Bloated Bloated or Just Saggy?

[NakedPiggy]

Hello all,

We have a 4 year old female skinny pig who seems to be looking a little saggy lately. At first it seems like she has developed a dewlap within the last 4 or 5 days, but now I’m not so sure. Everything else in her behaviour is normal, eating, drinking, pooping normally. She’s awake and responsive, and doesn’t seem to be in any pain. She’s been having Timothy hay and Oxbow adult kibbles, we’ve cut back on her vegetable intake (just in case). Her sister that has had all the same food and exercise etc. as her is completely normal.

So I’m just wondering if she’s bloated, or just settling into old age?

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

4 years old is getting up there in age for a pig, but not overly old yet.

Tell me, do you weigh her regularly? I ask because this is the most important thing for you to be doing regarding the wellness of your pigs. If she has weight loss that coincides with the changes in her appearance, you would have a more clear picture of what is going on.

If her weight has stayed stable and her appearance has changed, I would be more inclined to attribute the change to age.

 

[bpatters]

A pig that's bloated will have a tight, blown-up stomach, not saggy. Bloat is a full-on emergency, and the pig, unless it's the very early stages, will be obviously sick. A pig that is eating/drinking/pooping/peeing normally is not bloated.

 

[NakedPiggy]

Hi all, unfortunately we have not been keeping up with her weighing.. However she is much more ‘full’ underneath her belly and around her legs, almost as if she is swollen. She is still eating and acting normally, however her skin is very cold and she is having some abnormal poops. She had a bit of lettuce and that seemed to go over okay. I’m not really sure what my next steps should be. I’m going to try and get her to a vet, but until then, any advice?

 

[bpatters]

Does she have a warm hidey she can get into? Skinny pigs have more trouble regulating their body temperatures than haired pig -- maybe it's just a little too cool for her.

 

[NakedPiggy]

She spends a lot of time under her blankets, and she has a few pigloos to go into. She’s still chilly when wrapped in a blanket for lap time

 

[NakedPiggy]

We went to the vet today and unfortunately Peanut didn’t make it. The vet said that she was full of excess fluid and that her liver and kidneys were likely shutting down due to an internal tumour. I really appreciate all of your help and suggestions

 

[bpatters]

I'm so very sorry.

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

I'm so sorry you've lost little Peanut.

 

[spy9doc]

Fly free over the Rainbow Bridge, Peanut!