• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Losing weight ? Requiring syringe food ?

Roselina

Roselina

Forum Donator 2025/26
Joined
May 13, 2020
Messages
24,796
Reaction score
17,989
Points
2,425
Location
Suffolk UK
Freddy is a skinny pig of 3 yrs 9 mths
He’s lived with me for 18 months
He has been a healthy lively piggy.
Last wed at his weekly health check he had lost 67g
He has continued to lose 10 - 20g each day
In total he’s lost about 122g in 11days
31/05/ 1084
Wed 1017 ( - 67g)
Thurs 998
Fri 982
Sat 973
Sun 962
I’m aware 30g loss overnight is ok but the overall trend is downwards
He is still eating drinking peeing and pooping
He saw the Vet on Friday and she found a lump beneath his chin ….a moveable lump
She couldn’t diagnose what is was so she did a biopsy and has sent it off for testing
We will know the result next week
We’re hoping it’s a fatty lump that can be removed
She didn’t say supplement his food with syringe feeding
In the past she has said he was overweight …he’s had a ‘double chin’ for a while

I’m unsure what to do …he is still eating everything and the lump hasn’t stopped that, but as his weight is still going down I’m wondering if it’s ok to monitor it and give him readigrass/ oats&banana a bit more etc I can ask the Vet on Monday.

What do you think @Wiebke and @Piggies&buns
I’d appreciate any advice
 
I’m sorry Freddy is losing weight. I’d definitely give a top up feed. They lose it so quickly but it’s so hard for them to put it back on. Has he got any pain medication? I would think something is uncomfortable to stop him eating enough hay. Sending hugs ❤️. Good luck at the vets
 
I’m sorry to hear this

I would do top up feeds with mushed pellets/critical care - perhaps twice a day would be enough but that is something that daily weight checks would answer over the coming days.

Hopefully the biopsy has some answers

For him to be overweight, you would not be able to feel ribs. Is that the case with him?
 
Hi

I agree - since this is a clear downward trend, don't step in with full-on syringe feeding but offer him some extra feed of some sort as he is not eating quite enough to keep his weight, whether that is some mushed up pellets, formula feed in a bowl or from a spoon, some plain rolled porridge oats etc. once or twice daily. You control the extras with your daily weigh in before the first meal of the day.

You check any overweight around the ribs (BMI). This also helps you to additionally judge just how serious the weight loss is individually. Any overweight piggy will drop the yellow fat around their organs rather quickly and dramatically, which is actually not a bad thing; but for any underweight piggy, the weight loss will affect muscle mass etc. That is the reason why you should not just go by numbers alone but also by body condition in order to be able to put the weight loss into the correct perspective.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels


I am keeping my fingers crossed that is just the lump and nothing serious.
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m sorry to hear this

I would do top up feeds with mushed pellets/critical care - perhaps twice a day would be enough but that is something that daily weight checks would answer over the coming days.

Hopefully the biopsy has some answers

For him to be overweight, you would not be able to feel ribs. Is that the case with him?
Click to expand...

Thank you for replying so quickly @Piggies&buns
Yes I couldnt feel his ribs before but I can today
I have some critical care arriving today
I’ll start with some mushed pellets
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

I agree - since this is a clear downward trend, don't step in with full-on syringe feeding but offer him some extra feed of some sort as he is not eating quite enough to keep his weight, whether that is some mushed up pellets, formula feed in a bowl or from a spoon, some plain rolled porridge oats etc. once or twice daily. You control the extras with your daily weigh in before the first meal of the day.

You check any overweight around the ribs (BMI). This also helps you to additionally judge just how serious the weight loss is individually. Any overweight piggy will drop the yellow fat around their organs rather quickly and dramatically, which is actually not a bad thing; but for any underweight piggy, the weight loss will affect muscle mass etc. That is the reason why you should not just go by numbers alone but also by body condition in order to be able to put the weight loss into the correct perspective.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels


I am keeping my fingers crossed that is just the lump and nothing serious.
Click to expand...


