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Poorly Pig Help

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Aqua76

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hi, sorry that my first post is one asking for help but I have a poorly pig & having lurked a bit for a while I'm hoping someone can help me.

She is off to the vets in the morning at 10am. What can I do if anything to help before then?

She is quite a young pig, one of a pair gifted to my children 16 days ago.

They had both seemed fine. The other one (Brownie) is still it's usual self. Pumpkin was fine Tuesday, popcorning in fresh hay. Yesterday seemed quiet & hid more.

Today she did not come out of the house at all so I had a little cuddle but couldn't see anything wrong. She does now seem much lighter than Brownie though. She pooed on me & it mostly looked ok, maybe slightly misshapen poo pellets but nothing major. At that point I separated them but unless she has eaten hay has not eaten since 2pm -either pellets or rocket/red pepper. She has weed though.

She had been the more nervous pig though but is now not hiding from me. Plan is to leave her alone & quiet overnight. I'll put lots more hay in as I only put a little in so I could monitor eating. Is there anything else I can do? Any thought on piggy issues it could be?

Many thanks for any input x
 
I am wondering if she maybe has the start of an upper respiratory infection, they can be common in young pigs when their immune system is compromised when they are settling into a new home. Were they from a pet shop?

How does her breathing look and sound? does it seem laboured at all?

Could you tempt her with some of her pellets mushed up in a bowl or from a spoon?

If you think it would help I would put her back with her friend. If she is in the same room and has been with her up to now, separating them won't make much difference as she has already been exposed to the potential infection. Quarantine needs to be in a separate airspace. Just bear in mind that you may need to treat both.

The vet is likely to give an antibiotic, so please ask them for a probiotic too which will help her tummy and should be given at least an hour after the antibiotics.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Hello and welcome,

We are more than happy to help anyone in anyway that we can so do not worry about your first post being a problem that you have with your piggies. Those posts are the most important ones.

I agree if you are taking Pumpkin to the vet tomorrow then please take along Brownie too. Not only as company but to also be checked over. Whenever I take one of my piggies or rabbits they always get to take a friend along to keep them company and it is less stressful for them especially if they are not feeling well.

Any vet who cares about animals will understand and accept this practice. If you think she will miss her friend more then I would leave them together tonight otherwise she may get even more stressed.

If she is not eating or drinking then meantime it would be beneficial to syringe feed her and give her water if you can and you know how.

Do you know anyone close to you that may have experience with sick piggies or animals that may be able to help you if you are unsure?
 
I've had to come out to work but will be home in about 90 minutes & will try a syringe. Stupidly I never got round to weighing them despite them taking up loads of my time!

I'm taking Brownie as I want to get their sex checked. I think they are both girls (they look identical when I checked) but I'm hoping any humping that has been going on is a dominance thing. It was happening yesterday with Brownie bothering pumpkin so I wondered if Pumpkin was quiet because of that. That's why I separated them and so I could check that she definitely wasn't eating.

The not hiding is bothering me lots. She just sits there and lets me stroke her. This is abnormal for her.

Thank you so much. I can't wait to get her to the vets.

Yes they are from a pet shop which also worries me. My last girls were rescued & apart from ringworm were always well.
 
Thanks. I'm home & at the sec I'm doubtful she'll last the night. Don't really know what to do with her. Can't take her anywhere now as can't leave the children.

I've tried syringing in water but she's not taking it.

Poor thing. She is such a lovely little thing too.
 
Hope all gos well at the vets , there is usualy someone her throughout the night should you need to talk
 
Thanks all. She didn't make it though the night. I took them both to be looked over by the vet and our remaining girl is fine. There was nothing obvious wrong with Pumpkin so the vet couldn't give us any answers.

Brownie is fine but missing her friend. We are away at half term so I'll wait until after to find her a new friend.

Thank you for your help x
 
Oh I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Pumpkin. Popcorn free now little one xx

Sending you all and Brownie *hugs* at this sad time xx
 
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