weight loss and appetite-advice

[bunny mad lisa]

I noticed a month ago that my pig had a lost a bit of weight. I put it down to the cold weather and have been monitoring her since. She has been eating well and very perky until a few days ago. Her weight has gone down more to 650gm from 750gm in a week..origionally 900gm(few months ago) and her appetite has gone off a bit. She goes running out for grass and herbs but doesn't seem too bothered with her dried food and isn't eating as much hay as normal.
I am taking her to the vet thursday and for now i have been giving her metatone as a tonic, pro c in her water and plenty of extra food to tempt her. I have also started her on baytril and i know the vet will give her that anyway! Her droppings are normal but a little smaller. She is perky enough.
i have had several piggies over the years lose weight and always find once they do they go down hill...so i am worried!
any suggestions?

 

[Wiebke]

Have her back teeth checked!

Here are more things to think of when your piggy loses its appetite:
http://www.guinealynx.info/anorexia.html

Loss of appetite and weight is a worry whenever it happens.

 

[bunny mad lisa]

i was going to get the vet to check her back teeth,front ones are o.k.
i'll check out the link..thanks!

 

[Niki]

Having had a piggy go down a similar route i can understand your concerns. It may be her teeth or she may be in pain somewhere else which is making her feel less like eating. I too noticed with my boy that he would eat some veggies & hay but didn't touch his dry food.

Are you syringe feeding her? I mush up pellets, add probiotic, vit C tab (crushed) milk thistle tab (crushed) & some organic baby food. All my piggies will eat this mix readily but not all would eat Critical Care or Science Recovery.

Milk thistle is supposedly good for stimulating appetite (avail in tab form at wilkos, liquid form in health shops).

You can also give her a vit C tablet daily (avail in supermarkets) to ensure she's getting enough

 

[bunny mad lisa]

have just examined her again and noticed her bottom look a bit enlarged..have felt it and it feels hard and she squeaked when i touched it..I now suspect a bladder stone as i have had this before! changed vet app to the morning!