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Syringe Feeding Issues

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tormor

tormor

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I have a very poorly piggie with pneumonia (diagnosed this morning after second trip to vets in 5 days). I have been syringe feeding for a couple of days but I'm having real trouble getting him to take the food. Most times he will have one mouthful then following ones he just spits out. I have been told to make the ox bow up to a porridge consistency. Is this too thick? How can I get him to take a bit more? Any advice would be great
 
Hi, sorry you are going through this.

Use a 1ml syringe with the end cut off (make sure the plunger can't come out) and file the tip so there are no jagged edges. Always syringe feed from the side of the mouth and slowly so it doesn't fire out.
I would advise making the Critical Care a little more watery so it doesn't get stuck in the syringe - so I would personally say more watery than porridge. Some piggies prefer mushed up pellets over Oxbow.

Is he eating anything for himself? Also is he on antibiotics for the pneumonia? If there is fluid on the lungs it may be worth asking the vet about the use of a diuretic such as furosemide, these are sometimes used for piggies and they helped with one of our girls a few years ago

Am tagging in some of our experienced Heath and Illness posters

@helen105281
@Pebble
@Pound Shilling & Pig
@Elwickcavies


I am tagging in an expert of syringe feeding @furryfriends Excellent Adventure Sanctuary She may be able to offer more tips

Lots of healing vibes to your piggie
 
Hi am sorry he is so poorly. I agree with Sport Billy about making the syringe food a bit more watery. Also take it very slowly as he will be struggling to breathe.

What has the vet given you? If it is pneumonia then diuretics are needed to help remove fluid from the lungs. Also if you have been given Baytril for an antibiotic it is not always effective for pneumonia and it took Zithromax to get my pig through it.

Also is he snotty at all? If so please ask the vet for a product called Bisolvon which helps remove mucous.

Steam therapy helps too using 2 drops of Olbas oil in hot water in a steam inhaler cup which you hold over the nose in 5 second bursts. It can also be put in a bowl next to the cage if you don't have an Inhaler.
 
Hi thanks for your replies. I had been given a huge syringe for the oxbow (15ml) so will try with a smaller one. He's been given metacam 0.5ml once a day and baytril 0.5ml once a day. He had a little bit of clear discharge from his nose yesterday but nothing today. He's not eating or drinking anything for himself so I have been syringing water too which he has been taking. He has very runny eyes which I've just been cleaning with cotton wool pads and warm water.
 
It sounds more upper respiratory to me but am not a vet. The 15ml syringe is used by some people but I never recommend using it as it is so easy to aspirate a pig with it and a friend was dealing with a client (she gives piggy advice via a vets) who did just that while on the phone. The 1ml is much easier to control.

Please speak to your vet about whether they detected any fluid.

Also did they mention giving probiotics in addition to the Baytril?
 
If the pig has pneumonia (which is fluid in the lungs) then a diuretic is vital. Guineas cannot breathe and swallow at the same time. Do you know whether the vet gave him an injection of furosemide? I agree with what has already been said about a smaller syringe with the end cut off and more watery consitency. Some of my pigs have turned their noses up at the Oxbow, but have gobbled down their normal pellets, mushed up. I know some people add baby food (carrots, swede etc.) to make it more palatable. I hope you manage to find something that works.
 
Thanks for the video. He was given an injection at the vets but can't remember what it was.
 
Could you call your vets to find out? It may have been a steroid but possibly not if he is on Metacam.
 
I'm sorry to report that chilli passed away a short while ago. He was a much loved pig who I will miss a lot.
 
I'm so sorry, sadly pneumonia kills so quickly. Night night Chilli, sweet dreams.
 
I have just came in from giving my girl her meds and was going to give you a tip as my 3 take theirs without issues now, but I am so sorry to hear you lost him. Popcorn free piggie x
 
I'm really sorry for your sad loss. My thoughts are with you. R.I.P. Chilli. xx
 
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