[Gpdd] [GPDD] Health: Mystery illnesses

[Susi Eastin]

Nichole-
  We, too, are so very sad to hear of the loss of too many piggies in
  such a short time. I am just stumped, especially if your vet couldn't
  figure it out. I really doubt that your feeding rabbit pellets would be
  the cause. While most commercial rabbit pellets now are medicated
  to help the bunnies, with a medication that is not good for the piggies,
  it isn't something that will kill them right off. Rather, as I understand 
  it, it is akin to giving them penicillin, only in smaller doses. It would
  simply destroy the good bacteria, but I would thing it would take 
  quite a bit of it, and they would be getting ill gradually. In fact, I 
  know some breeders who feed rabbit pellets regularly, mixed with
  other things. 
  The only thing that comes to mind is a problem with the feed itself.
  I've known breeders who have lost a number of pigs in a short time
  due to something wrong with their regular feed. Once there was some
  thing that got mixed in with the gp feed because it had been used in
  a previous run, and the equipment was not properly cleaned. This was
  in a Purina mill, but this was some years ago, and they supposedly
  have made changes to eliminate this danger. The other one I had
  heard about was another company, similar situation.  So you might
  look into that, see if there have been any similar deaths/illnesses 
  with animals eating that feed in your area. 
  I suppose the vet would have checked to see if it might have been
  something that bit them. I haven't heard of that happening, but I 
  guess it could. The trouble with piggies is how they hide their illness
  from us until the last minute - makes it hard to treat them sometimes.
  We will certainly keep you all in our prayers, praying that it is over
  now and the remaining piggies will be ok.  You, too.
   
  Piggie hugs'n'kisses,
  Susi  &  the Okie Piggies

 		
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