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New mum feeling low

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flips

flips

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Bounce is about 4 and a half months old and has 2 girl babies, now 3 and a half weeks old. Apparently she is a little on the skinny side and not overly fussed about veg as she used to be. She seems a bit depressed generally. Also living with them is Bump, another female, and all get along fine.
Bounce is being offered all her favourite things- parsley, sweetcorn, kale- alongside her usual food but she has a bit of a nibble then wanders off.
Is there anything else that we can give to build her up? Would metacam be appropriate to stimulate her appetite (I read about this on another post for poorly piggies)?
She's my friend's pig and we've been talking about whether she needs time away from the babies but don't want to make any separation that requires re-bonding unless it's absolutely necessary. Perhaps she should be fed separately? Or are we expecting her to recover from pregnanct/ pup rearing too soon?
Any advice will be gratefully received. x
 
If she is not eating well I would get some adviCe from the vet as it may be a sign of an infection or other problem.

Paula
 
Aw Poor baby she is only a baby herself, hope she feels better soon.

Sorry I have no advice :( xx
 
Metatone is the appetite stimulent you're thinking of; it contains lots of B vitamins to help recuperation from illness, but it's good for encouraging an appetite in piggies too! Dose is 0.5ml once daily, although given Bounce is quite young I'd be inclined to drop that dose to 0.3ml once daily.

It will take her a while to get over the pregnancy and nursing of the pups, you can help with a number of different foods but it will still take a bit of time. Have you discerned whether the pups are girls or boys yet?

Are you weighing Bounce regularly? It may be worth weighing daily until she's maintaining her weight herself.
 
With young mums, I give them a break from the pups once they are weaned, even if they are sows, and it gives them some time for some TLC and to put condition back on. Even if I intend a sow to live with her baby sow, I give them a break between and then reintroduce. Worth considering, if mum pig is looking a bit weary

Sophie
x
 
Laura-CCC4 said:
Metatone is the appetite stimulent you're thinking of; it contains lots of B vitamins to help recuperation from illness, but it's good for encouraging an appetite in piggies too! Dose is 0.5ml once daily, although given Bounce is quite young I'd be inclined to drop that dose to 0.3ml once daily.

It will take her a while to get over the pregnancy and nursing of the pups, you can help with a number of different foods but it will still take a bit of time. Have you discerned whether the pups are girls or boys yet?

Are you weighing Bounce regularly? It may be worth weighing daily until she's maintaining her weight herself.
Click to expand...


Thanks for this. Can I buy Metatone at a chemist? And do you have any tips for giving this by syringe?
We posted pics on here of the babies and everyone thought they were girls. My friend is checking them regularly as they grow because we're a bit paranoid after the suprise pet shop pregnancy.
I have asked my friend to weigh his pigs so will suggest he starts weighing Bounce daily. I haven't seen her myself so am giving instructions by phone after I get advice on here.
 
sophiew said:
With young mums, I give them a break from the pups once they are weaned, even if they are sows, and it gives them some time for some TLC and to put condition back on. Even if I intend a sow to live with her baby sow, I give them a break between and then reintroduce. Worth considering, if mum pig is looking a bit weary

Sophie
x
Click to expand...

Thanks. I did wonder whether this would be worth trying. They've all just moved into their c & c set up so maybe the babies could move back into the ferplast cage short term. They're eating well now so shouldn't be a problem. I'll pass this advice on.
 
flips said:
Thanks. I did wonder whether this would be worth trying. They've all just moved into their c & c set up so maybe the babies could move back into the ferplast cage short term. They're eating well now so shouldn't be a problem. I'll pass this advice on.
Click to expand...

hi sharon. finally read this! its taken me ages, I have been so Busy.
Lately i slipped over and got a big bruise/graze/burn(all in the same place) at the top of my thigh. it was sore at first. :(. but then i got distracted by a dog.{:| Then it was sore again, but it somehow stopped hurting. later at my dads, it was sore again. so i put cream on it. Its still there and now i have a bruise under my eye.

From BumpIsACutie123 :)
 
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bumpisacutie123 said:
hi sharon. finally read this! its taken me ages, I have been so Busy.
Lately i slipped over and got a big bruise/graze/burn(all in the same place) at the top of my thigh. it was sore at first. :(. but then i got distracted by a dog.{:| Then it was sore again, but it somehow stopped hurting. later at my dads, it was sore again. so i put cream on it. Its still there and now i have a bruise under my eye.

From BumpIsACutie123 :)
Click to expand...

Oh dear babe. Sounds like you've been in the wars. Big hug for you. x>>
 
I'd also get a hold of some alfalfa hay and give her some parsley to eat. The poor piggy at less than 5 months won't have even finished growing herself yet so the calcium is important for her growing bones and also the production of milk if the babies are still suckling. Make sure this is part of a balanced diet and hopefully she'll recover well.
 
daftscotslass said:
I'd also get a hold of some alfalfa hay and give her some parsley to eat. The poor piggy at less than 5 months won't have even finished growing herself yet so the calcium is important for her growing bones and also the production of milk if the babies are still suckling. Make sure this is part of a balanced diet and hopefully she'll recover well.
Click to expand...

Thanks. She's eating plenty of parsley and has some alfalfa hay cubes. Will suggest they get some alfalfa hay as well.
 
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