I'm worried about my new adopted Piggy - Barney

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Lessie

Lessie

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Barney *UPDATED* See post no.7 Images inc. *pic heavy*

Hi there,

I have recently adopted a 3 year old boar, called Barney. I've adopted him for my sow as a companion. At the moment the the bonding isn't too bad apart from Revolver (my sow) is being a bit funny around him as I've seen her chasing her and trying to bite him :(

However hopefully things will get better as it takes time.

Anyway here is Barney. He is shy at the moment and rather frisky but he is a real gentlemen. He is tiny in my opinion, well compared to revolver. I am trying to fatten him up as I can feel his bones easily.

I am quite concerned about him at the moment because of his nails. They look incredibly painful so I'm going to book an appointment at the vets to get them trimmed and looked at hopefully. I put him onto the run yesterday which he loved eating the grass however I couldn't help noticing that he was hoping and dragging his right back leg. It's seems like he cannot walk or run properly. I think it's quite swollen but I'm not sure so I have included images of it.

I love him so much and I want to make sure he is not suffering and he is healthy. Tomorrow I am going to bath him because he's got a mucky bum and I think he needs a good wash to get the smell from the sanctuary off him.

Anyway here he is:-

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Here is what his nails are like at the moment

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His back right leg

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Compared to his left back leg
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Sorry if the images isn't good. I am starting to get really worried about him because I don't want him to be in pain. He is such a lovely guinea-pig. I just want to do what's best and right for him.

Thank-you
 
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His nails look fine. They look like the nails of a one year old pig.
It could be an injury which is healing, difficult to tell from the photo, it is a little out of focus. If you moved away from him a little more you would get a good quality in focus photo, like the rest that you have posted.
 
Where did you adopt Barney from?

I can't really tell from the photo (the nails could do with the tips cut off, but otherwise aren't too bad) if his foot is swollen from an infection or if he just has a large spur.

If it's an infection on his foot, keep that vet appointment and look into the treatment of bumblefoot: http://www.guinealynx.info/pododermatitis.html
 
I agree that the nails look pretty good. A standard trim would just make things a tad more comfortable for him.

The foot does look swollen and the skin looks quite inflamed. www.gorgeousguineas.com do a foot ointment called Perfect Paws which would help with the soreness on the surface, but I do feel that his foot does need examining to be sure there's no risky injury there or a problem that needs particular treatment.

And congrats on adopting Barney! He is gorgeous.
 
Barney is a lucky guy! And handsome into the bargain! No wonder you love him already. Better have his foot looked at at the vets. It looks swollen and infected.

His nails are fine, they tend to twist sideways in adult piggies.

Give him and Revolver time to get settled. Barney has a lot to take in right now.

If Revolver is not in season, she won't like being bothered by a frisky little lad! A lady comes into season roughly every 15-16 day for a day. For about two hours of that time she is ready (and willing) to mate. Just wait until you get a really mad day full of squeaking and chasing, and see how they are with each other afterwards. Nothing like day of unbridled lust to bond a couple...
 
Update

Hi there,

I did promise to post some pictures of Barney - my new adopted piggy and revolver of course!

As some of you may know he has got wonky nails and a swollen leg, well we've just taken him to the vets today - this afternoon. As that was the only time available.

However the vet was pleased how he is, trimmed his nails and said not to worry about his nails. His back leg is damaged but not broken. He said it's probably due to lack of vitamin C. Which I am not suprise because he was an unwanted pet therefore was not looked after correctly. Nonetheless it's nothing to worry about because he is not in pain as he checked and its movements is okay. His leg is on a different angle as it's sticks out more than a normal guinea-pig's leg so that's why he walks funny and runs funny. It is a relief to know that he is not suffering and is fine apart from he needs more Vitamin C in his diet which is not a problem because since I've had him I have been giving him lots of vegetables and herbs and of course grass and hay.

The only problem he has is that he eats mix. We have tried to convert him eating nuggets but he's really stubborn and will not eat them. So the vet recommended to put vit C solution in his water bottle to ensure he gets Vit C.

Lastly the vets said his nails will need trimming frequently and recommended to trim them myself. So the vet have ordered the same scissors as theirs as it is much better than mine.

I am relived and happy now!

