I had read somewhere the seed heads had more calcium in but it depends how much more if it's an issue really.Good question...I assumed Timothy was fine all around, never before heard of a difference between the hay and the seed heads. Out of my 4 pigs, all on the same low calcium diet, only 1 gets sludge/squeaks. What else do they eat?
My Timothy hay is absolutely full of them. Could probably set up an Etsy page just selling seed heads
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. My other pig didn't have any sludge on x-ray- hormonal issues and IC I believe instead
I tried that for my Nancy and small amounts seem to be fine but large amounts not. Cancelling them out altogether didn't make a difference but less does. My worry is the lack of vitamin D without pellets as they are indoors pigs. And vitamin D is what helps them absorb the calcium.
If it helps reassure you, our vets (very piggy savvy) said that they recommend a hay and lettuce only diet to bladder pigs. It’s balanced without being too low or high in calcium. Small amounts of grass or other low calcium veggies can be given depending on the individual.
Thank you. That's worth knowing. I've tried to get Nancy onto meadow hay numerous times and her squeaking gets worse but maybe it's a change in diet because of IC. She squeaked loads when I introduced coriander to begin with.If it helps reassure you, our vets (very piggy savvy) said that they recommend a hay and lettuce only diet to bladder pigs. It’s balanced without being too low or high in calcium. Small amounts of grass or other low calcium veggies can be given depending on the individual.
Perry is an indoor pig. He has meadow and timothy hays (vets recommend meadow hay from a bale and timothy hay alongside), lettuce twice a day with small amounts of cucumber, pepper (mostly green as the lowest sugar option) and every now and again a small amount of grass.
I don’t think the vitamin D is a problem to be honest. Hays that are more yellow/golden contain more vitamin D than the greener hays (more vitamin C) but I know you can’t know for sure how much.
The vitamins and minerals in pellets deteriorate very quickly.
I don’t know if that’s any help but just what I’ve been told for my own bladder piggy
He first started with his bladder last June and was moved onto this diet then alongside a two week course of anti-inflammatories. It’s kept things at bay until just recently when he’s flared again due to stress over his arthritis we think.
Which lettuces do you feed and how much please?
I've only got two pigs.I'm no expert at all but know the feeling of is it me, think I'm cursed or upset The Guinea God's. Sure you're doing a great job though and just unlucky they do stress you don't they.Which lettuces do you feed and how much please?
It makes me worry it's me. I've had so so many problems. One pig was health until recently. But I've been at the vets pretty much every week since April. I get the odd time when it maybe a few weeks. But then I've had some weeks when it's been 2/3 times in a week. But we've had all sorts as well like sarcomas, hernia, wound infection that reopened the stitches, hay poke etc
Have you had a lot of piggie health problems too?I'm no expert at all but know the feeling of is it me, think I'm cursed or upset The Guinea God's. Sure you're doing a great job though and just unlucky they do stress you don't they.
. Nancy needs to go for another surgery soonI'm so sorry you lost your piggie and you have such a poorly one. How is the antibiotics going? My Pumpkin's wound reopened and got infected but has got massively better with wound flushes and antibiotics. Though unfortunately she's weeing in pain at the moment
Mainly sweet gem, romaine, sometimes cos. Those are the ones we can get easily although any are fine apart from iceberg really.Which lettuces do you feed and how much please?
It makes me worry it's me. I've had so so many problems. One pig was health until recently. But I've been at the vets pretty much every week since April. I get the odd time when it maybe a few weeks. But then I've had some weeks when it's been 2/3 times in a week. But we've had all sorts as well like sarcomas, hernia, wound infection that reopened the stitches, hay poke etc
Yes. Nancy gets one a day. Pumpkin she was on it, stopped squeaking and had cancer surgery so I assumed she was better so had stopped. I've restarted her on it. Hoping it helps.
It's looking much better but yes I've noticed some squeaking when he has a wee. Thank you how is your baby?
I've never used it but will Google it now
Oh bless him. Squeaking when weeing seems a common thing. Well Pumpkin's wound is almost together now. Pumpkin has been squeaking a lot when weeing but I have noticed if I feed watery veg is temporarily stops so I'm planning on giving extra veg for a few days in hopes it helps.
How old is your piggie that is squeaking when weeing?I've never used it but will Google it now
Almost 7 months x