am just a little concerned that he is not very keen to move around, are his ears cold? He may have a heart problem.
Keep him warm and give him some water by syringe. Try him again with whatever is his favourite food.
 
Welcome to the forum, I am sorry Fuzz seems to be so ill. How is he this morning?

Diarrhea is more likely to cause his lethargy and refusal to eat, than impaction. Try and keep him hydrated if he will let you syringe him some water; if he refuses or shows no interest or particular strength to take it then don't force him. If he'll take a probiotic it may also help.
 
I am not used to seeing you post on a Monday, thern I realised it is half-term.
 
Thanks for your advice guys. Sadly Fuzz passed away this morning while being cuddled by his mummy and daddy.

Alarmingly, we've discovered that his brother is also sick - he has really runny diarrhoea. However, he's pretty alert (currently watching TV in his playpen where we can keep an eye on him) and has had little bits of celery, banana and broccoli today, plus he ate his tea yesterday no problems.

He's off to the vet this afternoon, along with his cagemate Lemmie. Fortunately Lemmie seems to be perfectly healthy and as greedy as ever (I think he's immune to everything!).
 
Hope all goes well at the vets and rip Fuzz lets us know how you get on
 
I'm sorry to hear about Fuzz, please take comfort in knowing he passed away being held by people who obviously cared very much for him.

I think you are wise to get your other pigs checked out, hopefully it is nothing too serious. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
I'm sorry about Fuzz. I lost my guinea pig Leo on Sunday, I hope you're alright. Yes definatly get the other one checked out, is it similar age to fuzz?
 
I am very sorry you lost Fuzz, I do hope you find some comfort in that he passed away in the arms of those who loved him so much.

Good luck at the vets, I shall keep my fingers crossed for some good news about his cagemate.
 
Thank you for your kind words everyone, they are most appreciated.
Beautifulmess - I am so sorry to hear about little Leo, I hope you're coping ok.

Squig seems to be holding up pretty well - he looks sorry for himself but is by no means as sick-looking as Fuzz was. Will let you know what the vet says.
 
Update:

The vet had a good look at Squig and Lemmie. Lemmie is perfectly healthy, not to mention hefty at 1.35kg!

She couldn't detect any bloating or serious problems with Squig's tummy but said he did feel a bit squishy around his bum. He doesn't have a high temperature (oh having that taken was interesting!) and is a healthy weight. She thinks it might just be a bit of an upset tummy so he's on a hay and water diet with a probiotic suppliment thingy to help bind everything toegther and solidify it a bit.

He seems pretty bright and certainly gave both me and the vet the run around so hopefully it's nothing serious after all and I'm just mega sensitive because of poor Fuzz (who the vet thinks might have had beart problems when we described his symptoms).

Squig and Lemmie are now sulking in their play pen {:|
 
I really sorry to hear that you lost your little boy, as horrible as this event is find comfort that you were with him when he came into your home 5 years ago and you were there at the end when he left to go to pastures new...

I hope you have good luck at the vets!
 
Sorry to hear about your little one but very glad that Squig and Lemmie are okay.
 
I am sorry to hear about Fuzz and am sending my best wishes to poor upset Squig!
 
Sorry to read that he died, as I said it seemed like a heart problem, for which there was no treatment.
 
Update Pt 2:

Squig is much, much better. The runny poo has stopped - no sign of solid ones yet, but then he hasn't eaten much today. He's spent the last hour or so running around on the couch with Lemmie (even headbutting Lemmie out of the way) and tucking into cucumber. He's alert, bright eyed and chuntering away to himself, although he is getting a bit tired now so he's snuggled up with Lemmie in their fleecy tube.

Looks like the vet was right and it is just a minor thing. Phew!

Thanks again for eveyone's kindness with Fuzz - he is so badly missed, not least of all by his hutchmates.
 
That great news. Way to go Squig! Can I just say that I think Squig is a wonderful name.
 
Great news about Squig, it sounds like you have a good vet too. Fingers crossed for some normal poops today!
 
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