Piggy health warning

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Tommies Mam

Tommies Mam

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I am not sure if this should go here or in the health section but I felt that I really should post it to make people aware it was sent me in an e mail from Thistle Cavies.

They have been hearing reports of piggies that have either died or had to be pts due to ulcerated mucous membranes in their mouth, its starts as sore red patch often accompanied by necrotic (black, dead/dying tissue) usually at the angle of the jaw or on the side of the tongue.

If any one comes across it please get in touch with Thistle Cavies[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
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Thanks for that! :) I'll be sure to check my lot out tomorrow.
 
What's this down to? it sounds like these guinea pigs have eaten apples or some citric fruit? I'll be on the look out x
 
Any idea of cause? is it fairly obvious or only seen if the mouth is carefully examined? sounds worrying....wonder if it is contagious :(
 
The email makes no mention of what is causing it or whether its contagious, I could email them and ask if they can give me further details if people wish
 
Have emailed Thistle cavies with your queries have also asked if it is more likely to affect piggies outdoors/indoors.

Once I get a reply I will post the answers immediately
 
I have just recieved a reply which I have pasted directly into this post

Thankyou for your interest. No known cause, a swab was taken from the last piggy to be PTS but neither bacteria or fungal showed up. Piggy just shows a little less interest in his/her food then goes off of their food altogether. So far despite treatment the 6 I have heard of have all either died or been PTS to save further suffering.It gets to the stage where they will not even swallow syringe feeds or water.No post mortem exams have been done so far.... Not contagious as far as we can tell at this stage, so far it has only been one of a pair or a one in several, though not necessarly kept as a group. All have been indoor piggies, some have had time at grass when weather has permitted.
The above is all the info I have gathered so far, the last 3 piggies to suffer I have asked owners to take them to my own vet who is very informed in GP care and health.We are working closely with him on this.I just don't want anymore piggies ending up suffering .

Hope that helps answer your queries if there are any more please let me know and I will send her another e mail
 
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I will be seeing Wendi from Thistle Cavies who sent out the newsletter on Saturday if anyone would like me to find out anything more or ask specific questions.
 
Its probably something totally unrelated but one of my piggies developed a very sore, ulcerated patch at the back of his mouth which made eating very difficult. Food was collecting inside his mouth on that side too. My vet put him on a course of the antibiotic azithromycin and there was an immediate improvement and although all in all its taken a couple of months, he is now back to good health. Like I say its probably something totally different but thought I would just mention it.
 
It is definately worth keeping an eye on this....its worrying.

Would it be possible to sticky either this topic or the relevant sections so it can be added to or for reference? :)
 
Tommies Mam said:
Might be worth letting Wendi know would you like me to e mail her
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Yes definitely let her know. She can get in touch with me if she wants. My vet is away on holiday until week beginning Monday 18th August, but I am sure if she wanted to speak to him too, he would be more than happy to help. It could have been something very different but its definitely worth looking into.

I will pm you with my phone no and email address. Please pass them on to Wendi in case she wants to speak with me.
 
I have another e mail this morning and its affecting males and females equally and those piggies affected have been 2-5 years of age.
 
Stickied means this topic is permanent (unless unstickied by a mod) and can be found easily at the top of general chat to be read or added to :)
 
This sounds like poisoning rather than an infection.
Ragwort has been suggested on another forum.

Any chance of finding out what feed they have been given
1) Brand of pellets or mix
2) Brand of hay or local baled hay (2007 or 2008 hay)
3) Where veg or grass comes from - which stores for veg, grass from roadside etc.
4) Any medication/shampoo etc.

Possibly someone can spot a link.
 
Are the cases localised or are they up and down the country?
 
OK going to ask the stupid question, is it zoonotic, my kids feed and water the pigs for me, only the last major illness i had in my herd was zoonotic and i had to keep the children away,

I know its silly to ask but, well you know better safe than sorry??:red
 
The case have been up and down thoe country, I am going to the physios soon but will e mail Wendi when I get back
 
I'm wondering if it is from grasses, insects that soil the grass perhaps its something from over seas. I do tend to think like Juniper that it is some kind of posion.

No point second guessing though, I hope they get to the bottom of it.
 
Will see what else I can find out tomorrow when I see Wendi. Will update this thread with any new information.
 
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