What Could Be Wrong?

[Gem789]

Hi all.I posted a few weeks ago about baby pig who is about 4.She used to be a hefty pig and I noticed she looked slimmer so I started weighing her daily and she was less than she used to be but was keeping a weight of about 1,240 and I thought today she looked particularly slim so I weighed her this evening and she’s 1,184.
She doesn’t seem any different in her behaviour or eating habits.I have noticed that she sounds like she’s got crackly breathing and my mum thinks her breathing is faster than the others.She lies down a lot but if she hears good she’s straight to the bars.I'm gonna book her in at the Cat and rabbit clinic but does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong?Shes also been bunny hopping for a while but last time she was at the vets she walked normally and I think the vet thought I was imagining things.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all.I posted a few weeks ago about baby pig who is about 4.She used to be a hefty pig and I noticed she looked slimmer so I started weighing her daily and she was less than she used to be but was keeping a weight of about 1,240 and I thought today she looked particularly slim so I weighed her this evening and she’s 1,184.
She doesn’t seem any different in her behaviour or eating habits.I have noticed that she sounds like she’s got crackly breathing and my mum thinks her breathing is faster than the others.She lies down a lot but if she hears good she’s straight to the bars.I'm gonna book her in at the Cat and rabbit clinic but does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong?Shes also been bunny hopping for a while but last time she was at the vets she walked normally and I think the vet thought I was imagining things.

It can be age or one of her organs starting to slow down, but only a thorough vet check will tell. That amount of weigh loss in a fairly short time should be checked out, so it is good that you are planning that. The overall weight is still very good. If she has been a bit on the overweight side, then the extra weight has a habit of coming off very quickly.

 

[Gem789]

It can be age or one of her organs starting to slow down, but only a thorough vet check will tell. That amount of weigh loss in a fairly short time should be checked out, so it is good that you are planning that. The overall weight is still very good. If she has been a bit on the overweight side, then the extra weight has a habit of coming off very quickly.

If it was one of her organs slowing down, is that due to age?

 

[Gem789]

I took baby pig to the cat and rabbit clinic today.She saw a lovely vet named Debbie.Shes got fluid round her heart which the vet is not sure whether it’s pneumonia or a heart issue.Shes prescribed duretics to help with the fluid and metacam as I said that she sometimes bunny hops.The vet also found a lump.She thinks it’s more likely a heart issue and I’ve gotta take her back Friday to see if her breathing has improved.Does anyone have any experience of heart issues?

 

[Claire W]

I'm sorry I can't advise. I am tagging @helen105281 Who will hopefully be able to advise when she sees this. She has experience with heart piggies xx

 

[helen105281]

I currently have 1 heart pig but have had more over the years. The diuretic will help clear the fluid. If a heart issue is suspected she will need an ACE inhibator like Benazepril too. Common brand names are Fortekor, Nelio or Kelapril. Some vets also prescribe Vetmedin too which works in a different way. As a guide, my Sophie is on 1.25mg of Fortekor a day split in 2 doses. We worked up to that dose though. Debbie sounds great, I have heard good things before. I think she may be the locum vet.

 

[Gem789]

I currently have 1 heart pig but have had more over the years. The diuretic will help clear the fluid. If a heart issue is suspected she will need an ACE inhibator like Benazepril too. Common brand names are Fortekor, Nelio or Kelapril. Some vets also prescribe Vetmedin too which works in a different way. As a guide, my Sophie is on 1.25mg of Fortekor a day split in 2 doses. We worked up to that dose though. Debbie sounds great, I have heard good things before. I think she may be the locum vet.

Thanks for your reply.What is an ace inhibitor? I probably sound stupid but I’ve never heard of it and can Pigs with heart issues live a normal life span?

 

[helen105281]

Not sure of the technical term it is just a type of heart medication. I think it affects how the heart functions. If you have a search for Adelle's threads on Fudge she explains it much better than me. My Sophie is about 5 and has been on heart medication since she was young. As long As the right dose and balance of meds is sorted there are usually no issues. Some heart pigs do still need diuretics every now and then.

 

[Pawz]

Thanks for your reply.What is an ace inhibitor? I probably sound stupid but I’ve never heard of it and can Pigs with heart issues live a normal life span?

An ACE Inhibitor is a group of drugs that inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (hence ACE), by doing this it causes relaxation of blood vessels as well as a decrease in actual blood volume, which then leads to lower blood pressure and decreased oxygen demand from the heart.

So in layman’s terms. Lowers your blood pressure and volume so that your heart is not having to work as hard.

Paws crossed for Babypig that with the right medication she’ll be feeling much better.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Crikey there's some knowledgeable people around, whom can spell some difficult words. Lol.
@Adelle also used to have a heart piggy .