Anyway here are images that I took this afternoon in this gorgeous hot weather! I hope you'll like them!

Revolver in her hutch
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Barney in his hutch as well
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@)
mstori said:
glad everything ok.. he is a beauty!
I love that purple house, where did you get it?
Great set up for them!
Tori x
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Hi,

It's a good job I remember where I got that purple house from! I got it from ukpetsupplies.com

Not bad price but have to pay p&p @)

Thank-you for your kind reply :))
 
Lovely pictures and glad you've been reassured by the vet. However, vitamin C supplements that you add to water are next to useless - vitamin C breaks down very easily and it might also put your piggies off drinking water. It's better to ensure lots of natural vitamin C through veg- see the shopping list at the top of the food section for ideas. Peppers are rich in vitamin C, you can also get supplements in tablet or syringe form if you want to do so initially (I know some people use the human chewable vit C tablets, or you can buy a powder mix from Galen's Garden).

Hope he's soon on the mend

Sophie
x
 
sophiew said:
Lovely pictures and glad you've been reassured by the vet. However, vitamin C supplements that you add to water are next to useless - vitamin C breaks down very easily and it might also put your piggies off drinking water. It's better to ensure lots of natural vitamin C through veg- see the shopping list at the top of the food section for ideas. Peppers are rich in vitamin C, you can also get supplements in tablet or syringe form if you want to do so initially (I know some people use the human chewable vit C tablets, or you can buy a powder mix from Galen's Garden).

Hope he's soon on the mend

Sophie
x
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Thanks for your reply. I was also not sure about vit.C solution because I have read and heard from people that it isn't good and they need fresh plain water most of the times. I am very interested of purchasing vit C powder, does any reccomends them ?

I will also of course continue providing lots of fresh high vit.C vegs and herbs! :))
 
beautiful piggies, they look lovely and happy playing in the garden. he looks so much like my maisie in that first picture! she has exactly the same colour and pattern on her body and even has that little brown patch on her face! beautiful. x)
 
Glad the vet check went okay, I completely agree with Sophie on the Vit C issue, I often hear pet shops plugging these solutions to plop in the water and the pigs won't often drink it as it makes it taste vile! The Galen's Garden products are brilliant, we use these for Vit C too if they need a boost due to illness, but as long as you feed fresh veg every day, they will get what they need :) However, if you adopted him from a rescue I am surprised they rehomed him without letting you know about his possible problems, most rescues should rehome a piggie after they have been health assessed and treated if necessary.

He looks adorable by the way! A very handsome chap. It's great that you have given this single boy a loving home, there are always so many boars in rescue.
 
Lovly pics of two special piggies!

I'm so glad for Barney that his leg is not serious.

There is a vitamin C thread in the illness section with tips, if you want to get inormation. Have a great weekend piggie watching!
 
BeckyP said:
Lovely pigs, I'm guessing he's neutered? :)
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Oh of course he's neutured! I would not want any babies at all especially when there's loads of other piggies looking for homes. '
Also my sow is 4 - and there is no way I would let her get pregnant at that age as she could die whilst giving birth.

Thanks for your interest!:))
 
boureki said:
Glad the vet check went okay, I completely agree with Sophie on the Vit C issue, I often hear pet shops plugging these solutions to plop in the water and the pigs won't often drink it as it makes it taste vile! The Galen's Garden products are brilliant, we use these for Vit C too if they need a boost due to illness, but as long as you feed fresh veg every day, they will get what they need :) However, if you adopted him from a rescue I am surprised they rehomed him without letting you know about his possible problems, most rescues should rehome a piggie after they have been health assessed and treated if necessary.

He looks adorable by the way! A very handsome chap. It's great that you have given this single boy a loving home, there are always so many boars in rescue.
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Hi there,

I did adopt him from a rescue in Coventry. I think they never noticed his back leg because he didn't have acess or went out into runs or pens.
That's how I noticed about his leg whilst he was out in his masssssivvveee run! I best not say how big otherwise you will all think I'm mad!!rolleyes

Thank-you for your kind reply and interest! Also I will certainley shop at Galen's Garden. :))
 
Holland and Barrett do a really good Rosehip Vitamin C syrup that I have used a lot on rescue piggies :) Nice and easy to buy too as they are on most high streets.
 
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