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What is your syringe feed of choice?

If you have a poorly/convalescing piggy to care for, which of these is your syringe feed of choice?

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EverythingGP

EverythingGP

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If you have a poorly or convalescing piggy to care for, which of these is your syringe feed of choice?

Why do you prefer this particular brand?
 
Oxbow Critical Care is the one my vet stocks. So it’s the easiest one to buy when needed.
 
My Rainbow Piggies wouldn't have any other syringe feed than Supreme Science Recovery.

Atm Old Gal The One and Only Thea of the Funky Fringe will only have Emeraid Herbivore. She is having top ups every night as she needs to gain a bit more weight. She was bonded with her neighbours a few weeks ago and lost a lot of weight due to the stress of the bonding.
 
I use quite a variety because they each have a different use (in my house, anyway)

The oxbow critical care is currently out of stock in the USA and Canada, the UK will soon notice it as well as it is out of production due to issues sourcing ingredients. It is however my go to syringe feed for leaving in bowls overnight, Forrest and Silver my lethal whites get a bowl of the regular green bag each night and I use the fine grind version post surgery as its the one my vet uses as well so it's one less change if theyre feeling poorly.

I use the emeraid for ones who don't like oxbow, very sick piggies who can't eat larger amounts and for Mabel, my piggy with malabsorption issues as their Intensive care feed is targeted towards malabsortion problems, she however doesn't like the taste so I mix it 75/25 with the emeraid sustain, the mint flavour is very strong and takes away whatever it is she doesn't like about the intensive care version. I cant use it for leaving in bowls however as it needs keeping in the fridge as (I think?) It doesn't contain as many preservatives so needs using quickly once made up.

The burgess dual care I use for pigs who just need a bit of a boost but may not necessarily need full on syringe feeding, I get through a lot of recovery food each week and using the dual care pellets saves the recovery feed for those who need it most. I also use them to mix with the oxbow to bulk it out, or make it taste better if they're a bit iffy on it and I'm low on emeraid because I try to make sure I have plenty for Mabel.

I've recently purchased the Sherwood recovery food as well to test it, I'm hoping to replace the regular oxbow with it as this one comes in a bulk 800g bag, which is ideal given I use recovery food daily for at least 3 piggies. The largest bags of oxbow only last a week or so with Forrest and Silver eating it so buying an 800g bag for the same price as the oxbow half the size is far more cost effective for me.
 
I found with mine that they loved Oxbow Critical Care, aniseed flavour best of all.
If I added a small bit of mashed banana in as well that was just perfect.
I’m sure they taught each other to reject anything else 😊
 
I like the Dual Care because I've never had a piggy who didn't like it and because it's pellets if there's any left over and going out of date they can be mixed in with their normal pellets and used up. It's also a cheaper product than most.
My vets recommend the Supreme Science but that's very expensive now and I have had two piggies refuse it.
I've never had a piggy that would take the Oxbow and as I can't stand the smell of it I don't mind not using it!
 
We seem to have tried a few. Emeraid(mint) supreme science & dual care were our guinea pig favourites.
My favourite was the dual care- as less wastage once no longer needed & no need to be kept in the fridge.
Like @piggieminder we can no longer afford the supreme science.
 
Eriathwen said:
I use quite a variety because they each have a different use (in my house, anyway)

The oxbow critical care is currently out of stock in the USA and Canada, the UK will soon notice it as well as it is out of production due to issues sourcing ingredients. It is however my go to syringe feed for leaving in bowls overnight, Forrest and Silver my lethal whites get a bowl of the regular green bag each night and I use the fine grind version post surgery as its the one my vet uses as well so it's one less change if theyre feeling poorly.

I use the emeraid for ones who don't like oxbow, very sick piggies who can't eat larger amounts and for Mabel, my piggy with malabsorption issues as their Intensive care feed is targeted towards malabsortion problems, she however doesn't like the taste so I mix it 75/25 with the emeraid sustain, the mint flavour is very strong and takes away whatever it is she doesn't like about the intensive care version. I cant use it for leaving in bowls however as it needs keeping in the fridge as (I think?) It doesn't contain as many preservatives so needs using quickly once made up.

