New rescue: Underweight Boar
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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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cutemomomi
- 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.
You know, after 2 or 3 days I FINALLY figured out who you were referring to and then it was too late to edit of course. I'm dense as a rock.
Just as an update, Smudgie is status quo, no improvements or declines. My fat boy Piggy has actually lost a few grams as well so there could be something to the summer heat theory. I do have AC and I keep frozen bottles in the cage (they LOVE them) but that doesn't fully counteract 95F summer days.
Just as an update, Smudgie is status quo, no improvements or declines. My fat boy Piggy has actually lost a few grams as well so there could be something to the summer heat theory. I do have AC and I keep frozen bottles in the cage (they LOVE them) but that doesn't fully counteract 95F summer days.
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mmercedesmom
- Supporter in '09
My hospice piggy is one of the best things I have done. We all benefited so much from having her, she was always such a happy girl!!! Everyone who knew her was so pleasantly surprised to see her do so well for so long. The cavy savvy vet who saw her last (and had to sign off for me to be allowed to take her) was especially gratified to hear how she perked up.
Once management cleared the way for me, the vet had the final say, in case she felt the piggy was in pain and we were just prolonging her suffering.
Her name was Mama, and she was 6 yrs. when she was turned in to the shelter by her previous owners. Because she was so wonderful with people, she was drafted into the Pet Assisted Therapy program, where she happily served for nearly a year before her weight loss and other health problems worsened.
At 7 yrs. she came home with me and my family!!! She was always soft and squishy, and the SWEETEST, kissiest pig ever. She was my first "licker" and very gentle. She certainly inspired me to take in other rescues with issues and I have learned a LOT since then.
Once management cleared the way for me, the vet had the final say, in case she felt the piggy was in pain and we were just prolonging her suffering.
Her name was Mama, and she was 6 yrs. when she was turned in to the shelter by her previous owners. Because she was so wonderful with people, she was drafted into the Pet Assisted Therapy program, where she happily served for nearly a year before her weight loss and other health problems worsened.
At 7 yrs. she came home with me and my family!!! She was always soft and squishy, and the SWEETEST, kissiest pig ever. She was my first "licker" and very gentle. She certainly inspired me to take in other rescues with issues and I have learned a LOT since then.
Here's a brief summary of Smudgie so you don't need to re-read the whole thread.
Senior abandoned with no history, not even a name
Approximate age now: 5 years
Fungal skin condition caused abdominal hair loss but cleared up easily and has not recurred.
He was super skinny and gained 200g but never has been totally where I'd like him weight wise. He is, however, very active, appears happy, and LOVES some good hay. He will abandon veggies in favor of hay. He has a booda belly but is thin along the spine and hips, which may be typical of age. Critical care supplementation never really helped his weight.
He has some kind of growth/tumor in his ear that's been there since I rescued him. He doesn't like having his ear touched, but the vet and I both feel that given his age, this should be monitored for change. It hasn't changed in a year.
He also has the wavy white border on the iris of one of his eyes. Do we know what causes this and if it requires any treatment? The best I can find on google, it's age related and that's about all I can find. I'm going to link the pictures to keep them large.
Affected eye:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/ ... 2_3186.jpg
Unaffected eye:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/ ... 2_3190.jpg
I don't quite know what color his eyes are. They are lighter than Piggy's, but they don't seem to be blue. Maybe they're gray? Probably doesn't matter.
Anyway, if you have any suggestions or information, let me know.
Senior abandoned with no history, not even a name
Approximate age now: 5 years
Fungal skin condition caused abdominal hair loss but cleared up easily and has not recurred.
He was super skinny and gained 200g but never has been totally where I'd like him weight wise. He is, however, very active, appears happy, and LOVES some good hay. He will abandon veggies in favor of hay. He has a booda belly but is thin along the spine and hips, which may be typical of age. Critical care supplementation never really helped his weight.
He has some kind of growth/tumor in his ear that's been there since I rescued him. He doesn't like having his ear touched, but the vet and I both feel that given his age, this should be monitored for change. It hasn't changed in a year.
He also has the wavy white border on the iris of one of his eyes. Do we know what causes this and if it requires any treatment? The best I can find on google, it's age related and that's about all I can find. I'm going to link the pictures to keep them large.
Affected eye:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/ ... 2_3186.jpg
Unaffected eye:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/ ... 2_3190.jpg
I don't quite know what color his eyes are. They are lighter than Piggy's, but they don't seem to be blue. Maybe they're gray? Probably doesn't matter.
Anyway, if you have any suggestions or information, let me know.
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Tracis
- Let Sleeping Pigs Lie
"He also has the wavy white border on the iris of one of his eyes. Do we know what causes this and if it requires any treatment?"
Link to Calypso's photos of Osseous metaplasia
Josephine's comments on Frosting's thread
I meant to add that I don't seem to be finding much on GL about treatment options; it seems that people just monitor it.
Link to Calypso's photos of Osseous metaplasia
Josephine's comments on Frosting's thread
I meant to add that I don't seem to be finding much on GL about treatment options; it seems that people just monitor it.
SHOP AMAZON 
