Bloated: Over feeding: visit the vet?

[krystia]

One of our pigs has just been cured of a tooth problem, so we have been feeding him from a syringe the last several days (he also had lost a bit of weight, so we're trying to get him back into a healthy range). Now, we had to go out of town (planned trip of four days) so we left him in the hands of a trusted relative who always cares for our pigs. She was supposed to feed him 8cc of critical care mash three times a day, per the vet's instructions (3 syringe fulls of a 3cc syringe). She called me today saying that he seems to be rather heavy suddenly for a five-six year old pig. Apparently, for the last two days, she's been feeding him eight syringes three times a day... meaning almost three times more food than the vet said! That means 24cc of critical care given three times a day... I think that sounds dangerous.

I showed her how to hand-feed and I wrote down the instructions carefully, went over them with her standing there, and then left them next to the boys' cage. I don't know how that happened. Next time, I'll think twice about leaving her in charge without someone to help, but I need advice for what to do now!

I'm worried, because that sounds like massive overfeeding. I think she should take him to the vet first thing tomorrow, but (being one of the elders of the family) she thinks he's just fine and refuses to do so. He's been sluggish lately, but he eagerly chews on the syringe while she feeds him. He apparently is moving around like normal, only less so- but I'm still worried.

Am I right to insist that he see a vet first thing tomorrow, or is it not as urgent as I think it is? Money isn't an issue- I'd rather pay the vet bill for no reason than be sorry later.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by krystia

She was supposed to feed him 8cc of critical care mash three times a day, per the vet's instructions ...

Originally Posted by krystia

Apparently, for the last two days, she's been feeding him eight syringes three times a day... meaning almost three times more food than the vet said! That means 24cc of critical care given three times a day...

If the vet's instructions were 8 CCs 3 times a day and she is feeding 3 CCs 8 times a day she is feeding exactly the same amount that's been recommended, just splitting it up into smaller doses more often, which is perfectly fine and possibly even preferable.

24 CCs is not too much, especially if he isn't eating anything else. Is he eating any other food on his own or only what he gets by syringe?

That's not to say his lethargy doesn't need veterinary care - it may - but it doesn't sound like he's being overfed.

[akstrohm]

Paula, I think you misread it. She is feeding three syringes of 3 cc's each 8 times a day, not 3 cc's 8 times a day. So she is feeding 24 cc's three times a day not 24 cc's per day.

[Paula]

Ooh, you're right I did misread - thank you for pointing that out.

Though it isn't likely the cause of his lethargy, at least not entirely. Is there any way to tell how much he's gained? Also, is she able to determine whether or not he's actually eating all of it? Every time I give CC there's more of it that ends up on me and the pig than IN the pig.

And in either case if she is feeding that amount that often, she needs to cut back, though the pig would likely disagree if he likes it that much.

[Paula]

One other thing I want to ask - is he pooping and peeing as much as normal?

[krystia]

He seems to be peeing and pooping as normal... which isn't that much for him, because he hasn't been eating much over the last week. I'm hesitant to trust her scaled weight of him, because it says that he's gained at least 50 grams over the last two-three days. That's what worries me... I'm wondering if it's all just sitting in his stomach. A distended stomach from over feeding is what I'm most concerned about.

akstrohm is right. Sorry, I could have made that more clear! He seems to be eating all of it. He likes its taste so he rarely lets anything get outside of his mouth.

I think I'm going to go with my gut feeling, which is a vet appointment. Thanks, everyone!