Thank you @Wiebke
I can feel his ribs today so I’ll give him some extra top up food
He seems just as lively and his daily routine hasn’t changed

He’s a sweet little guy so I’m really hoping it’s nothing serious
I feel guilty I missed the lump under his chin
 
weepweeps said:
I’m sorry Freddy is losing weight. I’d definitely give a top up feed. They lose it so quickly but it’s so hard for them to put it back on. Has he got any pain medication? I would think something is uncomfortable to stop him eating enough hay. Sending hugs ❤️. Good luck at the vets
Click to expand...

Thank you @weepweeps
No he’s not on any pain medication but I’ll ask the Vet for some
 
A new carrot box arrived today …didn’t stop Freddy having a good nibble

He had 3 mls of critical care food and coped really well
He’ll have some more after tea

I weigh him each morning before breakfast so I’ll see how he is then
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8767.webp
    IMG_8767.webp
    47.7 KB · Views: 2
Thank you everyone 🥰
We’re waiting to get some pain meds
Freddy has lost 16g overnight
He’s eating just not enough ….but he likes the emeraid stuff
He’s had 3ml today , some banana, bit of lettuce with more emeraid smeared on , his pellets and ive watched him eating hay and having a drink
The biopsy site is bruised as the Vet said it would be
He is grinding his teeth a bit today which I know can be a sign of pain
 
I hope the meds are enough to get him eating more 🤞🏻

When are the biopsy results due back?
 
How are you and Freddy today? I hope the vet got back to you regarding pain medication.
 
Hello and thank you for asking @AidaB
She did get back to me this am
She doesn’t feel Freddy is in pain as she checked and prodded him on Friday
Tbf he seems fine and doesn’t squeak etc when I handle him.
She is worried if he has pain meds that it could affect his kidneys and as we don’t know what the lump is she prefers to wait
Overnight Freddy put on 4g not a lot but better than losing
I’m still giving him emeraid about 10ml split over the day
We’re hoping the result will come thru tomorrow
 
Still no test results I’m hoping today we find out !
( Vet was off yesterday)

Freddy is doing ok - his weight is about 946 - 950 and I’m weighing him at the same time each day.
He’s such a sweet piggy he’s not so flighty now and almost hops ( with a little bum nudge) into the cosy cup 🥰
Last night he decided not to fight the syringe so it was better and quicker for us both

Meanwhile Geoff( 6yrs+) bumbles along ….what he does best 🥰
He’s enjoying the extra treats
 
I’m pleased Freddy is doing ok and accepting the syringe easier. I always find the first few days syringe feeding is the worst. Both of you need to get used to it.
 
So the result of the needle biopsy is not conclusive - it may be a thyroid tumour benign or cancerous
Treatment suggestions are gen anaesthetic to take full bloods to check for thyroid level, take a bigger piece of the lump and then decide what next.
The Vet offered an ultra sound and X-rays to be done at the same time.
Also mentioned a CT scan (£1200) at another practice as they don’t have one.

I have to think of cost and Freddy’s quality of life.
I don’t think leaving the lump is a possible as it if grows more it’ll restrict his breathing/ swallowing

I’m considering the ga for bloods and pre use biopsy and if I can afford it the ultrasound and X-rays.

Freddy is fine , still eating , drinking, peeing and pooping
He’s turned a corner with the syringe feeds and lets me gently put it in his cheek
 
Oh no. I’m sorry it wasn’t possible to get to the bottom of what it is.

Good luck with the investigations. Hopefully it will turn out to be something easily treatable 🤞🏻
 
So the cost is over £700 and comes with risks.
And of course further treatment will be needed …possible surgery to remove the lump and medication
I’m going ask more questions and I have to think of Freddy.
He’s an easily stressed piggy , doesn’t like being handled and I couldn’t let Geoff go with him.

A lot to think about ……
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top