[Gpdd] HEALTH: Cinnamon Bear has abnormal bowel movements

[Michael Tanaka]

Hello everyone and everypig!  We have a male, that we've had for seven 
months.  He was full grown when we found him in the pet store.  We're not 
sure how old he is, but we guess around a year and a half or so.  Lately, he 
seemed to have different bowel movements.  Now, he doesn't poop as much as 
we'd like.  We can't measure his pee, but he does pee a fair amount.  He's 
alert and active and eating as normally as he usually does.  He had seemed 
to sleep a tad more than usual and he didn't poop as much.  They were also a 
bit smaller and sometimes misshapen.  So we began to give him freshly picked 
grass from our yard, a small bit of alfalfa, another piggie's poops, and 
critical care 'balls' (critical care rolled into balls).  He fights and 
fights the syringe and won't eat from a spoon.

At this point, we don't want to use any motility drugs as we don't see a 
need for it just yet.

When we brought him home from the pet store, he was running around wildly in 
the box.  When I opened the box and held up the flaps he came running out. 
I had to catch him twice (while Michael drove) in the car.  He just wouldn't 
calm down.  Once we brought him home, he again kept flying out of the box. 
So I was in tears as I said, he's too wild we have to take him back.  But I 
couldn't sleep that night and told Michael the next morning, if we, as 
piggie people can't control him, what would a non-piggie person do?  So, of 
course, we kept him.  It took some time, but after giving him a clear 
plastic bottom home with creative cube 'walls' he's been happier.  And he's 
also become one cuddly little guy!  In all honesty, I don't know if I could 
have really given up on him, but I'm ashamed that I even thought of it.

He does not suffer from impaction (our K. C. had that so we know what that 
is); he doesn't cry when he poos or pees; his pee is clear, no color.

We're wondering if somehow his system needs a 'boost' and how to give him 
that boost.

A humorous note--I worry a lot and I sit next to Cinnamon Bear's pen and 
constantly watch him.  Yesterday, he was yawning so much, I stated so out 
loud whereupon Michael stared straight at me and said, I think he's tired 
because 'someone' is always staring at him and picking him up whenever he 
tries to lay down and sleep!  It was difficult, but yes, I finally 'let' him 
sleep!!  LOL

Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Wheeks,

Corrine and Michael and Cinnamon Bear (male) (and Mini, Peppermint, Blossom, 
Baby Truffles -- all females)