Piggie Weight

[maeve100]

Hi there,

I recently got a new edition to my piggie family - but I am worried about her. She can fit in one hand, but is almost to big to do so length wise. But she looks very skinny to me. She almost looks like a hamster (just a tad longer) she is so small. I can feel her spine easily on her back, but when I near her bottom (pelvis region) it becomes strongly pronounced. It feels just like there is skin and then bone, no padding.

Is she so skinny just because she is a baby? Or is there something wrong? She has PLENTY of food and water all the time (good quality pellets, alfalfa/timothy mix to help her plump up, and dark greens and other veggies) and she seems to eat normally. Is there a good way to fatten her up? My big boy Monty is the domenet (sp?) pig (not that he hurts her or anything, she just waits to eat till he is done) so he normally gets a LOT of food. She won't eat when she is alone or seperated from him though, so I don't really know how to moniter her food intake.

Also, she has a little bit of raspy breathing - none of the other symptoms that are listed for a lung infection though. She is eating, running around, no wet or drippy nose. Is this something that I should be concerned about/linked to her weight? Is there a strong possibility of it being contagious so that Monty could get it?

Thank you for all your help .

Liz

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Raspy breathing can be an indication of a URI or other illnesses. A vet check very soon would be in order. Is Monty neutered?

 

[maeve100]

Yes, he is Nuetered at the Humane society .

Its a very light raspy breathing though, you have to press her up to your ear to hear it. Still a concern?

 

[Cherryrosed]

It's always better to be safe than sorry. I would get her checked out just to be on the safe side.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Its a very light raspy breathing though, you have to press her up to your ear to hear it. Still a concern?

Yes. Pigs are good at hiding illnesses. Often times if you wait for more symptoms to show up, it can be too late to successfully treat them. It's better to catch any illness early on even if there are very little symptoms.

 

[JackSpicerRules]

#1 It could be the runt of the litter. #2 Baby piggies are small, But I don't think that small. I have a runt but she is very healthy.

 

[JackSpicerRules]

Sorry I give bad advice ><

 

[Cherryrosed]

What bad advice?

 

[JackSpicerRules]

Lol! What I said was bad advice. Ok back on topic ><

 

[maeve100]

Ok, well I have an appointment made for my little girl. I am starting to think the sound I am hearing is her chittering her teeth in annoyance with being picked up (being previously pretty unloved and unhandled) or her making a low oinky type sound. But any-who - that still doesn't answer my other question -

How do I make sure that she is getting enough food to put on weight? My bigger piggie is a major piggie and I am afriad she is to timid to stand up for herself and get the greens!

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Give Monty a pile of veggies in one place and give the little girl veggies in another spot after Monty starts eating his pile.