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Thyroid Problems?

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PopcornPigs

PopcornPigs

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I've just had to take tilly to the vets as she's been gradually losing weight. She's 5 1/2 years old and has always been around 950g. Since the beginning of August she's lost about 200g even though she's fine in herself still perky, eating well etc. The only thing I've noticed is every now and then I'll find her in a trance staring at nothing but she'll snap out of it if I touch her or waft food in her face.

The exotic vet has examined her and found nothing remarkable. The only things she suspects are thyroid problems or teeth problems (although on exam could not see or feel anything untoward).

We've booked in for an x ray and blood test next week. I just pray it's not a thyroid problem as this could mean long term tablets but most likely surgery. Has anyone else had a piggy with thyroid issues?
 
Hi!

I'm sorry your thread has went unanswered for so long.

The gradual weight loss would suggest a chronic issue, and (hopefully) positively there are many that don't necessarily point to a thyroid issue.

The trance you describe sounds like she could be a little painful, as when piggies are uncomfortable they don't always just fluff up, sometimes they will just sit and stare whilst zoning out, as if they are sleepy but not quite comfortable enough to lay down and nap. This is exactly how my eldest sow reacts when painful.

How is her mobility? Have you noticed any stiffness in her back end or any bunny hopping? She is at an age where arthritis could be setting in.

Any difficulty chewing or picking up food? Small, gradually growing dental Spurs could be another option.

Of course there's also the possibility of an internal issue causing pain, so a full MOT is your best bet since you don't really have anything else to go on.

A conscious X-ray or abdominal scan as well as a teeth check may provide an answer without the need for sedation and bloods. If you don't get any answers with that then bloods would be a next step.

Really hope you get to the bottom
Of it soon x
 
Ive had a thyroid piggie (and I'm awaiting conformation of another). What I would say is that hyperthyroid piggies tend to be very hyperactive, you can't keep them still on your lap or in the cage etc and eat EVERYTHING! Including fingers. Lol. Long term medication isn't all that bad if it is this I wouldn't worry, you can also get a transdermal gel you can put on there ears to treat the thyroid.

Weightloss can be subject to a number of things, 200g is a lot for a 950g piggie to lose. Does she drink a lot at all? The two main things I would be worried about sadly are liver or kidney disease or the dreaded cancer of some sort and at this age it may well be possible. There isn't really any treatment for most of these I'm afraid and would be just a case of keeping your little one comfortable.

I hope it's nothing sinister, keeping everything crossed for you!

x
 
Thanks for your replies.

She does walk with v straight back legs, but she's always done that really. ..so I don't think zhrs gotten any worse in that respect.

In terms of being hyperactive she's always been v difficult to pin down.. You can't sit down and cuddle cos she wants to be up n about all the time and will nibble if she doesn't get her own way. She actually bit the vet when she was examined the other day.. As she was getting inpatient. So not sure if that means anything in terms of her thyroid?

I'm just hoping its nothing awful :( she's such a lovely pig..never had one like her before (devil naughty pig) and she's taught me a lot. She's always been a great companion to other pigs too.
 
So her xrays and bloods were taken yesterday. Nothing sinister seen on xrays or on closer examination of the teeth. So just waiting for blood results and we'll go from there I guess... She came around from anaesthetic fine and is happily trotting about eating pooping today. Its a mystery but hopefully we'll find out what's going on soon.
 
PopcornPigs said:
So her xrays and bloods were taken yesterday. Nothing sinister seen on xrays or on closer examination of the teeth. So just waiting for blood results and we'll go from there I guess... She came around from anaesthetic fine and is happily trotting about eating pooping today. Its a mystery but hopefully we'll find out what's going on soon.
Click to expand...

Keeping everything crossed that you can get to the bottom of it, please let us know how she is getting on x
 
So the vet came back to me a few days later and said that Tilly was anaemic. It was regenerative anaemia therefore she believed she may have gut ulceration. She was put on antiacids and antibiotics and I collected faecal samples over a few days to send off for examination. The faecal tests came back negative to blood. Tilly has maintained weight/put a little bit back on so she was sedated Friday for the vet to re-examine her bloods to see where we're at. It's very frustrating not having a clear answer but I'm happy that Tilly hasn't deteriorated at all.
 
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