New rescue and first GP issues

[jewels1273]

We got John who is a rescued GP from one of the rescue centers nearby on Saturday. Here is my question: Midnight (our first pig who is 12 weeks old) seems to take any food away from John (the rescue pig who is about 1 1/2 years old)- especially the carrots. Is this normal? I am going to start to weigh John tonight to make sure he is not losing weight.

Midnight seems to be more confident with John around and is now coming out of his house when we are standing at the cage. John, however, hides in his cage. Is this normal? I am sure that he is scared of his new surroundings.

My concern with him not getting enough food due to Midnight is my major concern. I guess if he is not getting enough food that I could put JOhn's house in the "loft" of the cage and put his food there. I tried that once and Midnight went crazy trying to find where he was. John just stayed in his house though.

John's shedding is getting a little better. Is it normal that he sheds so much?

Should I be doing anything?

Sorry to bug you but I worry about John.

[newpiggiemommy]

First of all ~ Did you do a three week quarentine in a seperate cage in a seperate room of the house?

Quarentine is VERY important. It is a three week period of time to get to know your new piggie, find out if he has any parasites/bugs (lice or mange mites), illnesses, etc. This time is also used to let your new piggie get used to his surroundings and get used to trusting you enough to eat the food you give him! If you have not quarentined your piggie you still should seperate them until you know that he is eating and gaining weight, and make sure neither one of them get sick. I know three weeks seems like a long time but it is VERY important!

[jewels1273]

I inquired about the quarintine stage. The lady at the rescue indicated that all pigs are already tested and treated (even if they don't have lice) for disease and lice and any other types of possible problems. The rescue is not like a humaine society rescue but one off of petfinder.com that is a link on this site.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

If it is a reputable rescue, you do not need to quarantine.

John is still likely adjusting. Monitoring his poops and weighing him regularly is good.

It is normal for pigs to steal food from each others' mouths. Babies usually do this with their moms. It is how they learn. John is an adult so it isn't odd.

[newbie meggie]

I've had my 2 piggies for a month now and the boss girl (meg) is gaining weight and seems strong and healthy but my other pig (silkie) seems to be loosing a bit of weight.. i know that silkie seems to not be as comfortable with her surroundings.. should i be worried?

Actually i am a bit worried at the moment

[pigsforlife]

How much is the weight loss?

It could well be normal flactuation. Are you weighing them at the same time each week?

Have you located a good cavvy savvy vet?

[QuackXP]

Whenever I give my boys carrots as a treat I try to make sure they are the same size because if one finishes earlier they will try and steal the others. With other veggies I have to make sure they are seperate so they can both grab some and run somewhere else to eat it. Lettuce seems to be the only thing they will both eat together.

[newbie meggie]

I have located a good vet. I think quackxp is right.. I might have to separate them when they're eating cause seems like silkie (piggie which I'm concerned about) is a very slow eater... where as the boss piggie meg is very fast at going through food. Good thing is that i know silkie hasn't lost her appetite or should i just take her to the vet just to make sure?