The burgess dual care I use for pigs who just need a bit of a boost but may not necessarily need full on syringe feeding, I get through a lot of recovery food each week and using the dual care pellets saves the recovery feed for those who need it most. I also use them to mix with the oxbow to bulk it out, or make it taste better if they're a bit iffy on it and I'm low on emeraid because I try to make sure I have plenty for Mabel.

I've recently purchased the Sherwood recovery food as well to test it, I'm hoping to replace the regular oxbow with it as this one comes in a bulk 800g bag, which is ideal given I use recovery food daily for at least 3 piggies. The largest bags of oxbow only last a week or so with Forrest and Silver eating it so buying an 800g bag for the same price as the oxbow half the size is far more cost effective for me.
Click to expand...
I was going to email Oxbow because I can’t find anymore critical care fine grind in stock anywhere and Perry has some every night. It suits him so well. Worried :(
 
I always used Supreme Science with mine. It was stocked by my vet and the piggies would eat it happily enough. Also, you can get it online in big bags which is much cheaper than lots of sachets.
I don't know though if it's gone up in price a lot since I stopped using it last summer as @piggieminder says it is expensive 'now'.
 
I used to get the Supreme Science on line but I've not bought any for about 4 years. I did notice the other day that it's gone up by about £10 since last time I bought it!
I do find different piggies like different ones and when they are ill I'll spend what I have to to get them eating again. I think my last very sick piggy was Nugget and he preferred Emeraid. After he died the others finished it up over a few weeks, having a small bit as a treat in a bowl. They all enjoyed that so at least I know it's another option to the Dual Care should I ever need to syringe feed again (hope not!).
 
Betsy said:
My Rainbow Piggies wouldn't have any other syringe feed than Supreme Science Recovery.

Atm Old Gal The One and Only Thea of the Funky Fringe will only have Emeraid Herbivore. She is having top ups every night as she needs to gain a bit more weight. She was bonded with her neighbours a few weeks ago and lost a lot of weight due to the stress of the bonding.
Click to expand...
Oh bless her, we hope The One and Only Thea of the Funky Fringe has settled in with her new housemates and soon puts her weight back on ❤️
 
Spaniel said:
Oxbow critical care fine grind. Hard to find in stock anywhere regularly though.
Click to expand...
Stock levels do seem very hit and miss of the Oxbow. @Eriathwen says there is a production issue so perhaps we're beginning to feel it in the UK now?
 
Eriathwen said:
I use quite a variety because they each have a different use (in my house, anyway)

The oxbow critical care is currently out of stock in the USA and Canada, the UK will soon notice it as well as it is out of production due to issues sourcing ingredients. It is however my go to syringe feed for leaving in bowls overnight, Forrest and Silver my lethal whites get a bowl of the regular green bag each night and I use the fine grind version post surgery as its the one my vet uses as well so it's one less change if theyre feeling poorly.

I use the emeraid for ones who don't like oxbow, very sick piggies who can't eat larger amounts and for Mabel, my piggy with malabsorption issues as their Intensive care feed is targeted towards malabsortion problems, she however doesn't like the taste so I mix it 75/25 with the emeraid sustain, the mint flavour is very strong and takes away whatever it is she doesn't like about the intensive care version. I cant use it for leaving in bowls however as it needs keeping in the fridge as (I think?) It doesn't contain as many preservatives so needs using quickly once made up.

The burgess dual care I use for pigs who just need a bit of a boost but may not necessarily need full on syringe feeding, I get through a lot of recovery food each week and using the dual care pellets saves the recovery feed for those who need it most. I also use them to mix with the oxbow to bulk it out, or make it taste better if they're a bit iffy on it and I'm low on emeraid because I try to make sure I have plenty for Mabel.

I've recently purchased the Sherwood recovery food as well to test it, I'm hoping to replace the regular oxbow with it as this one comes in a bulk 800g bag, which is ideal given I use recovery food daily for at least 3 piggies. The largest bags of oxbow only last a week or so with Forrest and Silver eating it so buying an 800g bag for the same price as the oxbow half the size is far more cost effective for me.
Click to expand...
We didn't realise that about the Oxbow shortage, we were wondering why it was becoming increasingly difficult to order!

