[Gpdd] HEALTH - Patches not eating

[DebraStory at aol.com]

Hi Slaves: I wanted to update everyone on Patches condition and thank 
everyone again for all of the advice and best wishes.  To my absolute delight, 
Patches has started eating a little bit on his own again.  He has started moving 
around more and acting like a cavy again instead of sitting all "puffed up" in 
the corner as well.  I actually broke down and cried last night when he stood up 
on his hind legs to greet me when I walked over to the habitat.  I am still 
offering him "pellet mash" to supplement his meager food intake, however.  He 
is now eating some mash off the spoon or directly out of a small bowel.  He 
much prefers this to being "force fed" with a syringe.  Since he is stronger now 
and able to eat some this way, we will do it his way.  I hope he will soon be 
eating well enough on his own that I can discontinue the mash entirely.  He 
also got a chance to play with his cagemates for a while today.  He really 
misses being in with them full time.  I have had him sectioned off so I could 
monitor his food and water intake for the last few days.  I hope very soon he will 
be able to join them again full time. I think his two "brothers" miss him too! 
 Wheeeks to all - Debra, Patches, Peanut, and Pumpkin