Snotty pig!

[Ditherpig]

I'd like some suggestions as to how I could help my little boy Freddy.

He came to me because his previous owner had basically got bored of him. He arrived in a very damp hutch. Apparently, it hadn't been cleaned out for a few weeks. He'd got a friend, but they clearly didn't get on, as Freddie had a shredded face.

He's much better now , but for the last few months though, he's been a bit snuffly and snotty. Not loads, but enough to give him crusty eyes in the morning. Sometimes his breathing sounds like he's asthmatic for a while.

He's been to the vets twice. He's had courses of antibiotics, which made no difference. They took swabs, which showed it's not a bacterial or a viral infection. His chest is apparently clear.

I thought he might be allergic, so I've tried all sorts of combinations of bedding, towels, living indoors, living outdoors. Nothing seems to make a lot of difference!

He doesn't seem to care though- he runs around, eats like it's going out of fashion, drinks, plays etc. He is 7 years old, so I'm reluctant to do anything too invasive or traumatic for him.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be the problem and what might help him?

 

[shiny]

I think at 7 years old there's not much I would try if he's eating, drinking, maintaining weight & seeming cheerful. Personally I would keep him indoors as he may be more prone to respiratory infection with rattly sounds to his chest.

He sounds a lovely chap & lucky to have found you for his retirement years

 

[Leigh P]

I would agree with Shiny. He now needs to be kept comfortable... and if he's eating and happy, then he's pretty comfortable! The only suggestion I would have is to damp down any eating hay so that there is no dust (used to do that for my horse!) and also to keep Freddy on non-dusty bedding, ie fleece, towels etc. I stopped using sawdust after reading that this can cause respiratory problems in piggies (several of mine seemed to go down quickly with chest/nose infections)... and now use Megazorb - my piggies seem very happy on this.

Good luck with Freddy, it looks as though he has found a loving home at last.

 

[Ditherpig]

Thank-you for the reassurance! I was so worried you would all think I'm a horrendous owner for not knowing what to do.

He's a hilarious little piggle. Aside from eating, he particularly enjoys taunting the other boys when they are in their hutches and he is running around in the shed (AKA pig playground)...!