gaining weight

[Carissa]

My Pig, Chubbs was sick and lost a lot of weight. It was pretty scary but he seems to be recovering well now thanks to a very nice vet and some medication. I was wondering what would be the best to feed him to help him gain his weight back? Is there something I shouldn't feed him? He eats his hay, and pellets but isn't much into his veggies yet.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Keep trying with the veggies. You can get some critical care from www.oxbowhay.com, you have to call them and order it. Supplement him a couple times a day with about 15 or 20 cc's of critical care. It will help him gain the weight he needs.

 

[Carissa]

Thanks, I will order some. I've made an appointment to go back to the vet tomorrow just to be on the safe side.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Good job!

 

[Carissa]

It turns out its much more serious. He's lost too much weight and the vet thinks he might have a fatty liver. She was going to call some people, research it further and I'm supposed to call her tomorrow. For now I'm still feeding him by syringe. I did get him to eat a piece of pepper on his own this evening and he seemed to perk up. I feel like such an idiot I should have brought him in for a recheck sooner. I'm so mad at myself.

 

[mab0615]

What was wrong with him and why does your vet think it's a fatty liver?

 

[Carissa]

Okay, I went to the vet about 2 weeks ago because my male pig sounded congested and had lost weight. The vet said he had an infection and gave me some Baytril which cleared his infection but me, the looser new owner, let him get too skinny which she thought probably caused a fatty liver and a lack of vitamin c which can apparently cause anorexia. Have you heard of a fatty liver in guinea pigs before?

 

[Carissa]

Good News! My vet found a clinic in Manitoba that has critical care so they are mailing it out to me Express Post in the meantime I've been feeding him mashed up pellets and extra Vitamin C by syringe three times a day. Its been working pretty well and he has put on some weight. The good news is he's started to eat his veggies on his own now. He doesn't eat as much as I'd like but its a start. He was also exploring and teasing Pixie during floortime which is also a good sign. Thanks Ly for the advise.