Post Op Guinea Off His Food

[KimberleysWheekers]

Mabelle was castrated on Friday and we got him back yesterday (Saturday) morning. He seems ok, more quiet than normal, just kind of milling about rather than running around. He does move fine when he wants to.

He doesn't seem interested in food though (aside from parsley which he still goes mad for) - Is this normal after an op? Sasha's had a good go at her plate of veg, but Mabelle has only had a tiny tiny amount.

Thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

It is not that uncommon. Have you got Critical Care to feed him? Make sure that he is drinking as well (if necessary syringe him that).

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

What is Critical Care? :red

 

[Farquhar]

My mimsi had an op earlier in the year. He didnt show much interest in his normal food but did eat the critical care mix. These are sachets of dried food that you mix with water. It was the science recovery sachets that I had for Mimsi after his op and he went back to solids after a couple of days. A GA can take a lot out of a piggy so just try and tempt him as much as you can to keep his digestion moving. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[Wiebke]

Is is a hay based instant feed containing all necessary vitamins etc. that you mix with water to the right consistency when a piggy goes off its food. You can get it from your vet. Give either by spoon or syringe.

I'm not sure whether you can get something similar in p@h, but you might.

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

He has been having a munch on hay and also a little dry food. I'll look in in the morning to see how much he's had and give the vets a call to get some other stuff incase. Don't want him going hungry

Thanks for your help.

 

[Wiebke]

All the best to Mabelle - with some piggies, it takes longer to come round after an op. Just keep him tempted with some of his favourite treats, plenty of fresh hay, water and pellets.

If he hasn't picked up by tomorrow, I'd contact the vet and ask for some critical care. Munching on hay is a good sign, though.

 

[alcesterpigs]

Give him 0.5ml of Metatone daily for 3 days, it should help stimulate his appetite.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

An alternative to Critical Care is Science Recovery - more vets will probably have Science Recovery as it's a UK product, as opposed to Critical Care which is imported. Both do the same job, they are essentially the same product so either is fine to have to hand. Be sure to get some 1ml syringes too!

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Give him 0.5ml of Metatone daily for 3 days, it should help stimulate his appetite.

What is Metatone? I have Googled - Do you mean this? (Sorry if I am being thick!mallethead)

The vets have given me some Metacam to give him, 0.05ml once a day for 5 days (today was day #3).

He's eating more today. Still not going for it, but having a little, then a break, then some more and another break. He's still munching hay too.

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Thanks for all the info! Sometimes I feel a bit :{ and it's very helpful to have access to the forum to help with answers!

p

 

[Nienna]

Little tip as well - not sure if you're at this stage (hopefully your piggy is eating unaided but it might save a lot of tears to know in advance - I had to syringe feed a very poorly pig and I couldn't get the syringe in his mouth as he hated it. Also, the Science Recovery we had kept clogging the syringe, and if you make it too watery the pig is getting fluid but not so much food.

If you're having a similar problem at all , you can buy kitten weaning bottles from p@h with a rubber teat. Cut the teat down very carefully to open up the hole just enough until the feed comes through, hold piggy in one hand and feed from the bottle with the other. Worked a treat for us and we got a lot more food in him.

 

[Farquhar]

Metatone is a pick me up tonic that can be used after illness when you are run down.It should help to stimulate the appetite. I have used this before on one of my poorly piggies and it helped perk him up. You can get this from most chemists...

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Hmmm, should there be much swelling? He's looking rather large down there mallethead

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I remember my Dexter was rather "baggy" looking for a good few days post-op, with him I think it took about a week for things to start looking much more normal.