Diet: Fat!

[urockstar]

So, if I didn't know Bean and Marley were girls (Marley obviously being a mom to Freya) I would really think Freya was pregnant, and far along pregnant. I'm going to have to post a picture of her later. It's really weird because she's definitely got that pear shape and her belly is just so fat. But she's been with Marley and Bean since birth and Bean was checked over and over... and Freya is 9 months now, so I'm sure if some freak accident of missexing happened with Bean I would've had a lot of other babies by this point....

Now, I know people say pigs can come in a variety of sizes and weights... some people saying their pigs have gotten up to 2-4 pounds... I believe Freya isn't actually that much over 1000 grams, but I have to check again.... I'm just wondering do you people who have big pigs have fat in the stomach pigs, or just large sized pigs?

Should I be concerned with possible heath issues if she's got a fat stomach?

I feed them 3 romaine leaves (one each) morning and night, as well as about a handful of cut up peppers in the morning and night, 1 baby carrot each every morning, about a handful of cilantro morning and night. Those are the main daily veggies in their diet. I've gone into discussions with certain people about this on here in the past and I have no idea how people on here know EXACTLY what they should be eating and EXACTLY how much. Romaine, peppers, cilantro from all I've read on here seem like the "big daily 3" but then I also get at least once a week or every other week parsley, celery, tomato, kale.

I know both parsley and kale are important too, correct? But they are on limited amount right? Parsley and kale should be given every other day of each other, correct? I'd like to start getting more of that.

Sometimes I think I'm not giving them enough of the romaine, peppers, cilantro as they should be getting as there are 3 of them, but I've gone by what I've read on here, and as I said, Freya seems to be a little hefty at least in comparison to the others. I do keep their pellets (oxbow) full throughout the day but they only have one of those plastic bowls you can find at retail pet stores, and obviously constant timothy hay.

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy post, mine always seem to be long, but just wondering about people's pig's tummy sizes, possible health risks of them having big bellies, and food ration sizes being right. Thanks

Edit: Please don't respond with "Romaine, peppers, cilantro is not enough for their daily diet" as I said there are other vegetables I give them throughout the week, just not daily.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Some sows get a definite pear shape as they age but it can be a sign of ovarian cysts.

[sophistacavy]

Yeah, a few photos might help.

People on here told me some things to do to try to see if my sow could actually be pregnant or not. It turned out to be nothing, as I took her to the vet too. They suggested I try and put her tummy against my ear, and listen in a quiet room like you listen to seashells. They told me to listen for some sort of sound, perhaps like a teeny piggie noise, maybe someone on here more experienced with this could better explain what to listen for?? That person kinda confused me anyways...

You could also try asking Freya if she ever gets morning sickness, increased trips to the bathroom, and take her to your OB-GYN.

LMAO jk jk, but seriously now (just trying to cheer ya up, you sound a little flustered, and I was worried too at first, but it might turn out to be nothing like what happened with me and my Noel)another person told me to: also try and determine if her "extra baggage" is predominantly one-sided or not. If it seems uneven (this from a bird's-eye view of her) and more on one side than the other, than she probably isn't pregnant, as supposedly, a cavy pregnancy isn't supposed to look like that. The one-sided look might be more of an indication of ovarian cysts, but don't take our word for it. Call your most trusted exotic animals vet after you get some more replies on here.

If I may, I would suggest asking some of the mods on here by PMing them. Try asking Ly&Pigs, & VoodooJoint for starters. I completely trust their advice, as long as they say they trust it themselves.

P.S.: Eeek, maybe the bounty of pellets is what could be making Freya "simply chubby". I think most people on here practice and suggest only giving 1/8 cup of pellets per pig per day.

[akstrohm]

Yes, unless they are young, stick to only 1/8 cup of pellets per pig per day.

[i-love-nev]

Parsley and Kale, in guinea pigs over 6 months old, should be limited to 1-2 times per week, I dont feed it at all now though and instead feed alfalfa and things like that, to save on waste.

[i-love-nev]

Originally Posted by urockstar

I've gone into discussions with certain people about this on here in the past and I have no idea how people on here know EXACTLY what they should be eating and EXACTLY how much.

