My piggie has eaten plastic, help!

[Ashleighava]

So, I have a 2yr old piggie, Florence. Her cage is on the floor in my bedroom, I was cleaning it so I put Florence down to free roam my bedroom for 10mins or so, she is usually very good at not eating anything foreign but today was different, I finished cleaning and put her back in her cage and later(about an 2hrs) realised that my laptop charger had been chewed up pretty bad (just the plastic coating no wires) and then saw that she hadn’t pooped/peed in 2hrs I’m very worried as she, like all piggies is a frequent pooper with the occasional pee but she hadn’t in hours. She is eating fine, running around and drinking but I’m concerned she isn’t defecating. Any suggestions? Taking her to the vet isn’t ideal but if it has to be done I will

 

[Winniepeg]

Someone with more experience will hopefully reply soon. My Benny ate a piece of sharp plastic weeks ago and one of my previous pigs Dougal ate a chunk of bin bag. I would keep a close eye for the next few days. Both my boys survived the experience. I hope all goes well

 

[Wiebke]

So, I have a 2yr old piggie, Florence. Her cage is on the floor in my bedroom, I was cleaning it so I put Florence down to free roam my bedroom for 10mins or so, she is usually very good at not eating anything foreign but today was different, I finished cleaning and put her back in her cage and later(about an 2hrs) realised that my laptop charger had been chewed up pretty bad (just the plastic coating no wires) and then saw that she hadn’t pooped/peed in 2hrs I’m very worried as she, like all piggies is a frequent pooper with the occasional pee but she hadn’t in hours. She is eating fine, running around and drinking but I’m concerned she isn’t defecating. Any suggestions? Taking her to the vet isn’t ideal but if it has to be done I will

Hi and welcome

Rodents don't have a vomit reflex so what has gone down has to come out at the other end. Generally there are no bad effects from a one-off plastic chew.

Please keep a closer eye on your piggy for the next 24 hours and see a vet very promptly if your piggy is suddenly looking not well, in pain and is going off its food.

Treat piggies like toddlers learning to walk - keep anything plasticky well out of range. It contains stuff that is irresistable to them and some can become true plastic addicts with a risk of blockages in the gut later in life. Like toddlers, they will usually find what you would least long before you notice it...

 

[Ritika]

I agree with above .. mine love eating wires of any kind once or twice they even destroyed my slippers I used to get scared but they pooped it out in some hours

 

[PoptartShop]

Don't stress too much, keep a watch on them of course, but it should come out the other end.

 

[Ashleighava]

Hi, thank you for getting back to me, definitely, she is no longer allowed free roam without my full attention, it’s been at least 11hrs since and she has pooped once and has not peed at all, she’s not running around or playing , but she is eating as she normally would.

 

[Siikibam]

Good advise above. They are indeed like (some) toddlers. They can’t be out of your sight in case they get up to mischief

Does your girl have a friend?

 

[Ashleighava]

Good advise above. They are indeed like (some) toddlers. They can’t be out of your sight in case they get up to mischief

Does your girl have a friend?

She is definitely no longer aloud floor time without my full attention, that's for sure! I had another Piggie, Marmalade who unfortunately passed at the ripe old age of 7, leaving florence my two year old, alone. Marmalade passed about a month or two ago, but Florence has since been coping very well she is always poporning, chirping and honestly seeming very happy. Although i still believe she should have a little friend and i was looking into it but i'm not sure if i should get another one because she seems too be happy. advice?

 

[Siikibam]

She may seem happy but piggies aren’t meant to be alone. So make plans to get her a friend. She has at least another 3 years to go, and that’s a long time to be alone.

 

[Piggies&buns]

 

[Ashleighava]

She may seem happy but piggies aren’t meant to be alone. So make plans to get her a friend. She has at least another 3 years to go, and that’s a long time to be alone.

Yes that sounds like a good idea.

 

[Hannah_xx]

Hi, thank you for getting back to me, definitely, she is no longer allowed free roam without my full attention, it’s been at least 11hrs since and she has pooped once and has not peed at all, she’s not running around or playing , but she is eating as she normally would.

11 hrs is a very long time to have only done one poop. If she doesn’t start pooping soon I’d take her to the vet asap.
Hope she’s okay

 

[Ashleighava]

11 hrs is a very long time to have only done one poop. If she doesn’t start pooping soon I’d take her to the vet asap.
Hope she’s okay

Hey, thank you for getting back to me! She is now ok, she had passed the plastic and is pooping, peeing and eating as usual.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Thanks for your update! I was quite worried too when you said she hadn't pooped really for 11 hours, so glad she is back to normal. I guess the bit of plastic was holding things up, did you actually find the offending piece?

 

[Ashleighava]

Thanks for your update! I was quite worried too when you said she hadn't pooped really for 11 hours, so glad she is back to normal. I guess the bit of plastic was holding things up, did you actually find the offending piece?

I did yes! In quite a few of her poo’s! The pieces of plastic were a tad smaller than I thought, I’m just happy she’s ok