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Ways to keep a piggy with limited mobility dry

Gem789

Gem789

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Hi all, cheese my sow was seen by Simon last Friday after she's been limping for 2 weeks and he doesn't think there's a sprain etc as he had a good look at her and she doesn't appear to be in any pain(He thinks she's actually an old piggie, maybe 6 judging by her gradual weight loss Since February if nearly 300g and looking at her general condition, I was told she was 2 when I took her on a year and a half ago).Shes still on metacam just in case.She doesn't move around much, just sits in the hay loft most of the time.I put some cut up vet bed in there this afternoon and when I got her out half an hour ago for her eye drop, she's soaked at the back so she's gotta have a bum bath again, I only have her one on Saturday.I was wondering if there's any ways to help keep her dry as I don't want her getting urine scald etc.
 
Vet bed is meant to be good for where they sleep to stop urine scald, I had this problem with an old boar with arthiritis. I didn't use it as he was moving enough not to get scald, but I did start researching it
 
We use vet bed in Bill and Ted beds, I think it’s about the best thing really. Have you tried a very deep layer of hay? The pee soaks quickly down away from the surface so as long as you keep adding more on top then that should keep quite dry. Poor cheese, hope she improves soon x
 
Bill & Ted said:
We use vet bed in Bill and Ted beds, I think it’s about the best thing really. Have you tried a very deep layer of hay? The pee soaks quickly down away from the surface so as long as you keep adding more on top then that should keep quite dry. Poor cheese, hope she improves soon x
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I used to use deep hay, but I found the problem was, when I was at work I could lnt be there to control it
 
Bill & Ted said:
We use vet bed in Bill and Ted beds, I think it’s about the best thing really. Have you tried a very deep layer of hay? The pee soaks quickly down away from the surface so as long as you keep adding more on top then that should keep quite dry. Poor cheese, hope she improves soon x
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Thanks, Yes I use a lot of hay, she burries herself in it.Maybe I should buy some new vet bed to see if it's more absorbent x
 
I have found vet bed to be the best for my older boars and also post op when they don't move around so much. Vet bed needs a very absorbant layer underneath or the wet tends to stop draining through. I find a thick layer of newspaper is the best, changed as often as necessary, sometimes 3 or 4 times a day if they are staying in one place most of the time.
 
Gem789 said:
Hi all, cheese my sow was seen by Simon last Friday after she's been limping for 2 weeks and he doesn't think there's a sprain etc as he had a good look at her and she doesn't appear to be in any pain(He thinks she's actually an old piggie, maybe 6 judging by her gradual weight loss Since February if nearly 300g and looking at her general condition, I was told she was 2 when I took her on a year and a half ago).Shes still on metacam just in case.She doesn't move around much, just sits in the hay loft most of the time.I put some cut up vet bed in there this afternoon and when I got her out half an hour ago for her eye drop, she's soaked at the back so she's gotta have a bum bath again, I only have her one on Saturday.I was wondering if there's any ways to help keep her dry as I don't want her getting urine scald etc.
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Hi!

Hay is unfortunately not very absorbent, so piggies can get soggy bottoms quickly. A quick bum bath will prevent urine scald as she is hopefully picking up soon again

More practical tips but mainly for less mobile piggies in this guide here: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility
 
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I had a girl who came to me with a fractured pelvis and these saved my life. 2 of them cover a 4x2 c&c and can soak up ALOT. Best light bulb idea moment I've ever had, still use them every day for my girls years later. Lol

If you don't have vet bed, old flat bed pillows covered in polar fleece that you can swap out regularly in their hidey holes are great.
 
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