Nobody here really knows how much *your* guinea pig needs, and what *your* guinea pig needs but you. Its up to you to find out. Many things will need to be taken into account when figuring it out.

[urockstar]

Originally Posted by sophistacavy

Yeah, a few photos might help.

People on here told me some things to do to try to see if my sow could actually be pregnant or not. It turned out to be nothing, as I took her to the vet too. They suggested I try and put her tummy against my ear, and listen in a quiet room like you listen to seashells. They told me to listen for some sort of sound, perhaps like a teeny piggie noise, maybe someone on here more experienced with this could better explain what to listen for?? That person kinda confused me anyways...

You could also try asking Freya if she ever gets morning sickness, increased trips to the bathroom, and take her to your OB-GYN.

LMAO jk jk, but seriously now (just trying to cheer ya up, you sound a little flustered, and I was worried too at first, but it might turn out to be nothing like what happened with me and my Noel)another person told me to: also try and determine if her "extra baggage" is predominantly one-sided or not. If it seems uneven (this from a bird's-eye view of her) and more on one side than the other, than she probably isn't pregnant, as supposedly, a cavy pregnancy isn't supposed to look like that. The one-sided look might be more of an indication of ovarian cysts, but don't take our word for it. Call your most trusted exotic animals vet after you get some more replies on here.

If I may, I would suggest asking some of the mods on here by PMing them. Try asking Ly&Pigs, & VoodooJoint for starters. I completely trust their advice, as long as they say they trust it themselves.

P.S.: Eeek, maybe the bounty of pellets is what could be making Freya "simply chubby". I think most people on here practice and suggest only giving 1/8 cup of pellets per pig per day.

There is absolutely no way she can be pregnant. She's fat on both sides. I plan on taking them to a vet soon for checkups so hopefully that will let me know if anything is going on. Ovarian cysts, scary!

Yeah I heard about the pellets maybe being too much, but if their pellet bowl is empty throughout the afternoon or middle of night I feel like I am leaving them without food. They always have hay, and veggies morning/night, but throughout the day ... I thought they need food at all times, or is that just hay?

[Wheek Weak]

Was Freya an "only pig" when she was born? If so, how much did she weight at birth?

I was just wondering because our TeeJay was an only pup. She was 6.1oz. when she was born, and has always been a big girl (she's 3lbs. right now at 2 1/2 yrs old). She's always had that funny pear shape too.

If we thought there were any health issues with her, we would get her to the vet ASAP, but she's been as healthy as could be since birth.

As always, if you have any doubt whatsoever about possible health concerns...take her to a cavy saavy vet to be checked out.

Good luck. I'll be thinking about little Freya because she reminds me of our tubby little TeeJay (even though I haven't seen Freya's picture)!

[urockstar]

Originally Posted by Wheek Weak

Was Freya an "only pig" when she was born? If so, how much did she weight at birth?

I was just wondering because our TeeJay was an only pup. She was 6.1oz. when she was born, and has always been a big girl (she's 3lbs. right now at 2 1/2 yrs old). She's always had that funny pear shape too.

If we thought there were any health issues with her, we would get her to the vet ASAP, but she's been as healthy as could be since birth.

As always, if you have any doubt whatsoever about possible health concerns...take her to a cavy saavy vet to be checked out.

Good luck. I'll be thinking about little Freya because she reminds me of our tubby little TeeJay (even though I haven't seen Freya's picture)!

Yes, Freya's an only pig. I don't remember her size when she was born but she was a normal weight. Probably a little bigger than normal since she was an only pig. Freya hasn't had any health issues except for lately been very bouncy when I touch her near her spine. This is one thing I am wanting to bring her to the vet for actually, to check if she has mites/fleas. I don't see how she would get mites, but my dogs who go outside might have brought in a flea. They've never had fleas before but I saw one on my dog last week. Freya used to be the calmest when I'd pet her in the cage, for a while she was just jumping like mad if I touched her back, now it's not as bad. Never seemed an incredible concern. I wasn't under the impression she was sick at all and she hasn't lost any hair. Vet checkup soon though! I can't believe she's 9 months already.