Satin Syndrome and diet

[*Piggies*]

Good morning, yesterday our little skinny pig was diagnosed with Satin Syndrome after bloods and X-rays for weight loss and him appearing to be in pain. X-rays showed significant changes in his bone structure, particularly in his neck. We are absolutely gutted he is now on metacam and gabapentin as a palliative measure.

He has always been small since he came to us (he got up to 700g) but is now 590g, he is moving around and eating as he has been, loves his food! The vet advised that we continue critical care along side him eating in his own. Little Marmite LOVES critical care and will eat it off a spoon happpily like he has never eaten! He is still eating hay and veg independently. How much critical care should I give him? Can he have what the packet suggests even if he is eating independently too? I don’t want him to stop eating because he is full of critical care if that makes sense?

Thanks in advance, we are just trying to figure out how to keep our little guy as comfortable and happy as we can x

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry to hear this.

There’s not going to be a specific amount and it’s going to come down to what regular weight checks (daily I would suggest) tell you. As you say you want him to keep eating for himself for as long as possible and you may only need to give smaller top ups or it may need to be more significant feeds.
It’s never what the packet says though, it’s always what the scales tell you - if he loses weight day on day than he isn’t eating as much himself so needs more critical care; remains stable then you’ve got a balance. It’s going to be a bit of trial and error and constant readjusting to find what is going to work for him as the disease progresses.

Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
Satins-and-satin-disease / sgps-syndrome / fibrous-osteoporosis