Grace's medical thread

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Fri Jan 31, 2020 5:57 am


Ditto the handfeeding suggestion. That's probably the most efficient way to boost calories. My only concern is that I *think* CC contains calcium carbonate (need to pull out a packet and look). I generally try to avoid that ingredient, particularly in stone-prone pigs.

Do her poops seem dry?

Interesting that the Glucosamine seems to be helping. What formula did they end up trying?

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Mon Feb 10, 2020 7:59 pm


She tried the Oxbow supplement first. When the stuff from England arrived we started that. I think you said it had glucosamine derived from animals? At first she thought that was working, but now she's not so sure. But it seems to me when she has Grace on a paper towel for her CC feeding,Grace has more instances of blood-free pee.

Daughter sometimes does an extra CC feed. No gain in weight, maintains a little better. One of us will have to step up to the plate to do the 3rd feed, cause daughter works. I have trouble getting Grace to take it. I guess it will have to be a joint project.


CC has both calcium chloride and calcium carbonate. I tried the CC meatballs but no go. We also tried mash which Pepper loved, but still no go.

Daughter is trying putting her in a separate cage several times a day when the other 2 are out eating & Grace should be. Grace has a tendency to back away when the other two are out.

She's near the bottom of a healthy weight. How worried should we be about this? Vet has no ideas other than extra CC. Daughter is a mess anxiety-wise. We're desperate - maybe we'll try shillintong. But really, we don't know if the weight loss is related to the stones & cystitis.

Sorry this is so long.

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Tue Feb 11, 2020 6:08 am


I wonder if the weight loss could be due to renal insufficiency. It tends to look like a sort of gradual wasting away, though, as muscle mass is lost. The hip bones become very prominent in particular. That may not be the case here, but with her age and bladder issues it's something that came to mind.

She's already doing all the things I would suggest. When fed separately, does Grace eat more pellets?

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Tue Feb 11, 2020 4:29 pm


Hard to tell about the pellets. I have been wondering if some of the weight loss is due to age & kidneys do tend to be a vulnerable organ for pigs. We were at the vet today for Carley & I asked about Grace's weight loss. He said her bladder pain could cause loss of appetite.

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:42 pm


Oh definitely, pain can cause loss of appetite. I also wonder if the glucosamine could be affecting appetite.

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:47 pm


Hadn't thought of that. However this has been going on since Nov. or so. I'll mention it to daughter.

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:41 am


Once again, daughter thinks glucosamine stuff from England is helping. She upped the dose.

User avatar
Sef
I dissent.

Post   » Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:16 pm


Oh good! Is Grace eating okay?

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:07 pm


She eats fine and daughter is supplementing 3x/day, but she is still losing 1oz. every 2 weeks. Daughter did some googling & got some hits on various gp sites (including GL!). The main possibilities are diabetes or kidney failure. There might have been a 3rd but if there is I forgot. I also thought, but didn't say cancer. But I wouldn't think a solid tumor would have be missed given all the examinations she's had recently.

She's got a vet appt. tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on glucosamine.

User avatar
Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Mon Feb 24, 2020 4:15 pm


I wish getting their weight up was easier. With the weight she has lost, does she feel boney? Or thinner but not too thin?

If you remember, a vet gave us some guidelines to evaluate condition.
https://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Mon Feb 24, 2020 7:55 pm


She's not boney, but daughter thinks she's thinner. I'm going to check that link now.

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Sat Feb 29, 2020 10:45 am


Daughter is trying keeping Grace in a separate cage with short times in the big cage. She's gained 1 oz in 3 days! And she's become very resistant to taking the critical care. She took it easily until just a few days ago.

All this weight loss started when Brownie died & a few days later (or before?) Grace was in serious discomfort & then passed a couple of large clots. And then we got Emma, who's very friendly & wants to be with Gracie, but still, not as "in your face" as Brownie. Daughter's thinking it may be related to stress.

Hope this lasts, knock on wood.

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