Weight loss after surgery. What's normal and should I be worried

[Claire W]

Some of you may know that my Eleanor had surgery at the end of August to remove four tumours from her belly which thankfully turned out to be benign.

Anyway, since then and until now Ellie has lost a bit of weight which I know can be normal. I can't remember exactly how much she weighed on the morning of having the surgery but she weighed around 1050g. I hold my hands up and admit that I haven't been weighing her religiously, only every other week but today she is 930g so has lost around 10% of her body weight.

I am pretty sure that most of her weight loss happened around the surgery and it has tailed off now. I'm just a little concerned especially as the colder weather is coming.

Ellie has always been the smallest and lightest followed by Eliza but because Erin and Ena are so chunky, it makes her feel even lighter.

I really don't feel I need to syringe feed her as she is eating like a trooper but any advice how I can help her to put weight on?

I have been making them bran mash but Ellie is the only one who isn't keen which is typical She loves her hay and burgess barn dried grass though and is munching pellets.

Also, is 930g an ok weight?

I almost had a heart attack at the weigh in as it came up less than 800g but the silly sausage had her leg on the side and off the scale!

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

from my experience some weight loss after surgery is normal and can often take a long time to be regained. most of our pet piggies are probably carrying a little extra weight and so to lose a little should not cause a problem so long as it doesn't continue.
it being the start of winter is not helpful to gaining weight. my piggies have a heated shed and are weighed most weeks. today they are all done slightly on last sunday despite increased dry food and carrot rations.
being smaller than your other piggies and perhaps not feeling 100% post op Elanor maybe losing out a little to the other girls so i would try giving her a little time on her own each day with lots of nice food and no one to steal it. it will help you to see just how much she eats when you are not watching and if her poos are normal size.
if she is eating well i don't see the need to syringe feed, it may just be a question of time for those grams to creep back on.
930g is a perfectly fine weight for many sows, for others it would be underweight, it all depends on the size of their frame. i have a couple of girls who are less than this, they are not thin, just small size piggies.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you I wouldn't say she feels skinny or anything, just thinner and she was a small frame anyway.

I brought Ellie in by herself for a few minutes earlier where she did three nice normal poo's. she has also munched on apple, celery and carrot so at least I can rule out dental.

I need to take them to the vets sometime soon for nail trims so I'll have the opportunity to bring it up if necessary.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

it sounds like shes doing very well. i think it always takes a little while for them to regain weight after illnesses and ops and agree it is a worrying time for us ... not helped by cheeky piggies sneaking a tootsie out of the scales

 

[Abi_nurse]

They can lose a little after surgery and take some time to regain it. It will also depend on the weight of the tumors removed. These would take some weight from her if quite large.

x.

 

[Claire W]

They can lose a little after surgery and take some time to regain it. It will also depend on the weight of the tumors removed. These would take some weight from her if quite large.

x.

Thank you. This never even crossed my mind. I was told the tumours were the size of cherries which I am guessing four together could be quite heavy for a small guinea pig xx