Weight Loss - Should I Be Concerned?

[OliviaDory]

Hello all. My 3 1/2 year old female pig has typically been around 850 g - in the past two weeks she has gone down to 810-815 g and I cannot figure out why. She is active, eating and seemingly healthy otherwise. It has not really been that hot here and the girls are kept indoors. The only thing I can think of is that I got a (slightly) bigger cage and perhaps that has caused the drop in weight, though I really don't think she's moving around any more than she was before. I know it is not a huge amount but I also don't want to write it off as nothing.

It's August in Italy and my exotics vet won't be back in the office for another week, so I'm looking for advice. Anything I can do to get her weight up? Should I be concerned or just keep monitoring her?

Thanks in advance.

 

[helen105281]

I would not be overly concerned yet, if she keeps dropping then get her checked but usually it is if they lose over 100g that we need to worry. To get weight on my pigs I tend to give them a bowl of critical care, usually the Oxbow one.

 

[MomoMura]

I think you can wait until next week when your ver is back and weigh her again, and if she's still losing weight then get her checked out.

Usually if a piggies loses 50g of weight it's a sign of an underlying illness. Since they're good at hiding their symptoms it could be best to get it checked out. Better safe than sorry

100g is usually an emergency and big sign that they could be sick

 

[OliviaDory]

Thank you all. She seems to be holding steady at 835g and has not shown any signs of loss of appetite, so I am going to keep a close eye on her and take her in to the vet if anything changes.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

That's great news.