• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Weight gain in nutritionally deprived piggies

Status
Not open for further replies.
madmush

madmush

Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
324
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Smethwick, West Midlands
2 weeks ago I got Billy & Bobby - 2 baby pigs who were rescued at approx 4-6 & 2-3 weeks of age. Billy is doing well & really thriving & gaining weight well. Bobby on the other hand is much further behind .

At the time of rescue Billy was 0.4kg & Bobby 0.25kg. Yesterday they weighed in at: Billy 0.588kg & Bobby 0.405kg. Even though Bobby is approx 9 weeks old, he only just weighs the same as Billy did at approx 4 weeks old.

Bobby was found in a cage with approx 8-10 adults, so obviously as a baby & with all the big pigs, he wouldn't have gotten the best of the food & on top of that their diet was VERY inadequate. At the time of rescue he was very bloated & the vet didn't think he would survive.

The great news is he is doing well.:(|) He is thriving, so much happier & less terrified than when first rescued. He has a great diet now & loves his fresh fruit & veggies! He runs around & gets lots of cuddles & likes to be my little pig-parrotx) (sitting on my shoulder!) I'm not too concerned about his health at the moment, just curious if anyone have any experience of caring for guinea pigs who were nutritionally deprived as newborns? Do they ever catch up their weight / growth? Are they likely to have future health problems? Any suggestions or advice? ?/

Thanks

Michele (& Bobby!)
 
I've had a few at mine that came from very poor (starved) conditions and all were abnormally small for their given ages. It took some time, and good grub and vit C supplements, but they did eventually grow, albeit more slowly than a 'healthy' pig. They don't end up quite as big as a normal piggy, usually, it depends how severe the deprivation was and for how long.

It's great news that the little fella is gaining weight, as long as he IS gaining then I wouldn't worry too much - he might always be a small piggy, but hopefully a healthy one!

The other thing with nutriotionally deprived pigs is they can have bone / teeth problems, as was the case with my lot. I'm sure you've checked his teeth but just be extra aware

Good luck

Sophie
x
 
I agree with Sophie. As long as he is eating well and gaining weight, I wouldn't worry right now. Every pig is different in size and weight, so your tiny pig may just be naturally petite.
 
Final weight seems to have no bearing on attitude. Often the smallest pig is the dominant one in the group.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top