McMac doesn't look right :(

[LittleEskimo]

Hey I have noticed today that McMac looks a little...scruffy. His fur isn't as maintained as it usually is and his eyes both seem slightly gunky and his poos aren't healthy looking. Also he doesn't seem to be eating his pellets Well it looks like he has eaten some but not much.
The only change I have made to him and his hutch is that I put sawdust below the hay for his bedding. He has been on sawdust before but I was only using hay and newspaper. Then on Sunday I ran out of newspaper and noticed I had some sawdust left over so put a little bit of that around.

I have brought him out for a cuddle and he seems normal to what he is usually like behaviour wise and his eyes have cleared up...I am thinking I should maybe just get rid of the sawdust...

 

[Puzzlepigs]

I'm no expert but perhaps if you haven't used sawdust for a while he isn't used to it and he's reacted to it in some way? Try taking the sawdust away and monitor how he is when you put him back in.

I'm not sure if this is possible - but I noticed once when my four piggies were out on the grass that they all sneezed a bit. I took them to the vets and they were absolutely fine so I assumed that it was just the pollen. After monitoring them for another two weeks and no more sneezing they were given the all clear and are now fine.

I'm sure that another more experienced member will help you out
I hope that he's feeling better soon.

 

[LittleEskimo]

I'm no expert but perhaps if you haven't used sawdust for a while he isn't used to it and he's reacted to it in some way? Try taking the sawdust away and monitor how he is when you put him back in.

I'm not sure if this is possible - but I noticed once when my four piggies were out on the grass that they all sneezed a bit. I took them to the vets and they were absolutely fine so I assumed that it was just the pollen. After monitoring them for another two weeks and no more sneezing they were given the all clear and are now fine.

I'm sure that another more experienced member will help you out
I hope that he's feeling better soon.

Yeah I have kept him off sawdust for a while as I kept getting it in my eyes and I could imagine what it was like for McMac. I have only using hay and newspaper now. Until the other day when I put some sawdust in. I think I will clean him out today. I am going to put him on the grass as I am worried about his eating. Hopefully some grass will be nice for him to eat.

 

[Wiebke]

Please have him checked by a vet; it could be another cause.

 

[LittleEskimo]

I have just put him out on the grass and he is acting normal, nomming away as he usually would. I will change the bedding and see how he is tomorrow

 

[AudioHeart]

I'd suggest taking him to the vets incase it isn't the sawdust causing the problem. Sometimes piggies can end up with eye infections due to poking themselves in the eye with hay (arthur has now done this on two occassions!) a round of eye drops from the vets usually does the trick.

Hope everything goes well at the vets xx

 

[Abi_nurse]

Change the bedding, but maybe see a vet too.

x.

 

[LittleEskimo]

Since taking him out of the hutch and changing the bedding his eyes seem more clear and bright, not runny or anything, his fur also looks better and sleek. Will have another look at him in a minute to see how he is doing