New rescue: Underweight Boar

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rshevin

Post   » Tue May 13, 2008 7:23 pm


I have finally stopped worrying about his weight (mostly) because his behavior is so perky. He is bright and cheery and very active. A horse lady who met Smudgie actually said the exact same thing, he feels like a very old horse who's been out at pasture. In addition to his past history, his higher activity level and love of hay seem to also contribute to his lighter weight. He also has a generally small frame.

Of course, I always wish there was some more weight on him in case he ever gets sick. He wouldn't have survived what Piggy went through with stones.

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Tue May 13, 2008 7:25 pm


" ... weight on him in case he ever gets sick."

That's my biggest worry, too. I don't want them unhealthily heavy; we've had two with chronic UTI's because there wasn't enough room for their bladders with all the fat (!). They stayed scrunched.

One is much healthier now, but I worry about her loss of reserve if she ever gets seriously ill.

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rshevin

Post   » Tue May 13, 2008 7:28 pm


That balance is tough. I am trying my hardest not to have Piggy regain all the weight he lost. He was, previously, 1400+g. My ideal is to keep him between 1250 and 1300. I think that would suit his frame with still a small padding for illness. Smudgie would be best at 1000g but has decided he'd much rather be 950. 50g on Piggy is no big deal but you'd really notice it on little Smudge.

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rshevin

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:49 pm


::big sigh::

Smudgie has a, something, on his side. A cyst I guess. It's just caudal to his hip bone on his right.

Image

It's about the size of a pencil eraser.
Image

I guess we need to go to the vet? It doesn't look open and doesn't appear painful. I checked him as best I could and didn't see any more. It's hard with his long, crazy fur.

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Mum
I GAVE, dammit!

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:52 pm


Could just be a cyst, but I'd get it checked out. Some cysts don't do anything, others have to be lanced.

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rshevin

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:54 pm


I think I'll try to bring them both in. Piggy's foot still isn't 100%. I'm on the search for Telfa pads today so I can wrap him. I guess this is part of having two senior piggies.

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:15 pm


My guess is sebaceous cyst. The vet will squeeze it (very much to Smudge's displeasure), get a bunch of goo out, and that'll be it. I hope I'm right.

Sending empathy on caring for seniors, big-time. Even if the care is not terribly expensive, it can be very time- (and attention-, and worry-) consuming.

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Bugs Mom

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:38 pm


But, Talishan, they're worth every minute : )

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:45 pm


It could be a sebacious cyst. Take a look at these pics and see if the stuff is at the surface and you could remove it yourself:

https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=25794

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:51 pm


Worth every minute, yes. But I still send empathy on the energy. ;-)

If you do decide to try to squish it yourself, two things: one, Smudgie will holler loud enough to wake the neighbors (and be fine ten seconds later); and two, put something on it afterward. Silvadene is ideal for this if you have any.

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rshevin

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:54 pm


Tell me about this silvadene available from This Little Piggie. I'm under the impression it's a prescription only product and am wary of buying online. How is it available on amazon then?

I don't know that I can express it myself. I just don't have enough hands. I can't restrain him and still have 2 hands on the cyst. No one in my family would be willing to help.

Talishan
You can quote me

Post   » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:56 pm


The SSD available on Sef's site is what our vet has given us. It's a generic for Silvadene and seems to work just fine.

I too have been under the impression several things (like Cosequin) were Rx, only to find they are not (or aren't any longer).

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