New rescue: Underweight Boar
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- Let Sleeping Pigs Lie
"I'm just worried about the vet here being unwilling to do anything after his dismissal of my last weight concerns. I hate being dismissed like that. It makes me question my judgment."
You're a good "cavy mom", and you know your Smudgie better than anyone. I hope your new vet won't be so dismissive.
You're a good "cavy mom", and you know your Smudgie better than anyone. I hope your new vet won't be so dismissive.
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- You can quote me
Pft. Wait until you have to deal with human doctors on your own health issues. (Which I hope isn't anytime soon.)
You have to do your own research, basically tell them what to do (nicely), and prepare to be dismissed over and over and over again, without losing faith in your own research and judgment.
Dismissal indicates a closed mind, not poor judgment or being incorrect on your part. A good vet (or doctor, or specialist, or mechanic, or ...) will listen to you and if you are wrong, tell you why in terms you can understand.
You have to do your own research, basically tell them what to do (nicely), and prepare to be dismissed over and over and over again, without losing faith in your own research and judgment.
Dismissal indicates a closed mind, not poor judgment or being incorrect on your part. A good vet (or doctor, or specialist, or mechanic, or ...) will listen to you and if you are wrong, tell you why in terms you can understand.
- mmercedesmom
- Supporter in '09
I too have found that older piggie, male or female, are bony in the hips. Hard to keep weight on the older ones sometimes, even with OK teeth.
I have a pair of boars who are over 4 yrs., best guess, and they are plenty heavy, but the distribution of it is another matter. Belly and dewlap galore, but bony butts. :-)
I have had similar experiences with elderly bunnies too.
I have a pair of boars who are over 4 yrs., best guess, and they are plenty heavy, but the distribution of it is another matter. Belly and dewlap galore, but bony butts. :-)
I have had similar experiences with elderly bunnies too.
Well thank you, everyone, for your support. I'm going to get back on the wagon weighing him more regularly and try a tiny bit of rolled oats with the mush tonight.
It's interesting that this body distribution seems common. I guess it's gravity taking it's toil.
Any further weight loss and we'll go to the vet and fight for that xray.
It's interesting that this body distribution seems common. I guess it's gravity taking it's toil.
Any further weight loss and we'll go to the vet and fight for that xray.
- mmercedesmom
- Supporter in '09
When I first brought home a "hospice" piggie from the shelter where I volunteer, I kept thinking she was losing weight. She would feel so bony when I picked her up. Yet, when I weighed her she was remaining constant, even gained a few ounces. Gravity takes a toll on us all, four legged and two legged.
She was 7 when she was going to be euthanized (weight loss, loss of appetite, "regurgitate" even though that isn't really possible, crusty eye that didn't respond to treatment) and I asked to go say goodbye to her. I was escorted to Medical and she didn't seem at death's door to me. I went home thinking I could bring her home and at least give her love and care. She was in a kennel in the Medical area surrounded by CATS. I got permission to bring her home.
She ended up living for 10 months with us before passing on her own. Surrounded by other guinea pigs here she was eating on her own, always happy to be petted, etc. She just needed a more relaxed environment. I did have to syringe CC into her the last couple of months to help her get enough food in, but she did have teeth problems at that point too.
She was 7 when she was going to be euthanized (weight loss, loss of appetite, "regurgitate" even though that isn't really possible, crusty eye that didn't respond to treatment) and I asked to go say goodbye to her. I was escorted to Medical and she didn't seem at death's door to me. I went home thinking I could bring her home and at least give her love and care. She was in a kennel in the Medical area surrounded by CATS. I got permission to bring her home.
She ended up living for 10 months with us before passing on her own. Surrounded by other guinea pigs here she was eating on her own, always happy to be petted, etc. She just needed a more relaxed environment. I did have to syringe CC into her the last couple of months to help her get enough food in, but she did have teeth problems at that point too.
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- Obey My Authority
I noticed that with our McMac too, and after a consult with Dr. Naka, he said it is common for elder piggies to lose or shift their muscle tone and mass as they do get older.
It is most obvious around theory rump and upper shoulder areas in our McMac.
It is most obvious around theory rump and upper shoulder areas in our McMac.