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Not sure if Percy is poorly

weepweeps

weepweeps

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Hello. I’m not sure if these symptoms are too vague for a vet to diagnose anything or if I’m over reacting:

Smaller poops than usual and softer too. I have stopped veg for a few days but when I introduce it they go small and soft again. This has been going on for most of October. I have started Pro C about two days ago.

Lost 50g this week. I know it’s not a great amount but may be relevant.

Itching more.

Very quiet squeaking when pooping or peeing. Can’t work out with which yet and also he doesn’t squeak every time. Surely he would do it every time if it hurt?

Also it seems like he takes longer to poop or pee. He stands there still for longer

I don’t want to stress him (or me) our with a vet visit for no reason.

Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.

Many thanks
 
I'd take him to see the vets. The poop size and softness is diet related. The itching could be fleas (very unlikely so don't worry) or it could just be him itching since he has a regular itch or a loose hair that is tickling his skin. However, the squeaking and taking a long time to pee/poop could be some type of pain so i'd get him seen to by a vet.
 
weepweeps said:
Hello. I’m not sure if these symptoms are too vague for a vet to diagnose anything or if I’m over reacting:

Smaller poops than usual and softer too. I have stopped veg for a few days but when I introduce it they go small and soft again. This has been going on for most of October. I have started Pro C about two days ago.

Lost 50g this week. I know it’s not a great amount but may be relevant.

Itching more.

Very quiet squeaking when pooping or peeing. Can’t work out with which yet and also he doesn’t squeak every time. Surely he would do it every time if it hurt?

Also it seems like he takes longer to poop or pee. He stands there still for longer

I don’t want to stress him (or me) our with a vet visit for no reason.

Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.

Many thanks
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Hi

If the slow down trend continues, I would book him in for a vet check.
Things are currently a bit borderline.
 
weepweeps said:
Thanks. That’s what I thought. He’s not obviously ill enough to say he’s ill. But there seems to be something. 👍🏻
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It is always a difficult stage when you as a caring owner notice small changes but they are not yet clear and consistent enough for a vet trip and a firm diagnosis. If something is the matter, it will hopefully become more obvious in the coming days.
 
we have been giving Pepper fibre plex as his poops were not looking great before and after the syringe incident…
I do think it has helped they are looking a lot better, he hates it, the best way we have found to feed it is with grated carrot in a bowl, we call it Piggie coleslaw 😂
 
Aww I know how you feel. My Basil hasn't been right and I've taken him to the vets a couple of times this week already but vet didn't find anything of concern until today.

Hopefully Percy will perk up and it's nothing too serious.
 
I hope Percy picks up soon.
It's so difficult deciding if they need the vet or not sometimes. I've lost count of the number of times I've taken a piggie to be told he's fine only to have to go back a few days later when he's obviously not! We who know them well do tend to pick things up early before it's detectable for a vet.
 
Engel said:
Aww I know how you feel. My Basil hasn't been right and I've taken him to the vets a couple of times this week already but vet didn't find anything of concern until today.

Hopefully Percy will perk up and it's nothing too serious.
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Hope Basil is soon on the mend. ❤️
 
piggieminder said:
I hope Percy picks up soon.
It's so difficult deciding if they need the vet or not sometimes. I've lost count of the number of times I've taken a piggie to be told he's fine only to have to go back a few days later when he's obviously not! We who know them well do tend to pick things up early before it's detectable for a vet.
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That is exactly what I think will happen if I take him now.
 
I think I’ll get some syringe feed to keep in the cupboard too. What is the best brand and flavour to buy? Also what syringes? Hopefully I won’t need it. Thanks.
 
weepweeps said:
I think I’ll get some syringe feed to keep in the cupboard too. What is the best brand and flavour to buy? Also what syringes? Hopefully I won’t need it. Thanks.
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Oxbow Critical Care or Emeraid are the most commonly used. Either is fine but some piggies prefer one to the other.
1ml syringes are best.

You can use their normal pellets mushed up with water in the absence of a recovery feed. You will need to cut the end of a syringe if you use mushed pellets

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links
 
weepweeps said:
I got Pro C a couple of days ago. Kind of worked but tonight his poops were small again. Do you think fibreplex is better?

View attachment 188107
Two are Percy’s and the good
poop is Peppers.
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It might help bulk up his poos and give him that bit extra fibre to get his guts working well again. I found the easiest way of getting the fibreplex down is soaking a few pellets (not many) mix in fibreplex then syringing it
Hope he is feeling better soon x
 
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I used to keep recovery food in but it kept going out of date without being used. I now either buy one scachet from the vet to start us off (expensive) or just mush up pellets while we wait for an on line order. If I order from somewhere like vetuk it gets here in a couple of days. Most of mine seem to prefer Science Selective Plus which is the one my vet recommends. Fingers crossed Percy won't need it.
I also mixed fibreplex in mushed pellets like Bill & Ted, piggies don't seem to like the taste of fibreplex but it does seem to do them good especially if they are on the dreaded Baytril!
 
I hope Percy feels better soon.
Hamish enjoys his fibreplex on top of a pellet, bit like icing on a cake!
Makes a sticky mess, but he doesn’t need a lot to help his bottom. No complaints from him about having it yet.
 
Ok. I’ve got fibreplex. It says on the box three times a day. Is that right?
 
Well it’s the first time I’ve had to syringe feed Percy. I only had to get about 2ml into him. I think I managed 1.5ml. So not too bad for a first attempt. Tomorrow I might just give him the fibreplex. Or try putting it on some coriander?

On a positive note his poops were still small but ok shape this evening.

And he’d put on 25g since yesterday.

He did do a very quiet sound while pooping/peeing.

Still monitoring closely.
 
weepweeps said:
Well it’s the first time I’ve had to syringe feed Percy. I only had to get about 2ml into him. I think I managed 1.5ml. So not too bad for a first attempt. Tomorrow I might just give him the fibreplex. Or try putting it on some coriander?

On a positive note his poops were still small but ok shape this evening.

And he’d put on 25g since yesterday.

He did do a very quiet sound while pooping/peeing.

Still monitoring closely.
Click to expand...
The fibreplex is strange stuff, it’s almost like greasy sand. You will get more proficient with syringe feeding as you both get the hang of it. I used to be covered when I first used to syringe feed Ted but after a while you will f8nd a “rhythm”. I found it easiest to place Ted’s back against my tummy which gave him less chance to move and freed up a hand
I used to give a Ted fibreplex twice a day 😁
 
Yes I definitely need to find a good technique. I’ll do twice a day and see if that sorts it. 😃
 
I can't say much about fibreplex as I'm yet to use it. But as @Bill & Ted said, once you have done it a few times you get into a rhythm.

When you start syringe feeding a poorly piggy they often don't realise you're trying to help so they're uncooperative which doesn't help either. It does become easier.

I've found that syringe training does help significantly too.
 
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