We've not heard of the Sherwood recovery food. How are you getting along with it? Where did you order it from if you don't mind us asking :roll:
 
Merab's Slave said:
I found with mine that they loved Oxbow Critical Care, aniseed flavour best of all.
If I added a small bit of mashed banana in as well that was just perfect.
I’m sure they taught each other to reject anything else 😊
Click to expand...
We're sure it's the mashed banana that swung it! 🤣
 
piggieminder said:
I like the Dual Care because I've never had a piggy who didn't like it and because it's pellets if there's any left over and going out of date they can be mixed in with their normal pellets and used up. It's also a cheaper product than most.
My vets recommend the Supreme Science but that's very expensive now and I have had two piggies refuse it.
I've never had a piggy that would take the Oxbow and as I can't stand the smell of it I don't mind not using it!
Click to expand...
The aniseed it certainly an acquired taste.....and smell 🤢
 
AidaB said:
We seem to have tried a few. Emeraid(mint) supreme science & dual care were our guinea pig favourites.
My favourite was the dual care- as less wastage once no longer needed & no need to be kept in the fridge.
Like @piggieminder we can no longer afford the supreme science.
Click to expand...
That's good to know about the DualCare begin less wasteful and not needing to be kept in the fridge, thank you :roll:
 
Spaniel said:
I was going to email Oxbow because I can’t find anymore critical care fine grind in stock anywhere and Perry has some every night. It suits him so well. Worried :(
Click to expand...
We agree, it's not good to think that there might be a shortage. Did you manage to e-mail Oxbow? Our supplier just says 'supplier delay' all very vague.
 
EverythingGP said:
We didn't realise that about the Oxbow shortage, we were wondering why it was becoming increasingly difficult to order!

We've not heard of the Sherwood recovery food. How are you getting along with it? Where did you order it from if you don't mind us asking :roll:
Click to expand...

Yeah I have a lot of friends over the pond so found out when they emailed trying to get hold of some, otherwise I would be none the wiser. The last bag of oxbow I bought was only in date by 2 months so I was pretty annoyed, it was only when I mentioned it to them they said they couldn't buy it at all anymore!

The Sherwood is OK, probably most comparable to oxbow I'd say, the piggies seem to like it at least. I got it most recently from Just4Rabbits, it doesn't seem to be available through many places yet.
 
The Sherwood range confuses me because it seems to be saying not to feed fruit/veg/greens when using the syringe feed and supplements. Unless I’ve misunderstood and they mean just when the pet is ill?
 
Spaniel said:
The Sherwood range confuses me because it seems to be saying not to feed fruit/veg/greens when using the syringe feed and supplements. Unless I’ve misunderstood and they mean just when the pet is ill?
Click to expand...

Yeah they're not a brand I would usually use for much. Over the years their pellets and advice haven't been great. The products which say not to feed fruit, contains fruit 🤔
I tend to disregard their advice and use the recovery feed the same as I would oxbow to be honest. I cannot see any reason why greens etc can't be fed alongside their products, personally.
 
Eriathwen said:
Yeah they're not a brand I would usually use for much. Over the years their pellets and advice haven't been great. The products which say not to feed fruit, contains fruit 🤔
I tend to disregard their advice and use the recovery feed the same as I would oxbow to be honest. I cannot see any reason why greens etc can't be fed alongside their products, personally.
Click to expand...
It is confusing. It’s the only other one with papaya pineapple flavour similar to Perry’s beloved Oxbow fine grind so I’m tempted to try it. Although banana is higher up on the ingredients list and he thinks banana is evil lol.
 
Eriathwen said:
Yeah I have a lot of friends over the pond so found out when they emailed trying to get hold of some, otherwise I would be none the wiser. The last bag of oxbow I bought was only in date by 2 months so I was pretty annoyed, it was only when I mentioned it to them they said they couldn't buy it at all anymore!

The Sherwood is OK, probably most comparable to oxbow I'd say, the piggies seem to like it at least. I got it most recently from Just4Rabbits, it doesn't seem to be available through many places yet.
Click to expand...
That's good to know, thank you. Yes, the short dates are frustrating! @Spaniel is going to e-mail Oxbow so we'll see what they come back with...
 
Spaniel said:
Oxbow said the products are out of stock due to supply chain delays and related ingredient sourcing challenges. At the moment there is no date for when they’ll be back.
Click to expand...
Oh dear, that doesn't sound very promising. Thank you for letting us know, hope they get their supply issues sorted soon.
 
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